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Iconic yachts: The story of the 88m sailing yacht Maltese Falcon

Tom Perkins created one of the most sensational three-masted sailing yachts of the past 100 years when he built the 88 metre Maltese Falcon with Perini Navi .

Launched in 2006, the project took nearly six years to complete. With radical unstayed masts made of 'weapons-grade' carbon fibre, computerised sail and mast control system, M a ltese Falcon, and in particular its FalconRig, was hailed as a triumph of design, development and engineering.

The great idea of the clipper rig is that a huge sail area, 2,415 metres square, in this case, can be spread over 15 sails, thus greatly reducing the loadings. On Maltese Falcon there are a total of 25 sails, giving her 10 spare.

One of the most exciting aspects of Maltese Falcon is the yacht's upwind performance. "We sail as close to the wind as any yacht, of any design, that has more than one mast," Perkins previously said. He went on to describe the mast and sail control system as 'almost trivial' in its simplicity. "I can teach any sailor how to handle the yacht in five minutes," he said. "To the best of my knowledge, this is not the case with any other big boat with reel winches."

The superyacht's 'luxury machine' interior - a marriage of industrial chic and high tech - was designed by Ken Freivokh around Tom Perkins' striking modern art collection , and features leather, glass, wood and steel. The layout includes a master suite and five further guest cabins, and the crew of 16 is accommodated in eight cabins.

Her long and relatively narrow hull was designed be very fast through the water, and her very long waterline 78 metres assures stability against heeling. The sails, made by Robbie Doyle, are stored on individual in-mast mandrels and set and furled using a complex but brilliant system that makes use of a large number of electric motors within the masts and on the yards.

In 2009, Perkins sold Maltese Falcon to hedge-fund manager Elena Ambrosiadou. The yacht is now available for charter with SuperYachtsMonaco from €460,000 a week.

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The Maltese Falcon: A Timeless Icon of the Yacht Industry

This 288-ft motor sailing yacht commands attention wherever she goes.

By Ellie Brade

One of the world’s largest sailing boats, the iconic  Maltese Falcon  yacht is something of a modern day pirate ship. Commanding attention – and awe –wherever she goes, the 288 ft motor sailing yacht has been described as the world’s most photographed yacht, a testament to the blend of sailing yacht high performance and motor yacht luxurious comfort courtesy of its shipyard, Perini Navi.

When the  Maltese Falcon  – the brainchild of the late Tom Perkins, her first owner – launched in 1990, it had been six years in the making. After a staggering amount of research, development, design work and innovation, the  Maltese Falcon  remains a bastion of the industry nearly over three decades later.

Upon first debut, it was clear she was one of the most significant yachts of the past century. Pushing all the capabilities of superyacht design, the  Maltese Falcon  transformed the world of superyachts forever.

[See also: How to Begin Your Journey to Yacht Ownership]

Construction

Construction work was undertaken at Perini Navi’s Turkish facility in Tuzla, with the core project team made up of Perkins, naval architect Gerard Dijkstra of Dykstra Naval Architects (DNA) and Ken Freivokh of Ken Freivokh Design , who designed the interior and exterior. The yacht began life as the steel hull of an abandoned yacht project before being identified as a suitable platform for Maltese Falcon . This was the third time that Perkins had built a yacht with Perini Navi, but it would be his biggest and boldest build by far.

One of the Maltese Falcon ’s most distinctive traits is her masts and sails, and the design for the entire yacht was centered around them. Powered by square-sailed “Dynarig” technology, which was suggested and developed for the yacht by Dijkstra, she features three carbon fiber masts with a computer-run sail and mast control system that allows push button sailing.

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In a nutshell, her huge 25,791-sq-ft sail area is spread out over 15 sails – five for each mast – that are fixed to the mast’s curved yards and set and furled using an electrical control system. The freestanding masts are then rotated as desired to adjust the sails.

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This complex, yet extremely simple, system makes sailing the Maltese Falcon almost effortless for sailors of all skillsets – it takes just six minutes to set the sails and only 90 seconds to tack the yacht. The entire system can be run by just one person.

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In addition to its reliability and ease of use, the Dynarig system allows the yacht to sail fast and efficiently, delivering significant economic and environmental savings.

