Celebrities and billionaires own luxury yachts — take Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Michael Jordan as prime examples — but some have owned them much longer than others.
Creolea 213-foot master sailboat he previously owned Fashion giant Maurizio Guccistill enchants boating enthusiasts almost a century after its launch.
Worth US$21 million and reputed to be the largest wooden sailing yacht in the world, it is currently docked in the port of Palma de Mallorca, undergoing an annual refit. Featuring a history intertwined with Hollywood icons, European royalty, Greek shipping barons, and the illustrious Gucci family, here’s how Creole She sailed past to become an enduring symbol of luxury on the high seas.
Creole Quick facts
| name | Creole |
| length | 65.3 m (214.2 ft) |
| Guest accommodation | 11 guests in 6 cabins |
| Year of construction | 1927 (renovated 2007) |
| Constructor | Camber and Nicholsons, UK |
| Weekly rental price (from) | 189,000 euros |
| Cruising speed | Up to 16 knots |
| Sail area | 1,080 square meters |
Set sail into the roaring twenties
His name is original Vera, Creole First launched in 1927, it was manufactured by a British shipyard Camper and Nicholsons Under the supervision of Charles E. Nicholson, the greatest naval architect of that era. The boat has been commissioned before Alexander Smith Cochrana (very) wealthy American carpet magnate known at the time as “New York’s Richest Bachelor.”
To Cochran’s grief, his frail health prevented him from fully enjoying the sailboat’s true potential. Fearing the tall masts, he insisted on cutting them twice before attempting to circumnavigate Europe. Unsurprisingly, that first voyage was difficult, as the short-masted yacht was rolling heavily in the Bay of Biscay. Shortly after, Cochran put Vera on the market…
The name of the yacht was changed to Creole Under a later owner, Major Maurice Pope Who, like Cochran, rarely embrace the thrill of actual sailing. It was later restored by several owners by Sir Conop Guthrie Creole Closer to Nicholson’s original vision the revitalized ship began winning regattas in Britain. However, as World War II approached, the British Admiralty requested it Creole – Rename it Magic circle – To serve as a minesweeper along the Scottish coast.
After the Greek War Shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos acquired Creoleinvesting heavily in another restoration. Sadly, in an all-too-familiar tale, Niarchos rarely used it after personal tragedies on board led him to give up sailing altogether. The Danish Navy then took the lead, using the historic schooner to rehabilitate drug addicts – a far cry from the extravagance it was originally intended.
The ambitious transformation of Maurizio Gucci
In 1983, Maurizio Gucci intervened to save him Creole. With a passion for the sea and an eye for craftsmanship, he spent millions reviving the ship. The refit took six years and spanned several shipyards, incl Peconcini In Italy for Laursen In Germany and Astelleros de Mallorca In Spain. The interiors have been carefully restored to evoke the Roaring Twenties from whence she came, and the yacht once again features vintage furnishings, period artwork and custom details that pay tribute to the Gucci family’s knack for timeless style.
Her rigging was restored to an impressive three-masted schooner configuration, Creole Her top speed can reach around 17 knots, which makes her fast for a wooden yacht of this size. Below deck, the yacht houses six guest staterooms, all exuding vintage charm with modern amenities. Creole She carries a full crew of 16 and can accommodate up to eight guests on charter aircraft.
Gucci heritage at sea
The tragic death of Maurizio Gucci Didn’t dim Creole luster. His daughter, Allegra Gucci, inherited the yacht and took on the task of maintaining it, but maintaining this nearly century-old sailboat is no easy feat. The black paint, a distinctive feature dating back to its original design, requires almost constant maintenance. Allegra estimates Creole It requires at least $2 million in annual maintenance, including the annual routine of pulling it out of the water for thorough inspections. as a result of, Creole Asking weekly rental price starting at €189,000 for those looking for Gucci magic.
It’s great Sophia Loren To King Juan Carlos of Spain, many were impressed by him Creole. Racing fans, including Allegra herself, are the team captain Creole Escort ship, 60 feet Avilin many summer regattas.
The future of the icon
For Allegra Gucci, being a Creole owner is akin to being a guardian; Responsible for protecting a piece of living history. The appeal of classic sailing yachts is authenticity, and as today’s yachting world is filled with bigger and uglier “megayachts” than ever before, the Creole remains a regal throwback to an era when sailing was as much about art as engineering. As Allegra says: “It’s a floating piece of history…it still has many miles to sail.”