maltese falcon sailboat

MALTESE FALCON Sailing yacht for charter

The instantly recognisable 88m (288.6ft) MALTESE FALCON, acclaimed as the Finest Superyacht Ever among a host of other awards, is still one of the world’s most innovative sailing yachts. Now this truly iconic yacht is better than ever having undergone a huge double refit in summer 2022 and winter 2022-23 with an endless series of mind-blowing upgrades.

Exciting and rare, offering iconic elegance and innovation.

• 18 awards since her launch, including being named ‘Finest Superyacht Ever’ by Superyacht World magazine
• 2022/2023 extensive interior, exterior and engineering refit
• Unique three-deck sky-lit atrium
• Wellness facilities: massage room & fully equipped gym
• Private VIP deck
• Largest outdoor cinema projected on the lower sail and indoor cinema
• Large aft shaded Bimini/Circus
• 2,400 square metres of sail can be set within six minutes

About MALTESE FALCON

The instantly recognisable 88m (288.6ft) MALTESE FALCON, acclaimed as the Finest Superyacht Ever among a host of other awards, is still one of the world’s most innovative sailing yachts. Now this truly iconic yacht is better than ever having undergone a huge double refit in summer 2022 and winter 2022-23 with an endless series of mind-blowing upgrades.

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As well as a gleaming hull repaint, there is a new extendable passerelle that takes you all the way down to the water where there is a new inflatable platform for beach-club sea-level living. The flybridge has a new circular sunbed that rotates with the sun. Inside you’ll find her guest areas brighter and more welcoming with lighter woods, cream panels and new tapestries.

There’s a new cinema room on the main deck, a redesigned Japanese-style dining room and her gym shares a state-of-the-art MS Sculpt electric muscle stimulator with the massage room. As well as the latest Starlink Wi-Fi throughout and a wheelhouse brimming with the latest technology, she now operates more sustainably with LED lighting throughout, a new engine control room and new generators for lower noise and vibration.

Her unique features remain, like the three-deck sky-lit atrium where the stairs spiral around the main mast, an iconic architectural wonder. You can still indulge your passion for film with the world’s largest outdoor cinema, where movies are projected onto the lower sail so you can watch from the flybridge. The main deck aft, now shaded by a stylish new hardtop, is even better suited to entertainment with open-air dining aft and a circular sit-up bar, revamped with cream marble and new sound and light systems.

On the water, you'll find whatever you're looking for in MALTESE FALCON's garage of brand-new toys. She has a 10m (33ft) Pascoe tender to ferry guests into port or onto a deserted beach for a BBQ and thrill them on waterskis and wakeboards. SeaBobs, kayaks, SUPs, jet surfs, snorkelling equipment, windsurfers - she has plenty to keep you entertained.

When it's time for bed, the full-beam master suite on the lower deck has a large walk-in wardrobe and adjoining gym as well as his-and-hers bathrooms, now with jacuzzi bath as well as a shower room. As principal you may be tempted to take the private VIP deck instead, aft facing on the flybridge with access to the terrace and walkaround side decks, as it has a brand-new bed with a TV that rises from beneath it. There are an additional four double cabins on the lower deck, each with en suite facilities.

Be one of the first to experience this reborn icon of the seas. Get in touch now to book your MALTESE FALCON charter.

Tenders & toys

• 2 × Tenders
• Anti-jellyfish pool
• Inflatable platform
• 4 × SeaBobs
• 2 × Jetsurfs
• 2 × eFoils
• 4 × Kayaks
• 4 × Stand up paddleboards
• Inflatable tows
• Fishing gear
• Snorkelling gear

Please note that tenders and toys are subject to regular upgrades and changes. Contact a Burgess broker for the latest information.

Fitness equipment

• Cross trainer
• Free weights
• Resistance bands
• Training bench
• Yoga instructor
• Massage room
• On board masseuse

Please note that fitness equipment and wellness facilities are subject to regular upgrades and changes. Contact a Burgess broker for the latest information.

Check availability

Maltese falcon is available for those dates, maltese falcon is available for those dates subject to confirmation., sorry, maltese falcon isn't available for those dates, contact a broker to discuss your requirements, please change your dates or contact us for a personalised yacht selection..