Her ease of use means she regularly travels under sail, vastly reducing her reliance on and consumption of fuel. She doesn’t shirk on performance either. Able to reach top speeds of 18 knots, the Maltese Falcon has more than proved herself out on the water, having won many sailing regattas including The Superyacht Cup 2010 and the Perini Cup several times.

[See also: How Millennials are Changing the Superyacht Industry]

Freivokh describes the design of the yacht as being “form follows function,” while still upholding essential design principles, balanced proportions, and uncluttered and purposeful shapes. For the interior, Freivokh created an elegant aesthetic with an industrial edge. This effect was achieved using a combination of materials including walnut, Macassar ebony, glass, leather, carbon fiber and aluminum, complemented by beautiful artworks and sculptures.

The Maltese Falcon accommodates 12 guests in six cabins – the full beam master is positioned on the lower deck, with highlights including a full width dressing room and a private gym. The equally impressive VIP suite is located on the upper deck with direct access to the bridge and its own deck space. Four large doubles, all with ensuites, complete the picture.

The Maltese Falcon is a very social yacht that is well suited to entertaining. Her spacious layout allows for six different dining and entertainment spaces. The main deck is the focal point for guests to gather and enjoy. The large main saloon leads directly out to a circular bar that includes a full formal dining table – picture world-class dining under the stars.

[See also: Inside Pegasus, the First 3D Printed Superyacht]

“The circular bar on the main deck aft is a focal point that seamlessly integrates the interior with the exterior deck spaces,” says Chloe Riley, the Maltese Falcon ’s charter broker at SuperYachtsMonaco.

Inside are two lounges and another formal dining set up, with the dining area bearing Japanese influences. The main deck is also home to a cards and games room, and modern office facilities that make it easy to work on board. All the key spaces are linked by a striking central staircase.

The exterior spaces are home to some of the Maltese Falcon ’s most popular features. The central bar has played host to a wide variety of events and parties in its time. When it’s time to stop partying, there are plenty of options to sunbathe, dine or relax. Jacuzzis can be found inside and out, and recent additions to the yacht include a new spa facility with a hair salon and massage room (a qualified beauty and massage therapist sits among the 19-strong crew).

There are numerous private spaces to escape to and enjoy the experience of life on the water. “The seating area on the bridge deck forward is a lovely spot that gives a unique viewpoint when sailing,” says Riley. “But most memorable of all the features is the huge outdoor cinema set up on the upper deck, with movies able to be projected onto one of the yacht’s sails for the ultimate cinema session.”

[See also: First Look Aboard Eco-Conscious Residential Superyacht, Njord]

Chartering Maltese Falcon

Over the years her travels have taken her all over the world, clocking close to 200,000 nm with a decent proportion under sail. “She is versatile with location and can be chartered anywhere in the world, although Greece is now the Maltese Falcon ’s home,” says Riley.

Plenty of thought has been put into her charter offering, which gives a thrilling taste of all the ingredients that make superyachts so exciting including speed, high luxury and gourmet delights. As a charter favorite, it is no surprise that the Maltese Falcon also carries a rich selection of toys and tenders, and she has been set up to appeal to every kind of guest.

“Guests of the Maltese Falcon can enjoy the exhilarating performance of race sailing with seven-star luxury and comfort,” says Riley. “With all the best elements of motor and sailing yachts, she really is the best of both worlds.”

[See also: Does this 357-Foot New Yacht Belong to Steven Spielberg?]

The Maltese Falcon is a yacht that needs to be seen to be believed, and once seen will not be forgotten. Its late creator, Perkins, summed it up beautifully when he opined: “It is not a modest thing to say, but my creation remains an unrivaled masterpiece.”

The Maltese Falcon is available for charter with SuperYachtsMonaco from €460,000-€520,000 ($500,000-$565,000) per week + expenses. Contact Chloe Riley, [email protected] , superyachtsmonaco.com

Ellie Brade

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MALTESE FALCON – relaunching a legend.

Published 26 April 2023

The term ‘legend’ is used far too lightly in the world of superyachting. In the case of  MALTESE FALCON , it is entirely apt, indeed well deserved. Her original owner, Tom Perkins, was an MIT graduate who, as a venture capitalist, went on to become one of the key players in the tech boom investing in start-ups like Netscape, AOL, Amazon and Google. He also loved yachting, owning and campaigning Perini Navis and classic yachts around the world.

