maltese falcon yacht opening sails

Iconic yachts: The story of the 88m sailing yacht Maltese Falcon

Article republished from BOAT INTERNATIONAL : 22 JUNE 2021 BY ROGER LEAN-VERCOE

Tom Perkins created one of the most sensational three-masted sailing yachts of the past 100 years when he built the 88 metre  Maltese Falcon  with  Perini Navi .

All images: SuperYachtsMonaco

Launched in 2006, the project took nearly six years to complete. With radical unstayed masts made of ‘weapons-grade’ carbon fibre, computerised sail and mast control system,  M a ltese Falcon,  and in particular its FalconRig, was hailed as a triumph of design, development and engineering.

The great idea of the clipper rig is that a huge sail area, 2,415 metres square, in this case, can be spread over 15 sails, thus greatly reducing the loadings. On  Maltese Falcon  there are a total of 25 sails, giving her 10 spare.

One of the most exciting aspects of  Maltese Falcon  is the yacht’s upwind performance. “We sail as close to the wind as any yacht, of any design, that has more than one mast,” Perkins previously said. He went on to describe the mast and sail control system as ‘almost trivial’ in its simplicity. “I can teach any sailor how to handle the yacht in five minutes,” he said. “To the best of my knowledge, this is not the case with any other big boat with reel winches.”

The superyacht’s ‘luxury machine’ interior – a marriage of industrial chic and high tech – was designed by  Ken Freivokh  around Tom Perkins’ striking modern  art collection , and features leather, glass, wood and steel. The layout includes a master suite and five further guest cabins, and the crew of 16 is accommodated in eight cabins.

Her long and relatively narrow hull was designed be very fast through the water, and her very long waterline 78 metres assures stability against heeling. The sails, made by Robbie Doyle, are stored on individual in-mast mandrels and set and furled using a complex but brilliant system that makes use of a large number of electric motors within the masts and on the yards.

In 2009, Perkins sold  Maltese Falcon  to hedge-fund manager Elena Ambrosiadou. The yacht is now available for charter with  SuperYachtsMonaco  from €460,000 a week.

https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/editorial-features/iconic-yachts-maltese-falcon

Maltese Falcon- Fastest Super Yacht with Sails

The Maltese Falcon is a superyacht that can flaunt something that not many other vessels in the world can- her speed. The yacht is a unique aesthetic appeal, meeting luxury while carrying engineering genius.

The Maltese Falcon is one of the finest and fastest superyachts with sails of the maritime world.  The luxury vessel can attain record-breaking speeds under good wind conditions. With her speed, this yacht can cross the entire Atlantic within ten days!

It was named the finest superyacht by the magazine Superyacht world. The luxurious Maltese Falcon was launched in 2006 by Perini Navi. It was built for American businessman Tom Perkins. The yacht flaunts a revolutionary sailing system called DynaRig, developed by Dykstra Naval Architects. It is called the Falcon Rig and includes three self-standing and rotating carbon fiber masts which host fifteen sails.

She has won several regattas, the most recent being the 2018 regatta held in Porto Cervo, Sardinia. She won five awards every day, came top of her class and came out as the overall winner. The fabulous sailing yacht features internal and external design by the famous Ken Freivokh.

The speedy cruise is not just a luxury yacht. It’s an 88-meter beauty, covering a total sail area of 2400 square meters that can go to a maximum speed of 18 knots. Even at 14 knots, this cruiser can possess a range of 3,000 nautical miles. And an even better part is that it all can be looked into by a single sailor, making this system more efficient than any other.

Besides being a true speedy vessel, luxury features are also among the best things about this yacht. At a given time, it can indulge twelve guests in five lower deck staterooms and one upper passage cabin with its own private cockpit. Each of these staterooms features a queen-sized berth.

There is also a VIP cabin on the upper deck which, too, offers a queen-sized berth. The full-beam main suite on the lower deck is taking it a notch higher. It features a king-sized berth, a separate dressing room and a private gymnasium for the guests.

