Yahoo Lifestyle Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, and Other Icons Hopped Aboard These Charter Yachts. Now You Can, Too.
Although chartering a modern yacht often provides the latest in contemporary trappings and tech, provenance is an intangible amenity that can only be earned. The 325-foot Christina O, for example, was the first shock-and-awe superyacht when presented in 1954; its stature, beyond its size, was owed in part to a pool tiled with a mosaic of a Minoan bull, a wood-rich library, a marble-clad en suite in the primary stateroom, and exotic upholstery on the bar stools made from a whale’s scrotum.
Shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis rescued the former Royal Canadian Navy support boat from the scrap heap for $34,000 after World War II and spent $4 million (now about $50 million) transforming the military vessel into a statement of postwar opulence. Eighty years after its original conversion, and multiple refits since, Christina O retains its unmistakable allure as a charter yacht (about $775,000 per week in high season), as guests follow in the wake of such 20th-century celebrity clientele as John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and Frank Sinatra. The Callas Lounge was where Maria Callas used to entertain her lover Onassis and other guests, among them prime ministers and presidents.
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“In fact, Churchill first met JFK on board,” says owner Tim Morley of Morley Yachts. His sales pitch for the advantages of chartering Christina O—which can sleep up to 34 guests—over a modern superyacht includes the sense of history preserved in every room.
Part of the magnetism of vintage vessels, along with their refined styling cues and artisanal detailing, is their often straightforward design. “On a modern yacht, it’s rare you can see the deck fully from stern to bow without interruption,” says Dominic Meredith Hardy, owner and director of Classic Charters, representing the 125-foot sailing yacht Puritan (priced at about $66,000 per week). The gaff-rigged schooner was designed by famed American naval architect John Alden and launched in 1930. It reputedly saw duty during World War II and was seized by the Mexican government in the 1970s. “She was then rebuilt to sail hard on the regatta scene,” says Hardy, noting that its summers are now spent cruising the Med.
The same age as Puritan, the 102-foot schooner Weatherbird, named after a 1928 jazz song by Louis Armstrong, was a floating playground for the glitterati long before Christina O. Commissioned by Sarah and Gerald Murphy, partying pals of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Weatherbird is reported to have hosted dozens of artists, princes, and poseurs alike. “Given the people who have been on board—Picasso, Coco Chanel, and Hemingway—guests wish the walls could talk,” says broker Richard Callender at Northrop & Johnson. Now chartering for about $47,000 per week in the eastern Med, the sailboat is defined by its beautiful woodwork and salon fireplace.
With an even longer legacy, 161-foot Invader, designed by the Herreshoff family (considered blue bloods of naval architecture), debuted in 1905. In its heyday, it hosted such luminaries as Charlie Chaplin and in 1926 won the Transpac oceanic race from Los Angeles to Honolulu in a record-setting time that remained unbeaten for 23 years. Beyond its pedigree, the white-hulled boat (available for about $58,000 per week) stands out due to its unusually graceful lines—it resembles a swoosh—and the level of privacy it ensures, as it accommodates a total of only six guests across three cabins. Of course, alfresco dining under the evening sky of the western Med serves up an unequaled sense of togetherness. After all, there’s nothing like a classic charter to strengthen old-school bonds.
Ports Less Traveled
Yacht charters in the Mediterranean are often called milk runs by captains because they all tend to stop at the same ports. Sure, such mainstays as Portofino, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez are exciting for first-timers, but there are smaller harbors anchored in historic charm—and with less congestion—that offer an arguably more authentic cultural experience. Here, five of the region’s hidden gems.
Šibenik, Croatia
Venetian traders not only paved Šibenik with marble; they’re also responsible for its Cathedral of St. James, constructed from 1431 through 1535, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sailors might recognize from Game of Thrones. A cruise on the Luka Kanal reveals more historic buildings along stone-clad banks, and the waters surrounding St. Nicholas Fortress make for an excellent mooring spot.
Ortigia, Sicily
Although the tiny island of Ortigia may have lived its best life 2,500 years ago, its enduring Sicilian cuisine and architecture make it a compelling port of call. Savor almond and espresso gelati while visiting baroque churches on piazzas built by ancient Greeks. Two bridges connect Ortigia to Syracuse, the main Greek city of ancient Sicily, where the local pescherie stock enough seafood to sate the needs of any superyacht chef.
Portoferraio, Italy
Discreet and picturesque Portoferraio, on the island of Elba, encompasses a marina lined with brightly colored fishing boats. It’s a rustic scene that pairs well with an afternoon sipping Aleatico di Portoferraio DOCG, a local red wine. Just north lies Spiaggia di Capo Bianco, the superyacht anchorage of choice set along a vast curve of unspoiled beach that gives easy access to reefs and caves that are ideal for snorkeling.
Bonifacio, Corsica
What is perhaps the Med’s most magnificent natural harbor is surrounded by some of its most dramatic cliffs. An azure, sun-splashed haven on Corsica, Bonifacio sits below a towering ninth-century citadel, the vielle ville, where restaurant terraces top the vertical limestone crags. After exploring the town, discover the 20 beaches that zigzag to the south, each an exclusive oasis of its own.
Sifnos, Greece
The port of Sifnos is defined by sugar-cube-like houses, amber beaches, and cobalt seas. It has been a sailing mecca for discerning Athenian oligarchs since time immemorial. Why? Because Sifnos literally sits on a gold mine, and its mineral wealth helped gild the island’s 237 churches. The real treasure, though, just may be the port’s rich assortment of tavernas that combine world-class seafood with local spirits.
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