maltese falcon yacht refit

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The ‘Maltese Falcon’s’ Refit Is Complete

• By Yachting Staff
• June 19, 2023

The iconic, 288-foot Perini Navi Maltese Falcon has completed a six-month refit at the Lusben refit yard in Italy. Some 80 people joined the yacht’s crew on the project.

The refit included repainting the yacht’s hull in its distinctive “Perini blue” color. Maintenance was done on the main engines and propellers , and the mast-handling system was overhauled.

New generators were installed to increase efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. For similarly eco-friendly reasons, main-engine mufflers were changed out—also helping to reduce noise.

Work also was done on the rig, and teak decking was replaced. Interiors were refurbished, and lighting was replaced with LED technology for energy savings.

“It was challenging project for all of us, not least because the sheer size of this sailing yacht required us to design and build a special system to accommodate the vessel in dry dock,”

Gianni Paladino, Lusben’s commercial director, stated in a press release. “We worked in synergy with the various teams involved in the refit work and with the customer, satisfying their wishes and at the same time suggesting improvements with a view to increasing efficiency and energy savings.”

Where is the Maltese Falcon headed next? Back “to the sea in all her splendor, regaling her guests with new and unforgettable experiences,” according to Capt. Pierfrancesco Cafaro.

Take the next step: go to lusben.com

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Lusben launches refitted 88m Maltese Falcon in Livorno

Refit and repair yard Lusben has completed the technical launch of the innovative three-masted 88-metre schooner Maltese Falcon .

The world’s sixth-largest sailing yacht arrived at Lusben's Livorno facility for a full-scale refit at the end of October 2022, which included upgrades of the yacht's generators, main engines, propellers and mast handling system. The teak deck was also replaced along with an interior refresh that saw the addition of a brand-new galley with state-of-the-art appliances. 

The sailing yacht was also seen exiting the shed with a freshly painted hull, opting for a deep "Perini blue" over its previous shade of black. 

Due to the scale of the project, Lusben described how major alterations were needed to ensure that the Livorno floating dock would be able to accommodate the yacht's six-metre draft and hull shape, with a specialised system built into the yard prior to the yacht's arrival. 

Maltese Falcon is returning to her new owner with considerably improved performance and environmental credentials as a result of system upgrades that have reduced the yacht's fuel consumption and overall emissions. 

"It was a great privilege to work on a boat like the Maltese Falcon ," commercial director at Lusben Gianni Paladino said in a statement. “We couldn’t have made it through this technical launch while ensuring the high standards of quality we want to offer Lusben customers, had it not been for our professional team's expertise in tackling such a complex project." 

Pierfrancesco Cafaro, captain of Maltese Falcon , added: "I’ve had the chance in the past to appreciate Lusben and the services they offer, which is why I was happy to collaborate with them again. The work we carried out in synergy with their team was incredible. For both us and the owner company, working with the shipyard meant having the confidence that all our requests would be handled promptly and professionally.”

Maltese Falcon will remain at the Livorno facility until the end of May 2023, before returning for charter with Burgess in time for the upcoming summer season. 

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Maltese Falcon, Perini Navi's Iconic 88m three-mast sailing yacht, completes her refit at Lusben

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By Dario Schiavo 02 Jun 2023

The legendary Maltese Falcon reborn

The world’s most famous 88m clipper completes refit at lusben’s livorno yard ahead of a charter season in the med ….

An extensive refit, spanning roughly eight months and involving over 80 specialists, has imbued Maltese Falcon with aesthetic enhancements, improved comfort and a reduced environmental footprint. Now the yacht is ready for charter with Burgess as its Central Agency.

Maltese Falcon , an iconic 88m clipper, is back on the water following a series of modifications at the Lusben shipyard in Livorno. These alterations included the maintenance and replacement of on-board systems, such as generators, main engines and propellers, and refurbishments to the self-rotating carbon masts. The entire hull was painted in the distinctive ‘Blue Perini’, the teak was replaced, and the interiors were renovated under the guidance of designer Emanuela Esposito, who selected fabrics from the Loro Piana brand.

Lusben’s technical team successfully brought the owner's vision to fruition, overseeing and coordinating both aesthetic and functional enhancements.

