Fleurtje: A Classic Sailing Superyacht with a Heritage Linked to Porto Carras and John Carras

The yacht now known as Fleurtje belongs to the distinguished category of large classic sailing superyachts that helped define the post-war European yacht-building era. Its story is rooted in a period when shipping, private wealth, and bespoke yacht construction were closely linked with discretion, prestige, and craftsmanship.

According to contemporary references, the yacht was originally commissioned by Greek shipping magnate John Carras, a prominent figure with interests spanning shipping, financial investments, and tourism development in Greece. As was common among large private yachts of the time, ownership structures were often discreet, frequently managed through corporate entities rather than public attribution.

The vessel was built in the Netherlands by the historic shipyard Amsterdamsche Scheepwerf G. de Vries Lentsch Jr, renowned for producing high-quality classic yachts in steel and wood. She was launched around 1960, with design work attributed to Robert Clark, a notable naval architect of the period.

Due to her considerable scale for the time, large floating cranes were reportedly required during her launch, highlighting the ambition and engineering scope behind her construction.

In various maritime and social accounts, the yacht has been linked to the broader development of the Porto Carras resort in northern Greece, also associated with John Carras. There are narratives suggesting that the vessel spent extended periods anchored in the Toroneos Gulf, near the resort, and that at one stage she carried the name Argonautis. These details remain part of the oral and historical tradition surrounding the yacht’s early life.

In the early 1980s, the yacht passed into new ownership under Dutch businessman John Deuss. A significant refit followed at Cantiere Navale dell’Argentario, north of Rome, overseen by John Winterbotham and Richard Davies. The refit focused primarily on improving sail handling systems and enhancing overall operational efficiency, bringing the yacht closer to modern sailing requirements of the time.

In 1985, she re-emerged under her current name, Fleurtje, marking the beginning of a new chapter that would see her actively maintained and refitted across both Europe and the Atlantic over the following decades.

Today, Fleurtje remains one of the most enduring classic sailing superyachts still in active condition, measuring 57 meters in length, with a beam of 8.56 meters, a draft of 4.88 meters, and a gross tonnage of 295 GT. She features a steel hull with an aluminium superstructure, reflecting the robust construction standards of her era.

The yacht accommodates up to 12 guests and carries a crew of up to 16, including the captain. Powered by two Caterpillar engines, she reaches a maximum speed of approximately 15 knots, combining classic sailing heritage with reliable mechanical support.

The current owners, only the fourth in more than six decades of history, continue a long tradition of stewardship, preserving a yacht that stands as a notable example of enduring classic yacht design and maritime heritage.