Call it a coincidence or call it serendipity, not long after our outline of the many marvelous yachts featured in James Bond's movies, one of them is being sold. The Soufriere, on which Daniel Craig and Eva Green were sailing to Venice during Casino Royale, is put on the market for sale. Soufriere is a 54ft wooden sloop built in the UK at Spirit Yachts' Ipswich yard.
The boat has the clean lines synonymous with Spirit design as well as the iconic mahogany topsides, teak decks and modern rig. She has two double cabins and a spacious living area, complete with mahogany dining table and well-equipped galley.
Spirit CEO and head designer Sean McMillan comments, 'Soufriere is not only a stunning, UK built, modern classic yacht, she is also a part of British film history. With her proven racing pedigree and extra space down below, Soufriere is ideal for an owner looking for an elegant performance cruising yacht with true British style.
Displacing just eight tonnes and carrying an awful lot of sail (1140sq ft) it finished second among Class 1 Modern Classics at this years Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge regatta and won the Ladies' Cup.
In 2013 McMillan explained the lengths Spirit was obliged to go to meet the producers' requirements - including taking Soufriere first to Miami, then Barbados and Croatia before finally arriving in Venice. Each change of location required taking down the mast, a two day job. In total the rig went in and out ten times.
"I had to phone them and say we just couldn't afford to do it. The schedule also involved a 1,500 mile upwind voyage from the Bahamas to US Virgin Islands. Very tough. But they said they'd pay. Most people pay them so they must have really wanted it," said McMillan at the time. It was the first sailing boat on that part of the Grand Canal in 300 years.
After filming, Soufriere was sold to a customer, an experienced sailor and racer in southern Ireland with whom she has lived exclusively until now.
During her time in the Spirit yard in Ipswich, Suffolk, Soufriere has been given a fresh coat of paint and had her cap rail repaired where racing wear and tear had taken its toll. The highly skilled finishing team at Spirit has beautifully varnished the restored cap rail, which is now ready for any future racing. To finalize her renovation work, Soufriere will come into the shed for a full re-varnish later in the year.
If you are looking to shake (but not stir) your lifestyle, contact Spirit to discuss how this £600,000 boat can be yours.
Spirit CEO and head designer Sean McMillan comments, 'Soufriere is not only a stunning, UK built, modern classic yacht, she is also a part of British film history. With her proven racing pedigree and extra space down below, Soufriere is ideal for an owner looking for an elegant performance cruising yacht with true British style.
Displacing just eight tonnes and carrying an awful lot of sail (1140sq ft) it finished second among Class 1 Modern Classics at this years Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge regatta and won the Ladies' Cup.
In 2013 McMillan explained the lengths Spirit was obliged to go to meet the producers' requirements - including taking Soufriere first to Miami, then Barbados and Croatia before finally arriving in Venice. Each change of location required taking down the mast, a two day job. In total the rig went in and out ten times.
"I had to phone them and say we just couldn't afford to do it. The schedule also involved a 1,500 mile upwind voyage from the Bahamas to US Virgin Islands. Very tough. But they said they'd pay. Most people pay them so they must have really wanted it," said McMillan at the time. It was the first sailing boat on that part of the Grand Canal in 300 years.
After filming, Soufriere was sold to a customer, an experienced sailor and racer in southern Ireland with whom she has lived exclusively until now.
During her time in the Spirit yard in Ipswich, Suffolk, Soufriere has been given a fresh coat of paint and had her cap rail repaired where racing wear and tear had taken its toll. The highly skilled finishing team at Spirit has beautifully varnished the restored cap rail, which is now ready for any future racing. To finalize her renovation work, Soufriere will come into the shed for a full re-varnish later in the year.
If you are looking to shake (but not stir) your lifestyle, contact Spirit to discuss how this £600,000 boat can be yours.