“This was a demanding project that necessitated collective effort due to the high expectations and intricate planning and execution. Nevertheless, the results have been highly satisfactory, thanks to the unwavering support from the shipyard and Lusben’s team. The Maltese Falcon is ready to return to the sea, offering her guests a range of new and memorable experiences,” commented Pierfrancesco Cafaro, captain of Maltese Falcon .

Sustainability, a crucial issue that’s at the forefront of the agendas of governments, boat builders and owners, was a major focus during the refit. This led to the decision to upgrade the generators with more efficient models with reduced fuel consumption. The main engine mufflers were replaced, yielding significant benefits to the environment and on-board noise levels. Lusben’s technical experts also recommended a comprehensive examination of the propellers, including servicing of the shafts, blades and bearings, to ensure optimal performance and fuel efficiency in the future.

One of the yacht’s unique features is its sail rig, which required meticulous maintenance due to its critical role. Manufactured by UK-based Insensys, the Dynarig system, based on three rotating carbon fibre masts, can deploy up to 2,396 square metres of sail. This places the boat among the six largest sailing yachts worldwide. The rig enables a top speed of 25 knots, with a displacement of 1,240 tonnes.

The teak deck was replaced, and the interiors, specifically the cabins and bathrooms, were updated to offer guests a more comfortable stay. The galley was fully equipped, and energy-efficient LED technology replaced the old lighting. Routine maintenance, such as hull cleaning and valve overhauling, was also undertaken.

Maltese Falcon , winner of 18 awards since 2006, is now available for charter through Burgess. This summer, it can be found in the Mediterranean, and from October, it will be setting sail in the Caribbean.

“Maltese Falcon is one of the most iconic yachts. She is world-renowned, and we are delighted to have her back in our charter fleet. Our congratulations go out to the Lusben team, the captain and his truly international crew who have worked tirelessly over the past eight months to ensure she was back in the water for the summer of 2023,” says Ben Harwood, Head of Charter, Burgess.

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Maltese Falcon: the technical launch of the iconic sailing yacht at Lusben's Livorno floating dock

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Iconic 88m sailing yacht MALTESE FALCON relaunched after a much-anticipated refit

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Written by Rachel Kelly

The innovative refit of the iconic Perini Navi   sailing yacht MALTESE FALCON has been a major 6-month project for refit specialists Lusben . She entered the shipyard in October and is due for her full relaunch at the end of May – in time for the summer charter season.

MALTESE FALCON | technical launch at Lusben

Lusben needed to prepare a special system capable of accommodating a yacht of this scale (LOA 88m / 288ft, masts 58m / 190ft, draft 6m / 19.5ft). Once she was in place the collaborative team began the challenging list of operations – from upgrading onboard systems, maintenance on the mast handling system and the specialist job of repainting the distinctive ‘Perini Blue’ hull.

Refit projects must now always address a yacht’s environmental impact and performance and here, Lusben have upgraded all the systems to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Other aesthetic changes included replacing the teak deck and refurbishing the interiors to enhance the level of guest comfort.

MALTESE FALCON | Resplendent after her refit

Gianni Paladino, Commercial Director, said about the refit: “We couldn’t have made it through to this technical launch, while ensuring the high standards of quality we want to offer Lusben customers, had it not been for our professional team’s expertise in tackling such a complex project. It was a great privilege to work on a boat like the Maltese Falcon, but the congratulations really go to the whole team coordinated by Site Manager Alessio Centelli for the great job done.

Sailing yacht MALTESE FALCON will be back on the charter market from the end of May, so if you want to vacation on this beautiful vessel don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Iconic 88m sailing yacht MALTESE FALCON relaunched after a much-anticipated refit".

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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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MALTESE FALCON Emerges from Extensive Refit at Lusben

By Emily Dawkins

Perini Navi’s legendary 88m MALTESE FALCON has emerged from an extensive six-month refit at the world-renowned Italian refit and repair shipyard Lusben. The iconic three-masted, 2006-delivered vessel has been transformed to once again captivate the industry with her harmonious design, extensive technological systems and unparalleled sailing beauty. MALTESE FALCON is currently available for charter with Burgess .

