The owners of 34.75-metre MyStar embarked on a four-year voyage that was novel-worthy. The family share their story with Laura Nicholls and explain why they have decided it’s now time for their beloved sailing yacht to start a new chapter.
“So many amazing things happened along the way,” says Maya Talit, the current owner of MyStar alongside her husband, Liran Talit. “It’s hard to put these moments into words.” The family had initially planned a few holidays in the Mediterranean, but their ambitions quickly escalated to an incredible four-year sailing trip. Taking in dazzling natural phenomena in far-fetched locations such as Alaska and French Polynesia, while their yacht also acted as a floating classroom for the couple’s four daughters.
While their trip was well-planned with the help of the yacht’s six crew, the owners insist that it wouldn’t have been possible without the surefire nature and brilliant design of MyStar.
With their daughters enrolled in a fully-accredited and mastery-level online school – one that the family cannot recommend enough – the Talits spent 10 months in French Polynesia, four months in Alaska, four months in the Caribbean and six months in the Sea of Cortez, amongst others. Along the way, they witnessed migrating whales, various species of dolphin, wild bears feasting on salmon and many other spectacular wildlife sightings.
“The children could complete their school hours throughout the day whenever it suited,” explains Maya. “Then we spent our days dining al fresco with unbeatable views, doing whatever sightseeing or watersport activity we felt like and ending the day each in our own cosy spot on board.”
Each destination visited holds special memories for the family but two in particular stood out – Alaska and the Sea of Cortez. “Each day in Alaska was more exciting than the day before, and there is so much wildlife in the Sea of Cortez, as well as shallow water and hot springs that appear when the tides change,” says Maya. “It was here we saw a meteor shower of over 80 meteors per hour, including an earth grazer – one that travels very close to Earth like a fireball across the sky.”
Now with the Talit family back on dry land, MyStar is on the market with Roy Klajman at the Sea Alliance Group in the hope that another family will use her to make their own memories on board. “MyStar feels like a boutique hotel inside, yet she is still an elegant and classic boat with all the great qualities of a sailing yacht,” says Liran.
Built in 1994 by Alloy Yachts, the exterior of MyStar is by Dubois Naval Architects and is based on a long-standing design that is celebrated for its well-balanced proportions and robust steel hull and keel. The yacht underwent a complete rebuild in 2019, so her interiors are modern, comfortable, and well-equipped. Space and flexibility are key cornerstones of the design – for example, the main cockpit and its seating and dining areas can be fully enclosed if needed.
“This design and its features gave us everything we needed to travel the world. If it was too hot outside the air conditioning system made the indoors feel great, and the cockpit gave us panoramic views while keeping us comfortable in bad weather,” explains Liran. “Even with our amazing crew of six, who were essential in ensuring our time at sea was perfect, we still had our privacy to be together as a family.”
Although explorer-style motor yachts are increasingly popular the owners are encouraging others to consider long voyages under sail. “When we began looking for a boat we were first-time buyers and didn't know what size or type we were looking for,” says Maya. “But as soon as we saw MyStar, we bought her straight away with the help of our trusted broker Roy Klajman. The ability to sail motor-free for long periods of time with no engine noise was something we really underestimated – now I couldn’t imagine boating any other way.”
Having been meticulously maintained by the family the yacht is now set to take a new owner on adventures, big or small. For Maya, the quality time and experiences that MyStar afforded her to have with her family will mean the sailing yacht will always hold a special place in her heart. “With climate change affecting the planet so quickly, taking the opportunity to go sailing, do homeschooling, see the remaining places that are still splurging with wildlife and immerse yourself in that nature with your family is a priceless experience,” she adds.
MyStar is currently lying in Greece and viewings can be arranged with her broker Roy Klajman at the Sea Alliance Group. For more information on the yacht or her history, contact Roy Klajman directly here.
MyStar is currently asking €4,200,000.
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