His passion for advancing technology was given physical form in MALTESE FALCON. He worked with Dutch naval architect Gerard Dijkstra to revive and refine an evolution of the square rig concept developed in Germany during the 1960s to save fuel on merchant ships but never used. The outcome was the DynaRig, in which three free-standing, rotating carbon masts with fixed yards could deploy 2,396sqm (25,790sqft) of sail area in moments at the touch of a button. A slew of regatta wins paid testament to the efficiency of the design.

On delivery in 2006 her audacious innovation won universal recognition, winning 18 awards in all, the most of any sailing yacht ever. Now under new ownership, her new custodian wanted an equally bold yet wholly respectful update to enhance the yacht’s already impressive green credentials. Emanuela Esposito’s Rome studio was also commissioned to brighten the yacht’s Frievokh interiors without losing any of their award-winning Art Deco grandeur.

Technical updates included new generators, LED lighting throughout, new monitoring systems, new galley and new guest en suites. Her interiors saw darker panels replaced with lighter woods and fabrics, new carpets, furniture, art and AVIT. Her hull was also restored to classic Perini blue. The results are quite exceptional, as her many guests will discover this summer and beyond.

MALTESE FALCON relaunch timeline - 19 April 2023

• 07.52 - feathering props serviced and gleaming 1 of 9 photos
• 08.01 - the big day begins and sunlight illuminates her repainted Perini blue hull 2 of 9 photos
• 08.21 - her ensign is hoisted and flown for the first time in seven months 3 of 9 photos
• 08.46 - the boarding tower is craned away - no getting off now 4 of 9 photos
• 09.04 - bridge sunscreens removed and the flooding process begins 5 of 9 photos
• 09.08 - fenders are reinflated 6 of 9 photos
• 10.07 - the keel touches the sea again 7 of 9 photos
• 11.08 - one of the heaving lines thrown from the dock to attach mooring lines catches in the rigging. Within a minute a crew member was hauled aloft to recover it 8 of 9 photos
• 14.33 - after a pause to check watercooled systems like generators, the launch continues and MALTESE FALCON floats 9 of 9 photos

In September 2022 the yacht sailed to the Lusben shipyard in Livorno and rose out of the water in a 180m floating dock where she would remain for the next seven months. On 19 April 2023, she took to the water once again and Burgess was privileged to be on site to record the event.

The unmistakable, unforgettable MALTESE FALCON is back, and better than ever. Be one of the first to experience this revamped beauty in the Mediterranean this summer and this winter in the Caribbean and Bahamas. Ask about MALTESE FALCON today .

To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter , please contact a Burgess broker . Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London , Monaco , New York , Miami , Singapore or all other locations .

- Yachts, prices and availability are correct at the time of publication.

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9 Fascinating Facts About the ‘Maltese Falcon,’ One of the World’s Most Iconic Sailing Yachts

A three-deck atrium, two master suites, two cinemas, and the innovative falconrig are just a few of the secrets of this highly technical yacht., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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At the time of its 2006 delivery, the 289-foot Maltese Falcon held the title of the world’s largest sailing yacht—nearly stretching the length of a football field, with a 42-foot beam. The Falcon ’s first-place status has been eclipsed by more recent launches, including the 348-foot Black Pearl and Jeff Bezos’s 417-foot Koru . But the Maltese Falcon remains one of the most iconic boats on the water as well as one of the largest sailing yachts for charter via Burgess.

Commissioned by the late Tom Perkins—a pioneer of Silicon Valley’s venture capital industry who was briefly married to romance novelist Danielle Steel (his own novel, Sex and the Single Zillionaire, is still available on Amazon)—and built by Perini Navi, Maltese Falcon has won 18 design awards since its launch. Naval architecture was by Gerard Dijkstra, with the original design by Ken Freivokh.

The three-mast sailing yacht last year completed an interior, exterior, and engineering refit at Lusben shipyard. The series of aesthetic and functional improvements include the hull being repainted in Perini Blue and a new extendable passerelle that takes guests down to the water. The teak deck was also replaced, and interiors refurbished with lighter woods, cream panels, and new tapestries.

Here are nine cool facts you didn’t know about the Maltese Falcon .