For additional luxury, four staterooms can be modified to make two super luxurious super spacious VIP suites with personal bathrooms. And it’s not just the accommodation . Every bit of Maltese Falcon spells luxury.

The interior, yacht architecture and design have been done intelligently to give a better sense of space and lighting everywhere on the yacht. The peak in the atrium features a unison point for the three decks. The three decks are united by a circular stairway surrounding the main mast.

The transparent floors let natural light flood creating a captivating ambience. The effects of this natural light can be felt up to the lower decks through the fine floors. The main deck features a main saloon, a private gym, an aft cockpit, two separate studio areas and a formal dining room.

It also has a full complement of fishing gear, including other water sports equipment and water toys like windsurfers, waterskis, dinghies-Kawasaki ultra lx, a large quiver of sails, wakeboards, kneeboards, flyboard, a jetpack and jet board floating teak platform etc. For entertainment, there is an outdoor cinema and outdoor gym equipment too.

It also features a sunbathing area, a massage room, a jacuzzi and a direct pathway to a cutting-edge wheelhouse. This makes the main deck the most important and busiest part of the yacht. However, the design and architecture of all these have been done to ensure that the main deck retains its sense of openness while accommodating maximum features.

The onboard facilities available on this yacht include a fifty-inch plasma screen TV placed in the main saloon, SAT TV and DVD throughout, and Wi-Fi access everywhere on the vessel.

The main suite features its fifty-inch plasma screen, while the staterooms possess forty-two inches screens. Even the upper deck passage cabin has been provided with a thirty-two-inch plasma screen TV and other amenities.

And for those likely to get bored of the TV, all-time internet connection and breathtaking views from the yacht, there are other options to step out in the open as well.

The Falcon features two 32-foot RIB tenders, four laser sailing boats, 14 feet Castold jet tender, six sets of dive gear, water skis, and snorkelling gear. It would be safe to say that this yacht plans to spoil her guests in every way possible.

The beauty of the Mediterranean sea, where this yacht is available for charter, remains the main highlight. But there is so much more to this vessel that it would be captivating.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

1. why is the maltese falcon yacht so famous.

The Maltese Falcon is one of the finest and fastest superyachts with sails of the maritime world.  The luxury vessel can attain record-breaking speeds under good wind conditions. With her speed, this yacht can cross the entire Atlantic within ten days.

2. What are the luxurious things in the yacht?

Apart from the king and queen-size suites, it has four laser sailing boats, 14 feet Castold jet tender, six sets of dive gear, water skis, and snorkelling gear. It also has a cinema, gym, massage room with a massage therapist, a jacuzzi and much more.

3. What are the physical dimensions of this superyacht?

It’s an 88-meter beauty, covering a total sail area of 2400 square meters that can go to a maximum speed of 18 knots. Even at 14 knots, this cruiser can possess a range of 3,000 nautical miles.

4. What is the speciality of the Maltese Falcon?

It is known for its revolutionary sailing technology, the DynaRig, developed by Dykstra Naval Architects. It is called the Falcon Rig and includes three self-standing and rotating carbon fiber masts which host fifteen sails.

5. When was the sailing yacht launched?

The luxurious Maltese Falcon was launched in 2006 by Perini Navi in Istanbul. It was built for American businessman Tom Perkins and later put on charter.

References  symaltesefalcon

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The Maltese Falcon: A Timeless Icon of the Yacht Industry

This 288-ft motor sailing yacht commands attention wherever she goes.

By Ellie Brade

One of the world’s largest sailing boats, the iconic  Maltese Falcon  yacht is something of a modern day pirate ship. Commanding attention – and awe –wherever she goes, the 288 ft motor sailing yacht has been described as the world’s most photographed yacht, a testament to the blend of sailing yacht high performance and motor yacht luxurious comfort courtesy of its shipyard, Perini Navi.

