Author: Gregory C. Y. Piatkowski

The Allure of the Open Sea: A Prelude to a History of Private Yachting by Gregory C. Y. Piatkowski. #24/0151.

October 12, 2024 · 5 min read

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(Picture: Ships of Amsterdam: Dutch Admiralty Yacht. A Guard Ship.)

The Allure of the Open Sea: A Prelude to a History of Private Yachting

Private yachting is more than a pastime; it’s a lifestyle choice, a blend of adventure and exclusivity that offers freedom on the open water. At its heart, private yachting is the ownership or use of a vessel specifically for personal leisure rather than commercial or competitive purposes. It’s a realm where the practical meets the luxurious, where one can cruise at their own pace, far from the bustle of the shore, with a view that’s constantly changing.

Historically, private yachting emerged as a pursuit for the wealthy, those who sought both relaxation and status as they sailed along coastlines or crossed seas. Today, private yachting has expanded to encompass a diverse array of vessels, from compact sailing yachts to sprawling superyachts equipped with every imaginable amenity. While it once symbolized exclusivity and luxury, modern private yachting often reflects an appreciation for the environment, with owners exploring more sustainable ways to navigate the world’s oceans.

In essence, private yachting embodies a desire to escape, to explore, and to experience the world from a unique vantage point, one where the horizon is yours alone and the sea stretches endlessly before you.

In Hemingway’s words, the sea is “the last free place on earth.” Out there, away from the land and the noise, it’s just you and the horizon. That’s the allure that’s driven yachting from the start—a taste of true freedom, untamed and raw. Hemingway captured the soul of it: the sea is both a companion and a challenger, a place that reminds you that freedom isn’t found in comfort. It’s found when you’re willing to face the unknown, stripped down to your core.

This article is a first step—a pilot, if you will—into a series exploring the fascinating journey of private yachting from its origins to the present day. The history of private yachting isn’t just about boats; it’s about the people who embraced the open sea, driven by a sense of adventure, luxury, and freedom. This series will chart the evolution of private yachting across the centuries, beginning here with a broad look at its key milestones.

1600s: Dutch Beginnings and the Birth of the “Jacht”

Private yachting owes its start to the Dutch in the 17th century, who, amidst their Golden Age, crafted small, swift vessels called “jachts” to patrol waterways and transport goods. These boats quickly gained popularity among the Dutch elite, who saw in them the potential for leisure, not just utility. The Dutch merchant class and nobility began using these jachts for personal voyages, and with that, the first spark of private yachting was born.

1660: Charles II and the Spread of Yachting to England

In 1660, the Dutch presented England’s Charles II with a yacht named Mary, and the English king was captivated. This gift marked a pivotal moment, bringing yachting into the English court and spreading its allure to British nobility. Charles soon had more yachts built and started informal races on the Thames, solidifying yachting as a pursuit of leisure, not merely function.

1720: The First Yachting Club and Formalized Yachting

The Royal Cork Yacht Club, founded in 1720 in Ireland, became the world’s first yachting club, formalizing the sport with organized regattas. This institutionalization of yachting encouraged enthusiasts to gather, race, and discuss their passion. Yacht clubs spread throughout Europe, and yacht design began evolving with a focus on speed and maneuverability, laying the groundwork for competitive sailing as we know it.

1851: The America’s Cup and International Competition

The 1851 America’s Cup put yachting on an international stage when the American schooner America bested the British fleet. This historic race ignited a sense of rivalry that pushed yacht designs toward new heights of speed and efficiency. The America’s Cup remains a prestigious event, exemplifying yachting’s shift from leisurely cruising to high-stakes competition.

Late 1800s to Early 1900s: The Golden Age of Yachting

The late 19th century saw a surge in luxury yachting. Industrialists, royals, and socialites commissioned ever more lavish yachts, turning them into floating palaces complete with salons, dining rooms, and more. Steam-powered yachts allowed for extended journeys, further cementing yachting as a status symbol. During this golden era, private yachts became statements of wealth and a testament to the power of their owners. The golden era of classic sailing, with its elegant vessels and leisurely cruises, came to a crashing halt with the outbreak of World War I. Yachts that once glided along peaceful coastlines were suddenly pulled into the war effort, repurposed as patrol boats and hospital ships. Yacht builders traded teak and mahogany for steel and iron, their focus shifting from crafting beauty to building for battle. By the war’s end, the world had changed. That carefree elegance was a relic, and society was no longer in the mood for grandeur. The yachts of pre-war days became silent witnesses to a lost time, as people turned to rebuilding rather than indulging. Yachting would continue, of course, but it would emerge different—a symbol of the new world, shaped by both loss and resilience.

