The Spirit of Yachting

Yacht Sales and Launches: Astounding Success in Choppy Financial Seas

by Georgia R. Byrd

One of the world’s most iconic yachts,
Maltese Falcon, now sails under a new owner.

Amid the world's economic turmoil, two companies—Burgess and Trinity Yachts—have cast a shining light across the choppy financial seas with unthinkable yacht sales and new launches that defy the times. Here are highlights of their successes.

Burgess Sells the World’s Largest Sailing Yacht
Burgess defied the challenges of the financial crisis head-on recently with the sale of the world’s largest sailing yacht, Maltese Falcon, to an undisclosed owner for close to the asking price. The iconic 289-foot (88-meter) Perini Navi-built yacht, with three carbon fiber masts and 15 square sails, is highly acclaimed in a league of floating fortresses and has been declared a “feat of engineering” by the builder’s peers.

Maltese Falcon, the brainchild of commissioning owner Tom Perkins, is the result of a collaboration between the world-renowned Perini Navi, Dijkstra & Partners and Ken Freivokh. Burgess has long enjoyed a close working relationship with Perkins and, according to Burgess Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Beckett, the sale was concluded following a one-year process, with Burgess representing both buyer and seller. Perini Navi USA was a Joint Central Agent in the transaction.

“The Falcon torch has now been passed to the new owner, who is proud to be entrusted with the legacy of Tom Perkins’ remarkable achievement and applauds his vision and the energy of the team who created the vessel,” says Beckett.

Creative flair and pioneering innovation are the driving forces behind the philosophy and business ethos of Falcon’s new owner. “Aesthetics, technology and sustainability were all very key factors for the buyer, and Maltese Falcon ticked all the boxes,” Beckett explains.

The light-filled atrium of
Maltese Falcon is stunning with its circular stairway surrounding the main mast.

As one of the most photographed sailing yachts in modern times, this revolutionary vessel is famed for employing the DynaRig system, a square-rigged sail plan that results in an aerodynamic sailing experience. The innovative system has proven its worth since its original launch in 1986. It is composed of three independent computer- and motor-controlled carbon-fiber masts, each containing white, square sails that, together, are larger than the area of half a football field. It captures unmatched speed and mobility for a vessel of Falcon’s magnitude.

Additionally, Maltese Falcon is praised for her green credentials. According to Beckett, the yacht is “one of the most environmentally advanced super yachts afloat today.”

Trinity’s Elite Three some (left to right)
Felix Sabates Jr., Chairman of the Board,
John Dane III, President and CEO,
William S. Smith III, Vice President

A Historic Sale With a Team of Talent

The sale of Maltese Falcon represents another outstanding milestone in Burgess’ sales record, which includes these celebrated yachts: Platinum (now Dubai)—531 feet (162 meters); Al Mirqab—311 feet (95 meters); Air (now Ice)—295 feet (90 meters); Adnan Khashoggi’s Nabila—282 feet (86 meters).

Maltese Falcon will continue to sail as a charter yacht under her new ownership, with both charter management and full operational management handled by Burgess. For more charter information, or to review current yacht listings, visit www.burgessyachts.com.



Trinity Yachts Launches Its Largest Build to Date
The warm June waters off the coast of Gulfport, Miss., attracted a small crowd of onlookers as Trinity Yachts launched its 40th hull, a striking 196-foot (60-meter) vessel called Bacarella. Premiering an exterior design bolstered by two names from the big leagues of yachting, Bannenberg and Rowell, the ship, with its massive steel hull and aluminum superstructure, was launched during one of the bleakest economic times in U.S. history, symbolizing the resilience of her builder, Trinity Yachts.

Bacarella’s astounding presence on the water, combined with a contemporary, spacious interior of grained-elm paneling and limestone, nickel and slate accents, reflects the distinctive grandeur of Trinity’s predecessors. Trinity has the largest share of the U.S. yacht building market, with an order book comprised of 18 vessels. The company is looking beyond today’s economy, changing with the times and adjusting quite well, according to President and Chief Executive Officer John Dane III.

“We’re forging ahead, producing patrol boats for the U.S. Navy as we carry on as an elite builder of custom yachts,” says Dane. “For prospective owners, now couldn’t be a better time to work with our team in building a custom yacht that fulfills their desires. While our repeat customers already value our potential, it’s a perfect time for them to build up. For new clients, delivery times are reduced.”

Trinity’s 58-acre Gulfport, Miss., facility boasts 550,000 square feet of space under one roof.

In today’s recession, no signs of prosperity are more obvious than those that read “seeking employees” at the entrance of Trinity’s two yards in Gulfport and New Orleans. Since their post-Katrina expansions, the two yards have been employing more than 1,000 team members. The rebound has resulted in innovative shipyard features and new facilities in Gulfport, along with the installation of a new 3,700-ton Syncro lift-launching system.

Trinity’s original site in New Orleans, which was once used to build the Higgins vessels in World War II, and its new facility in Gulfport work in tandem to produce yachts of up to 328 feet (100 meters) that grace the most prestigious ports of the world, from Monaco to St. Barts and Dubai.

Continuing a Tradition of Success
Milestones continue to mount for Trinity, such as last year’s christening of the second-largest sport-fishing yacht in the world, Mary P, in New Orleans. The Gulfport yard also saw last year’s debut of the motor yachts Imagine, Lohengrin, Lady Michelle and Mine Games, which are among the most demanded yachts in the charter selection.

With three veteran yachtsmen and respected administrators at the helm—John Dane III, president and chief executive officer; William S. Smith III, vice president; and Felix Sabates Jr., chairman of the board—Trinity invites inquiries. Contact Smith at Trinity Yachts, 228-276-1000, or visit www.trinityyachts.com.

Photo Courtesy of Burgess; Trinity Yachts