Talking to Tim Langmead in the Antibes office of Camper & Nicholsons, I express surprise that Grand Banks built his new central agency for sale, the 38.5m sailing yacht Sapphire. Tim gently enlightens me: this is not the Taiwanese builder of trawler-type motoryachts, it's Grand Banks Custom Yachts based in South Africa and this is hull number two in a series of large sailing yachts.
Built in 1996, she had a major rebuild in 2008/2009 and, according to Tim, "Everything you touch is new." The machinery, including generators and main engine have delivery hours only, while the interior accommodation, teak and deck fittings have all been replaced. Accommodating six guests in three cabins, Sapphire is asking €2.4 million and Tim also notes that the owner has a new project and is keen to sell.