As 1 of only 20 yachts built to the International 15-Metre Rule between 1907 and 1919, the 27.58-m wooden gaff cutter Mariska holds a unique place in yachting heritage: the second ever constructed, and the oldest of the 4 surviving examples alongside Tuiga (owned by the Prince of Monaco), Hispania, and The Lady Anne. As a Mariska Yacht icon within the 15 Metre Class, she embodies over a century of sailing excellence.
The real-life William Fife III
The Fife name itself carries a deep legacy in yacht design. William Fife III, the third generation of the renowned Scottish boatbuilding family, was responsible for designing around 600 yachts throughout his career. Among his many achievements were two America’s Cup challengers, commissioned by grocery and tea magnate Sir Thomas Lipton, who famously pursued the Cup on 5 occasions. Fife’s mastery and influence in the field earned him a rightful place in the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, reinforcing the stature of WilliamFifeIII in classic yacht history.
Twists of history
Like many vessels of her time, Mariska’s long life has been shaped by the twists of history. On the eve of the First World War, her then-owner, a German merchant named Krüger, wisely relocated her to Sweden for winter storage. His decision proved providential: a few months later, the British Admiralty seized all German yachts docked in Cowes Harbour. Safely sheltered in neutral Sweden, Mariska avoided confiscation and destruction. This fortunate chapter preserved the MariskaYacht legacy within the 15MetreClass fleet.
In 1953, Mariska entered a new chapter under the ownership of jazz musician and painter Olle Grafstrom. Restoring her to seaworthy condition, Grafstrom made the yacht his floating home, sharing life on board with his wife Suzanne for the next three decades. The saloon was even fitted with a piano, blending sailing and music into daily life, a hallmark of Classic Yacht Charter charm today.
Extensive restoration
A decisive turning point came in 2007 when Christian Niels acquired Mariska and embarked on an extensive restoration to return her to original splendour.
The project aimed to preserve as much of her authentic structure as possible: approximately 65% of the original planking was recovered, along with her oak keel. The lead keel, however, had a more complex fate – sold in 1916 for rifle ammunition, it had been replaced with a makeshift scrap-filled alternative. For the restoration, new lead was sourced from the retired America’s Cup yacht Alinghi IACC SUI-64, reconnecting Mariska once again to the world of elite yacht racing. This narrative underscores the authenticity of the MariskaYacht rebuild and relevance to ClassicYachtCharter enthusiasts.
The interior was meticulously rebuilt in mahogany, following the original plans. The layout includes an owner’s cabin aft, a central saloon, a guest cabin, and crew quarters forward.
After two and a half years and 25,000 hours of dedicated craftsmanship, Mariska returned to the water on 11 September 2009. Just a month later, she secured victory in her first regatta in Saint-Tropez, marking the beginning of her renewed racing career across the Mediterranean classic yacht circuit, a fixture within MediterraneanRegattas.
Mariska in recent years
Following a refit in 2020, Mariska continued to build her racing pedigree, including a triumph at the 2021 Monaco Classic Week. In 2023, facing the ongoing costs of maintaining a racing yacht of her calibre, she was coded as a Small Commercial Vessel and offered for charter for the first time in her history, opening her deck to a new generation of sailors and enthusiasts. This transition aligns with Classic Yacht Charter demand for heritage vessels active in Mediterranean Regattas.
Today, Mariska displaces 41GT, with a length overall of 23.4 m, a beam of 4.2 m, and a draft of 2.7 m. Her sail inventory reflects her classic rig: mainsail, staysail, working topsail, yard topsail, trysail, jib, heavy jib, and multiple flying jibs (small, medium, large), alongside A1, A2, and A3 sails. Below deck, she offers accommodation for up to 8 guests across 3 cabins, with 2 heads, preserving period authenticity prized by ClassicYachtCharter guests.
Authentic sailing experience
Mariska is much more than a floating piece of history: she offers a rare opportunity to experience sailing as it was over a century ago. As Manon Bajart – Mariska’s manager and first mate – explains, this is precisely what makes her so attractive for charter guests and racing crews alike.
“There are no winches onboard. Everything is handled by hand, exactly like it was 100 years ago. It takes 4 people just to manage the sails, and up to 10 for manoeuvres with the spinnaker or genoa. That’s where the challenge and the team spirit come alive.” This living-history approach defines the MariskaYacht experience within the 15MetreClass ethos.
An intense racing calendar
Based year-round in the Mediterranean, Mariska follows an intense racing calendar that takes her to some of the most prestigious classic sailing events: from Italy’s Vele d’Epoca in Imperia and Sanremo’s Vela & Sapori Classic, to Argentario Sailing Week and the finish line of the famous Giraglia regatta. In France, she regularly competes at Les Voiles d’Antibes, Saint-Tropez and Monaco Classic Week. Further west, she joins the Puig Vela Clàssica in Barcelona, the Illes Balears Classics in Palma, and Vela Clásica Menorca in Mahón. This presence across MediterraneanRegattas strengthens her sporting pedigree and ClassicYachtCharter appeal.
A sailboat for perfectionists
Sailing on Mariska is both physically demanding and technically sophisticated. She can reach speeds of up to 12 knots and has competed in more than 300 regattas worldwide. During a typical race, the permanent crew of four is joined by 18 to 24 sailors.
