This Classic Beauty Is a Priceless Piece of British Yachting History

Modern charter services allow tourists to experience diverse ways of enjoying a luxury cruise. In many parts of the world, they have access to all kinds of traditional and classic wooden boats, such as the famous Turkish gullets or the gorgeous Indonesian Phinisi schooners. The Silver Cavalier is a classic motor yacht built in the UK, which has been operating as a popular charter option in the Mediterranean for a long time.

Back in 1999, the reputable Motor Boat &Yachting named Silver Cavalier "One of the Ten Best-Looking Boats of All Time," and it's easy to see why. This is a James A. Silver Limited – Silver 17, designed by the legendary John Bain.

The 23-meter (75.4 feet) mahogany yacht was built in 1966 for the man who was a director and shareholder of Silvers Marine and who owned several Silver-built boats. The pleasure craft only had three owners throughout the decades, all of whom took good care of this heritage vessel. Plus, it was fully refitted recently, in 2022.

Silver Cavalier boasts the typical look and timeless elegance of a classic yacht. The simple layout includes three guest cabins, a generous main salon, an area for al-fresco dining on the main aft deck, and sunbathing setups on the bridge and on the foredeck.

As a charter yacht, the Silver Cavalier can accommodate up to 12 people plus a three-person crew. The guest staterooms include a VIP cabin, two cabins with two beds each, and one with a single bed. All of them come with wardrobes but without the modern luxury of en-suite bathrooms (there are only two bathrooms onboard, with automatic toilets).

The yacht's main salon unfolds over 15 square meters (161 square feet). The heavy furniture and ornate tapestry are part of the overall nostalgic charm. Unlike contemporary yachts that typically include a main lounge area and a separate formal dining area, this classic setup serves as a two-in-one lounge and dining room with ample sofa seating and a small dining table with matching chairs. The outdoor dining area can welcome up to ten people.

Some of the pleasure craft's modern amenities include a fully-equipped kitchen with a fridge, freezer, washing machine, microwave, and dishwasher, as well as TV, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, heating, and premium music speakers added in 2021.

The Silver Cavalier also hides an expected perk. It can withstand long periods of fully self-sufficient navigation. More specifically, it can cruise for more than a month without having to dock in any port. This is mainly possible due to a modern water-potabilizer that converts seawater into drinkable water for everyone on board. Plus, the classic boat boasts a 4,000-liter (1,056 gallons) fuel capacity and a 2,500-liter (660 gallons) water storage capacity.

In terms of performance, this type of classic build has nothing to do with thrilling speed or long-range expeditions. You can't expect more than 12 knots (22 kph) and an 800-mile (1,287 km) range. The boat is powered by twin 220 HP Cummins engines and is fitted with advanced zero-speed stabilizers that make the onboard experience more enjoyable by reducing any rolling motion.

As a charter yacht in the Mediterranean, the Silver Cavalier asks for nearly $2,000 per day. A full day and night of cruising in high season costs at least €2,450 ($2,600), and past charter customers have described the classic yacht as a great family option with lots of comfortable outdoor options and a fully packed water toy box. Indeed, this includes even an anti-jellyfish swimming pool for up to 12 people.

The Silver Cavalier is also up for grabs, and considering this was once declared one of the most beautiful boats of all time, it's a bargain. This 1966 Silver is located in Alicante, Spain, and is asking for just €1.4 million ($1.5 million). It's not just a beautiful collector's item to own for anyone who is familiar with yachting history, but it could also be considered a wise investment, given its confirmed charter success.

James A. Silver started building boats at the end of the 1880s, and the first official Silver yacht emerged from the Rosneath shipyard in Scotland in 1910. James A. Silver built the first yachts for this brand that would quickly become iconic. Still, just six years after he had sold the shipyard to a syndicate, the acclaimed motor yacht designer John Bain took over. During the next half a century, the shipyard rolled out some of its most well-known vessels. By the mid-70s, this glorious era came to an end.

The heritage shipyard was eventually purchased in the early 1980s and renamed Silvers Marine. It no longer builds yachts, which makes the ones still in operation all the more special. Silvers Marine operates as a maintenance and storage facility, but iconic vessels such as the Silver Cavalier will continue to carry the Silver heritage through the decades.