The Mariska Is the Classic Yacht Deal of a Lifetime! Born in 1908 and Still Racing Strong

That's right, folks, the marvel of human ingenuity and craftsmanship we have before us today was born nearly 120 years ago, and as if a testament to the phrase "they don't make them like they used to," it was only 101 years after Mariska was launched that it finally saw the need for a refit, bringing it back to its original state. Later, in 2021, another refit brought it to the state it's in today. Time to dive a tad deeper into this floating piece of history.

Now, one of the neat things about Mariska is that it has been used extensively to bring home sailing victory after sailing victory, scooping up the 15m Class Trophy in 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2016, and in 2019, it even took the stage at the Monaco Classic Week. Heck, even Rolex seems to have been in on the Mariska action, not to mention this vessel is still in a race-worthy state.

Another neat side of Mariska's story has to do with the people who have owned it. According to sources, Everyone from world-renowned sailors to celebrities and even royalty have been bitten by the Mariska bug, some of which are most likely no longer with us. It is not quite clear who those people may have been, but if you end up buying this veiled marvel, you should feel a special something when you first touch it, ride it, and relax upon its timeless deck.

Oh, and what you'll be touching is mostly wood because, guess what, the idea of GRP or carbon fiber wasn't even a dream back then. Mariska is also the work of none other than William Fife & Sons, a Scottish yachting yard that saw its beginning around 1790 when William Fife I set up shop in Fairlie. The rest, as they say, is history, and oh, what a history; Fife wonders would go on to be known as "the first Scottish yachts to ever cruise the Mediterranean" and later become "the flagship for the Royal Northern Yacht Club."

All that brings us back to the Mariska, which, might I add, was designed by William Fife III himself; now you can grasp a bit about the minds and hands behind the magic we see and some of which we can't. For example, the images provided by Northrop & Johnson don't showcase what the interior of Mariska looks like, although it does have one; it hides no more than three staterooms, most of which include bunk bedding.

In all, just six guests will have a place to rest their heads, but you better have some sailing experience in case you're needed. Again, this is a racing vessel, so you can forget about all the millionaire luxuries we've come to expect from multi-million-dollar yachts. Funny enough, one of the staterooms does include an ensuite bathroom, so it's not as small as you may think.

That interior is also brought to life with nothing more than mahogany surfaces, fabrics that blend perfectly with that rich red glaze given off by the wood, and bronze accents that tie everything off with a sailor's touch. It's as real and raw as these babies can get.

Back on the main deck, there isn't much to do if you're not really into sailing or have a hand in the activities carried out to keep this puppy afloat and moving at speeds of up to 9 knots (10.5 mph). But that's only during transit. Once you've arrived at whatever destination you have in mind, maybe it's in the middle of the sea itself, furl the sails and let the motion of the ocean rock you away as you soak up all the unobstructed sunlight you want. It'd be a great idea to bring along some food and drinks, especially if you're planning an all-nighter.

Speaking of all-nighters, one aspect you need to consider if you're planning on getting your hands on this hunk of naval history is the fact that it's still very much alive, and if you choose, you can still keep its race and charter itinerary intact. Even the crew and captain can be included in your purchase. In short, it's a turnkey experience. Oh, and you'll need to travel to Barcelona, Spain, to pick this beauty up.

All that's left to do now is get ahold of a broker the likes of Northrop & Johnson, book a flight to Barcelona, try it before you buy it, and then go home with a piece of history; there aren't many like it left in the world, if any. Only 20 such ships were built between 1907 and 1913.