Commissioned in 2006 by Tom Perkins, with naval architecture by Gerard Dijkstra, exterior design by the famed Perini Navi, and interior design by Ken Freivokh, MALTESE FALCON is undoubtedly an icon in the world of superyachts, now successfully completing an extensive refit at the Lusben yard in Viareggio.

A team of over 80 skilled artisans worked for more than six months in collaboration with MALTESE FALCON’s dedicated crew to carefully revitalise the vessel and adapt her to her owner's more contemporary requirements. Internationally renowned for its high-quality refit and repair shipyard, Lusben has perfectly ‘translated the needs of the owner into reality’ with MALTESE FALCON’s refit. 

Captain Pierfrancesco Cafaro commented at the launching ceremony: ‘It was a challenging job and an effort that involved everyone, because of the high expectations around the project and the complexity of its planning and execution, but the result is more than satisfactory thanks to the support of the yard and Lusben’s team. The Maltese Falcon can now return to the sea in all her splendour, regaling her guests with new and unforgettable experiences.'

According to the Italian yard, the first, and most daunting challenge of the project was respraying the entire hull in the distinctive shade of 'Perini Blue'. However, this only served as a testament to Lusben's skills, as the specialist teams showcased their technical prowess and meticulous attention to detail with her gleaming fresh hull repaint.

As the refit progressed, focus turned towards the 88m’s onboard systems, which saw essential maintenance carried out on the generators, main engines, and propellers, as well as a complete overhaul of the mast handling system. 

Alongside general upkeep, the refit of MALTESE FALCON also saw considerable emphasis on advancing her sustainable nature. The original generators were replaced with those that are more efficient and have lower fuel consumption; the main engine mufflers were changed to reduce noise levels significantly for the environment and for guests; and the propellers, shafts, blades and bearings were disassembled and serviced, to ensure increased efficiency and longevity as well as optimise fuel consumption.

Lusben’s Commercial Director, Gianni Paladino, reflected on the extensive refit: ‘ It was a challenging project for all of us, not least because the sheer size of this sailing yacht required us to design and build a special system to accommodate the vessel in dry dock. We worked in synergy with the various teams involved in the refit work and with the customer, satisfying their wishes and at the same time suggesting improvements with a view to increasing efficiency and energy savings. It was an honour for all of us to be able to carry out this modernisation work on such an iconic boat, one that has made international yachting history.’

This iconic sailing yacht's emotional appeal is undeniably linked to her spectacular sail rig: a unique and delicate system that also underwent significant refurbishment. Final refit works included the replacement of the teak deck, and the interior refurbishment, with particular attention given to the cabins and bathrooms, ensuring a welcoming and comfortable space for guests. 

Ben Harwood, Head of Charter at Burgess, the recently appointed charter central agency for MALTESE FALCON, added: 'MALTESE FALCON is one of the most iconic yachts. She is world-renowned, and we are delighted to have her back in our charter fleet. Our congratulations goes out to the Lusben team, the captain and his truly international crew who have worked tirelessly over the past eight months to ensure she was back in the water for the summer of 2023.' 

MALTESE FALCON is currently available for charter with Burgess . Find out more about chartering this incredible sailing yacht here .

"MALTESE FALCON is one of the most iconic yachts. She is world-renowned, and we are delighted to have her back in our charter fleet." Ben Harwood, Head of Charter, Burgess

"MALTESE FALCON is one of the most iconic yachts. She is world-renowned, and we are delighted to have her back in our charter fleet."

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The 88m Maltese Falcon relaunched

• April 28, 2023

The technical launch of the 289ft Perini Navi sailing yacht was held at Lusben’s Livorno floating dock as part of a major refit.

Lusben, founded in 1956 and part of the Azimut-Benetti Group, staged the technical launch of Maltese Falcon in Livorno as part of a major refit of the 88m sailing yacht. Originally launched by Perini Navi in 2006, Maltese Falcon arrived at Lusben at the end of October 2022 and will remain until at least the end of May before the yacht becomes available for chartering.

Gianni Paladino, Commercial Director at Lusben, said: “We couldn’t have made it through to this technical launch, while ensuring the high standards of quality we want to offer Lusben customers, had it not been for our professional team’s expertise in tackling such a complex project.

“It was a great privilege to work on a boat like the Maltese Falcon , but the congratulations really go to the whole team coordinated by Site Manager Alessio Centelli for the great job done.”

