Date toured: May 2008

Shamrock V is a historic J Class sailing yacht, built in 1930 by Sir Thomas Lipton (of teabag fame) to race among the other speedsters of her day in pursuit of the America’s Cup. The yacht has had many owners over the years, including The Museum of Yachting in Newport, Rhode Island, which undertook restoration work in the late 1980s before her current owner bought her and put her back into the world’s cruising waters. He undertook another refit in 2000, bringing Shamrock V into the lovely condition that I found her.
She has been chartering since 2004, but, the crew told me, the owner has recently decided that he wants more bookings than he was willing to entertain in the past.
That’s good news, since Shamrock V is one of the few classic yachts of her kind available for charter anywhere, at any price. She takes eight guests in two double-bed and two twin-bed cabins, which are inside the beautifully varnished, classic wood interior. Being inside these rooms made me feel as though I’d stepped back into the 1930s, with excellent maintenance keeping the décor as spiffy and new-feeling as possible.
Of course, though, it’s the sailing that matters onboard a yacht like this, and one of Shamrock V’s crew members told me the boat can do 12 knots “without even trying.” There’s even a cannon onboard for regattas, to give any weeklong racing charter an authentic feel.
Shamrock V is currently finishing her summer season in the Eastern Mediterranean at a lowest weekly base rate of 45,000 euro. Note that the base rate for regatta charters, at 65,000 euro, is higher than the published “high season” base rate of 50,000 euro. No word yet on where the boat will be this winter, but the crew indicated to me that some yard work might be in order.
Edmiston & Company is the management firm. Contact any reputable charter broker to learn more.—Kim Kavin