The FalconRig

The innovative masts and sails, inspired by the 1960s DynaRig concept, were produced by U.K.-based Insensys. The FalconRig is based on three rotating and freestanding masts made from “weapons-grade” carbon fiber, capable of deploying up to 24,756 square feet of sail in six seconds (the average time it takes to tie a necktie) at the push of a button. The huge sail area is spread over 15 sails to greatly reduce the loads while delivering a potential top speed of 25 knots. Maltese Falcon carries a total of 25 sails, giving it 10 to spare. Despite its success, the technology has not been widely adopted, though Black Pearl comes close with its DynaRig system.

This is Where the Magic Happens

All this innovation was only possible with specialized technology, including sensors in the sails that measure loads, wind speeds, and tidal currents, specialized software that Perkins wrote to help crunch this data in nanoseconds and a centralized control center that does most of the sailing automatically. Perkins’s goal was to create a complex but very easy-to-handle sailing machine. He once boasted: “I can teach any sailor how to handle the yacht in five minutes.”

Two Cinemas

One of the yacht’s most unique features is the world’s largest outdoor cinema (above) projected onto the lower sail. Guests can watch from the flybridge or the lounging space at the bow of the sundeck. Since the refit, there is now an indoor cinema (below), with wood paneling and comfy sofas that deliver a Zen vibe.

Three-deck Atrium

Under Perkins’s stewardship, Maltese Falcon contained an incredible collection of modern art, which served as inspiration for the yacht’s “luxury machine” interior penned by Freivokh. It combined industrial chic with high tech, manifested in leather, glass, wood, and steel. The art may no longer be on board and the interior has been refurbished, but the three-deck atrium, with stairs spiraling around the main mast (below), remains a showstopping feature.

Six Years in Build

The hull was built on spec in 1989 by Perini Navi and sat for 10 years waiting for the right owner. When Perkins, who had spent a decade planning the vessel, green-lit the build process, it took from 2000 to 2006, or about twice the time of a typical custom superyacht because of its complexity. Perkins had amassed a fleet of vessels over a 25-year period that included the 141-foot Perini Navi Andromeda la Dea,  a 154-foot ketch of the same name, and the Herreshoff classic Mariette of 1915 . He also owned a restored classic yacht called Atlantide . But Maltese Falcon was Perkins’s opus. He wanted a high-tech, but easy-to-handle sailing machine. He once boasted: “I can teach any sailor how to handle the yacht in five minutes.”

Rotating Sunbed

Maltese Falcon is known for its large modern spaces, including an indoor/outdoor bar area where the glitterati have mingled on deck. Among the yacht’s many refit improvements is a new circular sunbed on the flybridge that rotates with the sun to deliver maximum tanning exposure, guest convenience, and a continuous stream of panoramic vistas.

The Bogart Connection

The name Maltese Falcon was inspired by the 1941 American film noir of the same name, directed by John Huston, that starred Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre. Many consider it the greatest detective movie ever made. The black bird, originally made in gold and encrusted with jewels, is also a symbol of extreme wealth. The emblem appears throughout the yacht, on the sails, the linen, and in the form of a bronze sculpture positioned by the indoor cinema.

Two Masters

Officially, there is only one full-beam master suite (top), with a large walk-in wardrobe, an adjoining gym, and his-and-hers bathrooms with a Jacuzzi bath and shower room. However, the private full-beam VIP (bottom) is a close runner up, which many consider a second primary. Facing the flybridge with access to the terrace and walkaround side decks, it has a new bed with a television that rises from the floor. There are an additional four double cabins on the lower deck, each with en suite facilities.

A Full Chest of Water Toys

It’s not surprising that a yacht renowned for being technologically advanced should hold a plethora of toys and other cool amenities. The onboard gym has a state-of-the-art MS Sculpt electric muscle stimulator for toning without breaking a sweat. In the water, there are eFoils, paddleboards, and jetsurfers. The two original Pascoe tenders remain, though Perkins took the DeepFlight Super Falcon personal submersible with him when he sold the yacht in 2009. It was the world’s first “winged submersible” built by Hawkes Ocean Technologies and was named in honor of Maltese Falcon . He later installed the sub aboard his motor yacht Dr No , a converted fisheries training ship, which he used to explore the Pacific Islands.

