Onboard world’s most iconic wooden sailing yacht

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Welcome to Yacht Charter Market, the weekly newsletter dedicated to the world of yacht charter.

In today’s newsletter:

• Top story: Step onboard Creole: World’s most iconic wooden sailing yacht

• Zairos: FX & Cross-Currency Solutions for Charter & Asset Payments

• Charter Updates: New CA announced for Bodicea | New to the charter market is 67m Symmetry | 30% discount when chartering Iary | Explore the Adriatic onboard Andiamo | Avra for charter with Ocean Independence | New CA for 106m Amadea |

• Superyacht Spotlight: Discover the extraordinary, one fjord at a time.

TOP STORY

Step onboard Creole: World’s most iconic wooden sailing yacht

En route to Monaco, a very special sailing yacht is awaiting me. Nearly a hundred years old, yet as beautiful as the day she launched, is Creole. Towering over every other yacht in the Monaco harbour, I find it impossible to take my eyes off of this 65.3-metre beauty. 

I step onboard the three-masted schooner as her warm wood glitters under the afternoon sun, as though she’s been freshly varnished for my arrival. An assortment of savoury and sweet treats, along with true Italian espresso immediately make me feel at home. I close my eyes, take a deep breath of the fresh, yet salty air, and listen to the creaking of Creole’s wood as she softly bobs along the waves. The breeze blows through my hair and I can imagine being out on the open sea, sails flying with nothing but the endless blue horizon.

Creole was built for the azure waters of the Mediterranean by Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard back in 1927. Gracing the seas for almost a century, her current owners, who have cared for the yacht for over 40 years, have decided it’s long overdue to share her with the world. Chartering onboard Creole is designed for lovers of both sailing and history. Of importance is an understanding and appreciation for who she is: a racing yacht, a naval vessel, a floating palace, a living artwork, and, maybe most important of all, a family heirloom of deep sentimental value.  

Sailing onboard Creole means enjoying the authentic 1927 vintage sailing experience. She embodies her era: her lines, her rig and interiors have been carefully preserved, and much of her original magic remains. If you remove the upper deck planking, you’ll find the original 1920s deck sitting underneath. Guests who charter Creole will get to experience chartering a piece of living history. Staying onboard is the perfect blend of a classic atmosphere with modern comfort: elegant staterooms, numerous spacious saloons and an attentive and experienced crew who will cater to guests’ every need - that and the thrill of staying onboard the world’s most iconic wooden schooner. 

At nearly a century old, she remains the world’s largest wooden sailing yacht, yet her lines are as graceful as on the day she was launched. With a long history and seven different owners, surviving war, neglect, and changing fashions, Creole landed in the hands of her current owners four decades ago. They have meticulously cared for her, restoring her interior to a modernised version of her original 1920’s design, curated by the famous Italian fashion designer, Maurizio Gucci. 

Stepping onboard, guests travel back in time, without having to give up modern comforts. Able to house up to 11 guests across six staterooms, each room has its own colour theme, ranging from subtle reds and blues to gold and green and are located in the centre of the sailing yacht. Additionally, each stateroom has a private bathroom with either a walk-in shower or bathtub, his- and hers- sinks, and are decorated in varying shades of Italian marble.

There is ample opportunity for relaxation onboard, whether in the spacious staterooms or in the grand dining saloon, deck saloon, or the deck terrace overlooking the sea. If you prefer the feeling of adventure to the lap of luxury, then the best place to fully feel Creole’s magic is on her bow: either looking forward as she effortlessly cuts through the waves, or looking back and seeing her freshly varnished exterior shine under the Mediterranean sun. From this special place on her bow, a trained eye will also note her deck planks, which are graciously bent to the shape of her hull under very specific temperature and humidity conditions. There is nothing about this yacht that isn’t remarkable.

It’s not just her interior design that has been carefully attended to: those who charter Creole are cared for by a crew of 15, who sleep in the eight cabins in the bow of the sailing yacht. Creole’s dedicated and skilled crew includes highly experienced sailors, excellent interior service and a world class Chef. Anyone who steps onboard this masterpiece needs to focus solely on enjoying Creole’s beauty, history, and luxury.

While she preserves her antiquity, Creole is equipped with plenty of modern amenities, including air conditioning, the most up to date navigational tools, and a professional galley. She also houses a wide range of water toys, including a wakeboard, kneeboard, flyboard, SeaBob, paddleboards and more, blending her classic elegance with modern entertainment.

Cruising the Mediterranean

Having traversed the globe, from San Francisco to Tahiti to the Red Sea, Creole’s true home is the Mediterranean. She races through the heavenly blue waters at a cruising speed of 10 knots, but if you experience the sails flying and the spinnaker is out, Creole can reach a maximum speed of 14 knots. When the sails aren’t in use, she relies on her two German-built MTU engines to charter guests around Europe’s southern coast: from Italy to the Balearic Islands and the Aegean Sea. 

This charter season, Creole will finish her season at the Voiles de St. Tropez. Anyone fortunate enough to sail aboard Creole will experience her authenticity and enjoy the privilege of becoming a part of her expansive history, even if only for a week.

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CHARTER UPDATES

SUPERYACHT SPOTLIGHT

@yachtstarfire

Gliding through the dramatic fjords of Norway, where towering peaks meet tranquil waters and every horizon promises a new adventure. From hidden anchorages and cascading waterfalls to unforgettable moments immersed in nature, every journey aboard Starfire is designed to inspire.

Here, nature sets the pace, inviting you to slow down, explore further, and experience one of the world’s most breathtaking cruising destinations.

Discover the extraordinary, one fjord at a time.