102ft Chantelot & Lemaistre 1931/2022 Athens, Greece
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"Weatherbird" Vessel Overview
The 101’8″ Weatherbird schooner stands as one of the most historically significant sailing yachts ever to grace the seas. Built in 1931 by Chantelot & Lemaistre, and fully refit in 2020/2021, she represents the pinnacle of pre-war yacht design, with her elegant lines drawn by Russian aristocrat Victor Orloff and Frenchman Henri Rambaud. Her profile, reminiscent of American clipper ships, features a generous 21’3″ beam that sets her apart from other vessels of her era.
What makes Weatherbird truly extraordinary is her remarkable cultural legacy. Commissioned by Gerald and Sara Murphy, prominent American expatriates who had settled on the French Riviera, she became a floating salon for the most celebrated artists and intellectuals of the Jazz Age. Her decks have welcomed an astonishing roster of guests, including Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Cole Porter, Coco Chanel, and Dorothy Parker. The Murphys’ close friends, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, were frequent visitors, and the yacht’s ambiance reportedly inspired elements of Fitzgerald’s novel “Tender is the Night.”
A fascinating detail that connects her to her namesake is the Louis Armstrong “Weatherbird” jazz record symbolically melded into her keel – a unique tribute to the 1928 jazz duet that exemplified the spirit of the Roaring Twenties. Pablo Picasso himself is said to have designed her house flag, while artist Fernand Léger created a portfolio of paintings inspired by his time aboard.
Built entirely of oakwood and teak, she features a gaff rig configuration that allows her to achieve impressive sailing performance. Under sail, she cruises comfortably at 8 knots and can reach speeds of 11 knots when powered by her Cummins 300hp engines.
In 2021, Weatherbird underwent an extensive 17-month refit that brought her systems fully into the modern era while meticulously preserving her historic character. Her rigging systems and winches have been automated, allowing for efficient operation with minimal crew, yet this modernization remains invisible to maintain her classic appearance. The mechanical overhaul included new generators, updated navigation systems, and a modern watermaker.
Below decks, she accommodates eight guests in four beautifully appointed staterooms, serviced by a crew of five. Her interior showcases the elegance of Art Deco design, with a thoughtful contrast of dark and light woods creating a timeless atmosphere. The saloon, positioned unusually but advantageously on the main deck, features a warm fireplace and an elegant piano that doubles as a coffee table when closed. Her deck spaces offer generous areas for outdoor entertaining, equipped with classic marine blue sun loungers and period-appropriate furnishings.
Throughout her long career, Weatherbird has accumulated fascinating stories beyond her glamorous beginnings. She has reportedly starred in an Orson Welles film, and tales circulate of a subsequent Swiss owner who was arrested for using her to smuggle gold from Turkey into France. Yet through all her adventures, she has maintained her grace, emerging from each chapter of her story more legendary than before.
Today, Weatherbird stands as a testament to the golden age of yachting, combining the romance of traditional sailing with modern amenities. She represents not just a vessel, but a piece of maritime history that has hosted some of the 20th century’s most influential cultural figures. For sailing enthusiasts who appreciate both historical significance and sailing excellence, she embodies the perfect blend of past and present, adventure and elegance.
