News

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

DoubleYou

Northrop & Johnson Asia-Pacific’s brokerage listings include a selection of classic yachts for sale including a Cheoy Lee motor yacht that belonged to American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, a 1968 aluminium sailboat that has completed multiple circumnavigations, and a 94ft Island Gypsy launched in 1979 by Kong & Halvorsen.

“Northrop & Johnson lists superyachts of all ages, but buyers of pre-loved ‘classic’ yachts are attracted by their timeless style and enduring craftsmanship,” says Martin Holmes, General Manager of Northrop & Johnson Asia-Pacific and Lee Marine, which holds the regional licence for the international brokerage.

DoubleYou

“Yachts like DoubleYou, Firebird and Thea are also good value, as they’ve benefited from extensive and often expensive refits and upgrading. Steeped in adventure and global exploration, each yacht has a unique story and invites a new owner to pen their own unforgettable chapter.”

DoubleYou is the only Expedition 90 built by Cheoy Lee and now based in Phuket with an asking price of US$2,700,000. Designed by Tom Fexas and launched in 1999, the 158GT motor yacht was named Continental Drifter II when owned by Buffett.

DoubleYou

After several years cruising around Southeast Asia, in 2020 she completed a refit in Indonesia focused on the saloon, skylounge, bridge and guest cabins, with white timber flooring and panelling creating a Hamptons beach house vibe elevated by tasteful furnishings and striking artwork.

The lower deck has two full-beam suites, two twins (one with an additional Pullman berth), and two crew cabins.

DoubleYou

With twin Caterpillar 3406 diesel engines and an 18,000-litre fuel capacity, she has a top speed of 14 knots, cruises at 11 and boasts an extensive range of 4,300nm. Tenders include a 15ft Boston Whaler, 13ft Zodiac and 10ft crew tender, while toys include wakeboards, waterskis and gear for diving, deep-sea fishing and snorkelling.

Northrop & Johnson’s brokerage listings also include the 1968 Firebird, which had an asking price of US$449,000 as of late June.

Firebird

Commissioned by the Timken family and named after The Firebird ballet by Stravinsky, the 84ft ketch was the world’s largest aluminium sailboat when she was launched in the US at the Palmer Johnson shipyard in Wisconsin.

In her 65 years afloat, she has circumnavigated the globe three times including voyages to the Antarctic and Arctic regions, and even became the subject of an eponymous novel in 2020. She spent the last part of the 20th century in the Virgin Islands before moving to Australia in 2009 and undergoing a US$1 million-plus refit.

Firebird

Firebird’s current home is in Phuket, where she was beautifully reappointed in golden Burmese teak by Teak Timber. The new-look interior offers an elegant, 1960s feel and there’s even a daybed in the saloon, while a wood-burning stove is provided for cruising in the higher latitudes. There are three guest cabins, including a master with a private staircase.

Modernisations also include a Raymarine navigation system with autopilot, updated networking, LiFePo batteries, Kohler genset and Victron inverter/solar systems for true off-the-grid independence.

Thea, priced at US$2,495,000, is a 94ft Island Gypsy launched in 1979 by Kong & Halvorsen, a joint venture set up in Hong Kong between Australian builder Halvorsen and Joseph Kong.

Thea

After being sold to the current owners, an architect and interior designer, Thea underwent a 2012-14 rebuild that included a 2m extension of her wooden hull, which boasts an exceptional thickness of 4.8cm throughout.

This year, she completed another extensive refit, this time in Satun province in southern Thailand. Powered by twin Caterpillar 3408 engines, Thea can reach 13 knots and cruises at 10 knots, while her 21,000-litre fuel capacity ensures impressive range.

Thea

The main deck includes a roomy aft cockpit, large saloon, separate dining area forward and a galley with a swing hatch to the dining room and dumb waiter to the wheelhouse on the flybridge. The flybridge also includes an aft-facing stateroom with panoramic views and private aft deck, plus two cranes and tender storage.

The lower deck includes the master stateroom aft and two more en-suite guest cabins, as well as accommodation for three crew in a captain’s cabin and bunk cabin. Thea is currently in Langkawi but could relocate to Phuket in November.

http://www.northropandjohnson.com