When the  Maltese Falcon  – the brainchild of the late Tom Perkins, her first owner – launched in 1990, it had been six years in the making. After a staggering amount of research, development, design work and innovation, the  Maltese Falcon  remains a bastion of the industry nearly over three decades later.

Upon first debut, it was clear she was one of the most significant yachts of the past century. Pushing all the capabilities of superyacht design, the  Maltese Falcon  transformed the world of superyachts forever.

[See also: How to Begin Your Journey to Yacht Ownership]

Construction

Construction work was undertaken at Perini Navi’s Turkish facility in Tuzla, with the core project team made up of Perkins, naval architect Gerard Dijkstra of Dykstra Naval Architects (DNA) and Ken Freivokh of Ken Freivokh Design , who designed the interior and exterior. The yacht began life as the steel hull of an abandoned yacht project before being identified as a suitable platform for Maltese Falcon . This was the third time that Perkins had built a yacht with Perini Navi, but it would be his biggest and boldest build by far.

One of the Maltese Falcon ’s most distinctive traits is her masts and sails, and the design for the entire yacht was centered around them. Powered by square-sailed “Dynarig” technology, which was suggested and developed for the yacht by Dijkstra, she features three carbon fiber masts with a computer-run sail and mast control system that allows push button sailing.

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In a nutshell, her huge 25,791-sq-ft sail area is spread out over 15 sails – five for each mast – that are fixed to the mast’s curved yards and set and furled using an electrical control system. The freestanding masts are then rotated as desired to adjust the sails.

[See also: Heesen Launches Ultra G Superyacht]

This complex, yet extremely simple, system makes sailing the Maltese Falcon almost effortless for sailors of all skillsets – it takes just six minutes to set the sails and only 90 seconds to tack the yacht. The entire system can be run by just one person.

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In addition to its reliability and ease of use, the Dynarig system allows the yacht to sail fast and efficiently, delivering significant economic and environmental savings.

Her ease of use means she regularly travels under sail, vastly reducing her reliance on and consumption of fuel. She doesn’t shirk on performance either. Able to reach top speeds of 18 knots, the Maltese Falcon has more than proved herself out on the water, having won many sailing regattas including The Superyacht Cup 2010 and the Perini Cup several times.

[See also: How Millennials are Changing the Superyacht Industry]

Freivokh describes the design of the yacht as being “form follows function,” while still upholding essential design principles, balanced proportions, and uncluttered and purposeful shapes. For the interior, Freivokh created an elegant aesthetic with an industrial edge. This effect was achieved using a combination of materials including walnut, Macassar ebony, glass, leather, carbon fiber and aluminum, complemented by beautiful artworks and sculptures.

The Maltese Falcon accommodates 12 guests in six cabins – the full beam master is positioned on the lower deck, with highlights including a full width dressing room and a private gym. The equally impressive VIP suite is located on the upper deck with direct access to the bridge and its own deck space. Four large doubles, all with ensuites, complete the picture.

The Maltese Falcon is a very social yacht that is well suited to entertaining. Her spacious layout allows for six different dining and entertainment spaces. The main deck is the focal point for guests to gather and enjoy. The large main saloon leads directly out to a circular bar that includes a full formal dining table – picture world-class dining under the stars.

[See also: Inside Pegasus, the First 3D Printed Superyacht]

“The circular bar on the main deck aft is a focal point that seamlessly integrates the interior with the exterior deck spaces,” says Chloe Riley, the Maltese Falcon ’s charter broker at SuperYachtsMonaco.

Inside are two lounges and another formal dining set up, with the dining area bearing Japanese influences. The main deck is also home to a cards and games room, and modern office facilities that make it easy to work on board. All the key spaces are linked by a striking central staircase.

The exterior spaces are home to some of the Maltese Falcon ’s most popular features. The central bar has played host to a wide variety of events and parties in its time. When it’s time to stop partying, there are plenty of options to sunbathe, dine or relax. Jacuzzis can be found inside and out, and recent additions to the yacht include a new spa facility with a hair salon and massage room (a qualified beauty and massage therapist sits among the 19-strong crew).

