Phuket is currently home to a growing collection of ‘classic’ yachts including a colourful collection for charter through Asia Global Yachting.

Note: The original article, Classic Appeal, appears in YACHT STYLE Issue 72 (click to read)

Maha Bhetra

Asia Global Yachting is shaking up the luxury charter scene in Phuket by launching a ‘Classic Line’ of boats dating back to the 1950s. The initial four-strong range of charter CAs includes stylish motor and sailing yachts ranging from 50ft to over 100ft, offering from two cabins to six suites, and hailing from Europe, Australia and Asia.

“We’ve created the Classic Line because we now have a line-up of vintage charter yachts including gentleman’s cruisers, sailing yachts and wooden boats. These charters are focused on easy-going cruising and time to enjoy your surroundings – the journey is the adventure,” says Nicolas Monges, founder and Managing Director of Asia Global Yachting (AGY) in Thailand.

Camara C

“Walking barefoot on a wooden deck connects us to nature but also give us a feeling of adventure and having the same sensations as sailors since the beginning of time. These yachts keep traditions alive and offer an experience reminiscent of a more romantic era of travel, yet with all the luxuries, amenities and toys today’s clients want.”

In terms of price, the new Classic Line is headed by Camara C, a 105ft all-steel motor yacht built in Scotland by Yarrow & Co and launched in 1961. After chartering for over three decades in the Mediterranean, the teak-decked superyacht completed an extensive refit in 2021 following her arrival in Phuket. She still tops out at 12 knots, so this is a boat for relaxing cruises, not speedy day trips.

Camara C

Chartering from US$14,000 a day, Camara C accommodates up to 12 guests in six interestingly arranged cabins including a full-beam master suite forward on the main deck.

On the lower deck, the five all-white en-suite cabins include a double and twin forward, while aft of the engine room are two symmetrical doubles plus a VIP with twin queen-sized beds in the stern. There’s also accommodation for six crew in the bow.

Camara C

The main deck offers cosy alfresco dining in a covered, rounded aft cockpit. The interior starts with a long, gorgeously furnished saloon with sofas on three sides and a dining table forward, followed by a large galley. The foredeck is a working area with a crane and space to store water toys, which include diving, fishing and snorkelling equipment, kayaks and a paddleboard, as well as a tender.

The flybridge is one of the most popular areas for guests, offering lots of clear deck space, a large deck-level sunbathing and lounging area aft, and a covered dining table midships just aft of the bridge.

Aventure

For a change of tack, there’s Aventure, the only sailing yacht in the Classic Line, but what a sailing yacht she is, with a strong track record of racing and chartering across Southeast Asia including in Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago.

A beautiful 95ft wooden ketch with a vintage style belying her relatively recent construction, she features a traditional design by Patrick Balta. The only 21st-century build in this feature, she was built of ironwood and mahogany in Sulawesi from 2007 before being outfitted and finished at the Ratanachai Shipyard in Phuket from 2011-13.

Aventure

Chartering from US$3,900/day, Aventure has a teak deck, giant steering wheel, nice outdoor area for meals overlooking the water and a forward area for sunpads. Below deck, a rich interior includes the main saloon with a chart table, dining area and lounge, a master suite aft and two en-suite doubles forward.

AGY’S WOODEN YACHTS

The 1954 Mami Wata, owned by Asia Global Yachting, is scheduled to start a new charter life later this summer following the completion of an extensive refit in Phuket.

Mami Wata

Described as a gentleman’s cruiser, the wooden 50-footer will be available from US$2,700/day, with up to eight guests in the day and four overnight in two cabins.

Set to celebrate its 70th birthday next year, Mami Wata was built in New South Wales by the historic Halvorsen shipyard, which was founded in Sydney in 1925 by Norwegian Lars Halvorsen and his sons – Harold, Peter, and Carl – after they arrived in Australia, following two years in South Africa.

Mami Wata

Mami Wata’s low-slung design includes an open upper deck that has a helm station with windshield, facing sofas, coffee table and loose chairs aft, while forward and down half a level is the saloon, which includes the lower helm and its classic ship’s wheel.

Like Mami Wata, the 90ft Maha Bhetra is owned by Asia Global Yachting and is well established in Phuket as a popular charter yacht. Among two Classic Line offerings built in Asia, the traditional, custom-built wooden motor yacht was handcrafted in Thailand and looks unlike any other boat at her home in Phuket Yacht Haven.

Maha Bhetra

The two-deck yacht was designed by the late Ed Tuttle, the American architect renowned for his work on Aman resorts in Thailand, Indonesia, India, Morocco, France, Greece and USA, The Sukhothai Bangkok hotel, and Park Hyatt hotels in Italy and France.

Delivered in 1994, Maha Bhetra is built of hardwood with teak flooring and welcomes guests on the main deck, which features three elegant full-width staterooms decorated with Southeast Asian antiques from the 18th century. In the bow is a cosy outdoor bench and table.

Maha Bhetra

The upper deck features the main saloon and dining areas, plus an open lounge forward. The saloon is open on all four sides and makes the most of the area’s good weather, with transparent blinds only used in case of rain or excessive wind.

http://www.asiaglobalyachting.com