As Captain Dan explains, “Steering the boat is relatively straightforward, but managing the entire vessel demands my full attention. I constantly monitor wind shifts, sail trim, traffic, and tactics. Every manoeuvre needs perfect timing and flawless coordination. You have to be a perfectionist.” This high bar for teamwork and precision is part of the MariskaYacht DNA dating back to WilliamFifeIII craftsmanship.
Ideal for corporate team-building events
Beyond regattas, Mariska also offers an extraordinary setting for corporate team-building events. “Communication and teamwork are essential,” Manon says. “Everyone must collaborate closely onboard. After just a few days, we often see group dynamics shift dramatically. People support one another, relationships grow stronger, and teams leave the boat with a renewed sense of cohesion.” Authentic period details and hands-on sailing make her a standout ClassicYachtCharter platform.
Even below deck, Mariska remains true to her origins. A carefully preserved metal plate engraved with the list of previous owners serves as a living memory of those who have cared for her over the decades. Authentic period instruments, such as gravity-based heel angle indicators, remain fully functional, and the galley retains its traditional character, free from modern intrusions that might compromise the yacht’s historic atmosphere.
A new chapter: the mediterranean records
Even after 115 years, Mariska continues to write new chapters in her remarkable story. In May 2025, she took part in the inaugural edition of the Mediterranean Records, an offshore sailing challenge created by naval architect Thomas Tison, a 4-time America’s Cup participant.
The concept behind the Mediterranean Records is to offer an alternative to the classic regatta circuit — an opportunity for yachts to test their full potential beyond the confines of the traditional race calendar. Each yacht will attempt to set benchmark times on designated offshore courses. Mariska has been selected to establish the first record on the route between Sanremo and Villefranche-sur-Mer. This extends her commitment to MediterraneanRegattas and offshore challenges.
This latest once again highlights Mariska’s unique position: a living, breathing piece of maritime history that continues to race, remaining faithful to her origins. More than a century after her launch, Mariska is not simply a witness to yachting history — she remains an active participant, an emblem of the 15MetreClass and the enduring genius of WilliamFifeIII.
Interview with naval architect Thomas Tison, who created the offshore sailing challenge Mediterranean Records (with its inaugural edition in May 2025)
Why did you choose Mariska to kickstart the Mediterranean record?
Because she was originally built as a racing yacht, and I see many design principles that are still relevant in modern racing yachts. It’s important to remember that what we now call “classic yachts” were primarily built for racing, and Mariska participated in over 100 races in her first 3 years alone.
I also enjoy blending different sailing worlds – from foiling boats to classic yachts – because I believe life is richer when diverse sailing passions come together. In one-design classes, the focus is mostly on the sailors, so there is less passion for the boats themselves. In that sense, people who sail foiling boats and those who sail classic yachts actually share a lot in common.
Finally, our designs sit at the intersection of craftsmanship and technology. Many people today seek a connection to craftsmanship and tangible value – something that personally brings me joy. So, that makes three reasons, which I think perfectly justify choosing Mariska.
What felt different when sailing on Mariska?
Surprisingly, it felt very similar to modern yachts in terms of the basic sensations – whether the boat is overpowered or sailing smoothly at speed. What stood out to me was how comfortably the deck accommodated everyone, and the generous interior volume.
Because classic yachts are heavier, they have more underwater volume, allowing for spacious accommodations inside. What was truly remarkable was how smooth and quiet the maneuvers were – even with just 8 crew members on board and no winches. There were no harsh noises from carbon or slamming; it felt like a completely different world.
After spending 2 days onboard, did you discover any features that you’d like to incorporate into your own designs?
Sailing any boat always inspires new ideas, and some are familiar but still valuable. I shared with some of our potential clients a few key concepts from Mariska that could be useful today. For example, her foresails have just 1 sheeting point on each side and no track, creating an exceptionally sleek, minimalist deck layout. Instead of using a track to adjust the sheet angle, the sails are simply hoisted a bit more or less. This kind of elegant simplicity is powerful and could definitely find a place in modern designs, especially on foiling boats.
What are your thoughts on where the sailing world is heading, and what would you like to preserve from the classic sailing spirit?
Sailing is inherently conservative, and design cycles are long – what we see today was often conceived and designed 4 or 5 years ago. Society at large is moving away from purely minimalistic design trends; consider fashion brands like Aimé Leon Dore or Kith.
There is also a growing desire for connection and meaningful craftsmanship. It is easier to observe these shifts in clothing, where design cycles are much faster. Of course, there are always exceptions, but this trend is clear.
What I would like to take from classic yachts are the soft edges, the details of craftsmanship, and the enlightened spirit in which they were conceived: white colours and gold – there is no black or rough shapes; it is a different spirit. It is almost like Apple versus Dell. Classic yachts are Apple on one hand, while modern black minimalistic designs are more like Dell laptops – functional, but less inspired.
You once mentioned being a fan of William Fife. Were there particular features of his work that you found innovative for the time?
Yes, I am quite a fan of Fife and was raised surrounded by his designs at home. Fife had the unique approach of not only designing but also building his own yachts, which I now understand is truly superior. Over time, the builder’s role has been divided – first between naval architect and builder, then among designer, engineer, and builder – and this division has made it increasingly difficult to evolve designs and receive feedback during and after the process. At some point, I realised I had gathered all the essential elements to create my own shipyard, and I believe now is the right time to return to designing and building boats under one roof, especially since technological progress in sailing has slowed compared to previous decades. This approach, inspired by Fife, is what I truly admire and aim to follow as a model.