There are numerous private spaces to escape to and enjoy the experience of life on the water. “The seating area on the bridge deck forward is a lovely spot that gives a unique viewpoint when sailing,” says Riley. “But most memorable of all the features is the huge outdoor cinema set up on the upper deck, with movies able to be projected onto one of the yacht’s sails for the ultimate cinema session.”

[See also: First Look Aboard Eco-Conscious Residential Superyacht, Njord]

Chartering Maltese Falcon

Over the years her travels have taken her all over the world, clocking close to 200,000 nm with a decent proportion under sail. “She is versatile with location and can be chartered anywhere in the world, although Greece is now the Maltese Falcon ’s home,” says Riley.

Plenty of thought has been put into her charter offering, which gives a thrilling taste of all the ingredients that make superyachts so exciting including speed, high luxury and gourmet delights. As a charter favorite, it is no surprise that the Maltese Falcon also carries a rich selection of toys and tenders, and she has been set up to appeal to every kind of guest.

“Guests of the Maltese Falcon can enjoy the exhilarating performance of race sailing with seven-star luxury and comfort,” says Riley. “With all the best elements of motor and sailing yachts, she really is the best of both worlds.”

[See also: Does this 357-Foot New Yacht Belong to Steven Spielberg?]

The Maltese Falcon is a yacht that needs to be seen to be believed, and once seen will not be forgotten. Its late creator, Perkins, summed it up beautifully when he opined: “It is not a modest thing to say, but my creation remains an unrivaled masterpiece.”

The Maltese Falcon is available for charter with SuperYachtsMonaco from €460,000-€520,000 ($500,000-$565,000) per week + expenses. Contact Chloe Riley, [email protected] , superyachtsmonaco.com

Ellie Brade

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The World’s Most Radical Sailing Yacht Stands the Test of Time

The 12-year-old 289-foot perini navi superyacht is still one of the world’s most technologically advanced and largest private sailing yachts., geri ward's most recent stories.

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When he launched Maltese Falcon in 2006, venture capitalist and former Hewlett Packard GM Tom Perkins fulfilled a fantasy that most sailors would never have even dared to dream.

The 289-foot superyacht by Perini Navi —considered the world’s most radical sailing yacht and the largest private sailing yacht at launch time—has three giant rotating masts, each supporting five sails. The “Dyna Rig” masts give Maltese Falcon a top-end speed of 24 knots. Although translating this 19th-century concept to a 21st-century yacht could have been a spectacular failure, Perkins forged ahead, spending between $150 million and $300 million over a four-year period. His team built a special facility to test and build the carbon-fiber masts (with heights up to 187 feet) at the Perini Navi shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey.

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The furling sails are stored inside the masts and automatically deploy along tracks in six minutes at the push of a button. The sails, which have no rigging, are trimmed by simply rotating the masts electronically. To the amazement of many, and the outrage of sailing purists, a single, desk-size, push-button panel controls all 25,800 square feet of material on the yacht’s 15 sails, allowing Maltese Falcon to be operated by one person if desired.

With naval architecture by Dykstra Naval Architects and Perini Navi, and exterior design by Ken Freivokh , the yacht has won multiple superyacht races, as well as numerous awards, including Robb Report ’s Best of the Best .

In the stunning interior also created by Ken Freivokh, which features generous spaces and contrasting materials, carbon finish is used beside walnut, and aluminum works well beside Macassar ebony. The yacht has a full-beam master and five double suites, accommodating 12 guests.

Twelve years after he built his dream, Perkins’s Maltese Falcon is still one of the most technically advanced sailing yachts ever.

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MALTESE FALCON Sailing yacht for charter

The instantly recognisable 88m (288.6ft) MALTESE FALCON, acclaimed as the Finest Superyacht Ever among a host of other awards, is still one of the world’s most innovative sailing yachts. Now this truly iconic yacht is better than ever having undergone a huge double refit in summer 2022 and winter 2022-23 with an endless series of mind-blowing upgrades.