Even before the refit itself began, major work had to be performed on the Livorno yard’s floating dock, with a special system designed and built to accommodate the yacht’s 6m draught and hull shape.

Once the yacht was in the new floating dock, Lusben began the refit, which included replacement of the teak deck, refurbishment of the interiors and repainting the entire hull in its distinctive ‘Perini Blue’ colour, which requires special working conditions due to the paint’s chemical and physical characteristics.

As well as improving the aesthetics and comfort of the yacht, the refit has improved performance and efficiency by upgrading the onboard systems – generators, main engines, propellers – while other complex jobs included work on the iconic mast-handling system.

Pierfrancesco Cafaro, the skipper of Maltese Falcon , said: “I’ve had the chance in the past to appreciate Lusben and the services they offer, which is why I was happy to collaborate with them again. The work we carried out in synergy with their team was incredible.

“For both us and the owner company, working with the shipyard meant having the confidence that all our requests would be handled promptly and professionally. With Lusben’s help, we’ll be ready in June to welcome our customers and make their holiday on the water an unforgettable experience.”

www.lusben.com

www.azimutbenetti.it

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MALTESE FALCON, PERNINI NAVI’S ICONIC 88-METRE THREE-MAST SAILING YACHT, COMPLETES HER REFIT AT LUSBEN

The refit is now complete of the iconic sailing yacht that casts a spell over enthusiasts and charterers alike with the beauty of her lines, harmonious design and extensive onboard technology.

“Maltese Falcon”, the 88-metre sailing superyacht commissioned by Tom Perkins and built in 2006 by the famed Perini Navi, with naval architecture by Gerard Dijkstra and interior design by Ken Freivokh, has completed her refit at Lusben. It has taken more than six months and involved over 80 people working on various teams in synergy with the boat’s crew.

Lusben’s technical experts, internationally renowned for the quality of their refitting work, have successfully translated the needs of the owner into reality, providing support and coordination for a series of aesthetic and functional improvements. One of the most challenging jobs was repainting the entire hull in its distinctive ‘Perini Blue’. This operation, more than any other, gave the yard’s technical specialists the chance to show off all their experience and know-how.

The various teams then, in turn, carried out maintenance work on the onboard systems – generators, main engines, propellers – including the delicate overhaul of the mast handling system .

The refit work then focused on sustainability , now a central issue on the political agendas not only of governments but also of boat builders. This was the reason for the decision to replace the generators with superior class units that are more efficient and have lower fuel consumption. It is also why the main engine mufflers were changed, delivering significant benefits for both the environment and guests thanks to a considerable reduction in noise levels. On the advice of Lusben’s technical experts – demonstrating profitable collaboration between the yard, the captain and the crew – the propellers were thoroughly checked, and the shafts, blades and bearings disassembled and serviced, to ensure efficiency in the years to come and optimise fuel consumption.

The distinctive feature of this sailing yacht – and the reason for its emotional appeal – is the sail rig, which underwent extensive work because it is such a vital and delicate system. Produced by UK-based Insensys, the forerunner of the Dynarig system is based on three rotating carbon fibre masts capable of deploying up to 2,396 square meters of sail. This surface area translates into a top speed of 25 knots with a displacement of 1,240 tonnes. For these reasons, there was a special focus on the rig, involving controls and cleaning operations across the entire mast handling system.

The teak deck was also replaced, and the interiors refurbished – the cabins and bathrooms in particular – to offer guests an even more welcoming and comfortable night area, plus a fully appointed galley. The lighting has also been replaced with LED technology, resulting in significant energy savings. The work commissioned also covered routine maintenance, including hull cleaning and overhauling the valves.

Lusben once again set the stage for a delicate refit operation, with challenging delivery times, that has not only improved the aesthetics and comfort of the yacht, but also returned her to her captain and crew boasting on the one hand better performance and on the other reduced fuel consumption and emissions as a result of upgrades to the onboard systems.

Gianni Paladino, Lusben Commercial Director , said about the refit: “I t was challenging project for all of us, not least because the sheer size of this sailing yacht required us to design and build a special system to accommodate the vessel in dry dock. We worked in synergy with the various teams involved in the refit work and with the customer, satisfying their wishes and at the same time suggesting improvements with a view to increasing efficiency and energy savings. It was an honour for all of us to be able to carry out this modernisation work on such an iconic boat, one that has made international yachting history ”.

