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Nicholson Yachts Schooner for sale in Italy

LOCATION

Italy

YEAR

1910

LENGTH

162.01 ft.

DETAILS

Condition

Used

Year

1910

Make & Model

Nicholson Yachts Schooner

Boat type

Sail

Length

162.01 ft.

Fuel Type

Diesel

Location

Italy

MEASUREMENTS

Beam

24.02 ft.

Draft

14.01 ft.

LWL

89.99 ft.

DESCRIPTION

Built by Camper & Nicholson to one of the finest designs of Charles E. Nicholson; this yacht originally named SYLVANA was launched in 1910. When commissioned, Nicholson had clearly won over the wealthy yachtsmen of the period to his designs that by then were regularly beating those of Watson, Fife and Herreshoff on the race course.

Now ORION OF THE SEAS; she was completely rebuiltwith a total focus on keeping the original detail where possible but where modern systems were installed; then most discreetly and with effective sound insulation. Where money is no object it can lead to “over restoration” but the treatment of ORION leaves her looking very much as she would have done in 1910 – yet she is probably stronger now than she ever was and could reasonably be described as a “classic super yacht”. As a regular winner on the classic race circuit; many who have spent time aboard acknowledge how she has touched their lives – she is simply unforgettable.


Brokers Comments


Built by Camper & Nicholson to one of the finest designs of Charles E. Nicholson; this yacht originally named SYLVANA was launched in 1910. When commissioned, Nicholson had clearly won over the wealthy yachtsmen of the period to his designs that by then were regularly beating those of Watson, Fife and Herreshoff on the race course.

Now ORION OF THE SEAS; she was completely rebuiltwith a total focus on keeping the original detail where possible but where modern systems were installed; then most discreetly and with effective sound insulation. Where money is no object it can lead to “over restoration” but the treatment of ORION leaves her looking very much as she would have done in 1910 – yet she is probably stronger now than she ever was and could reasonably be described as a “classic super yacht”. As a regular winner on the classic race circuit; many who have spent time aboard acknowledge how she has touched their lives – she is simply unforgettable.

History


It was in 1910 that SYLVANA, a schooner destined to make history, was launched at Camper & Nicholson’s yard in Gosport At that time yachting was in its comparative youth, but the class and elegance of this lovely schooner made her stand out immediately. Built for the Spanish Royal family, she was later bought by one Colonel Courtenay Morgan, registered at Portsmouth and then sailed under the British flag. Subsequently SYLVANA transferred to Brest and sold to another owner, who in turn resold her. She subsequently moved to Argentina, remaining there for some years.

In 1930 the schooner once again became the property of a Spanish owner, who brought her to the Mediterranean, so after five names ranging from PAIS DE FRANCE, through LE MATIN, DIANE and VIRA the schooner was finally renamed ORION. One of the most important times in her history was in 1967, when without masts and with her deck seriously damaged following an incident off Cap Creos during a close-hauled passage in difficult weather conditions, she was transferred to La Spezia.
It was during this period that the boat was attacked by time and neglect, everything on board deteriorated or disappeared. Notwithstanding having run the risk of demolition she actually spent four years laid up in Le Grazie.

Luckily as in the best fairy stories someone fell in love with this image of beauty; two brothers to be precise, who without fighting over this boat did everything they could to give her the love she so badly needed and place her back on her throne as queen of the seas, following the original plans. Naturally the work involved the whole hull structure, upper works and systems, which were obviously updated and modernised to meet modern safety canons.

Meanwhile her sail plan had already been redesigned from a schooner with fore and aft rigging into one with staysails. The main deck had also badly damaged, and for this reason was redesigned by Faggioni and then rebuilt with local labour.

Another key period in her history was the work undertaken in 1998-99, when the original schooner fore-and-aft rigging was reinstated.

The new rigging included shorter masts saved by the gaff of the master spanker. Given the major structural works carried out, the interior was also restored to its former splendour with much passion and dedication of those involved. Until then the interior had been neglected and even carelessly painted, covering up detail that deserved to be highlighted and appreciated in their original state.

After no less than five names and twelve owners, ORION is once again a cult figure for lovers of vintage yachts Thanks to the outstanding historic value and technical characteristics, ORION has taken part in the most important classic regattas including the Veteran Boat Rally in which she duelled with another queen MARIETTE, engaging in battles comparable with those enjoyed during the America's Cup. Streamlined, elegant and highly polished, she has always stood out thanks to her capacity for decisive sailing even in light winds, her unfurled sails making the most of even the lightest breeze.

Since slipping her first mooring in Gosport in 1910, ORION has experienced moments of splendour and abandon, finally brought back to her former glory to earn the nickname "Pearl of the Mediterranean".

Captain Renzo Castagna, who skippered the schooner until 2003 has said: “Like all the men who have worked on board ORION during its long history, I feel nostalgia and affection for this boat that are difficult to put into words. I can tell you that all those that worked on her were struck by this boat, no ordinary boat, not simply a vintage boat, but one with special appeal. Her present owner has understood this and wants to restore her to exactly how she was in the beginning. Years ago the original drawings were obtained in England and the rigging was restored, because they realised that the rigging introduced during restoration in the seventies was decidedly less efficient than the original. In particular it compromised her manoeuvrability, tacking was not as easy, above all with a light wind, and for this reason we participated in meets but not in the more difficult regattas. The previous rigging had a shorter bowsprit and was a mixture of fore- and-aft and Latin rigging. This was fine for strong winds but made everything more difficult when manoeuvring with a light wind. She needed canvas up high, only in this way could she become more competitive.