Exciting and rare, offering iconic elegance and innovation.

• 18 awards since her launch, including being named ‘Finest Superyacht Ever’ by Superyacht World magazine
• 2022/2023 extensive interior, exterior and engineering refit
• Unique three-deck sky-lit atrium
• Wellness facilities: massage room & fully equipped gym
• Private VIP deck
• Largest outdoor cinema projected on the lower sail and indoor cinema
• Large aft shaded Bimini/Circus
• 2,400 square metres of sail can be set within six minutes

About MALTESE FALCON

The instantly recognisable 88m (288.6ft) MALTESE FALCON, acclaimed as the Finest Superyacht Ever among a host of other awards, is still one of the world’s most innovative sailing yachts. Now this truly iconic yacht is better than ever having undergone a huge double refit in summer 2022 and winter 2022-23 with an endless series of mind-blowing upgrades.

View all yachts for charter

As well as a gleaming hull repaint, there is a new extendable passerelle that takes you all the way down to the water where there is a new inflatable platform for beach-club sea-level living. The flybridge has a new circular sunbed that rotates with the sun. Inside you’ll find her guest areas brighter and more welcoming with lighter woods, cream panels and new tapestries.

There’s a new cinema room on the main deck, a redesigned Japanese-style dining room and her gym shares a state-of-the-art MS Sculpt electric muscle stimulator with the massage room. As well as the latest Starlink Wi-Fi throughout and a wheelhouse brimming with the latest technology, she now operates more sustainably with LED lighting throughout, a new engine control room and new generators for lower noise and vibration.

Her unique features remain, like the three-deck sky-lit atrium where the stairs spiral around the main mast, an iconic architectural wonder. You can still indulge your passion for film with the world’s largest outdoor cinema, where movies are projected onto the lower sail so you can watch from the flybridge. The main deck aft, now shaded by a stylish new hardtop, is even better suited to entertainment with open-air dining aft and a circular sit-up bar, revamped with cream marble and new sound and light systems.

On the water, you'll find whatever you're looking for in MALTESE FALCON's garage of brand-new toys. She has a 10m (33ft) Pascoe tender to ferry guests into port or onto a deserted beach for a BBQ and thrill them on waterskis and wakeboards. SeaBobs, kayaks, SUPs, jet surfs, snorkelling equipment, windsurfers - she has plenty to keep you entertained.

When it's time for bed, the full-beam master suite on the lower deck has a large walk-in wardrobe and adjoining gym as well as his-and-hers bathrooms, now with jacuzzi bath as well as a shower room. As principal you may be tempted to take the private VIP deck instead, aft facing on the flybridge with access to the terrace and walkaround side decks, as it has a brand-new bed with a TV that rises from beneath it. There are an additional four double cabins on the lower deck, each with en suite facilities.

Be one of the first to experience this reborn icon of the seas. Get in touch now to book your MALTESE FALCON charter.

Tenders & toys

• 2 × Tenders
• Anti-jellyfish pool
• Inflatable platform
• 4 × SeaBobs
• 2 × Jetsurfs
• 2 × eFoils
• 4 × Kayaks
• 4 × Stand up paddleboards
• Inflatable tows
• Fishing gear
• Snorkelling gear

Please note that tenders and toys are subject to regular upgrades and changes. Contact a Burgess broker for the latest information.

Fitness equipment

• Cross trainer
• Free weights
• Resistance bands
• Training bench
• Yoga instructor
• Massage room
• On board masseuse

Please note that fitness equipment and wellness facilities are subject to regular upgrades and changes. Contact a Burgess broker for the latest information.

Check availability

Maltese falcon is available for those dates, maltese falcon is available for those dates subject to confirmation., sorry, maltese falcon isn't available for those dates, contact a broker to discuss your requirements, please change your dates or contact us for a personalised yacht selection..

