The 165ft / 50m classic motor yacht Malahne was re-launched on March 14th at Pendennis Shipyard, Falmouth, after a substantial 30 month restoration, during which time the project details have been shrouded in secrecy. Designed by Charles E Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholsons in 1937, Malahne is one of a very small number of pre-war motor yachts to have survived until the 21st Century. Having now undergone one of the most ambitious restorations of all time, her original elegance has been reinstated, whilst being modernised to be fully classed by Lloyd’s Register complying with the MCA Large Yacht Code (LY3).
While many people share a love for historic yachts, Nicholas Edmiston, the Chairman of Edmiston & Company, was uniquely placed to “find an Owner who understood and embraced this vision” and to be able to unite a project team and shipyard, who would share this passion and transform the dream into reality.
On-site project management was provided by Edmiston Yacht Management (EYM) and G.L. Watson, who pooled their complementary design and technical expertise to work closely with Pendennis. Classic yacht experts G. L. Watson & Co. provided the exterior design and the interior design for the crew accommodation. The spectacular Art Deco influenced interior design of the Owner and Guest areas was envisaged by Oliver Laws, whose passion for period design was previously applied to the interiors of Claridges in London. Strong team work was required to restore the aesthetic and historical integrity of the yacht, while also providing the highest standards of modern comfort, technology and safety.
The passion and vision of the Owner and designers has resulted in a unique yacht, with the fine details throughout being fully sympathetic to her original era. Mike Carr, Managing Director of Pendennis, is extremely proud of the standard of workmanship onboard: “Over the past two and half years the team here has worked incredibly hard to bring Malahne to life again. Seeing the final transformation from her 1980s form back to her original design, her launch marks a proud moment for everyone involved. Our tradespeople from all areas have applied quality, care, pride and passion to every aspect of the project. There have been unprecedented opportunities to showcase their restoration skills, whilst sympathetically integrating modern systems. Malahne will always have a very special place in the Pendennis fleet.”
On completion of trials Malahne will be one of the most detailed, distinctive and beautiful motor yachts to be launched in recent times, suitably reflective of an incredibly glamorous era of yachting. After departing from Falmouth, she will return to the Mediterranean where she will be enjoyed by her Owner.