A PASSION FOR YACHTS
A CHILD’S DREAM
Since ancient times, lakes, rivers, inland waterways, seas and oceans have attracted mankind. There is even evidence of the use of watercrafts in prehistoric time. Whatever their shape and size, whether logs, rafts made of reeds, canoes, watercrafts of any sort, boats and ships have accompanied the evolution of humanity and have played an important role in the spread of cultural and commercial exchanges between peoples. Primarily used for transport, fishing, hunting, exploration, trade and for the conquest of new territories, one might wonder when watercrafts were used for pleasure first?
Along with other critical inventions such as the wheel, ancient Sumerians are reckoned to have invented the sails. Ancient Egyptians also used sails on their sea-going vessels and on the many different types of barges that went up and down the Nile. In fact, there is archeological evidence that the Egyptians built huge pleasure barges for the entertainment of their pharaohs – the most famous one being the barge used by Cleopatra to seduce Mark Antony.
Were Pharaohs the first yachtsmen ?
Alas, only a few artefacts remain of Roman Emperor Caligula’s two large floating pleasure palaces used on lake Nemi during his brief reign ( 37A.D. to 41A.D.) – a Roman vacation getaway 30km South of Rome.
The Nemi Ships had a length of 75m and 71m with a respective beam of 29m and 25m. Built at enormous expense, luxuriously decorated with gold, mosaics, statues, they even had heating, hot water and baths, vines and fruit trees.. Some archeologists speculate that on top of being used for the entertainment of the eccentric Emperor and his entourage, these two superyachts could also have served as a showcase for the wealth and power of the Emperor.
Lake Nemi
Nemi Schiff
One might as well wonder, where does the term “yacht” originate from ? In the 14 th century, the Dutch Navy invented fast and small hunting boats used to chase smugglers, thieves and pirates, called “jaghtschips”: Wealthy merchants and ship owners started using these jaghtschips to celebrate the return of merchant ships to their moorings and it became fashionable for the well-to-do to use “jaghts” to entertain friends on the water. No wonder, Holland is nowadays one of the leading countries for yacht builders with major shipyards such as Feadship, Oceanco, Amels, Royal Huisman, Haakvort, Heesen, Moonen…
Grand Canal, Versaille, France
Going back in history, in 1660,after a ten-year exile in Holland, Charles II was restored to the throne of England. To celebrate the occasion, the city of Amsterdam offered him a 60 feet sailing vessel called MARY. Charles II enjoyed so much sailing up and down the River Thames on MARY, that he built another vessel ANNE. His brother James, Duke of York followed suite and commissioned KATHERINE in 1661. They engaged in a 40-miles race on River Thames.
Another fascinating example of recreational boating is that of the Flotilla that cruised on the Grand Canal of Versailles since 1669. Constituted of sailing ships, gondolas, barges, merchant and war ships, frigates, brigantines, not only did the flotilla provide a magical entertainment for Louis XIV and his courtesans, but it also contributed to the Sun King’s splendor and to his ambitious policy of ship building.
Latona fountain, Grand canal Versailles, France
Initially reserved to Royals, sailing became fashionable with the gentry and a gentleman’s activity. The emergence of yachts clubs greatly contributed to the development of yachting. Founded in 1720, the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Ireland claims to be the oldest yacht club even though St Petersburg Neva Yacht Club was founded in 1718. Some of the oldest yacht clubs include the prestigious Royal Yacht Squadron founded in 1815, the Yacht Club de France founded in 1867, the Real Club Nautico de Barcelona founded in 1876, the Genoa Yacht Club founded in 1879.
With the creation of the New York Yacht Club in 1844, yachting crossed the Atlantic. In 1851, the 100-foot schooner America owned by the syndicate of the New York Yacht Club, won the Isle of Wight race organized by the Royal Yacht Squadron and brought the cup to the United States. Since then, this race has been known as the America’s cup.
Club races initially started as chases to catch non-existing enemies. Nowadays they are exclusive sporting and social events often sponsored by luxury brands such as Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Loro Piana, organized under the umbrella of famous shipyards like The Perini Cup. Some regattas celebrate mythical builders and architects namely the Fife Regatta and the Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta & Rendez-vous.