Post-WWII: Motor Yachts and Modern Materials

After World War II, advancements in materials like fiberglass and aluminum changed the game. These materials allowed for lighter, more durable yachts, and motor yachts surged in popularity, bringing unprecedented comfort and convenience. The 1950s and 60s saw the rise of the superyacht, with features like multiple decks, swimming pools, and lavish living spaces. Yachting had truly transformed into a lifestyle of luxury and freedom.

1970s-1980s: The Superyacht Craze

The 1970s and 80s witnessed a boom in superyachts, driven by the wealth of a new class of industrialists and moguls. Yacht builders like Feadship and Lürssen crafted massive vessels with cutting-edge technology, from satellite communications to computerized navigation systems. Superyachts became the ultimate symbol of affluence and the means for a select few to explore the world with unmatched comfort.

1990s-Present: Sustainability and New Trends

Today, yachting balances luxury with environmental consciousness. Innovations in hybrid propulsion systems, solar panels, and sustainable materials have redefined modern yacht design. Meanwhile, the trend toward expedition yachts has allowed owners to journey to remote, untouched places, blending exploration with eco-friendly practices. The spirit of yachting endures, with a new generation of yachts and yacht owners who prioritize sustainability while indulging in the age-old allure of the open sea.

What’s Next in This Series?

This pilot article sets the stage for a deeper dive into each of these eras, exploring the personalities, technological advancements, and cultural shifts that have defined private yachting. In the coming articles, we’ll examine everything from the early days of the Dutch “jacht” to the cutting-edge designs of today’s eco-friendly superyachts, offering a comprehensive look at the rich tapestry of yachting’s past and future. So, join us as we chart a course through time, uncovering the stories that have made private yachting what it is today—a pursuit of freedom, luxury, and the endless possibilities of the open water.

This pilot not only introduces the history of private yachting but also frames the series as an invitation to explore the evolution of yachting across centuries. Each forthcoming article will delve into specific aspects, making the entire series a journey through the fascinating legacy of yachting.

To my old friend CORNER BAR FRANK alias Francis Threw, who left for another galaxy on the 8th of September 2024.

October 8, 2024 · 2 min read

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I don’t know how to reach you, Frank. I’ve been looking around, but it seems you’ve gone interstellar. I took that late flight from Barcelona, hoping to see you on Sunday. But we obviously missed each other at the airport—your last flight took off just as I landed at Son Sant Juan.

You’re probably sitting in some interstellar corner bar, listening to klingons at the next table while a giant squidfish of a bartender tries to catch your eye. I wonder what the house drink is—Moloko Plus with knives, I guess. But I’m sure you ordered that bucket of beer you always kicked back. I’ll raise a bucket of beer and think of you now and then. I miss you, man. I know it’s selfish, but it’s better than squidfish.

Old bastard!

When I visited on tuesday, you still tried to make me laugh, telling me that story about the catheter and how four nurses had to hold you down. You’ve got balls, man. By the way, greetings from Julia and the kids. She misses you too. Anyway, you two always got along better. Ha!

You’re the kind of mild person who can get hard on someone when needed. I picture you interstellar, sitting by your motorbike, calmly fixing it with a bottle of whiskey at your side, like something out of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. You give that steady look of yours, the one that says you know exactly what you’re doing.

I still have that workshop lamp of yours. You lent it to me two years ago, and I know it’s yours because when I plug it in, it shines.

So, I’ll let you to it. Write me if you can. I’ll be waiting. Same old address.

Give Alan a hug. Does he still wear that menjou beard? He got there earlier than you, so I’m sure he’ll show you around.

In Like Flynn. The Legend of Errol Flynn. An Article by Gregory C. Y. Piatkowski. #24/0143.

October 4, 2024 · 3 min read

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69 years ago: Errol Flynn returned to his “ZACA” in September 1955. The 118-foot schooner had been moored at the Real Club Náutico de Palma since 1952. Once a celebrated screen pirate and Robin Hood, Flynn was now a fading star in Hollywood. However, despite his decline, his charisma remained intact. Wherever Flynn went, attention followed. His reputation as a wild rogue, paired with an undeniable elegance, continued to draw people in. Even as his finances crumbled, he maintained the air of a free spirit who roamed the seas like an old buccaneer in his own realm.

