Highlander now relaunched back in the water for sea trials after an extensive refit will be delivered to her new owners in mid-February.
The enormous refit project included upgrading and modernising all the mechanics while extending the stern by 12 feet to create a contemporary transom and accommodate a lifting transformer platform. The top deck has also been extended forward for al fresco relaxation.
Launched as The Highlander in 1986 for Malcolm Forbes, the green-hulled motoryacht, one of the world’s most instantly recognisable superyachts has been comprehensively refitted by Derecktor and her name has been altered to Highlander
The work has been completed fully respecting the groundbreaking exterior lines of her legendary designer Jon Bannenberg.
Fans of the late Jon Bannenberg and Feadship will be impressed with the way the owners used Bannenberg’s angular lines to modernise her profile, then adjusted her space for use by their family and charter guests.
Legend has it that Malcolm Forbes, already a three-time Feadship owner, was visiting the yard in Holland to sign the contract for a new yacht when he saw Azteca, one of several revolutionary Bannenberg designed projects then being built at Feadship.
Forbes took one look and exclaimed “Oh my God, we’ll have to paint mine green.”
He promptly engaged Bannenberg to create the next The Highlander and the result was spectacular. Although sharing a very similar external appearance to the all-aluminium Azteca, The Highlander was built with a steel hull to suit the need for long range cruising to then-communist China, Alaska and Bora Bora. Her interior layout incorporated large reception and conference areas, enabling Forbes to entertain countless dignitaries, heads of state and business leaders in unrivalled style.
The Highlander remained in the Forbes family for over a quarter of a century. When she was finally offered for sale, it was clear that Bannenberg’s designs had lost none of their attraction. “We are very big fans of Feadship,” explain the owners. The Highlander had Feadship’s outstanding quality and Jon Bannenberg’s iconic profile. The Feadship and Bannenberg mix was irresistible.”
She will be available for charter through Feadship Charters