The 25th anniversary of Pearl Yachts coincides with a year of accomplishment for the British boutique yacht builder. Amidst the excitement, Pearl marked this milestone and the peak of the 2023 season with a red carpet rendezvous in Puerto Portals, one of Europe’s most exclusive marinas. VIP guests mingled between the designer boutiques and gourmet restaurants, in a festive atmosphere for celebrating the silver jubilee of Pearl Yachts.
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Pearl Yachts celebrated its 25th anniversary alongside Mallorca Marine Group, the brand’s longest established dealer. From the 28th to the 30th of July, the Rendez vous at Puerto Portals’ famed marina gathered the brand and community, as well as the fleet, to put Pearl on display like never before. Specifically, guests were invited on board the Pearl 62, the new Pearl 72, and the Pearl 95 to discover the British builders’ latest lineup. Anticipation of the upcoming Pearl 82 launch fed into the celebration as well, with exclusive previews of the new model.
Pearl was first conceived in 1998 when Iain Smallridge, an experienced captain, and John Yarnold, a local businessman, began building 41’ and 45’ aft cabin yachts to compete with the best yacht builders in the world. In 2003, Margaret & Tony Whittaker, entrepreneurs, and yachting enthusiasts, decided to invest in the brand and brought their vision to produce a range of sleek, stylish flybridge yachts to attract the most discerning Mediterranean yacht buyers. The new range became reality, starting with the Pearl 55.
Pearl Yachts Owner, Margaret Whitaker OBE emotionally explained, “To see our efforts manifest over two and a half decades has put the whole Pearl family in the mood to celebrate. I couldn’t be prouder of the team, not just for where we stand today, but also when I think back over the years. We faced challenges, defied the odds, and carved out a new enclave in the yachting sector, which I can confidently compare to any brand on the market today. There’s no feeling like the creeping sense that what we have built is here to stay, that this dream isn’t going to end – and it’s because we dreamed it together.”
The development and growth of Pearl took off with world-renowned Bill Dixon as naval architect and Kelly Hoppen CBE as the interior designer exclusive to Pearl. In fact, Pearl has pushed the boundaries of design from the beginning by finding creative ways to offer a unique combination of features in every model. The advantages of the brands exclusive design team became clear, pushing Pearl into direct competition with the largest producers of flybridges in the world and earning a flurry of awards across various categories at the same time. While the shipyard maintains its commitment to fully designing and producing each model as a boutique, the range has steadily shifted upwards toward larger dimensions. The growing recognition of the latest generation has awakened curiosity about whether Pearl will break through 100 feet, applying the brand’s transformative design philosophy deep into the superyacht market.
Commenting on the important milestone, Pearl Yachts Managing Director Iain Smallridge said, “Pearl’s 25th Anniversary has come along at an important time in our history. There’s so much movement, and we keep taking risks, seeing results. The latest generation of Pearls is having such an impact because of the path we’ve taken to this point, and this event was the perfect opportunity to get together and show our appreciation, remember the past, and talk about the future.”
The Pearl range at Rendez Vous
Pearl 62. Compact, complete, and competitive
Measuring 18.6m, the Pearl 62 is the only yacht in the size-class to offer accommodations for eight guests across four cabins, including a full beam owner’s suite with a private entrance, plus the owner’s choice of a crew cabin or jet ski garage. Other highlights include an aft galley open to the cockpit, a vast flybridge, a foredeck lounge, and the benefits of Volvo IPS pod drive propulsion, including joystick control and station keeping function.
Pearl 72. Layout leader
In terms of layout, the new Pearl 72 makes a unique introduction to the size-class: two Master Cabins. One is forward with a private entrance, as typically seen on much larger yachts, and the second is full beam amidships. In addition to providing an ideal solution for co-owners who enjoy the yacht together, the innovative layout allows owners to enjoy a beautiful view even when moored stern-to in a marina. There are two further en-suite double cabins plus accommodation for the crew, in addition to an exceptional garage with space for a William 345 tender (or similar) and a jet ski.
Pearl 95. Smart at scale
The flagship Pearl 95, under 24 meters, boasts a full beam owner’s cabin on the main deck, as well as an expansive beach club with fold-down buttresses. She has proven to be an award-winning combination of performance, style, and quality, taking the title of ‘Best Layout’ at the World Yachts Trophies. The Pearl 95 went on to receive further recognition with the awards of ‘Best Interior Design – Power Yachts’ and ‘Best Main Saloon’ at the International Yacht and Aviation Awards.