Between film productions, Flynn sought refuge on his yacht in Palma’s bay. The “ZACA” wasn’t just a vessel for Flynn – it was his sanctuary, a symbol of freedom and independence. The towering sails that caught the wind reflected the adventurer’s spirit that never truly left him. On board, away from the turmoil of Hollywood, Flynn could still be the hero he once portrayed on screen.

He avoided the United States, partly due to outstanding tax debts. His fortune was embezzled by accountants, and his marriage to Patricia Wymore was in ruins. Meanwhile, his box office hits from the 1930s and 1940s were now reaching Spanish cinemas, bringing Flynn a delayed wave of fame on the Iberian Peninsula. In Spain, Flynn wasn’t just seen as an actor – he was viewed as a symbol of a bygone Hollywood era, one of romance, adventure, and heroism. In Palma, for some, he was a hero, while for others, he was a tragic figure.

Flynn was a regular at “Joe’s” on Plaza Gomila and Rudi’s “Tirol” on Calle de Apuntadores – legendary hangouts known for their raucous gatherings. His image as a playboy and womanizer overshadowed other aspects of his life, including his political convictions: Flynn had visited Spain in 1937 during the Civil War, where he commented on the conflict from the Republican side. His passion for freedom fighters resurfaced in 1958, much to Hollywood’s dismay, when he produced The Cuban Story: The Truth about Fidel Castro’s Revolution – a unique documentary of Cuba’s transformation. For Flynn, the fight for freedom wasn’t just a role – it was a deeply held belief.

In his diary entry from October 8, 1955, in Palma de Mallorca, Flynn wrote:

“(…) Favourite occupation: A prolonged bout in the bedroom.

The greatest calamity: Castration.

What would I like to be at seventy? At seventy, I confidently hope I will have had at least eight more wives, have grown a stomach that I can regard with respect, and still be able to walk upstairs to the bedroom without aching or groaning.”

This mix of humor and melancholy reveals Flynn’s self-awareness about his fading youth and vitality. While he joked about future wives and a “respectable” belly, there’s an underlying fear of the physical decline of a man once known for his vitality and presence. The adventurer who had conquered Hollywood was now facing the inevitable signs of aging.

On October 14, 1959, while negotiating the sale of his beloved “ZACA” in Vancouver, Errol Flynn died of a heart attack at the age of 50. Even in his final years, he remained a figure of fascination, with his life oscillating between legendary escapades and quiet, personal struggles.

Monk Seals: A Lost Mediterranean Legacy. An Article by Gregory C. Y. Piatkowski. #24/0139.

October 2, 2024 · 2 min read

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66 years ago in April: In Cala Tuent, the Guardia Civil killed what was likely the last Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) on Mallorca. These marine mammals once populated the entire coasts and islands of the Mediterranean as part of a balanced ecosystem. This balance shifted with the territorial expansion of another predator: humans. As early as Homer, Plutarch, and Aristotle, the seal was mentioned in ancient writings. Its fur, fat, and meat were highly prized, and due to its trusting nature, the animal was easy to hunt. The fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century initially halted its early extinction in the western Mediterranean. Along Mallorca’s coasts, pirate raids discouraged human settlement for centuries, while the seals used these areas undisturbed as natural breeding grounds, and their colonies flourished. The end of piracy in the 19th century also marked the end of the monk seal colonies on Mallorca. Fishermen increasingly settled the coasts, and fishing became a thriving industry. The monk seal, which feeds exclusively on fish and mollusks, became a bitter enemy of the fishermen: it stole their easy catch and tore apart their fishing nets. The people of that time saw the seal as a pest that needed to be exterminated. Archduke Ludwig Salvator described their hunting by the islanders in 1870: “Let us consider seal hunting. Normally, you would encounter two, four, or five monk seals, swimming and playing in the water for a while, until one of them crawls onto the shore. At that moment, the hunter fires. Sometimes the animal dies instantly, but at other times it can escape into the sea; the hunter must be prepared for this and close the entrance to the cave with a strong net… the seal lifts its body out of the water, and at that moment the hunter shoots it again… They also catch the monk seal with a strong hook tied to a durable rope.”

On the North African coast and in the Greek Aegean, some colonies have survived to this day. On the Balearic Islands, however, the “Vellmarí” is considered extinct. All monk seals…? In 2008, a diver spotted one near El Toro in the southwest of Mallorca. However, marine biologists believe it was an African individual that had migrated.