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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.

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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.

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“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.”

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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

Super yacht.

A charter ‘one off’, the multi award winning MALTESE FALCON delivers exceptional sailing performance in uncompromised luxury. A wide array of tenders and toys, the largest outdoor cinema screen on the water and sheer sail power all add to the experience.

The mighty MALTESE FALCON set new standards in 2006 when she left the Italian yard Perini Navi. With a revolutionary sailing system ‘the Falcon Rig’, it was the first of its kind to be seen on the market.

Recently refitted in 2016, she is one of the most iconic yachts available and offers an exceptional charter experience. Her dedicated and talented crew led by British captain Robert Bell ensure that every detail is taken care of and with the addition of an upper deck jacuzzi (which offers front row seats to the al fresco cinema), a new spa area complete with on board masseuse and a refurbished gym she delivers on every level.

MALTESE FALCON’s luxurious interior offers accommodation for up to 12 guests across six cabins. Her spacious saloon is a fine place for social gathering and relaxation, plus a formal dining area comfortably sits 12. On deck, further options for al fresco dining are offered or for fun in the sun, try some of her watertoys which includes jetskis, stand up paddle boards, scuba diving equipment and an inflatable slide which can be attached to the upper deck.

1 x 10m Pascoe open tender with 400hp engine 1 x 8.8m Scorpion 850st sterndrive tender with 260hp engine 1 x 4.3 Castoldi jet tender with 125hp engine 2 x Laser sailing dinghies 1 x Kawasaki Ultra LX (3-man) 1 x Kawasaki Ultra 310X-SE (3-man) 3 x SeaBobs 2 x stand up paddle boards 2 x windsurfer and a large quiver of sails Flyboard and Jetpack Floating teak platform Diving equipment (6 sets) Waterskis, wakeboards, kneeboards, monoski, sofa, banana, doughnuts Snorkeling gear Full complement of kite surf gear Full complement of fishing gear

Price a week:

Specifications:.

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MALTESE FALCON

Yachts for charter.

MALTESE FALCON, a 88.0 m Sail Yacht built in Turkey and delivered in 2006, is the flagship of Perini Navi .

Her top speed is 19.5 kn, her cruising speed is 16.0 kn, and she boasts a maximum cruising range of 4000.0 nm at 14.0 kn, with power coming from two Deutz-MWM diesel engines. She can accommodate up to 12 guests in 6 staterooms, with 19 crew members. She has a gross tonnage of 1112.0 GT and a 12.47 m beam.

She was designed by Ken Freivokh , who has designed 34 other superyachts in the BOAT Pro database.

The naval architecture was developed by Perini Navi (40 other superyachts architected) and Dykstra Naval Architects (28 other superyachts architected), and the interior of the yacht was designed by Ken Freivokh (137 other superyacht interiors designed), Sinnex and Perini Navi (48 other superyacht interiors designed) - she is built with a Teak deck, a Steel hull, and Aluminium superstructure.

MALTESE FALCON is in the top 5% by LOA in the world. She is one of 3 sailing yachts in the 80-90m size range, and, compared to similarly sized sailing yachts, her cruising speed is 2.0 kn above the average.

MALTESE FALCON is currently sailing under the Malta flag, the 3rd most popular flag state for superyachts with a total of 1058 yachts registered. She is known to be an active superyacht and has most recently been spotted cruising near Antigua and Barbuda. For more information regarding MALTESE FALCON's movements, find out more about BOAT Pro AIS .

Specifications

• Name: MALTESE FALCON
• Yacht Type: Sail Yacht
• Yacht Subtype: Motorsailer
• Builder: Perini Navi
• Naval Architect: Dykstra Naval Architects , Perini Navi
• Exterior Designer: Ken Freivokh
• Interior Designer: Sinnex , Ken Freivokh , Perini Navi
• Refits: 2023-05-23

Available for charter

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Maltese Falcon

Maltese Falcon is not just a sailing yacht, it is an enormous sail-driven vessel that, under healthy winds, will rocket to record-breaking speeds. Touted as a new class of yacht, this incredible super cruiser can cross the Atlantic in ten days with guests enjoying some of the most luxurious quarters available from any charter vessel on the market today.

