ELENA OF LONDON is a 55-metre sailing schooner built by the Spanish yard Factoria Naval de Marin and delivered in 2009. She is not merely inspired by the famous 1910 Herreshoff schooner ELENA, she is an exact replica of her, built to the same Herreshoff design by naval architects Acubens, with the same race-winning DNA that made the original famous for winning the 1928 King’s Cup trans-Atlantic race from New York to Santander in record time.
Her exterior is unmistakable: an elegantly tapered steel hull, towering pine spars, spruce masts and over 1,000 square metres of Spectra sails combine to create a presence on the water that turns heads in any anchorage, marina or regatta starting grid. She has already proved herself competitive at the highest level, with podium finishes at some of the world’s most prestigious classic regattas on both sides of the Atlantic, including the St Tropez Classic, Les Voiles de St Barth, Antigua Classic and Monaco Classic Week.
Despite her resolutely classical profile, ELENA OF LONDON offers all the comforts a charter guest would expect from a luxury superyacht. Steve McLaren’s interior transports guests back to the 1910s with polished hardwood panelling, vintage-style furnishings and a warm, lived-in atmosphere, while modern amenities including onboard WiFi, air conditioning and a fully equipped galley ensure the experience is as comfortable as it is romantic.
Her deck life is built for the joy of sailing. Open teak decks give uninterrupted access to watch the sails fill and the bow cut through the water, with a dining table easily set up for alfresco meals at any time of day and sun pads for afternoons at anchor. For guests who want to get involved, the racing crew will show them the ropes; for those who prefer to simply watch the boat do what she was built for, a charter on ELENA OF LONDON is a privileged education in the art of classic yacht sailing.
Accommodation sleeps up to 10 guests across five cabins: a master suite with a desk and seating area, one double cabin and two twins, with the Captain’s cabin available for two additional guests when needed. The crew of eight delivers attentive, personal service in the warmth of a yacht where the ratio of crew to guests means no request goes unheard. Powered by a single MAN V12 engine, ELENA OF LONDON cruises under power at 11 knots and reaches 13 knots maximum. She spends her summers in the Mediterranean, with Croatia and the Amalfi Coast among favoured destinations.
Built to the original Herreshoff plans, ELENA OF LONDON is as close as it is possible to get to sailing the race-winning 1910 schooner that inspired her.
Polished hardwood panelling, vintage furnishings and warm tones transport guests back a century, while WiFi, air conditioning and a luxury galley keep them firmly in the present.
The master suite includes a desk, comfortable seating area and private bathroom, finished in the yacht’s signature dark wood panelling.
With podium finishes at the world’s most prestigious classic regattas, ELENA OF LONDON offers guests the chance to experience competitive classic yacht sailing at its finest.