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Maltese Falcon Yacht: Everything You Want To Know

The Maltese Falcon is a sailing superyacht that is one of the largest sailing yachts on the planet. It was first launched back in 2006 although you could argue it was actually launched in 1990 as the bare hull actually hit the water back then but it wasn’t actually built into a full vessel that was sailing until 2006. It took six years to finalize the design and construction before launch. Despite its remarkable size and apparent complexity, the yacht is designed such that a single person could operate it by themselves if they wanted to. 

The yacht comes in at 289 feet in length, definitely making it ones of the largest sailing yachts in the world. It features what they call a Dyna-Rig system with three 190’ rotating masts, each supporting five sails.

Who Owns the Sailing Yacht Maltese Falcon?

The original owner of the Maltese Falcon was American venture capitalist Thomas Perkins. He only had the yacht for two years however, buying it in 2006 and then selling it in 2008. The company Pleon Ltd bought the yacht and has been operating it ever since, mostly as a charter vessel.  Since that time it’s become one of the most famous and easily recognizable yachts on the water and has turned up all over the world. 

What Is a Maltese Falcon?

The name of the yacht comes from the movie of the same name, itself based on a book. The Maltese Falcon is a valuable statue made of gold and jewels but disguised to look plain. By the end of the story no one actually has it or knows where it is. In the story it qualifies as a Macguffin, something that is sort of a misdirect and isn’t really what’s important.  

How Do The Sails Work on the Maltese Falcon?

As mentioned, the Falcon uses a DynaRig system. The furling sails are stored inside the masts. The masts themselves are actually made of weapons grade carbon fiber which, as you can imagine, is both highly advanced and not inexpensive by any means. 

When an operator simply pushes a button, they automatically deploy along tracks in just six minutes. The sails have no rigging and they can be trimmed by simply rotating the masts with the electronic control panel. That works out to 25,800 square feet of material in 15 sails. All of it can be controlled from a panel that’s basically like a large desktop computer. 

According to Perkins, at the time it was built, the Falcon sailed as close to the wind as any yacht, of any design, that had more than one mast. He also proclaimed that the computer control system, while obviously having a complicated amount of work to do, was so simple to control he could teach someone with no sailing experience at all how to use it in under 5 minutes. 

This actually caused a little bit of controversy when it was introduced and demonstrated to others. As has happened with similar high tech sailing yachts, there are some yachting or sailing purists who believe a sailing vessel should be sailed the old fashioned way and that using technology to take the manual sailing part out of the equation is considered almost like an insult. Of course, that’s all personal preference and many people think this is the evolution of sailing and love the convenience of being able to have technology manage all the hard work. 

What’s the Maltese Falcon Yacht Interior Like?

The main reason that the Maltese Falcon has been so popular as a charter yacht for all these years is that the interior is everything you’d expect from a superyacht and then some. It has a lot of stuff going on.

There are six suites on board the Maltese Falcon, one Master, one VIP along with 4 double suites, which offer accommodations for 12 guests. If you’re so included, the 4 double suits can actually be combined to create two more VIP suites to accomodate fewer guests but with a little more luxury.

In addition, the boat is manned by 16 to 19 crew who have 8 cabins although it’s worth mentioning again, as stated above, a single person can actually operate this boat. That’s because there is a very sophisticated computer control system that monitors and manages all operational aspects of the vessel. The sails can be raised and lowered with the touch of a button. The ship’s sensors can detect ships in currents and wind and make adjustments to the sails as necessary to ensure it takes maximum advantage of the wind at all times as well.

One of the most famous features is the huge movie theater that is on the boat. It’s listed as the largest of any yacht in the world. How did they pull that off? The yacht actually projects movies onto the sails to use them as a screen, so you get a true movie theater experience with the size. 

For relaxation, the charter also comes with an on-board massage therapist and a treatment room you can use. This is part of the spa area and there’s also a gym as well for when you feel the need to work out. 