Boasting a revolutionary DynaRig sailing system aptly called the Falcon Rig, this 88 metre behemoth has three self-standing and rotating masts which host fifteen sails for an incredible total sail area of 2400 square metres, all of which can be controlled by a single sailor.

Launched in 2006 by Perini Navi and making use of their sail control system, Maltese Falcon has unrivalled performance combined with unmatched safety and manoeuvrability. With a maximum speed of eighteen knots and a range of 3,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of fourteen knots, Maltese Falcon is the ultimate charter vessel. Whether you desire a super yacht for large scale entertaining between smart anchorages or as a way to experience a once in a lifetime blue water ocean passage, Maltese Falcon is the only way forward.

Maltese Falcon is able to accommodate twelve guests in five lower deck stateroom and one upper deck passage cabin with a private cockpit. A VIP cabin sits on the upper deck and holds a queen-sized berth while the full beam master suite holds a king-sized berth, a separate full beam dressing room and private gymnasium located on the lower deck. Four of the guest staterooms can convert into two enormous VIP suites, each with his and hers bathrooms. All of the cabins on Maltese Falcon hold either king- or queen-sized berths.

The interior of the Maltese Falcon is incomparable and peaks in the atrium where the three glorious decks are united by a circular stairway surrounding the main mast which creates a delicate spiralling effect that is enhanced by the natural light which floods the area through transparent floors, starting at the top deck and cascading down to the decks below. The main deck is an immense open space which features a main saloon, spacious aft-cockpit, two separate studio areas and a majestic formal dining room. There is also a protected sun bathing area and direct access to the cutting-edge wheelhouse, which acts as the heart for the entire vessel.

Maltese Falcon’s onboard amenities and facilities are vast and include such treasures as a full gym with Techno gym, stairmaster and other machines, fifty inch plasma TV in the main salon, SAT TV and DVD throughout the yacht with a fifty inch plasma TV in the master suite, forty two inch plasma TV’s in the four guest staterooms, a thirty two inch plasma TV in the upper deck passage cabin and WiFi throughout the vessel.

Maltese Falcon’s arsenal of toys and tenders include the following: two thirty two foot RIB tenders, four laser sailing boats, one fourteen foot Castold jet tender, six full sets of dive gear, water skis and snorkelling gear.

Maltese Falcon is available for charter in the Mediterranean.

• Yacht Builder Perini Navi View profile
• Exterior Designer Ken Freivokh Design No profile available
• Interior Designer Ken Freivokh Design No profile available

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Sailing yacht MALTESE FALCON: Re-launch of an icon

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By Steph Loseby & Nina Done   28 April 2023

Arguably the world’s most iconic sailing yacht, the multi-award-winning 88m (288ft) MALTESE FALCON has just been relaunched after undertaking a full-scale refit at the Lubsen yard in Livorno, Italy . YachtCharterFleet had the pleasure of speaking to the yacht’s captain Pierfrancesco Cafaro on her latest changes and upcoming charter plans.

Sporting a brand new 'Perini Blue' hull color and fully revamped interiors, as well as a major overhaul to all her onboard engineering and electrical systems, we take an in-depth look at some of the yacht’s most prominent changes.

Passion project

Chosen for its reputation as one of the best refit shipyards in Italy, Lubsen hosted many of the contractors that worked on Maltese Falcon’s original build, which has enabled the yard to undertake a refit in line with the new owner’s vision while staying true to the late owner Tom Perkins’ original concept and rigorous attention to detail.

The yacht represents his ambition in creating a yacht that broke the mold in terms of engineering, rigging and sail control, and the new owner and his team have been keen to ensure this vision has been upheld and updated in line with modern technologies. 

All of the contractors have worked closely with the crew and yacht team, working with the same passion to see this beautiful yacht rebirthed Pierfrancesco Cafaro, Captain of Maltese Falcon

Maltese Falcon’s captain, Pierfrancesco Cafaro, who joined the sailing yacht a year ago, explains: “Everyone on board, including the yard, management company and owner are passionate about upholding [Tom Perkins's] original vision and keeping this beautiful yacht as impressive and ground-breaking as ever.”

