Copyright: NT/monacoeye • 2010 • Croatia • Do not copy without permission.

Yacht name: Nahlin
Formerly: Nahlin -> Luceafarul -> Libertatea
Length: 300 ft • 91 m
Year: 1930
Builder: John Brown
Architect: GL Watson
Restoration: Blohm & Voss

James Dyson’s beautifully restored 1930’s yacht, Nahlin, was spotted on the River Dart in Devon this summer and last week was cruising in the warm waters of the Croatian Adriatic.

Nahlin started life commissioned by Lady Yule, built by John Brown in Clydeside, and was later chartered by Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson in 1936 for a cruise to the Adriatic and Istanbul.

There, she caught the eye of King Carol II of Romania, who went to buy her, renaming her Luceafurul. After the outbreak of war, she languished in Romania, and was finally converted into a restaurant.

She was bought by Edmiston and William Collier, who had her fully restored in the UK and Germany, with the help of the plans from the original design house GL Watson. 450 tons of asbestos were removed and the steam engines, I understand, were replaced with diesel electric engines.

Nahlin is now reportedly owned by the vacuum cleaner designer, James Dyson. Larger photos to follow…


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length - year: 300 - 1930

Yacht name: Kalizma
Formerly: Minona -> Cortynia -> Odysseia
Length: 165 ft • 50 m (including bowsprit ?)
Year: 1906 • Rebuilt: 2006, with extra deck.
Builder: Ramage & Ferguson
Architect: GL Watson
Interior 2007: Dellatecnica

Photo: NT • Phuket • August 2009

Kalizma is the yacht that Richard Burton bought for Elizabeth Taylor and renamed after their three children Kate, Liza and Marie.

Following her refit and extra top deck, she has recently cruised in South East Asia, from Phuket to Hong Kong via Sarawak and Sabah.

Now there's a cruise that captures the imagination! The Malaysian state of Sabah on the island of Borneo still has an incredibly rich variety of bird life, and is a top destination for nature lovers from around the world…

Here's a shot of how she looked pre-refit in 1969…

length - year: 165 - 1906

Yacht name: Blue Bird
Formerly: Blue Bird IV -> Sterope -> Janick
Length: 104 ft • 32 m
Year: 1938
Builder: Goole
Rebuild: Astilleros de Mallorca • 2007
Architect: GL Watson
Interior: Bannenberg

Photo: NT • Monaco Grand Prix • May 2009

Blue Bird has a long and interesting history. She was originally commissioned as an ocean-going yacht for Sir Malcolm Campbell's treasure hunting ambitions. But World War II put an end to those plans and she was requisitioned and took part in the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940.

After the war she passed into the French car manufacturer Jean-Louis Renault's hands and was renamed Sterope. More recently, she was completely rebuilt to give her her original profile and a comfortable modern interior.

length - year: 104 - 1938

Yacht name: Madiz
Formerly: Triton -> Hiniesta -> President Roberts
Year: 1902 • Refit 2003 - 2006
Builder: Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, Troon, Scotland
Design: GL Watson
2003 Refit architect: Kappa Marine • Yard: Keilaidis Bros

Great article in Nov 2008 Boat International (UK) on the history, and restoration by current owner Constantine Keletsekis, of this remarkable and unique yacht.