In 1930, the Defoe Shipbuilding Company in Michigan launched one of just eight yachts it ever built. The 142-foot (43.28-meter) megayacht Janidore was massive for her time. Even larger today, at 163’6” (49.86 meters), she’s still cruising, as the classic superyacht Alicia, thanks to a massive restoration at UK-based SMS. What’s more, the yacht more accurately reflects her original design.
Located in Southampton, SMS welcomed Alicia under its roof in 2015. The owner, a Brit, wanted work done on home soil. SMS’ reputation also played a role. In recent years, the yard refitted Lady A and Shemara, for example—coincidentally, also for British owners. Shemara was essentially an entire rebuild, too. Further of note, but not coincidenta, all three refits saw direct lines of communication between the SMS staff and the owners. “Owners are therefore ‘masters of their own destiny,’ which is so very important to all those involved,” explains Peter Morton, CEO of The SMS Group.
The owner of the classic superyacht Alicia certainly enjoyed that role. “The team and management have been superb to work with from day one,” he says. He particularly praises SMS having “a real eye for the detail.”
Considering he wanted Alicia to look as Janidore did at launch, SMS had a “huge” challenge, according to Chris Norman, the managing director. “We built a new hull from the aft machinery bulkhead forward,” he notes. That’s a length of about 111 feet (34 meters) and beam of 24 feet (7.35 meters). SMS and its sister company, Wight Shipyard, designed and constructed a new aluminum superstructure, too. Both locations have all major trades in house, easing some burdens. However, “we’ve managed to install an equipment package suited to a 1,000-ton vessel into a 400-ton one,” Norman says. Modern machinery and limited headroom required a lot of planning. “It’s been a challenge that we’re proud to have overcome,” he adds.
Norman credits the owner of Alicia with being “passionately ‘hands on’ both operationally and commercially. He’s been a real big part of not only the project but also the business.”
With sea trials wrapping up soon, the classic superyacht Alicia next heads to the Med. She’ll participate in the annual Les Voiles de San Tropez in late September, alongside hundreds of other classic and modern yachts. Following that, “For many years to come, she’ll be a big part of our family,” the owner declares.
Raimondo Ruggiero
My grandfather was captain of Janidore during the interwar period in San Francisco. A master mariner, he was a Nova Scotia man with a background in sailing vessels and early steamers. In WW II he was in command of ocean-going salvage vessels in Pacific. He retired after the war.
fred Washburn
My Great Great Grandfather Issadore Zellerbach was the first owner of this boat when it was laid up in the Defoe shipyard in 1930. It was originally named with a combination of my Grandmother’s name (Jane) and his name Issadore. Thus the name “Janidore”.