About Us
David Cassidy
Growing up in Lymington, on the south coast of England, sailing was a part of my life from a young age. I started in Optimists at 5 years of age, and went on to race in various classes.
After graduating from Law School, I relocated to Cannes to work in the luxury yachting industry, working as captain for over a decade, and exploring some of the most beautiful yachting destinations in the world. The Norwegian Fjords were a particular highlight, but Cannes has always held a special place in my heart.
I have long admired the beauty of classic sailing yachts, and felt compelled to share this admiration with others.
When we discovered Skål in 2022, in need of major structural repairs, I saw the opportunity to restore her to her former glory and offer classic sailing experiences to a broader market.
Being under full sail on a historic sailing yacht is an entirely unique experience, and one which I take immense pride in sharing.
Our mission is to showcase the adventure of classic sailing whilst ensuring this magnificent vessel can continue to grace the seas for centuries to come.
Rocklyn Sayers
Originally from Cape Town, my journey into sailing is rooted in a love for the ocean and the freedom that comes with it. I began sailing aboard a traditional charter boat, crewing for trips along the Cape Coast.
I moved to Cannes to progress my yachting career, and was immediately drawn to the beauty of the few traditional wooden yachts based here.
The feeling of sailing aboard a near century old yacht in the iconic bay of Cannes is unlike anything I've experienced before.
I couldn't be more excited to be sharing this experience with our guests aboard Skal.
Natasha Cassidy
I arrived late to the sailing world, learning to sail only after David and I met. His enthusiasm rubbed off on me, and I have now covered many thousands of miles under sail.
I may be biased, but I always think Skål is the prettiest boat by far when we pull into any anchorage.
Drawing on my professional experience in high end fashion, I took great pleasure in curating Skål's interiors during our 2 year restoration. My pattern cutting experience came in handy cutting and stitching the intricate leatherwork that adorns Skål's blocks and rigging.
I offer shore support to the crew and help with the occasional trip, particularly when we run fashion shoots onboard!
OUR MISSION
A well designed old wooden sailing yacht is a piece of art. A welcome reprieve from the mass produced plastic yachts of today, they have the ability to transport us to a long passed era where yachtsmen were explorers and adventurers. A living embodiment of centuries of boatbuilding knowledge and thousands of hours of meticulous craftsmanship. To step onboard an old wooden boat is to step back in time, to smell the pitch pine, hear the hull creak in heavy seas, feel the solid deck underfoot, admire the bronze deck fittings that have served their purpose for a century and bear the scars to prove it. Classic Yacht holdings was established to share our passion for traditional boats with a broader market. If traditional wooden yachts are to survive, or better thrive, there must be sufficient interest in them, and though an ongoing process of restoration and charter, we hope to assist in nurturing that interest.
