Prestigious 53-Year-Old Luxury Yacht in Excellent Shape Sold for Pennies

Cetacea's story began in 1969 when Feaship, one of the greatest superyacht builders of all time, was working on two custom yachts at the same time. The smaller one, named Prosit (31 meters/101 feet), was meant to be a super fun, adventurous companion with a fully-equipped fishing cockpit. The other one, named Intent (36.8 meters/120.7 feet), was a family boat with generous accommodations and a cozy, warm interior style.

The beautiful Intent yacht boasted the finest naval architecture from the De Voogt Studio and a timeless interior style penned by Robin Rose & Associates. Despite its relatively compact size, it could comfortably accommodate eight guests and six crew members and was equipped for long-distance cruising even in the harshest conditions.

It changed hands numerous times but carried out its successful trajectory undisturbed. As Queen of Diamonds, it completed an amazing multi-year world circumnavigation between 1996 and 2000. More than a decade later, as Alchemy, it traveled from the US to New Zealand and back (in 2014-2016).

In 2019, the new owner who purchased it happened to be the commodore of the New York Yacht Club. Chris Culver, a media mogul, was a passionate sailor with an impressive fleet. The classic Feadship became his first motor yacht and the fourth to bear the name Cetacea. Culver saved Cetacea, in a way. Its previous owner had donated it to a non-profit organization, which is why the boat wasn't in great shape when Culver found it.

As a classic boat connoisseur, he fell in love with the yacht's beautiful lines, which he described as "spectacular." Culver also called Cetacea "a sailor's motor yacht," and that says it all. Under Culver's ownership, the 70's Feadship entered its most prestigious era. It was not only the jewel in his private fleet but also the "leading lady" of the New York Yacht Club fleet.

Cetacea even became an unusual, highly luxurious floating office. In the Spring of 2020, when the pandemic had the entire world in its grip, the new owner and his wife decided to take advantage of their motor yacht for isolation. Like many luxury yacht owners at the time, they isolated onboard their floating mansion. They would spend more than two and a half months on board, docked off of a tiny island between Marathon Key and Key West.

By that time, the old vessel was already in excellent shape. Throughout its long life, it has undergone multiple refits. Back in 1995, it received a stern extension and a new swim platform, bringing it to its current length of 40 meters (132 feet). In 2014, it completed an impressive transformation, reportedly worth a whopping $8 million.

In 2019, when the commodore bought it, he also pumped a lot of money into an extensive 12-month refit. Most recently, Cetacea completed another major refit this summer, carried out at the Roscioli Yachting Center in Florida. It started with an antifouling treatment for the hull and a reconditioning of the exterior paint. The main engines were rebuilt, and onboard systems were upgraded. The classic pleasure craft was also modernized with the addition of an IMO-approved sewage treatment system and a Starlink Maritime system.

Today, this stunning yacht boasts a combination of timeless elegance and contemporary comfort. The generous deck space includes a huge upper deck with built-in BBQ grills from the luxury Miele brand.

One of its most impressive assets is the fully enclosed and climate-controlled flybridge. A luxury custom hardtop and advanced equipment turn this area into a unique relaxation oasis that guests can enjoy in any weather and climate.

The family-oriented layout includes a sumptuous master suite, located midship, with a lavish bed, en-suite bathroom, ample storage, and three guest cabins, all located on the lower deck. A surprisingly spacious main salon dominates the stern. Forward on the main deck, guests can enjoy formal dining inside a sophisticated dining room.

The classic-style configuration includes something you'll rarely find onboard contemporary superyachts – a separate study nestled between the salon and the dining room. It also comes with a wine cellar and can be converted into a temporary nanny cabin for those traveling with children. Onboard guests enjoy plenty of outdoor spots, whether for al-fresco dining or sun lounging.

Although fully modernized, the 53-year-old Cetacea still flaunts an unmistakable classic elegance. Its unique silhouette is complemented by cozy interiors with classic teak wood paneling, light blue furnishings, and subtle maritime-inspired aesthetics. After decades of extensive cruising, this powerful boat is still ready for daring adventures. Powered by twin Caterpillar engines, it cruises smoothly at 11 knots (12.6 mph/20 kph) and boasts the same trans-oceanic range.

After more than half a century, the classic Feadship is about to embark on a new journey under a different name. It entered the market more than a year ago and was recently sold. Its last known asking price was just less than $8.5 million, far less than what it's actually worth, considering that only one of its refits was worth $8 million.

Plus, there's the prestige of a classic build with a Dutch pedigree that was also the head of the New York Yacht Club fleet. Sadly, younger models without this rich history get much more, while a collector's item that's also fully upgraded is valued at less than $10 million. Perhaps its new owner will get Cetacea the attention it deserves. Either way, the most important thing is that a beautiful vessel that came to life more than 50 years ago is still actively cruising – a priceless lesson about history and timeless craftsmanship.