A pioneer in automation and furling systems on large sailing yachts, Italian shipyard Perini Navi was founded in 1983 by Fabio Perini. The builder has constructed 61 motor and sailing superyachts so far, with an average LOA of 49 metres. Meanwhile, the company’s legendary Maltese Falcon remained the world’s largest sailing yacht until 2017.
Today Yacht Harbour recalls the largest vessels built by the yard.
#1. Maltese Falcon
Length: 88m
Year: 2006
Maltese Falcon is an iconic yacht that had held the title of the world’s largest sailing yacht until Oceanco launched the Black Pearl in 2017.
Commissioned in 2000 by Tom Perkins, the late venture capitalist, the Maltese Falcon took nearly six years to complete. Sold to hedge fund manager Elena Ambrosiadou at an asking price of €70 million in 2009, the 88-meter is now one of the largest yachts available for charter with a rate starting from €360,000 per week.
Maltese Falcon’ most innovative attribute became her sails that could rotate based on the direction of the wind. This was a first for the yachting industry. This innovative system allows the yacht to even sail against the wind.
Maltese Falcon features a cruising speed of 16 knots. Meanwhile, in a storm in the Gulf of Lion, France she demonstrated a speed of 26 knots under sail alone.
Designed by Ken Freivokh, the Maltese Falcon was extensively refurbished in 2015/2016 during a refit. She can accommodate up to 12 guests on-board.
Length: 73m
Year: 2013
Delivered in 2013 by Picchiotti, part of the Perini Navi group, Nautilus (back then Grace E) instantly received a positive reaction at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2014, thanks to a unique design.
Her first owner, according to several sources, was Florida-based billionaire Bob Stiller, who built his fortune on a coffee empire known as Keurig Green Mountain. In Q2 2017, the yacht was listed for sale and ultimately found a buyer in March 2018. She was sold asking € 78,500,000.
With a beam of 13.2 metres and a draft of 4 metres, Nautilus features exterior design by Philippe Briand and interior style by Remi Tessier. Her gross tonnage makes 1590 tons.
The superyacht's key features include an open-air Jacuzzi, sauna, gym, hydrotherapy bath and pool. She also hosts a beauty salon, meditation room, sunbathing and massage area as well as a sushi bar. If that is not enough to entertain the guests, there is also a film library, satellite TV, iPod docking stations and Wi-Fi.
From a technical standpoint, Nautilus can reach a top speed of 16.5 knots and cruise at 14.5 knots. As for the accommodation, 12 guests in 6 suites can be carried on-board, as well as a crew of 20.
Length: 70m
Year: 2016
The second largest sailing yacht built by the yard since the Maltese Falcon, Badis I (originally Sybaris) was conceived for American businessman Bill Duker in 2016. The yacht was listed for sale in April 2017 asking €88 million and sold at the same asking price in October 2018.
Naval architecture on this project was handled by Perini Navi's in-house team and French designer, Philippe Briand who had previously worked with the group on the 73-metre motor yacht Grace E.
The yacht was built out of alloy complete with a keel of variable draught (4.5m to 11.74m) in order to allow access to shallow areas and achieve good sailing performance. Badis I' sails stretch over a surface of 2,300 square meters and can be controlled solely with consoles in the cockpit.
Badis I cruises at 12.5 knots and reaches a top speed at 17.5 knots. She can host up to 12 guests taken care of by a crew of 12.
Length: 64m
Year: 2003
The Spirit Of The C’s is the largest aluminium sailing yacht in the world. She features a beam of 12.7 metres and a draft of 9.4 metres, adding up to a gross tonnage of 655 tons. She is powered by Deutz-MWM engines of 1400 HP each, giving her a maximum speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots.
Featuring exteriors by Nuvolari & Lenard and interiors by Perini Navi, Remi Tessier, Dernier Etage, and the vessel is trademarked with a large retractable bathing platform, providing easy access into the water or onto the tenders and folding perfectly into the stern aft, when not in use.
Along with a crew of 11, Spirit Of The C's can accommodate up to 10 guests within five staterooms, including a full-beam master suite.
The yacht is now back on the charter market, following an extensive refit which included a sundeck extension, a complete rebuild and refurbishment of her interior and the remodelling of the guest cockpit area. The charter price starts from €198,000 per week.
#5. Seahawk
Length: 60m
Year: 2013
All-aluminium sailing yacht Seahawk features Perini Navi in-house exteriors and naval architecture developed in collaboration with Ron Holland Design, along with interiors by French studio Liaigre. She offers accommodation to 12 guests within 6 cabins.
With a beam of 11.4 metres and a draft of 12.3 metres, she has an aluminium hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 491 tons. Seahawk reaches a maximum speed of 15.50 knots and cruises comfortably at 13 knots.
Following her 2018 refit, Seahawk has been listed for sale asking €32,000,000.
#6. Perseus 3
Length: 60m
Year: 2014
Second 60m of the series, the design brief called for Perseus 3 to feature the tallest carbon fibre mast ever built, and the biggest downwind sail area on a yacht, thanks to her unique bowsprit. Built in aluminium with a carbon bowsprit, she features a cruising speed of 12 knots.
Perseus 3 offers accommodation to up to 12 guests within five spacious suites, including a full-beam master suite with a private lounge and study, two VIP doubles, and two twins with additional Pullman berths.
The yacht’s on-deck trademarks comprise a swim-in-place heated pool on the foredeck and a large flybridge with cushioned sun pads, sofas and a BBQ. On the main deck, more formal al fresco dining can be enjoyed in the cockpit, which is sheltered by a curve of glass, also enclosing the exterior lounge.
The yacht is available for charter from €250,000 per week.
#7. Seven
Length: 60m
Year: 2017
The seventh largest yacht by Perini Navi, Seven, was launched in 2017 as the third 60-metre unit.
Seven is trademarked with lighting design by Videoworks and design studio Dante O Benini & Partners. She can accommodate 10 guests in 5 cabins with an interior design by Studio Dante O. Bellini and an exterior design by Perini Navi.
The yacht is fitted with two Panamax aluminium masts with carbon-fibre rigging, booms and spreaders, contributing to a total sail plan of more than 2,000 square metres. Meanwhile, Seven’s maximum speed makes 15 knots.