The all-wood sailing superyacht Mikhail S. Vorontsov, whose construction and style turned many a head when she was delivered in 2013, is going on the auction block later this month.
The auction is being held on September 22 by the court of Rotterdam, The Netherlands at the request of Balk Shipyard. If you’re familiar with the history of Mikhail S. Vorontsov, you’ll recall that Balk Shipyard completed the yacht, following hull construction that began in Turkey at Dream Ship Victory.
Mikhail S. Vorontsov measures 171’9” (52.4 meters), though some people count her bowsprit in calculating her at 211’6” (64.5 meters). The three-masted, classic-looking schooner was a longtime dream of her owner, from the Ukraine. (He even named her after a high-profile, 19th-century Ukrainian field marshal.) Even with her throwback looks outside, she has thoroughly modern sailing systems, rigged with aluminum spars and carbon fiber booms.
Inside her three deckhouses, Mikhail S. Vorontsov treats the owners’ party to traditional tranquility. Dark, rich woods line the walls, without making the interior feel closed in. Ken Freivokh, whom the owner tapped for interior design, ensured natural light would spill in from multiple sources, including skylights surrounding the mast. The aft deckhouse has served as an owner’s private lounge, though it can be a secondary guest lounge, too. The primary lounge is the saloon, within the central deckhouse. Guests can learn a thing or two about navigation in the forward deckhouse, since it contains the wheelhouse.
All accommodations are on the lower deck. The full-beam (34-foot, or 10.5-meter) master suite is aft and, thanks to a changeable configuration, can include the sauna as part of its private features. Four guest staterooms amidships take care of friends and family, with the two twin cabins further containing Pullmans. A crew of 12 see to everyone’s comfort and sailing the yacht at a reported 11 knots.
The minimum opening bid for the auction is €3.25 million.
For further information on the auction, contact Mrs. T.A.B. Mentink or Mr. P.J. Hoepel, both of whom are with the Dutch legal firm AKD.
Peter
The ship never left Holland and was never sailed by its owner’s why not?
LANSAC
Jamais navigué ? Il vient de faire une escale de deux jours au port de CONCARNEAU.
Diane M. Byrne
The yacht only left Holland after the auction. Balk Shipyard declined to comment last year when we asked why the yacht was being auctioned. But, it may be logical to conclude that the owner failed to make payments that were due, so he did not take delivery. And, therefore, the yard seized the yacht, in an attempt to make up for the loss.
Matthew
Diane, did this yacht actually sell at the auction in 2015? According to one source, last fall (September of 2019), it was for sale. Also, it appears to be on the market today (December of 2020).
Diane M. Byrne
I understand that the yacht did sell at auction, and yes, she was listed for sale again last year, plus has been available for charter.
Matthew
Very good. Thank you for the response.