For more of a party atmosphere there is a bar in the main salon area that can actually be split in two with sliding doors. When that happens, it breaks it into an indoor bar and an outdoor bar. There’s plenty of deck space on the main deck and, if you’re the VIP, you’ll have your own deck space which we’ll get to shortly.

Decorative features inside include the curated art from the owners as well as accent touches that are mostly finished in wood accents that include things like Masscar ebony and walnut. Elsewhere there’s ample leather, steel, aluminum and glass. There’s an atrium onboard as well as a reading room, a massive full-beam dining room, and a large main salon area. Dining areas include the formal one as well as al fresco spaces.

When you’re looking to have fun the yacht features a lot of toys and tenders as well. There’s even a bespoke waterslide, a feature you won’t find on many vessels. There are jet skis available for use, as well as SUPs and scuba diving equipment. In addition the boat boasts a 33 foot Pascoe tender, waterskis and wakeboards, SeaBobs, kayaks, kite surf gear, paddle boards, jet surfs, windsurfers and even an inflatable platform for lounging right out on the water.

Thanks to the numerous design innovations and features on board, the Maltese Falcon actually received 18 different international awards after it was launched back in 2006 for being the most innovative sailing yacht in the world at the time. That includes earning the title of “Finest Superyacht Ever” according to Superyacht World magazine. And, all these years later, it’s still a design marvel that few other yachts have managed to rival, let alone meet. 

In 2022, the yacht underwent a refit and numerous features have been updated or replaced entirely. That includes the artwork, carpeting, electronics, the cinema, the lighting and even the piano in the main lounge. There’s a new indoor cinema room that was added as well, for those times when you want to watch a film during the day, or without dealing with the weather. 

What’s on the Maltese Falcon’s Upper Deck?

Like a hotel with a penthouse suite, the Maltese Falcon has its own VIP cabin located on the upper deck or bridge deck of the vessel. It has its own private terrace for getting away from the rest of the vessel. The master suite features two walk-in wardrobes and his and hers washrooms. There’s even a lounge and an attached gym for private use. 

The upper deck is also where you’ll find that outdoor movie theater to use when the sun goes down. When it was built it had one of the first outdoor movie screens you’d ever find on a superyacht. You could actually watch movies from inside a hot tub as well. 

What Did the Maltese Falcon Yacht Cost?

As you can imagine with a vessel of this size and all the features it has, it’s not a cheap boat. But like so many of these super yachts, the owners are not always very forthcoming with the price as not everyone likes people knowing their financial business. Way back in the year 2007, Thomas Perkins, the original owner, was interviewed on the TV show 60 Minutes. He discussed the yacht at that time and offered the somewhat vague answer that the cost of the yacht was above $150 million but below $300 million. So that’s quite a large potential range to deal with but, for most of us, the cost of a yacht is pretty expensive no matter where it sits on that scale. 

What’s the Maltese Falcon Yacht Charter Price?

If you’re not in the market to buy a yacht like the Maltese Falcon, you can charter it if you like to enjoy living the high life on the sea for a week or two at a time. The rates for chartering the Maltese Falcon depend on the time of year you want to take advantage. During the winter season you can charter it for $460,000 per week plus expenses. However, if you want it during the summer you’ll have to shell out a bit more and go in for around $523,500 per week plus expenses. A charter Maltese Falcon trip obviously isn’t in everyone’s price rage and it’s often used by celebrities, corporations and millionaires for things like vacations and celebrations.

Maltese Falcon Yacht Top Speed

The Maltese Falcon is not built for speed, of course, but it does well for a vessel of this size. It’s powered by a pair of twin Deutz engines that allow it to cruise at 16 knots. The maximum speed it can reach is an impressive 19 knots. Along with that it has a range of up to 4,600 nautical miles. That’s thanks to a 81,300 liter fuel tank that can keep it on pace at 14 knots. Of course, that’s when it’s under engine power. It is also fully capable of operating totally under sail as well. 

