$50m yacht calls in at Picton

Fancy a week in the super-yacht berthed in Picton yesterday?

All you need is a spare 170,000 – that's just over $330,000 – a week.

Drumbeat is a 53-metre long ketch designed by Dubois Naval Architects and built in New Zealand by Alloy Yachts in 2002.

It is registered in George Town in the Cayman Islands and owned by a French company.

Although it was available to charter, crew members said it had not been chartered out for about 12 months and those aboard were the owners.

The yacht, which is roughly half the size of a rugby field, moored overnight at Endeavour Inlet before sailing into Picton yesterday morning.

Those travelling with the vessel spent the day enjoying the region and "just being tourists", according to the captain, who did not wish to be named.

He said the owner liked his privacy.

"It can look silly to say it, but we like to be discreet, meet the people and enjoy the places we visit.

"[The yacht] is just a big hotel to move from place to place."

Photos on the yacht's website reveal an elegantly styled interior with wood panelling. All 11 cabins have ensuites and mood lighting.

The yacht will sail tonight and spend the next few months cruising the South Pacific Ocean.

Drumbeat last sold in 2007, for 25 million ( $50m).

It came third in the New Zealand Marine Cup held in the Hauraki Gulf on March 4.

DRUMBEAT

Hull: aluminium Maximum speed: 16 knots Guests: 8 - 10 Crew: 9 - 10 Cabins: 5 with 6 crew cabins Fuel capacity: 49,200 litres Water capacity: 10,600 litres Displacement: 374 tons Sail area: 1139 square metres

- The Marlborough Express

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