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Maltese Falcon Yacht: Everything You Want To Know

The Maltese Falcon is a sailing superyacht that is one of the largest sailing yachts on the planet. It was first launched back in 2006 although you could argue it was actually launched in 1990 as the bare hull actually hit the water back then but it wasn’t actually built into a full vessel that was sailing until 2006. It took six years to finalize the design and construction before launch. Despite its remarkable size and apparent complexity, the yacht is designed such that a single person could operate it by themselves if they wanted to. 

The yacht comes in at 289 feet in length, definitely making it ones of the largest sailing yachts in the world. It features what they call a Dyna-Rig system with three 190’ rotating masts, each supporting five sails.

Who Owns the Sailing Yacht Maltese Falcon?

The original owner of the Maltese Falcon was American venture capitalist Thomas Perkins. He only had the yacht for two years however, buying it in 2006 and then selling it in 2008. The company Pleon Ltd bought the yacht and has been operating it ever since, mostly as a charter vessel.  Since that time it’s become one of the most famous and easily recognizable yachts on the water and has turned up all over the world. 

What Is a Maltese Falcon?

The name of the yacht comes from the movie of the same name, itself based on a book. The Maltese Falcon is a valuable statue made of gold and jewels but disguised to look plain. By the end of the story no one actually has it or knows where it is. In the story it qualifies as a Macguffin, something that is sort of a misdirect and isn’t really what’s important.  

How Do The Sails Work on the Maltese Falcon?

As mentioned, the Falcon uses a DynaRig system. The furling sails are stored inside the masts. The masts themselves are actually made of weapons grade carbon fiber which, as you can imagine, is both highly advanced and not inexpensive by any means. 

When an operator simply pushes a button, they automatically deploy along tracks in just six minutes. The sails have no rigging and they can be trimmed by simply rotating the masts with the electronic control panel. That works out to 25,800 square feet of material in 15 sails. All of it can be controlled from a panel that’s basically like a large desktop computer. 

According to Perkins, at the time it was built, the Falcon sailed as close to the wind as any yacht, of any design, that had more than one mast. He also proclaimed that the computer control system, while obviously having a complicated amount of work to do, was so simple to control he could teach someone with no sailing experience at all how to use it in under 5 minutes. 

This actually caused a little bit of controversy when it was introduced and demonstrated to others. As has happened with similar high tech sailing yachts, there are some yachting or sailing purists who believe a sailing vessel should be sailed the old fashioned way and that using technology to take the manual sailing part out of the equation is considered almost like an insult. Of course, that’s all personal preference and many people think this is the evolution of sailing and love the convenience of being able to have technology manage all the hard work. 

What’s the Maltese Falcon Yacht Interior Like?

The main reason that the Maltese Falcon has been so popular as a charter yacht for all these years is that the interior is everything you’d expect from a superyacht and then some. It has a lot of stuff going on.

There are six suites on board the Maltese Falcon, one Master, one VIP along with 4 double suites, which offer accommodations for 12 guests. If you’re so included, the 4 double suits can actually be combined to create two more VIP suites to accomodate fewer guests but with a little more luxury.

In addition, the boat is manned by 16 to 19 crew who have 8 cabins although it’s worth mentioning again, as stated above, a single person can actually operate this boat. That’s because there is a very sophisticated computer control system that monitors and manages all operational aspects of the vessel. The sails can be raised and lowered with the touch of a button. The ship’s sensors can detect ships in currents and wind and make adjustments to the sails as necessary to ensure it takes maximum advantage of the wind at all times as well.

One of the most famous features is the huge movie theater that is on the boat. It’s listed as the largest of any yacht in the world. How did they pull that off? The yacht actually projects movies onto the sails to use them as a screen, so you get a true movie theater experience with the size. 

For relaxation, the charter also comes with an on-board massage therapist and a treatment room you can use. This is part of the spa area and there’s also a gym as well for when you feel the need to work out. 

For more of a party atmosphere there is a bar in the main salon area that can actually be split in two with sliding doors. When that happens, it breaks it into an indoor bar and an outdoor bar. There’s plenty of deck space on the main deck and, if you’re the VIP, you’ll have your own deck space which we’ll get to shortly.

Decorative features inside include the curated art from the owners as well as accent touches that are mostly finished in wood accents that include things like Masscar ebony and walnut. Elsewhere there’s ample leather, steel, aluminum and glass. There’s an atrium onboard as well as a reading room, a massive full-beam dining room, and a large main salon area. Dining areas include the formal one as well as al fresco spaces.

