6 reasons to charter iconic sailing yacht Shenandoah of Sark

The historic 54.3 metre sailing superyacht Shenandoah of Sark is listed for charter with Ocean Independence for year-round adventures in the West Mediterranean. Here we step on board the perfectly preserved yacht and discover her highlights.

Shenandoah of Sark’s colourful history stretches back to 1902 when the three-master gaff rigged schooner was commissioned by one of the richest bankers in America. Penned by celebrated designer Theodore Ferries and built by the Townsend & Downey Shipyard in New York, Shenandoah quickly gained a reputation as one of the most glamorous yachts of her age, frequently hosting parties along the Cote D’Azur and Amalfi Coast. Her rich history saw her survive two World Wars, be seized by the French government as part of an unpaid tax scandal and then neglected for 10 years. Following a full refit and overhaul, Shenandoah regained her glamour in no time and was soon hosting Vogue fashion shoots and Rod Stewart music videos.

As glamorous and stylish as she may be, Shenandoah of Sark is a true sailing yacht. Equipped with a total sail area of 2,646 square metres, she has racked up performances in a number of international regattas from the Transatlantic Race from Tenerife to Virgin Gorda to the Voiles de Saint Tropez. Combined with these excellent sailing credentials is her crew, who will find any excuse to pull up the crisp white sails and head off into the horizon.

Shenandoah of Sark turns heads with her elegant exterior and striking sails wherever she goes. Unlike many other classic yachts, she also boasts plenty of usable deck space, with a large cockpit from which to enjoy a long day’s sailing in comfort. But she is no less beautiful below deck. Shenandoah can accommodate a total of 11 guests in four ensuite cabins, and boasts special features such as beautifully maintained paintings, bulging bookcases and even a Grand Piano in the main saloon.

Shenandoah of Sark is ready made for charter and comes with an extensive selection of water toys and equipment. This seemingly endless inventory includes Seabobs, kayaks, paddleboards, dive gear and sailing dinghies, including Lasers. These sit alongside the usual water-sport toy selection, which can be towed by Shenandoah's six metre RIB.

Shenandoah of Sark's tight-knit crew of 12 provide a top-level service for guests and enjoy regaling them with the unique history of the yacht beneath their feet. The longest serving crew member has been calling Shenandoah home for 27 years while the captain has been on board for 12. There is also a yoga teacher, to instruct those on deck sunrise salutations, and six spoken languages; Bulgarian, Russian, Polish, German, English and Spanish.

The classic grace and beauty of Shenandoah of Sark has been turning heads since 1902. Lovingly maintained and in immaculate condition, Shenandoah is a piece of perfectly preserved sailing history paired with a fascinating past. As her owner remarked, voyages on Shenandoah are “a full immersion into the relaxing atmosphere of a bygone era for not only her beauty but even her motion under sail resonates with a deep authenticity, which allows us a glimpse of the world through the sepia lens of the past.”He added: “Her historic grace and timeless class give me great pleasure and it is this unique aspect of Shenandoah that I have endeavoured to preserve.”

For more information on chartering Shenandoah of Sark, visit oceanindependence.com