SALPERTON yachtShe was built under yard No. AY26 by Alloy Y

[aukepalmhof]

She was built under yard No. AY26 by Alloy Yachts, Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand for Barry Houghton in George Town, Cayman Islands.
6 December 2001 was she launched under the name SALPERTON.
Tonnage 361 grt, 108 net. Dimensions 53 x 10.35 x 4.1m. Length bpp. 45m.
Powered by one 1.400 hp Caterpillar diesel engine, speed 14 knots.
Accommodation for 8-10 guests and 9-10 crew.
01 March 2002 delivered to owners.

She was at that time the largest pleasure craft ever built in New Zealand.


Dubois naval Architects of England designed the huge sailing yacht and construction of the yacht began in November 1999. It took about 350.000 man-hours to complete the yacht.

The SALPERTON is ketch rigged and fitted with carbon fibre spars and Leisure furl in boom furling system from Martin Spars Pakuranga, Auckland. The mainmast is 60 meters high. The downwind sail area is 26.000 square feet.
The yacht has a layout which puts the main cockpit saloon, formal dining area and pilot house all on the same level. Dubois Naval Architects believe this space plan is unique for a sailing yacht and is accompanied by visibility and sight-lines which will give a feeling of space, light and direct but sheltered visual contact with the sea in all areas.
The interior design has been designed and co-ordinated by the owner and Alloy Yachts. The staterooms have generous natural light. Guest accommodation includes the owner’s suite; three double guest cabins and a gymnasium which has two pull out berths and a bunk. The crew layout is particularly flexible with six cabins, all with en-suite bathrooms for accommodation up to 11 crew. She is fitted with a laundry, restaurant style galley and separate captain’s office. The cherrywood interior has raised and fielded panels, and marble has been fitted in the ensuite bathrooms.
The pilot house is divided from the saloon area by powered sliding partitions but is easily accessible and the yacht can be operated from here or from the twin flybridge helm stations.

The design was tank-tested and a number of keel options considered. The choice was for a 4.85 m. draft with good stability and a easily driven hull form.
This large yacht will sail particularly well and through extensive planning will provide space and great comfort.
SALPERTON has 91 tonnes of lead ballast in her keel; she has 100 kilometers of wiring and around 100.000 electrical terminations. The yacht has a state of the art electronic, electrical and entertainment system with worldwide communication.
She cruises in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. But she is not cheap a week charter cost you $175.000.

February 2005 sold to Hawkley and managed by Hill Robinson Yacht Management Consultants at Antibes, France. Renamed DRUMBEAT, still under Cayman flag with homeport George Town.
She underwent a refurbishment.

2007 http://www.equasis.org gives she is dead (laid up) IMO No. 8987694 but according some web-sites is she for charter.

New Zealand 2002 2.00NZ$ sg?, scott?

Watercraft Philately Volume 49 page 40.