When you’re looking to have fun the yacht features a lot of toys and tenders as well. There’s even a bespoke waterslide, a feature you won’t find on many vessels. There are jet skis available for use, as well as SUPs and scuba diving equipment. In addition the boat boasts a 33 foot Pascoe tender, waterskis and wakeboards, SeaBobs, kayaks, kite surf gear, paddle boards, jet surfs, windsurfers and even an inflatable platform for lounging right out on the water.

Thanks to the numerous design innovations and features on board, the Maltese Falcon actually received 18 different international awards after it was launched back in 2006 for being the most innovative sailing yacht in the world at the time. That includes earning the title of “Finest Superyacht Ever” according to Superyacht World magazine. And, all these years later, it’s still a design marvel that few other yachts have managed to rival, let alone meet. 

In 2022, the yacht underwent a refit and numerous features have been updated or replaced entirely. That includes the artwork, carpeting, electronics, the cinema, the lighting and even the piano in the main lounge. There’s a new indoor cinema room that was added as well, for those times when you want to watch a film during the day, or without dealing with the weather. 

What’s on the Maltese Falcon’s Upper Deck?

Like a hotel with a penthouse suite, the Maltese Falcon has its own VIP cabin located on the upper deck or bridge deck of the vessel. It has its own private terrace for getting away from the rest of the vessel. The master suite features two walk-in wardrobes and his and hers washrooms. There’s even a lounge and an attached gym for private use. 

The upper deck is also where you’ll find that outdoor movie theater to use when the sun goes down. When it was built it had one of the first outdoor movie screens you’d ever find on a superyacht. You could actually watch movies from inside a hot tub as well. 

What Did the Maltese Falcon Yacht Cost?

As you can imagine with a vessel of this size and all the features it has, it’s not a cheap boat. But like so many of these super yachts, the owners are not always very forthcoming with the price as not everyone likes people knowing their financial business. Way back in the year 2007, Thomas Perkins, the original owner, was interviewed on the TV show 60 Minutes. He discussed the yacht at that time and offered the somewhat vague answer that the cost of the yacht was above $150 million but below $300 million. So that’s quite a large potential range to deal with but, for most of us, the cost of a yacht is pretty expensive no matter where it sits on that scale. 

What’s the Maltese Falcon Yacht Charter Price?

If you’re not in the market to buy a yacht like the Maltese Falcon, you can charter it if you like to enjoy living the high life on the sea for a week or two at a time. The rates for chartering the Maltese Falcon depend on the time of year you want to take advantage. During the winter season you can charter it for $460,000 per week plus expenses. However, if you want it during the summer you’ll have to shell out a bit more and go in for around $523,500 per week plus expenses. A charter Maltese Falcon trip obviously isn’t in everyone’s price rage and it’s often used by celebrities, corporations and millionaires for things like vacations and celebrations.

Maltese Falcon Yacht Top Speed

The Maltese Falcon is not built for speed, of course, but it does well for a vessel of this size. It’s powered by a pair of twin Deutz engines that allow it to cruise at 16 knots. The maximum speed it can reach is an impressive 19 knots. Along with that it has a range of up to 4,600 nautical miles. That’s thanks to a 81,300 liter fuel tank that can keep it on pace at 14 knots. Of course, that’s when it’s under engine power. It is also fully capable of operating totally under sail as well. 

Under sail, the top speed for the Maltese Falcon has been clocked at a very respectable 24 to 25 knots. It’s able to cross the Atlantic ocean in just 10 days. 

The Bottom Line

Though it’s an older yacht than some of the other headline-grabbing superyachts you’ll hear about these days like Jeff Bezos’ yacht or even the Lamborghini yacht, the Maltese Falcon is extremely popular and offers amazing amenities for those who can afford to charter it. It’s still consider the best sailing yacht in the world by many.

At 268 feet in length, the yacht can reach up to 25 knots under sail and it has room for 12 guests. It’s known for its massive movie theater which projects movies onto the sails, not to mention the sails themselves which are controlled electronically and can be operated by one lone person.

The yacht cost somewhere between $150 million and $300 million and can be charted for between $460,000 and $523,000 per week, depending on the time of year. 

My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.

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In a social media post yesterday afternoon, the yacht brokerage house Burgess announced that it had been chosen as the central agent for the charter of the 88-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht  Maltese Falcon . In the post, Burgess also announced that the vessel is under new ownership, revealing that she had recently been sold.