The gilded age, the 20s and 30s saw the commissioning of legendary yachts built for kings and queens, industrialists, business and political leaders of the time. Some of these legendary vessels are still in operation today. Built by German shipyard Krupp Germania Werft (Cox and Stevens naval architecture) for American businessman Max C. Fleishmann, 71m yacht HAIDA was launched in 1929. Over the years, she had various passionate Owners who renamed her Argus, Sarina, Rosenkavalier, Haida G, Dona Amelia and finally HAIDA 1929.
HAIDA 1929 was last refitted in 2018 and is probably one of the nicest yacht of that time.
78,65m SS DELPHINE launched in 1921 at the Great Lakes Engineering Works in Michigan, was built for American automobile manufacturer pioneer of Dodge Brothers Company and named after his daughter Delphine.
From HMS Mary to HMY Britannia, there is the long history and tradition between yachts and Royals – a tradition that has extended to Hollywood stars, nowadays tycoons, billionaires and celebrities. In 1956, Prince Rainier III’s fairy tale wedding to American actress Grace Kelly placed the Principality of Monaco in the limelight. For this occasion, a reception was held onboard the 99m yacht Christina O owned by the Greek shipping owner, Aristotele Onassis. Hollywood stars and celebrities invited onboard Christina O include Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly, Jackie and John F. Kennedy and Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, opera singer Maria Callas, Greta Garbo, Franck Sinatra, Marylin Monroe, and John Wayne. Christina O is currently available for charter.
The Principality of Monaco has become one of the highlights of yachting offering two ports, a prestigious yacht club, important events like the Monaco Yacht Show, the Monaco Classic Week, the F1 Monaco Grand Prix, the Historic Grand Prix …
The Cannes Film Festival and the 1956 Roger Vadim’s scandalous movie And God created Woman starring Brigitte Bardot contributed as well to the development of yachting on the French Riviera.
Indeed, many prestigious yachts can be spotted every year during the Cannes Film Festival and in St Tropez.
Another yachting haven is Sardinia’s Emerald Coast. In the 60s, young Prince Karim Aga Khan bought some land in the North East of Sardinia, and set up the Costa Smeralda Consortium that transformed the area into one of the most exclusive hideaway in the Mediterranean.
Combining luxury resorts, boutique hotels, golf courses, exclusive beach clubs, fine dining and sparkling nightlife with the natural beauty of its coasts and emerald seas, the Costa Smeralda is not only a magnet for celebrities and billionaires but a paradise for yachting.
Founded in 1967, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda organizes prestigious regattas such as the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the Giorgio Armani SuperYacht Regattas, the Rolex Swan Cup.
The development of yacht clubs and marinas has given a boost to yacht building.
Italy has a thriving luxury yacht building industry with prestigious brands such as Admiral, Azimut, Benetti, Baglietto, Cantiere delle Marche, Codecasa, Colombus, CRN Ancona, Dynamiq, Ferretti, Fincantieri, ISA, Mondomarine, Over Marine, Palumbo, Picchiotti, Perini, Pershing, Picchiotti, Riva, Rossinavi, Sanlorenzo, Tankoa, and Wally.
Indeed, there are yacht builders in many countries from Germany to the UK, Spain, France, Turkey, USA, Brazil, Japan, China…
The 21st century has witnessed incredible innovations in the yacht building industry worldwide: zero-speed stabilizers, hydraulic bathing platforms, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion, yachts carrying cars, amphibious vehicles, helicopters, submersibles, an incredible range of water toys, various tenders, ever more hedonistic decks fitted with jacuzzi, pool, sun pads, disco, night cinema, beach clubs with sauna, Turkish hammam and foldout platforms to enjoy life at sea to the fullest, extremely fast yachts to commute quickly between islands, intensive cruising explorers and ice-classed yachts able to operate in remote unspoiled areas…
The history of yachting is fascinating !
Behind the name of any yacht, there is a story, a slice of life, a passionate attraction to the sea.
Whatever your style of yachting,
we would be delighted to be of service to you.