“ It was a challenging job and an effort that involved everyone, because of the high expectations around the project and the complexity of its planning and execution, but the result is more than satisfactory thanks to the support of the yard and Lusben’s team. The Maltese Falcon can now return to the sea in all her splendour, regaling her guests with new and unforgettable experiences, ” said Pierfrancesco Cafaro, captain of Maltese Falcon.

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MALTESE FALCON, PERINI NAVI’S ICONIC 88-METRE THREE-MAST SAILING YACHT, COMPLETES HER REFIT AT LUSBEN

The refit is now complete of the iconic sailing yacht that casts a spell over enthusiasts and charterers alike with the beauty of her lines, harmonious design and extensive onboard technology.

• Access the press kit on Onedrive

“Maltese Falcon”, the 88-metre sailing superyacht commissioned by Tom Perkins and built in 2006 by the famed Perini Navi, with naval architecture by Gerard Dijkstra and interior design by Ken Freivokh, has completed her refit at Lusben. It has taken more than six months and involved over 80 people working on various teams in synergy with the boat’s crew.

Lusben’s technical experts, internationally renowned for the quality of their refitting work, have successfully translated the needs of the owner into reality, providing support and coordination for a series of aesthetic and functional improvements. One of the most challenging jobs was repainting the entire hull in its distinctive ‘Perini Blue’. This operation, more than any other, gave the yard’s technical specialists the chance to show off all their experience and know-how.

The various teams then, in turn, carried out maintenance work on the onboard systems – generators, main engines, propellers – including the delicate overhaul of the mast handling system .

The refit work then focused on sustainability , now a central issue on the political agendas not only of governments but also of boat builders. This was the reason for the decision to replace the generators with superior class units that are more efficient and have lower fuel consumption. It is also why the main engine mufflers were changed, delivering significant benefits for both the environment and guests thanks to a considerable reduction in noise levels. On the advice of Lusben’s technical experts – demonstrating profitable collaboration between the yard, the captain and the crew – the propellers were thoroughly checked, and the shafts, blades and bearings disassembled and serviced, to ensure efficiency in the years to come and optimise fuel consumption.

The distinctive feature of this sailing yacht – and the reason for its emotional appeal – is the sail rig, which underwent extensive work because it is such a vital and delicate system. Produced by UK-based Insensys, the forerunner of the Dynarig system is based on three rotating carbon fibre masts capable of deploying up to 2,396 square meters of sail. This surface area translates into a top speed of 25 knots with a displacement of 1,240 tonnes.  For these reasons, there was a special focus on the rig, involving controls and cleaning operations across the entire mast handling system.

The teak deck was also replaced, and the interiors refurbished – the cabins and bathrooms in particular – to offer guests an even more welcoming and comfortable night area, plus a fully appointed galley. The lighting has also been replaced with LED technology, resulting in significant energy savings. The work commissioned also covered routine maintenance, including hull cleaning and overhauling the valves.

Lusben once again set the stage for a delicate refit operation, with challenging delivery times, that has not only improved the aesthetics and comfort of the yacht, but also returned her to her captain and crew boasting on the one hand better performance and on the other reduced fuel consumption and emissions as a result of upgrades to the onboard systems.

Gianni Paladino, Lusben Commercial Director , said about the refit: “It was challenging project for all of us, not least because the sheer size of this sailing yacht required us to design and build a special system to accommodate the vessel in dry dock. We worked in synergy with the various teams involved in the refit work and with the customer, satisfying their wishes and at the same time suggesting improvements with a view to increasing efficiency and energy savings. It was an honour for all of us to be able to carry out this modernisation work on such an iconic boat, one that has made international yachting history”.

“It was a challenging job and an effort that involved everyone, because of the high expectations around the project and the complexity of its planning and execution, but the result is more than satisfactory thanks to the support of the yard and Lusben’s team. The Maltese Falcon can now return to the sea in all her splendour, regaling her guests with new and unforgettable experiences,” said Pierfrancesco Cafaro, captain of 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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