Originally built by American tech entrepreneur Tom Perkins, the  Maltese Falcon  is easily one of the most recognizable superyachts in the global fleet. Launched in Italy in 2006, the yacht is famed for having revolutionized the world of super sailing yachts, with three massive rotating masts each supporting up to five sails and power the yacht to a speed in excess of 24 knots, while she cruises at 16 knots.

This is the first time the sailing yacht, a regular champion in the world regatta circuit, has been offered for charter. The yacht can accommodate as many as 12 guests between six luxurious staterooms including a full beam master and five double cabins. Two of the double cabins convert into enormous VIP suites and feature exquisite art deco interior.

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The best of both worlds - Guests enjoy the exhilarating performance of sailing with luxury and comfort

Sailing technology with proven reliability contributes to environmental sustainability

State of the art gym equipment, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi, and the largest open air cinema on any yacht

Spa with massage room and qualified beauty/massage therapist, impressive list of water toys

Beautiful artwork, stunning interior and exterior entertaining spaces

2020 completes the multi-year refit including sail systems, hull painting, 5 year survey

Brand new TVs throughout and movie projector, new cinema room. Kaleidescape with Netflix and Prime is available in each cabin and there is also Apple TV in four of the guest cabins. Ipod docking stations in all cabins. The Falcon is one of its kind, in many ways and that is largely thanks to its impressively organised deck areas. They have been designed in such a way that one gets great sense of freedom while enjoying the sheer luxury of the Falcon on board. This sense of freedom could be down to the fact that she has many separate dining and entertaining locations spread out across two spacious decks – both exterior and interior. These areas can host 12 guests comfortably and can be molded to meet any requirement you should have. These areas are set out as follows: Al Fresco dining – The main aft deck is perfect for general al fresco dining and can be set up to suit an array of cuisine from around the world, whether you want a light sushi lunch or to host a canapé evening, this space can be adjusted to give it the right feel for you and your guests. The bar – On the main deck is another wonderful area that can be converted into the ideal socializing space for after dinner parties, listening to music, or chilling out with friends. Cinema – Located on the main deck it’s intricate décor and cosy atmosphere makes it ideal for indoor movie nights. Formal dining – Located on the main deck, the dining lounge exudes elegance and can be exquisitely presented to create the perfect setting for an indulgent dining experience. Upper deck dining – Aft on the upper deck is a large area suited for a cooler dining experience on a hot summers day. You and your guests can enjoy a buffet-style lunch before slipping into the sea. It is also a fantastic space to enjoy a movie night, nibbling on pizza and popcorn, while the film is projected onto the sails. All of these areas will be beautifully prepared and decorated each day and according to the needs of you and your guests by the highly qualified and appraised interior crew.

Accommodation

MALTESE FALCON offers luxurious interiors and accommodation for up to 12 guests in six cabins. Her spacious lounge with bar and piano, opening to the main deck aft’s al fresco dining and seating areas, offers a great place for social gathering. You will enjoy her brand new cinema room and office, and forward is the main dining room, which can comfortably welcome up to 12 guests.

On the lower deck, you will find the full-beam master suite with a dressing room, a separate bath and shower room en suite, and private access to the gym and the massage area. Four double cabins can also convert into two extra VIP cabins.

On the bridge deck, the VIP cabin offers direct access to a private deck with a dining and relaxing area, where you can enjoy the outdoor cinema under the stars, projected onto the lower sail.

Iconic yachts: The story of the 88m sailing yacht Maltese Falcon

Article republished from BOAT INTERNATIONAL : 22 JUNE 2021 BY ROGER LEAN-VERCOE

Tom Perkins created one of the most sensational three-masted sailing yachts of the past 100 years when he built the 88 metre  Maltese Falcon  with  Perini Navi .

All images: SuperYachtsMonaco

Launched in 2006, the project took nearly six years to complete. With radical unstayed masts made of ‘weapons-grade’ carbon fibre, computerised sail and mast control system,  M a ltese Falcon,  and in particular its FalconRig, was hailed as a triumph of design, development and engineering.

The great idea of the clipper rig is that a huge sail area, 2,415 metres square, in this case, can be spread over 15 sails, thus greatly reducing the loadings. On  Maltese Falcon  there are a total of 25 sails, giving her 10 spare.

