An Iconic Sailing Superyacht With A Fishbone-Style Mast
The Maltese Falcon is one of the largest private sailboats in the world, and instantly recognizable from her distinctive fishbone-style electronic carbon-fiber masts. measuring 190-foot. It’ three towering white sails make an ideal backdrop for watching a film noir. One of the world’s most technically complex yachts ever delivered has undergone a refit at Lusben specifically focused on increased efficiency by lowering fuel consumption while improving the yacht’s aesthetics while making it more comfortable.
While sailing yachts tend to be smaller than their motorized counterparts, this yacht is particularly large for its category, measuring a staggering 289 feet (88 meters) in length, providing more than enough space to accommodate up to 12 guests in five lower-deck staterooms and one upper-deck VIP stateroom.
The yacht was initially conceived for Tom Perkins in 2006 and is now owned by Elena Ambrosiadou. In 2009, Elena Ambrosiadou who owns one of the most successful hedge funds in the world, bought the Falcon for a reported $100 million. The Falcon boasts great performance, topping over 24 knots under sail. Cruising wise, she travels at 16 knots, and has an extensive cruising range of 4000.0 nm at 14 knots.
Above: The Maltese Falcon leaving the shipyard after a total refit. Image via Lusben.
A $100 Million Dollar Falcon Has Landed
The refit took over six months to complete and involved over 80 people who worked alongside the boat’s crew members. While newly launched sustainably focused yachts are trending in the marine industry, it is paramount to refit, service, and update components of the vessel to maintain optimal efficiency, not only for sustainability reasons but also to help reduce energy savings.
Furling sails are stored in the mast and can be deployed in under six minutes, the same time it takes to drink a cappuccino. Perini Navi, an Italian shipyard, built the boat and installed DynaRig technology that electronically trims the sails in the wind direction.
Disassembled, Serviced, And Refitted With Sustainability In Mind
Some of the sustainably focused developments include upgrading the generator for a more efficient system and engine mufflers for noise reduction. The shafts, blades, and bearings were also disassembled and serviced. But the biggest feat was updating the masts, a vital and delicate system produced by UK-based Insensys, the forerunner of the Dynarig system is based on three rotating carbon fiber masts capable of deploying up to 2,396 square meters of sail. Other routine maintenance included cleaning the hull and overhauling the valves. Other fixture fitting upgrades include replacing the lighting with LED technology, resulting in significant energy cost savings.
Aside from operational maintenance, cabins and bathrooms were refurbished with an aim to offer guests an even more welcoming and comfortable night area and a fully appointed galley. The teak deck was also replaced to provide a fresh new look.
Above: Maltese Falcon’s masts. Her refit was completed at Lusben, Italy where the entire hull was repainted in its distinctive ‘Perini Blue’. Image via Lusben
This unique sailing superyacht is now available for charter with Burgess. Rates start from USD 490,000 per week.
Do you want to read about more amazing yachts? Also check out:The 10 Most Expensive Superyachts on YachtWorld
The World’s Largest Superyachts
Written by:
Related
