Yacht Gin-Tonic Seeking New Looks for a New Era of Cruising

Looking largely the way she did the day she launched in 1981, the yacht Gin-Tonic moved inside a shed at Pendennis this month. When she emerges early next year, she’ll have some significant differences.

In the 1980s, an LOA of 137 feet (42 meters) made the megayacht stand out. Her name did as well. The yacht launched from Feadship as Carmac VI, one of a few commissioned by the same American family. They were the MacMillans, who owned the Cargill grain company. With the MacMillans, subsequent owners, and charter guests, the superyacht cruised extensively. According to Feadship, her second owner had her cross the Atlantic a remarkable 14 times in a decade.

More remarkably, the yacht Gin-Tonic hasn’t changed in profile over all these years. The work of the late Frits de Voogt, she bears an enclosable aft deck, a popular lounge design for her era. A walk-through portion of her transom yields access to the swim platform. Since tender garages evolved in more modern times, Gin-Tonic dedicates space for them on her cozy sundeck.

Although Pendennis can’t elaborate on the specifics of the upcoming work, it does say that “a complete transformation” will include “substantial structural modifications.” In fact, both the bridge deck and the transom will be lengthened. The owners have requested these modifications both for better guest space and for performance.

Currently, just as she has for the past four decades, the yacht Gin-Tonic has guest-stateroom access aft and to starboard in the saloon. Three twins and two VIPs sit below decks. In her original era, the master suite was below decks, too. It was relocated to the forward main deck at some point.

Still bearing her original woodwork, which lends classic appeal to her formal dining room and other gathering areas, Gin-Tonic will gain new engines while at Pendennis. As of her last sales listing in 2025, prior to her current owners acquiring her, she relied on her original General Motors powerplants.

“We are delighted to welcome Gin-Tonic to Falmouth,” says Paul Griffiths, Pendennis’ sales manager. Prior experience with stern extensions and major rebuilds, plus multiple craft trades in house, make him confident Pendennis will meet the expectations. James Fiske, the owner’s project manager from Tilow Marine, notes a “complex and demanding schedule of works” lay ahead. But, he adds, they will lead to “redelivery of the yacht to her owners in ‘as-new condition.’”

Pendennis pendennis.com