The extensive refit, which began in November 2022, is now finally drawing towards a close after an epic effort from everyone involved. Now in the water, she looks ready and raring to go, barring a few last-minute touches, and the usual safety and survey checks required, before commencing her busy upcoming yacht charter season in the Mediterranean . 

Award-winning sailing yacht

First hitting the water in 2006, the 1,100GT sailing yacht has consistently been lauded, receiving countless accolades, awards and glowing reviews from the world's media, and regularly appearing in the top ten all-time rankings for style, concept, engineering, performance and provision of luxury. 

Winning a whopping 18 highly-coveted awards, including the highest technical achievement in a sailing yacht, best interior design and sailing yacht of the year, this ground-breaking vessel has now entered a new chapter in her life. 

Aiming to preserve as much of Tom Perkins’ original legacy, whilst striving to meet the new owner’s vision – himself a keen sailor and long-time Perini owner – has been one of the yard’s major challenges. Nevertheless, an extremely exciting undertaking for a project as large as this one. 

What are some of the major changes onboard MALTESE FALCON?

According to Cafaro, around 80% of the yacht’s interior spaces have been upgraded or altered in some way. Her original exterior and interior design was conceived by the British designer Ken Freivokh. For the current refit, Rome-based architect Emanuela Esposito has been enlisted to reimagine her interior spaces, using an overall brighter scheme throughout, in stark contrast to the dark, carbon fiber interiors the yacht once showcased.

All guest areas have been fitted with new carpets, beds, lighter bathroom marble and pure leather ceiling panels, as well as brand new audio-visual systems, with a dedicated movie platform offering streaming services such as Netflix and Prime built in.

Starlink WiFi has also been installed, with new access points around the vessel, enabling download speeds of up to 350MB globally and superior connectivity wherever she cruises. 

Her dedicated movie theater, main salon and dining room have also undergone a major transformation, including her indoor/outdoor bar in the middle of the salon that leads to her aft cockpit area. 

This highly-social alfresco space now sports a new steel awning structure, offering additional protection from the elements to guests as they enjoy a leisurely breakfast or lunch. The permanent structure covers the entire aft cockpit up to her mizzen mast, and is attached to her superstructure. Apart from this, her distinctive profile remains unchanged. 

Engineering systems and crew areas

Regarding her machinery, a huge amount of work has been undertaken “under the bonnet”, including replacing all exhausts, muffler piping, and a complete overhaul of her main engines.

She’s also had a full upgrade of all her hotel services which include new watermakers, air-conditioning system and replacement of her lighting arrangement and associated electrical components.

Her crew areas have also had a major refit, with new floors and carpets, new pantry for both crew and guests areas, new miele laundry machines and a brand new galley where the chef will create his culinary masterpieces for the guests. 

Out on deck, sailing yacht MALTESE FALCON now sports a new rescue crane, along with a new rescue tender.

New sustainable features

No expense has been spared for this project, with attention being paid to her green features, which Cafaro explains has been designed to “restore her back to her former glory in a world that is changing very fast into a future that is more sustainable.”

She was an iconic yacht and still is an iconic yacht that's why they wanted to spend the money on making her the best Pierfrancesco Cafaro, Captain of Maltese Falcon

For example, the yacht’s electrical generators have been replaced with the latest Tier III models, to ensure she is up to date with the latest IMO emissions protocols. Furthermore, the yacht's rigging company RigPro have been looking into ways at optimizing the sailing gear to reduce the yacht’s overall emissions as part of its ongoing SEEMP – Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan, which all yacht’s must now adhere to as per the IMO.

The yacht is also now fitted with a new system for drinkable fresh water, eliminating the need for single-use plastics onboard. 

Charter-focused changes

In terms of amenities, the yacht’s massage room has been completely refitted with new machinery for muscle therapy, as well as an electrical pulse machine ‘EMsculpt’, which uses cutting-edge technology to tone your body and help eliminate fat. There is also a dedicated onboard massage therapist who will cater to the needs of guests during their vacation.

The yacht has also been fully equipped with brand new water toys, including windsurfers, e-foils, e-surfs, an inflatable platform, seabobs, paddleboards and snorkeling gear; guaranteed to provide endless hours of fun on the water wherever she cruises.

