Photo: Boats Online Australia
Not many boating enthusiasts with a couple of million dollars to spare would be willing to throw them at an apparently modest motor yacht from the late ’70s, but the few who do are in it for more than just the purely commercial value. Thea may not be as fancy as its contemporary counterparts in the same size category, but it came from an acclaimed shipyard and was fully modernized more than once.
The yacht was originally delivered in 1979 by a shipyard with a fascinating history. Back in the 1960s, Harvey Halvorsen of the renowned boat-building family Halvorsen and Joseph Kong, former boss at American Marine Company, launched a joint venture in Hong Kong. Kong & Halvorsen Marine & Engineering Company became a prolific company over the next decades. Its boats were as big as 134 feet (40.8 meters) and were launched under two main brands: Kong & Halvorsen and Island Gypsy.
The original factory was shut down after the shipyard’s contract with the Chinese government expired in 2000, which makes every Kong & Halvorsen still in operation a valuable classic. The most famous yacht from this shipyard is most likely Yecats, renamed Attessa. This 134-foot motor yacht appeared in not one but two Hollywood movies—the 1987 Overboard and the 1993 Indecent Proposal.
While it’s not as big and famous as Attessa, Thea also stood the test of time and is still a resilient, good-looking boat with comfortable amenities. The diagonally laid planking makes its hull particularly solid, which goes hand in hand with a remarkable fuel capacity of 21,000 liters for long-range, self-sufficient cruising. Accommodation-wise, it’s cozy enough for up to eight guests. Its technical upgrades include Naiad stabilizers, a fully integrated hydraulic system, deck cranes, and a modern swim platform.
Despite it being fully rebuilt a decade ago and further revamped as recently as last year, this classic yacht had a hard time finding a new owner. Last Spring it was asking for $2,495,000. This year, its price tag indicated $1,595,000, and Thea was finally sold in-house this month.
Sadly, older yachts like this ’79 model often have to cut their prices significantly in order to attract new owners despite being in great shape and upgraded with desirable features. Boasting the main amenities of a contemporary pleasure craft, in addition to its original solid build, Thea is ready for family adventures without compromise.
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