Under sail, the top speed for the Maltese Falcon has been clocked at a very respectable 24 to 25 knots. It’s able to cross the Atlantic ocean in just 10 days. 

The Bottom Line

Though it’s an older yacht than some of the other headline-grabbing superyachts you’ll hear about these days like Jeff Bezos’ yacht or even the Lamborghini yacht, the Maltese Falcon is extremely popular and offers amazing amenities for those who can afford to charter it. It’s still consider the best sailing yacht in the world by many.

At 268 feet in length, the yacht can reach up to 25 knots under sail and it has room for 12 guests. It’s known for its massive movie theater which projects movies onto the sails, not to mention the sails themselves which are controlled electronically and can be operated by one lone person.

The yacht cost somewhere between $150 million and $300 million and can be charted for between $460,000 and $523,000 per week, depending on the time of year. 

My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.

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Sailing yacht charter MALTESE FALCON unveils new interiors following extensive refit

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By Anna Ingles   13 March 2024

The majestic 288.9ft (88m) sailing yacht charter MALTESE FALCON has unveiled its sumptuous new interiors to the world. As one of the planet's grandest sailing yacht charters , MALTESE FALCON boasts expert naval architecture crafted by Dykstra Naval Architects, complemented by the sophisticated interior design stylings of Ken Freivokh.

Following an extensive refit at the Lusben facility, Perini Navi yacht charter MALTESE FALCON made her grand entrance onto the charter scene, showcasing her new features in March 2023. Originally launched in 2006, this ambitious project spanned close to six years, culminating in a crewed yacht charter that's a testament to groundbreaking design and engineering.

Her innovative unstayed masts, constructed from high-caliber carbon fiber, and advanced computerized sail and mast control system, incorporating the FalconRig, continue to set her apart in the maritime world.

Emerging from her half-year refit with a plethora of enhancements, the striking yacht rental now includes a newly minted cinema room on the main deck, a serene Japanese-style dining area, and a comprehensive upgrade to her technical systems.

These upgrades include eco-friendly LED lighting and the installation of the latest Starlink WiFi system for seamless connectivity throughout indulgent Mediterranean yacht charters .

In addition to the new facilities, the transformation of luxury yacht charter MALTESE FALCON also includes a striking hull color change to "Perini Blue", the addition of a sleek extendable passerelle, a versatile inflatable platform, and a curated selection of tenders and water toys for endless aquatic enjoyment on a watersports yacht charter .

The yacht's iconic staircase, encircling the main mast, remains a central design feature. Accommodations aboard MALTESE FALCON are generously laid out across six cabins, featuring a spacious full-beam master suite that comes complete with a walk-in wardrobe, a private gym, and separate his-and-hers bathrooms, now boasting a Jacuzzi bath alongside a shower room.

Offering charter guests panoramic views during Italy and Croatia yacht charters , the flybridge invites relaxation with its novel circular sunbed designed to follow the sun's arc across the sky. 

The main deck has also been refreshed with a permanent hardtop, providing shade for the al fresco dining area on East Mediterranean yacht charters , a welcoming sit-up bar, and newly installed sound and light systems for an immersive outdoor experience.

Proudly retaining its title for having the world’s largest outdoor cinema, where guests can enjoy movies projected right onto the lower sail, MALTESE FALCON creates an unforgettable cinematic experience under the stars.

To be among the first to charter the newly refreshed sailing yacht charter MALTESE FALCON, contact your preferred yacht charter broker today for the latest availability and details on yacht rental costs .

Alternatively, to find more inspiration on boat rentals, take a look at all yacht charters .

Alternative sailing yacht charters

90m Royal Huisman 2004 / 2019

105m Oceanco 2018

67m Alloy Yachts 2011 / 2019

81m Royal Huisman 2020 / 2022

86m Oceanco 2016

66m Radunia Shipyard 1997

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