Her new owner wants to invest money and energy to give her a new and fresh look that offers much more than just a charter experience

There is also a new area on her flybridge deck dedicated to sunbathing and relaxing, equipped with a 3-meter spread of sunpads, alongside additional chaise longues, as well as umbrellas and an optional awning for shade.

Where is MALTESE FALCON sailing this year?

Holding both a Greek and Spain charter license, the striking yacht can traverse the Mediterranean waters with ease, transporting guests to some of the most celebrated yachting destinations in the world. 

The vessel will commence her busy upcoming charter season around the South of France until mid-June. She will then sail to Greece’s Aegean islands , finishing up close to Turkey , before making her way back to the Ionian Sea . After which time she will make a bee-line for Sardinia for the beginning of August.

Remaining availability for Mediterranean yacht charters

Sailing yacht MALTESE FALCON will remain within Sardina and Corsica waters until September. She currently only has remaining availability for the first week of August, and between 17-24 August, which is likely to be snapped up.

Alternatively, for those looking to escape the winter blues, MALTESE FALCON will be heading over to the Caribbean for her winter season. 

If you want the chance to charter this iconic and world-class sailing yacht for yourselves, please contact a recommended yacht charter broker .

In the meantime, you can browse the entire fleet of yachts available for charter in the Mediterranean . 

Additional sailing yachts available to charter in the Mediterranean

105m Oceanco 2018

86m Oceanco 2016

81m Royal Huisman 2020 / 2022

64m Perini Navi 2003 / 2023

56m Perini Navi 2004 / 2022

52m Custom 2023

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S/Y MALTESE FALCON

88 m / 288 9 ft

The iconic MALTESE FALCON delivers exceptional sailing performance in uncompromised luxury. A wide array of tenders and toys, the largest outdoor cinema screen on the water and sheer sail power all add to the experience.

The mighty MALTESE FALCON set new standards in 2006 when she left the Italian yard Perini Navi. With a revolutionary sailing system ‘the Falcon Rig’, it was the first of its kind to be seen on the market.

Today, she is one of the most iconic yachts available and offers an exceptional charter experience. Her dedicated and talented crew ensure that every detail is taken care of and with the addition of an upper deck jacuzzi (which offers front row seats to the al fresco cinema), a new spa area complete with on board masseuse and a refurbished gym she delivers on every level.

Interested in chartering S/Y MALTESE FALCON?

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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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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

Sailing yacht Maltese Falcon

12 guests, 19 crew

The Maltese Falcon is the most incredible sailing yacht available today - A privileged few will be fortunate enough to experience the yacht, Maltese Falcon, under sail. The 88 meter clipper Maltese Falcon is the largest sailing yacht in the world and in a breeze her immense DynaRig powers her to record shattering speeds. Falcon’s interior is luxurious with a rich contemporary décor, delightful to the eye and soothing to the soul. Falcon is the ideal choice for large scale entertaining while meandering between smart anchorages, or for that once in a lifetime blue water ocean passage, foaming through the crests, under a towering cloud of sail. Atlantic crossings in ten days are on offer from this extraordinary yacht!  A masterpiece of technology and design, the Maltese Falcon is without equal.  Entertainment: 50" Plasma in main salon, SAT TV and DVD throughout the boat. 50" Plasma in Master Suite, all four guest suites have 42" Plasma screens, and the "Passage Cabin" on the upper deck has a 32" Plasma screen. B & O Surround sound throughout the vessel

MALTESE FALCON YACHT TOYS: 9.8m Pascoe tender with cabin and 2  420hp engines, 9.8m Pascoe open tender with 360hp engine,  4.3 Castoldi jet tender with 130hp engine, 2 laser sailing dinghies,2 Yamaha FX 1100 wave rider (3 person), Diving equipment (8 sets), water-skis, kneeboards, wakeboards and tows, 2 windsurfer and a large quiver of sails, seabobs, water slide & critter free pool, 2  stand up paddle boards, snorkeling gear, Techno Gym (two steam pods, treadmill,  orbital machine, stationary bike, dumb bells, massage table

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