To own a classic Feadship is to own a piece of maritime history – and there are plenty of options for prospective buyers looking to take a chance on a vintage vessel. We handpick six classic Feadships currently offered for sale, lovingly (and painstakingly) restored by owners looking to pass the torch on to a new custodian.
Dojo
Length: 45m
Year: 1981
In a technical sense, restoring a Jon Bannenberg-designed Feadship, then called Branzino, was always going to be a tall order. Yet, in 2017, out of the shadows emerged Dojo, restored to the same classic character as she had in 1981 when she first tasted salt water. Although the new owner liked the overall details – particularly the owner’s suite on the main deck and her entertaining space aft – he wanted to cut away the old high-rounded stern and replace it with the new one. His brief resulted in a two-step process, where a large bathing platform close to the waterline was created. An interior refit followed, carried out by Domusnova, where dark-tobacco key cabinetry is coupled with lustrous cream carpets, large silk panels in turtle dove grey on the walls and deep, vintage-effect leather for key items of furniture.
Dojo is asking €8,900,000 with Fraser and Edmiston.
A2
Length: 47m
Year: 1982
The 47-metre A2 was built in 1982 and was transformed during an 18-month stint at Pendennis in 2012, which included a five-metre hull extension, new machinery and a restyled superstructure. Additional refurbishment between 2021 and 2022 saw the installation of new navigation equipment and two new generators, a host of interior upgrades and and an exterior facelift. New York based Peter Marino oversaw her new contemporary interior design: large sofas and modern art adorn the saloon while the dining room feels more traditional. "The owners liked the profile of a 1980s Feadship, but wanted the conveniences and amenities of a new build," said the late Henk Wiekens when he gave BOAT International a tour in 2015. "One of the things that’s changed in the last 30 years is expectation of headroom. He wanted the new interior optimised for greater headroom throughout." A Hodgdon Custom Mini Venetian Limousine tender suits her, offering guests comfort and style. Her Lloyd's 10-year special survey was completed in January 2022.
A2 is asking $16,900,000 with Edmiston.
Monara
Length: 25.8m
Built: 1969
It was lifelong sailor Roeland Pels who saw past the decaying state of 1969 yacht Monara. She was host to a wealth of owners and guests throughout her time – belonging to a Milanese banking family, an English lord, and Spanish royalty in her time – and had “more or less a rebuild rather than a refit” in 2015, according to Feadship’s head of refit sales, Ico Vergouwe. The addition of a bulbous bow was set to make her more efficient under power and add buoyancy forward for greater comfort in a seaway, while the replacement of the engines was another focus. Each individual element of the engines was sprayed separately, reassembled and then made visible through a triple-glazed soundproof window in the floor of the main saloon. When it came to interior design, Pels started from scratch, inspired by the work of Philippe Starck but predominantly led by his wife Marjorie. The result? A modern ship, open from bow to stern.
Monara is listed for sale with Northrop & Johnson with price on application.
Synthesis 66
Length: 42m
Built: 1982
Synthesis 66 joined the market at the beginning of the year having emerged from an intensive three-year rebuild at Monaco Marine. Her bridge deck now sports a Jacuzzi aft, surrounded by sunpads and has space for large groups to dine or party around the bar. Her interior refit was overseen by Boutsen of Monaco who retained the original woodwork but added a fresh appeal. She accommodates 10 guests across five cabins. The master is full beam on the main deck, its bathroom featuring a "playful mosaic design". The refit saw her Lloyd's classification restored and also MCA compliant so she can be offered for charter.
Synthesis 66 is asking €23,000,000 (VAT paid) with Northrop & Johnson.
De Vrouwe Christina
Length: 28m
Year: 1957
The (now) 28-metre gaff-rigged sailing vessel De Vrouwe Christina is a member of the Feadship Heritage Fleet, built in 1957 for Crawford and Christine Failey as a copy of a typical Dutch barge. Since 2002, she has been well cared for and has had two major refits that restored her inherent beauty. Her current Dutch owners, who did extensive research in her background, found her and bought her sight unseen in 2002. This led to an unpleasant revelation of how much work needed to be done, and the refit lasted three years, in which time Ginton Naval Architects revised the hull, built the interior and put two new engines in – giving her the feel of a new ship. Later, in 2016-2017, her second refit was the work of Olivier van Meer, where the focus was on exterior layout, redesigning the forward section of the interior (from the galley to the bow) and enclosing the formerly open wheelhouse.
De Vrouwe Christina is asking $990,000 with Camper & Nicholsons.
Cetacea
Length: 40.3m
Year: 1970
Commissioned as a classic family boat and delivered in 1970 by the Dutch shipyard, Cetacea was formerly known as Intent and Alchemy. The 40-metre motor yacht most recently belonged to the commodore of the New York Yacht Club, Chris Culver, and it spent the first 12 months of his ownership in various stages of refit. Her most recent five-month project, completed in 2023, took place at the Roscioli Shipyard in Fort Lauderdale. This saw everything from an engine rebuild to a reconditioning of the entire driveline, a full electric assessment, an overhaul of the stabilisers and installation of a new IMO-approved Sewage Treatment System. She sports an exterior and naval architecture by H. W. De Voogt with glossy interiors by Robin Rose.
Cetacea is asking $8,490,000 with Camper & Nicholsons.