One of the most exciting aspects of  Maltese Falcon  is the yacht’s upwind performance. “We sail as close to the wind as any yacht, of any design, that has more than one mast,” Perkins previously said. He went on to describe the mast and sail control system as ‘almost trivial’ in its simplicity. “I can teach any sailor how to handle the yacht in five minutes,” he said. “To the best of my knowledge, this is not the case with any other big boat with reel winches.”

The superyacht’s ‘luxury machine’ interior – a marriage of industrial chic and high tech – was designed by  Ken Freivokh  around Tom Perkins’ striking modern  art collection , and features leather, glass, wood and steel. The layout includes a master suite and five further guest cabins, and the crew of 16 is accommodated in eight cabins.

Her long and relatively narrow hull was designed be very fast through the water, and her very long waterline 78 metres assures stability against heeling. The sails, made by Robbie Doyle, are stored on individual in-mast mandrels and set and furled using a complex but brilliant system that makes use of a large number of electric motors within the masts and on the yards.

In 2009, Perkins sold  Maltese Falcon  to hedge-fund manager Elena Ambrosiadou. The yacht is now available for charter with  SuperYachtsMonaco  from €460,000 a week.

https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/editorial-features/iconic-yachts-maltese-falcon

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Sailing yacht charter MALTESE FALCON unveils new interiors following extensive refit

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By Anna Ingles   13 March 2024

The majestic 288.9ft (88m) sailing yacht charter MALTESE FALCON has unveiled its sumptuous new interiors to the world. As one of the planet's grandest sailing yacht charters , MALTESE FALCON boasts expert naval architecture crafted by Dykstra Naval Architects, complemented by the sophisticated interior design stylings of Ken Freivokh.

Following an extensive refit at the Lusben facility, Perini Navi yacht charter MALTESE FALCON made her grand entrance onto the charter scene, showcasing her new features in March 2023. Originally launched in 2006, this ambitious project spanned close to six years, culminating in a crewed yacht charter that's a testament to groundbreaking design and engineering.

Her innovative unstayed masts, constructed from high-caliber carbon fiber, and advanced computerized sail and mast control system, incorporating the FalconRig, continue to set her apart in the maritime world.

Emerging from her half-year refit with a plethora of enhancements, the striking yacht rental now includes a newly minted cinema room on the main deck, a serene Japanese-style dining area, and a comprehensive upgrade to her technical systems.

These upgrades include eco-friendly LED lighting and the installation of the latest Starlink WiFi system for seamless connectivity throughout indulgent Mediterranean yacht charters .

In addition to the new facilities, the transformation of luxury yacht charter MALTESE FALCON also includes a striking hull color change to "Perini Blue", the addition of a sleek extendable passerelle, a versatile inflatable platform, and a curated selection of tenders and water toys for endless aquatic enjoyment on a watersports yacht charter .

The yacht's iconic staircase, encircling the main mast, remains a central design feature. Accommodations aboard MALTESE FALCON are generously laid out across six cabins, featuring a spacious full-beam master suite that comes complete with a walk-in wardrobe, a private gym, and separate his-and-hers bathrooms, now boasting a Jacuzzi bath alongside a shower room.

Offering charter guests panoramic views during Italy and Croatia yacht charters , the flybridge invites relaxation with its novel circular sunbed designed to follow the sun's arc across the sky. 

The main deck has also been refreshed with a permanent hardtop, providing shade for the al fresco dining area on East Mediterranean yacht charters , a welcoming sit-up bar, and newly installed sound and light systems for an immersive outdoor experience.

Proudly retaining its title for having the world’s largest outdoor cinema, where guests can enjoy movies projected right onto the lower sail, MALTESE FALCON creates an unforgettable cinematic experience under the stars.

To be among the first to charter the newly refreshed sailing yacht charter MALTESE FALCON, contact your preferred yacht charter broker today for the latest availability and details on yacht rental costs .

Alternatively, to find more inspiration on boat rentals, take a look at all yacht charters .

Alternative sailing yacht charters

90m Royal Huisman 2004 / 2019

105m Oceanco 2018

67m Alloy Yachts 2011 / 2019

81m Royal Huisman 2020 / 2022

86m Oceanco 2016

66m Radunia Shipyard 1997

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