Tuiga, Mariquita, Cambria, Shamrock, Eleonora, Zaca, Moonbeam, Lulworth, Sunshine, Partridge, Altair, Nan, Marilee, and Bona Fide: these are the majestic sailing yachts of legend presented in this lavishly illustrated volume.<BR>Featuring dazzling photographs by the renowned yachtsman and photojournalist Gilles Martin-Raget, this stunning tribute captures the original splendor of these fourteen recently restored boats. Readers feel as though they are traversing the globe with the crew as great action photography depicts the palpable excitement on board. From Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts to the Great Barrier Reef, Martin-Raget's striking scenes range from leisurely cruises past the villages of St. Tropez to close encounters between racing yachts during international regattas. Below deck, his images of the boats' impressive interiors offer a peak at the luxury accommodations. Complimenting the photographs, detailed architectural drawings reveal the structures of these fabled vessels.<BR>In this unprecedented documentation of these boats' storied past and recent transformations, author Francois Chevalier recounts each yacht's compelling, and often eccentric, history, from construction and restoration to anecdotal tales of regattas won and lost. In addition to covering racing records and sailing itineraries, there are also tales about such celebrities as Grace Kelly aboard Moonbeam on her honeymoon and Zaca's forays as a marine biology research vessel. Those interested in boat restoration will find the step-by-step details of each yacht's renovation highly informative. A glossary of sailing terms rounds out the coverage.<BR>With a foreword and lively captions by ESPN Sailing Analyst Gary Jobson, this book is essential for sailing enthusiasts, boat lovers, or anyone who enjoys viewing an elegant yacht on the open sea. Classic Yachts captures the spirit and beauty of a glorious tradition and offers a breathtaking celebration of an epic pastime.