The Classic Talitha Yacht

The Talitha is a classic superyacht built by Krupp Germaniawerft, Germany, in 1930. Despite several restorations and refits, she has retained much of her Art Deco charm and boasts open fireplaces, Lalique glass doors, exquisite examples of marquetry and a wealth of period art and furnishings. The Talitha is currently owned by the Getty family and is available year-round for Mediterranean charters.

The yacht measures 262 feet in length and features six elegant staterooms (including a full-width master cabin), a cinema, deck Jacuzzi, exercise equipment, wi-fi, a couple of tenders and a plethora of water toys. The yacht is crewed by a team of 18, including 2 chefs and an IT / AV engineer.

Pre-war History

The Talitha – initially named Reveler – was commissioned by Russell Alger Junior, Vice President of the Packard Motor Car Company. Unfortunately Alger Junior died in 1930 and never got to experience life on board his yacht. A year later, Charles McCann (son-in-law of business magnate F.W. Woolworth) purchased the boat and renamed her Chalena. The yacht changed hands again in 1940 when she was bought by Leon Mandel, part of the family that owned the Mandel Brothers department store in Chicago.

Following the outbreak of WWII and the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Talitha was requisitioned by the US Maritime Commission and in June 1942 entered service as a gunboat with armory, depth charges and a crew of 110. She survived the war without incident and in 1946 was decommissioned and returned to private ownership.

The Robert Stigwood Years

Robert Stigwood – the Australian impresario and producer of Saturday Night Fever – bought the yacht in 1983 from Greek businessman Marias Embiricos. Embiricos had owned the yacht since 1957, but during that time it had been neglected and fallen into disrepair. Stigwood renamed the yacht Jezebel and promptly spent millions transforming her into a work of art.

The restoration was done in Malta and kicked off with a re-design of the yacht's distinctive clipper bow. Two spruce masts replaced a metal one and teak decks were added. Next came new engine room equipment, a satellite communications system and air conditioning. The interiors were then refurbished to evoke the elegance and charisma of the 1930s. Furnishings included fabrics from London, antiques from France, marble from Italy, oriental rugs and a mahogany grand piano. Stigwood boasted that she was the most luxurious classic motor yacht afloat, and in 1985 the New York Times described her as a "floating fantasy".

But the magic wasn't to last. In 1988 the Jezebel eased into Lisbon with crankshaft failure and soon after was laid up on the River Fal in southwest England. It was at this point that she came to the attention of her next owner, John Paul Getty II.

The Getty Family

After purchasing the yacht, John Getty commissioned another round of extensive restorations, this time under the guidance of world-renowned designer Jon Bannenberg. The project was carried out at Devonport in Plymouth and is considered one of the standouts of Bannenberg's career. Major structural alterations were introduced, twin 1400hp Caterpillar engines were installed, and interiors were re-styled with Art Deco and Art Nouveau highlights, original 1920s skylights and a collection of art supplied by Christopher Gibbs.

The work was completed in 1993, at which time the yacht was re-christened after Getty's late wife, Talitha. But not everyone agreed with the re-design. Design purists and staff who'd sailed aboard Robert Stigwood's Jezebel opposed much of Bannenberg's work. In particular, criticism was directed at Bannenberg's decision to replace the original funnel with a pair of stumps and to extend the wheelhouse (which previously had stood alone in front of the funnel) along much of the deck. Critics felt these changes destroyed the yacht's integrity and compromised her graceful appearance.

The Talitha  For Charter

The Getty family have been operating the Talitha as a charter yacht for many years and she has proven to be one of the most successful vessels of her kind. She is often fully booked (sometimes for several months in advance) and her guest list includes Hollywood celebrities such as Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise and Francis Ford Coppola.

The yacht's appeal is easy to understand. With her spacious interiors, luxurious guest rooms, period features and open fireplaces, she's the ideal choice for relaxing or entertaining friends and family. She comes complete with a modern stabilization system, wi-fi, air conditioning and a deck Jacuzzi to relax in and soak up the views after a long day at sea. The Talitha is also wheelchair-friendly, and her designers have paid close attention to accessibility.

Pinnacle Marine New Zealand

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