-
Guests
10
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Cabins
5
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Crew
20
| Length | GT | Built (REFIT) |
|---|---|---|
|
295' 3"
|
1,103 GT | 2004 (2024) |
| Beam | Draft | Top Speed |
| 40' | 19' | 19 Kts |
The multi-award-winning 90m (295ft) sailing yacht Athena was delivered to her owners in 2004 by Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman. The yacht's exteriors were designed by Pieter Beeldsnijder Design, while Rebecca Bradley Interior Design created her interiors. The naval architecture by Dykstra Naval Architects.
The yacht is a three-masted gaff-rigged schooner built for internet entrepreneur James H. Clark, who previously commissioned the 47.4m (155ft) sloop, Hyperion, from the shipyard. The inspiration for Hyperion came from the 1920s Krupp-built motor yacht Talitha.
The concept of Athena originated when Clark encountered Creole (1927), the Gucci family's 63m (206.6ft) wooden schooner on Italy's Amalfi coast. At the time of her build, Athena was the largest sailing yacht in the world. The yacht received a refit in 2011.
Key Features
- Full diving equipment storage room
- Formal dining room, spacious main saloon
- Three-masted gaff-rigged 90m schooner
- Alfresco dining areas on main & upper decks
Design & Construction
Designed around a full displacement Alustar-aluminum hull and superstructure she features a 12.2m beam and a 5.8m draft. The yacht is built over three decks with an internal volume of 1,103 GT (Gross Tonnes).
Athena, with a 5.5m (18ft) draught, posed a challenge for launching from the shipyard in Vollenhove. Therefore, she was constructed on a large pontoon and transported through inland waterways to reach Amsterdam. The constraints of the inland waterways influenced her beam, length, and mast height, with the latter being determined by the air draught of the Bridge of the Americas in the Panama Canal.
Construction started in early 2001. The yacht was designed and constructed in compliance with the Lloyds Register technical standards. Launched in July 2004 this yacht undertook sea trials over the following months. She was delivered to her owners in September 2004.
Exterior Design
Athena proudly showcases an Alustar-aluminum hull and superstructure, known for being approximately 25% lighter than traditional aluminum. Teak and mahogany decks provide support for three remarkable 61m (200ft) gaff-rigged masts – fore, main, and mizzen – seamlessly blending classic style with modern yacht craftsmanship. The main decks feature expansive varnished teak surfaces, inviting seating areas, and teak soles, effectively balancing guest needs with the 50 hydraulic winches necessary for sailing. The trio of masts offers an impressive sail canvas covering over 2,600 square meters.
Interior Design
The interior of Athena is truly captivating, showcasing the remarkable skill of designer Pieter Beeldsnijder. The space has been artfully arranged into a series of inviting rooms with a relatively intimate scale. All the furniture and paneling, crafted from lightly stained Sweetania mahogany, exhibit a calm, even grain without extravagant patterns. This particular timber, however, may become a rarity as Brazil has closed its borders to exports. The abundance of handrails on the sailing yacht allowed Beeldsnijder to create beautiful banisters, deeply recessed to fit the hand perfectly.
Every flat surface features a raised edge, transformed into decorative corners with intricately carved fluting and rounding. The paneling below counter height adopts a 'cushion' style, dividing every square panel into four triangles lifted towards a central 'button' of darker wenge wood. Walnut burl table tops with a mahogany edge and wenge outline add further elegance. The neutral pattern of the mahogany serves as an ideal backdrop for the owner's extensive collection of Impressionist paintings.
San Francisco-based interior decorator Rebecca Bradley, who has collaborated with Clark since 1986, spent two years dedicated to Athena. Her mission was to create 'the perfect stage for elegant behavior.' With more space compared to Hyperion, Bradley crafted more intimate settings throughout the yacht, aiming for a seamless feel where the eye is never jarred. Mirroring the off-white tone of the yacht's exterior, clear white was eschewed in the interior. Instead, a pale yellow, reminiscent of 'Devon clotted cream,' serves as the main background color for carpets and overhead panels.