Over recent years, instead of only taking part in show regattas, ORION has participated in far more competitive regattas, in which she duelled for example with MARIETTE", with many of the crew that had previously been on "Orion" on the latter boat. This situation always created great rivalry - healthy sporting rivalry. Both yachts belonged to Italian owners and this fact increased competition too. Latterly ORION’s owner took her to a boatyard near Marseilles specially set up to renovate this schooner. He decided to completely rebuild her based on original documentation, in the past he completed restored the famous ROLLY GO he is a lover of this kind of work and does it very well. Notably in 2002 the boat was awarded a prize during a meet in Monte Carlo, by old Mr. Nicholson, who said: "This is my boat, the boat my father built, I recognise her as she is now". I am sure that her current owner will manage to restore her to the splendour of 1910, the day she was launched. ORION is a boat that manages to cast a spell on you, those who have crewed on her talk about her always, because her seaworthiness and sailing virtues are really difficult to find elsewhere. She sails well and above all has no fear, neither from a structure nor from a waterline point of view, in fact a fully developed sea is her ideal environment. This is also due to her weight, was substantially increased after restoration with the installation of previously nonexistent systems and special systems such as the steel tanks, but nevertheless it is still a very competitive boat. Even the deck plan is unique; for example the crew has the whole of the forward quarters at their disposal while the remaining three quarters of the boat are dedicated to the owner and his guests. The interiors are spacious and divided up well, large rooms where the crew does not interfere with the owner's privacy.”

Construction


- Composite construction; teak and Iroko planking on galvanised steel frames
- Teak decks
- Teak Superstructure
- Mahogany interior joinery

Accommodation and Domestic Equipment


Accommodation for 10 guests in 5 staterooms and 7 crew members
- Doghouse / deck saloon forward
- Companionway stairs down aft of deck saloon and corridor aft
- Main saloon beautifully appointed for dining and socialising in style
- Doorway aft to

Master suite recently re-configured aft of the main saloon
- 2 x Double berths; one each side
- Access aft to the master bathroom and shower

Moving forward through the saloon the foot of the main stairwell to four further guest cabins
-2 x Double cabin with en suite bathrooms
-2 x Twin cabin with en-suite bathrooms

Forward to the galley
- Walk-in fridge
- Large primary freezer
- 2 x Secondary freezers
- 2 x Fridges
- Electrolux professional oven
- Electrolux professional induction plate and wok
- Electrolux professional polished chrome plate
- Electrolux ice maker
- Electric slicing machine
Forward again to 3 crew cabins with separate access to the galley and crew quarters from the foredeck

Laundry
- Miele stainless steel 7 kg washing machine
- Miele stainless steel 8 kg dryer
- Electrolux rotary presser
- Centralised vacuum system

Rig Spars and Sails


- Oregon pine spars
- Main mast height 174ft / 53m
- Sail area 1,200 Sq m to 2,250 Sq m
- Stainless steel standing rigging
- Polyester running rigging

All Dacron sails
- Main
- Foremain
- Working Topsail
- 2 x Fore topsail
- Racing Staysail
- Jib
- Jib top sail
- Ballooner

Deck Equipment and Ground Tackle


- 14 x Meissner classic hydraulic winches
- Hydraulic electric main halyard winch
- 2 x Hydraulic anchor windlasses
- Classic teak and bronze aft gangway
- Classic admiral’s ladder
- Classic Vidoli Shipyard wooden tender for 12 people
- Rubber tender for 12 people with 100 HP Novamarine engine

Mechanical Electrical and Tankage



- 2 x Caterpillar 6 cylinder 3306 TA 420 HP each with Z drive
- ZF V Drive gearbox
- 2 x Brunston feathering propellers
- Cruising speed 11 Knots
- Max speed 13 Knots
- Kohler 27 kW generator
- Kohler 21 kW generator
- 3 Phase 220 V Alternator
- 24 V battery bank
- Siemens electric boiler heating system
- 3x Separate electric/ engine calorifierdomestic hot water systems; master, guest, crew
- Tecma WCs
- HEM 400 l/h water maker
- HEM UV installation antibacterial
- BWT mineral water production system
- Hamann Super mini water treatment
- 2,000 litres Fresh water
- 1,000 litres grey and black water

Navigation Communication and Electronics


- Simrad B&G Navigation Equipment last generation with remote installation at helm
- Simrad B&G autopilot
- Hydraulic rudder installation
- Classic barograph
- Simrad radar
- Thrane & Thrane Satellite telephone
- Sailor VHF
- Apple computer

Safety


- 2 x ACR - Pathfinder and Mini B300
- Life Jackets
- Fire suppression system
- Galley fire and bilge Pumps
- Engine room bilge / fire pumps
- Fire extinguishers
- 3 x Life rafts

Restoration / Refit Comments


2003
ORION was housed in a purpose-built facility in La Ciotat, France, where she underwent a 2 year complete re-build. Every effort was made and achieved to create a modern yacht without losing any of her heritage and pedigree, and without detriment to her century old history. Key features were:
- Hull planking removed and hull taken back to bare steel frames
- Keelson and stem timbers retained
- Frames re-galvanised and painted
- The best – some 70 % of old and new teak planking refasted
- With absolute attention to detail as much of the original interior joinery as possible retained
- Original interior re-built and repaired / replaced to match where necessary
- Efficient insulation as possible installed to minimise noise
- Engine room and galley completely renewed and refitted throughout

2010
- Re-engined with addition of new generators

To date
- Constant on-going attention and maintenance

Other Equipment

ORION OF THE SEAS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HULL

Designer

Charles E. Nicholson

OTHER

Builder

Camper & Nicholson

Displacement(kgs)

21001.33

Keel Type

Full keel

ABOUT NICHOLSON YACHTS SCHOONER

The Nicholson Yachts Schooner is a 160 feet long that boasts a 24 feet beam.