Classic racing schooner “Atlantic” (left). (Photo by Jean Jarreau)
MARIGOT--The largest three-masted classic racing schooner ever created, “Atlantic”, one of the finest examples of classic sailing yacht reproduction, was in Marigot, Saint Martin, on a stopover last week.
Veerle Rolus from the yacht’s agent Yacht Assistance, explained that Captain Fosse Fortuin, who has visited many times with member vessels of Caribbean Sail Training (CST), wanted to make a short stop after the transatlantic crossing. The vessel was on its way to the Antigua Yacht Show to do provisioning and buy spare parts.
The original “Atlantic” was commissioned by New York Yacht Club member Wilson Marshall; built at the Townsend and Downey shipyard, Shooters Island, New York; and launched on July 28, 1903.
She was designed by William Gardner, one of America’s foremost designers of large yachts. From the moment “Atlantic” went to sea, it was clear that she was an exceptionally fast and beautiful schooner. After a busy racing career, she was broken up at Newport News Boat Harbour, Virginia, on January 30, 1982.
After owning, restoring, rebuilding and recreating a number of famous yachts such as “Thendara”, “Aile Blanche”, “Borkumriff”, “Zaca a te Moana” and the Herreshoff racing schooner “Eleonora”, Dutch yachtsman Ed Kastelein planned his ultimate masterpiece: the recreation of the three-masted schooner “Atlantic”.
More than three years of technical and historical research resulted in sufficiently detailed plans and information to enable a highly accurate and authentic recreation. Having set a new standard with his creation of “Eleonora”, Kastelein built on his vast experience and constructed once again a yacht that no one thought would ever sail again.
With her total length of 64.50 metres (212 ft) she is the largest classic racing schooner ever recreated. Her spars tower some 45 metres above the waterline and support a staggering area of 1,750m² of sail, more than 2½ times that of the already awesome J-Class yachts.
“Atlantic” now has a new owner and just went through a huge refit programme. While her design honours her predecessor, “Atlantic” offers all the modern comforts needed for a luxury charter experience.
Fully air-conditioned and equipped with high-speed Internet, her interiors are both elegant and inviting. Six beautifully appointed cabins accommodate up to 12 guests, each designed to provide the highest level of comfort and style. The onboard experience is enhanced by a dedicated crew of 12, professionally trained to manage the yacht to the highest luxury standards.
The yacht will remain in the Caribbean for the winter season and participate in the St. Barth’s Bucket Regatta later in the new year. “Atlantic” is available for charters via Bernard Gallay: website:
https://www.bernard-gallay.com
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