The expansive carpeting in Athena's interior is crafted from either wool, linen and wool, or linen and silk, meticulously woven in Ireland. The color palette remains plain, but in some areas, the carpet features a woven, rather than cut, wave pattern. Overhead panels are made of leather, specially tanned and colored by Edelmann Leather in the USA. All sofas and easy chairs were manufactured and upholstered in California under the watchful eye of decorator Rebecca Bradley. The Media Room's seating is soft-cut chenille, while the main saloon features upholstery in an embroidered fabric.
To impart individuality to the guest cabins, each one incorporates subtle variations of yellow and blue colors in the patterns used. Fabrics chosen for outdoor seating exude a relaxed vibe with an easy-going denim blue, available in solid or wide stripes.
Accommodation
Athena provides accommodation for up to 10 guests in five suites comprising an owner's cabin, three double cabins, and one twin cabin. The lower deck houses all guest accommodations, with the owner's suite located furthest aft.
One of the most appealing features of the entire interior is the suite's design, where a sliding wall divides the space along the centerline. On one side lies the bedroom, and on the other, a charming study. When the sliding wall is closed, one can enter either the study or the bedroom separately, ensuring privacy as needed. Beyond the bedroom, a spacious walk-in wardrobe awaits, leading to the sumptuous bathroom. The bathroom features an impressive marble tub, a separate shower cubicle, and a counter with twin hand basins, adding to the overall luxurious experience.
Forward of the lower lobby, where the hull achieves its maximum width, four guest cabins are accessible from a central corridor. Three of these cabins are arranged as doubles, while the fourth serves as a twin room. The guest cabins offer spacious accommodations, featuring sofas, dressing tables, and en suite bathrooms.
The yacht carries up to 20 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience for guests and the operational effectiveness of this stunning schooner.
Performance & Capabilities
Powered by twin diesel Caterpillar (3516B) 1,998hp engines running at 1600rpm, motor yacht Athena is capable of reaching a top speed of 19 knots, and comfortably cruises at 14 knots. With her 103,255-litre fuel tanks, she has a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles at 10 knots.
Athena is equipped with special LIPS variable pitch propellers that automatically adapt to the current engine output and power settings. This feature is particularly crucial for efficient 'motor sailing,' where running the motors at low power with a coarse propeller pitch provides the necessary slight extra push.
Maneuvering such a long, slim hull in harbors is made more manageable with the installation of side-thrusters, each boasting 275hp, positioned at both ends. The bow thruster is conventionally fitted in a tunnel, while the aft thruster, situated in an area of relatively flat hull, is of the drop-down retractable type.
Leisure & Entertainment
One of the owner's primary leisure pursuits is diving, and to cater to this interest, an entire room is dedicated to storing every type of scuba equipment. Additionally, the room features an extensive tank-filling manifold, incorporating a system for oxygen generation for use in Nitrox sets, ensuring a comprehensive and well-equipped space for diving enthusiasts.
Amenities
A stately internal stairway gracefully descends to the main deck lobby, offering access to both the main saloon and the formal dining room. The saloon, while spacious, maintains a welcoming atmosphere, featuring a games table and a discreetly placed electric piano. Seating is thoughtfully arranged in two distinct areas. In this space, the furniture and furnishings exude a more formal character, showcasing marquetry and embroidered covers. The dining room, unexpectedly cozy, accommodates an elegant oval table with seating for ten guests.
Both the main and upper decks feature charming alfresco dining areas. On the main deck, a pair of tables is thoughtfully placed on either side of the central walkway, adjacent to a bar and sideboard. This location offers optimal protection from the elements, snugly tucked beneath the overhang of the deck above. The upper deck's dining area is situated in a more open setting, though its large oblong table is still shaded from the sun by a permanently positioned awning, creating an inviting space for dinner on a warm evening while the yacht is at anchor.
Attention to detail is evident in the design, with various technical items discreetly concealed under outdoor seats or lounging areas.
Athena Yacht is not For Sale
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