Legacy Afloat: The Timeless Appeal and Sale of PALOMA

Delivered in 1965 by Japan’s Ishikawajima-Harima shipyard, PALOMA was originally designed for a period steeped in maritime elegance and Mediterranean prestige. With only two owners in her nearly 60-year history, PALOMA has not merely been preserved; she has been cherished.

In 2020, she underwent a meticulous refit, focused less on visual transformation and more on the unseen essentials while preserving her original flair. Her interior, featuring new fabrics and refreshed surfaces, still radiates classic charm, with rich wood panelling and understated English styling. The work kept her authentic while elevating her to modern standards of comfort and reliability.

Her near-flawless condition drew significant interest, with several serious buyers emerging swiftly. ‘In a fast-paced world, people are craving value, truth, and legacy. PALOMA offers all three,’ Legrand said.

While this sale was something of an exception due to her condition and pedigree, there is a growing, albeit niche, appetite for heritage yachts, particularly among buyers who value narrative and craftsmanship over sheer volume or novelty. Compared to contemporary 60-metre vessels, she offers a more intimate layout and simpler systems, less technologically complex, but also less prone to mechanical complications. ‘Think of it like a vintage car,’ said Legrand. 

What truly set this transaction apart was the shared reverence between buyer and seller. ‘It wasn’t a negotiation; it was a conversation between two gentlemen,’ Legrand noted. Both parties were deeply attuned to the weight of PALOMA’s legacy, seeking to ensure her next chapter would honour her past.

Even the crew played a part in this harmonious transition. The captain, described as ‘perfectly in tune with the vessel,’ found confidence in the new owner’s respect for PALOMA’s story and stature.

PALOMA’s swift sale reaffirms the market’s quiet but persistent desire for authenticity and elegance. She is more than a yacht, but a floating heirloom, now ready to begin her next voyage under equally devoted stewardship.