She started life hauling shrimp in Florida. She's now a family-loved adventure yacht. Now on the charter market for the first time, discover why 32-metre Pink Shrimp is made for guests who'd rather explore hidden coves than sit in air-conditioned saloons.
There are yachts, and then there's Pink Shrimp. Built in 2002 by Jemison Marine in Florida as a commercial shrimp fishing boat, this steel-hulled workhorse spent her early years battling the high seas. But in 2004, legendary yacht owner and designer Jack Setton saw something special: a solid, ocean-tested platform ripe for transformation. He brought her back to Europe and converted her into a luxury cruising yacht designed for low-maintenance adventure.
A decade later, the von der Heyden family fell in love. Pink Shrimp had been on their radar for years, the dream boat that ticked every box for a family who valued authenticity, exploration and outdoor living over polished perfection. "For my father, the style is just so unique. She's not just like any other plastic boat out there. She's self-sufficient. She's a safe haven for going anywhere in the world," says Patrick von der Heyden, the owner's son.
When they learned that Setton was selling her, they didn't hesitate. "We very quickly met up with him in Sardinia, had a look at the boat, and at that dinner, we did a handshake deal with him," recalls Patrick. "Then we put our 80-foot boat in the bay next to Pink Shrimp, and we just moved our stuff onto Pink Shrimp, and he took over our boat. We did a swap!"
With a range of over 4,000 nautical miles and a 52,000-litre fuel capacity, Pink Shrimp is built for the long haul. She's capable of off-the-beaten-track cruises that would leave lesser yachts scrambling for the nearest fuel dock. In November 2015, Patrick, his father, his brother and a friend crossed the Atlantic from Gran Canaria to St. Barts.
"We had an unbelievable time," Patrick says. They spent the next two years exploring the Caribbean and the US East Coast, from Florida to Savannah and New York, before returning to Europe. Since then, Pink Shrimp has been based in Saint Tropez, spending winters in harbour and summers constantly on the move - Mallorca, Ibiza, Sardinia, Corsica - rarely spending a night docked between May and October.
After acquiring Pink Shrimp, the von der Heydens set about making her their own. In 2025 alone, they replaced generators and installed a more eco-friendly water filtration system. But the most striking transformation came from Patrick's mother, who took on the entire interior design herself - no professional designer involved.
The result is a vintage island aesthetic that feels laid-back, colourful and utterly unpretentious. You wouldn't mistake it for an apartment - you know you're on a boat, and that's exactly the point. This is a space designed for people who love the sea. "The design is humble. You're close to the water, and it's a real boating feel instead of this overly luxury feeling," Patrick adds.
Life on board is kept smooth by the long-standing captain - a French Olympic sailor who has been with the von der Heyden family for 16 years. He runs a crew of five who know the boat inside out, ensuring every voyage is seamless.
The family spends virtually no time inside - there aren't even TVs in the cabins. "We love to live outdoors and take tenders and toys out to explore," Patrick says. "We have an 8.5-metre Zodiac Hurricane tender, which Jack originally custom made, and we use this a lot to do day trips or go far in big waves." There's also a smaller tender for beach runs and a variety of water toys. Given Pink Shrimp's origins, she's the perfect platform for charter guests who want to try their hand at serious fishing.
The aft deck is the social heart of the yacht where guests gather to drink, eat and soak up the sun - a great spot to browse the stewardesses' custom Pink Shrimp cocktail menus! There's also a swim platform with an inflatable extension, creating what Patrick describes as "a big beach deck area" comparable to yachts in the 40- to 50-metre range.
But the real showstopper is the flybridge, which the family completely reimagined. "The flybridge used to be full of solar panels but we completely changed it. We put two big sun beds, a gym and an open-air cinema. You have the view up there, so it's a special place to sit when cruising," Patrick explains.
Pink Shrimp accommodates eight guests across four en-suite double cabins, and she's even geared up for four-legged family members. "We always take our dogs on board, they are my dad's shadow. We have a little platform in the back where they can access the water from a dog ladder. The crew love them too, so they always take them out for walks on the beach," Patrick says.
While Pink Shrimp is available for charter throughout the Mediterranean this summer, her impressive range means she can venture further afield for interested clients. She represents authenticity in the charter market - not trying to be the biggest, the flashiest or the most Instagrammable. She's a boat with a genuine story, owned by a family who truly love the sea, and now available to charter guests who share their values.
Visit the Pink Shrimp website or email charterpinkshrimp@gmail.com to book your charter experience.
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