On Tuesday, April 25, nearly a century ago in the year 1911, The New York Times ran this headline: “Plant’s Elena Launched. New Steel Racing Yacht, Product of Herreshoff, for New York Yacht Club Fleet.”
The original Elena set a transatlantic record in 1928.
The announcement was the first of several The Times would run in the coming years, trumpeting the 137-foot yacht’s racing feats on behalf of her owner, Connecticut resident Commodore Morton F. Plant, a railroad magnate whose 1918 obituary dubbed Elena a “peerless schooner.” After his death, she would win the prize for which she would ultimately become known, setting the transatlantic record in 1928.
Now the yacht’s spirit has been rekindled with an announcement from management company YCO that the newly launched reproduction of the classic Nathanael Herreshoff design, also christened Elena, is available for charter. Taking 10 guests at a lowest weekly base rate of €58,000, she is truly a special option in the world of private yacht charter.
Modern amenities and conveniences have been discreetly included so as not to blemish the reproduction's classic feel.
Construction of the new Elena comes amid something of a micro-trend in the world of yachting, at a time when a handful of yacht owners have decided that restoring what few remaining classics are available is far too costly and time consuming compared to simply building replicas from scratch. Recent projects of similar caliber as Elena include the 162-foot Eleonora (a copy of the 1910 racing schooner Westward) and the 295-foot Nero, which was heavily inspired by 1920s steam ships.
The new Elena‘s mahogany-drenched interior with period fittings is not only reminiscent of the original’s grace, but was built in keeping with the original Herreshoff design. Yes, this yacht has air conditioning and iPod docking stations, but such modern amenities and conveniences have been discreetly included so as not to blemish the reproduction’s classic feel.
As with yachts of the original Elena‘s vintage, the new yacht’s accommodations are on the smaller size. Three of the cabins have double-size beds, while two of the cabins have twin-size beds. All have en suite bathroom facilities.
The first regatta for which the new Elena will be available for charter is the Voiles de St. Tropez, scheduled Sept. 26 through October 4. After that, look for Elena to be available in the Caribbean for winter regatta season.
Tags: Caribbean, Charter, classic yacht, crewed charter, Elena, Herreshoff, schooner, Voiles de St. Tropez, YCO