In Paris on 5 February, Artcurial will auction a classic piece of sailing history – the William Fife-designed Moonbeam III…
Scotsman William Fife is widely regarded as one of the best yacht designers and engineers in maritime history, so much so that the organisers of the America’s Cup honoured him with a place in their venerable hall of fame. One of his finest sailboats was the near-25-metre-long Moonbeam III, first launched in 1903. Its first owners enjoyed competing in regattas, as well as its luxurious, Edwardian-style mahogany interior. Over the course of several decades, Moonbeam changed owners time after time, at one point belonging to aviation pioneer Félix Amiot. In the late 1980s, Moonbeam was finally properly restored. It fittingly went on to race again in 1999, taking on another Fife-designed yacht (owned by none other than Prince Albert of Monaco) between Cannes and St. Tropez. Since then, the yacht has competed in a number of historic regattas, a tradition that we hope to see continued by its new owners.
Photos: Artcurial
You’ll find more information about Moonbeam III, as well as the whole catalogue for Artcurial’s Rétromobile auction, in the Classic Driver Market.
