Exceptional Auction Opportunities | 165’ (51m) SAPPHIRE & 101’ (31m) WEATHERBIRD

Northrop & Johnson is excited to offer the 165-foot (51m) Trinity superyacht SAPPHIRE and the 101’ (31m) classic sailing yacht WEATHERBIRD for auction. Bids for SAPPHIRE open at $7,500,000; the yacht is available for preview in West Palm Beach. Her current asking price is $14,950,000. Bids for WEATHERBIRD open at €1,000,000, and she is located in Greece. Her current asking price is €2,590,000.

The viewing period for both yachts begins on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Live online bidding for SAPPHIRE starts on February 13 and runs through February 19, 2025. Live online bidding for WEATHERBIRD starts on February 20 and runs through February 25, 2025.

Yacht auctions offer a fast, efficient, and transparent way to buy luxury yachts. Northrop & Johnson’s yacht brokers Wes Sanford and Sean Doyle for SAPPHIRE and Richard Callender for WEATHERBIRD are proud to work with Boathouse Auctions to facilitate the auction experience for both yachts.

For buyers, the yacht auction process is fairly simple. After registering and placing a refundable deposit, you’re ready to start bidding. And if you win the auction, you’re contractually obligated to complete the transaction, ensuring the sale process is secure and dependable. In collaboration, Northrop & Johnson and Boathouse Auctions offer a unique and modern approach to buying luxury yachts through the auction process.

And the yachts offered at auction are genuinely extraordinary. SAPPHIRE is a stunning Trinity built in aluminum to ABS classification. She was delivered in 2009 and had a major refit in 2019, followed by additional upgrades in 2020 and 2021, rebuilt engines and new generators. She has completed her five-year survey and is in immaculate condition, ready to set sail with her next owner. SAPPHIRE’s accommodations are flexible, comfortably accommodating up to 20 guests in seven beautifully designed cabins. The yacht features many alfresco spaces for dining, socializing, and enjoying the on-water lifestyle. The interior, designed by James McFarlane, illustrates timeless comfort. On the technical side, SAPPHIRE is just as impressive. Her range of 4,000 nautical miles ensures she’s ready for extended cruising, and with zero-speed stabilizers, you’ll experience maximum comfort whether at anchor or underway. The craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout the yacht speak to her American build and the continuous care she’s received since her launch.

WEATHERBIRD is a legendary two-masted schooner with a celebrated history. Built in 1931 by Chantier Navals de Normandie and designed by Russian aristocrat Victor Orloff and Frenchman Henri Rambaud, she was commissioned by high-society Americans Sara and Gerald Murphy. The yacht became a symbol of their glamorous lifestyle on the French Riviera. She welcomed an array of cultural icons, including Cole Porter, Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, who are said to have based characters in Tender is the Night on the Murphys. One unique fact about WEATHERBIRD is that the Louis Armstrong record Weatherbird, a song of the same name as the yacht, is buried in her keel, allowing her next owner to own this stunning yacht and a piece of music, jazz, and art history. During a complete mechanical refit in 2021, the yacht underwent a full overhaul and replacement of systems and new upgrades throughout, including overhaul of engines and new generators. She is in exceptional condition and ready for exploration. WEATHERBIRD offers accommodations for eight guests in four elegant staterooms and five crew members. With its 1930s charm, the main salon features dark and light woods, natural light, and comfortable seating. Spacious outdoor decks provide perfect spots for guests to relax and enjoy the stunning views.

Both yachts are currently in their viewing period. Bidding begins in February. For more information on the auctions of SAPPHIRE, for sale with Yacht Brokers Wes Sanford and Sean Doyle, or WEATHERBIRD, for sale with Yacht Broker Richard Callender, please contact Northrop & Johnson’s press team.