The Maltese Falcon
The Maltese Falcon is a clipper sailing luxury yacht owned by American multimillionaire Tom Perkins. It is the second largest privately-owned sailing yacht in the world at 88 meters (289.1 feet), after Royal Huisman’s Athena.
“The angle of heel was around 15 degrees, but in a puff, once touched 20 degrees. The leeway angle was well under 5 degrees (without the dagger board in place). Since it was our first day out, and we wanted to be careful, these results were achieved with the topgallant and the royals furled – so we expect even better numbers in further tests. The maximum loading on the masts never much exceeded 50 per cent of our (very, very, conservative) limit, so, we have plenty of room for some even better results.”
An atrium with clear glass floors surrounds the main mast well, with its staircase spiraling down three decks. Above the table in the dining room, a skylight blind opens like the iris aperture on a camera. The floors here are leather, and Shoji screens give a light feel. Elsewhere, Perkins’ collection of contemporary art (with large-scale canvases by Bo Bartlett, Squeak Carnwarth and others) covers the walls.
The interior looks light and, remarkably, is. Thanks to the freestanding masts, the traditional chain plates and bulwarks could be dispensed with, as the designers looked to save weight throughout. Though “light” might seem like a strange adjective for a steel boat that weighs 2.6 million pounds, this is, after all, built for a racing sailor.
September 6, 2007 - Category: Mobility - Posted by: Hans - Comments: 20
December 18th, 2008 at 9:15 am
More please! This extraordinary mix of art and naval architecture is truly a gem. Tell us more please!
December 19th, 2008 at 9:46 am
why even have a house, you could pretty much live on that thing.
December 19th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
In a word, “Awesome”
December 20th, 2008 at 5:43 am
Haha that’s awesome
I love how there is a pic where you can see Humphrey Bogart on the TV screen.
But that thing would be pretty rough to live in when there is a violent storm coming your way.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:43 pm
This is a monument to ugly design inspired by unearned wealth and corrupted childhood dreams. The owner and inspiration for its design couldn’t hold a sperm whale candle to real sailors who sail real vessels.
M. Pollard
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:54 pm
One day this vessel will swing at anchor, its owner long dead. Will we remember this example of hubris?
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:11 am
Yes, like the stretch hummer before it, this is a testament to the Ugly and Gluttonous will of a man who simply couldn’t find anything better to do with his millions. All of those sails are rigged with automatic furl and trimming computers. That is not sailing, its driving a hotel with autopilot.
I will take a Valiant or a Swan please.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:25 am
that looks cool
December 24th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
While I agree it is not REAL sailing it sure is pretty and it beats paying hundreds of thousands to fuel it for your circumnavigation! It is a cool yacht if ever there was one!
December 27th, 2008 at 3:56 am
This vessel serves to illustrate that money cannot buy style.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:54 am
il buy that shit right now
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
[...] http://cubeme.com/blog/2007/09/06/the-maltese-falcon/ [...]
January 29th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Beautiful boat. But there are people that live on $1 a day. And many many need help. How many people the price of the boat would help? It’s a shame.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
m pollard, that is so liberal and negative. if you had that type of money, you would would have a nice yacht too. good for them. and why does anyone need to know how to “hold a sperm whale candle” everything you just said was a load of bullshit.
March 20th, 2009 at 10:01 am
I can not fathom how someone can look at these pics and say that this is not sailing…is driving a larger car or a semi not driving just because it is big? It is just different. It is an absolute marvel of engineering and I find the “supposed purist” slant to sailing sometimes off putting as not everyone should think the same way. Just because someone enjoys a different aspect of being on the water does that make it bad? Charging hard through rough seas and strapped in sounds like big fun if you have a death wish, whereas cruising with a drink in your hand is another way to enjoy the experience. Just a few thoughts…
June 4th, 2009 at 5:56 am
It’s big and glitzy, but i’d rather look at Adix.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Did you design the site on your own or is this a free template? Either way, it looks great. Cheers.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:36 am
A designer created it.
August 10th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Just hoping for the owner that this vessel is pirates proof !
February 19th, 2010 at 8:39 am
Generally I don’t like to make a comment, However ,. Really nice.