Maltese Falcon

Maltese Falcon is one of the most iconic sailing yachts ever built and a defining project in modern superyacht design. Built by Perini Navi and delivered in 2006, she measures approximately 88 metres and is famous for her revolutionary three-masted DynaRig sailing system.

The yacht was commissioned by American venture capitalist Tom Perkins and developed around an ambitious technical vision: to create a large sailing yacht that combined classic square-rig visual drama with modern automated sailing technology. Her DynaRig system, developed with Dykstra Naval Architects, allows the yacht to carry a vast sail plan across three freestanding rotating masts.

Maltese Falcon’s exterior has become one of the most recognisable silhouettes in yachting. Her dark hull, powerful sailing rig and long low profile give her a dramatic character that remains distinctive nearly two decades after delivery. Unlike many large sailing yachts, she is not simply elegant; she is technically radical and visually unmistakable.

The yacht is reported to accommodate up to 12 guests in 6 cabins, supported by a crew of around 18. Her interior and guest areas have been updated through refit work, while retaining her identity as a large, highly capable sailing yacht. Publicly reported amenities include a spa, outdoor cinema, gym, large deck areas, watersports equipment and charter-standard guest facilities.

Maltese Falcon has had a major influence on the development of large sailing yachts. She demonstrated that advanced automated square-rig sailing could be practical at superyacht scale and helped revive interest in large DynaRig concepts later seen on yachts such as Black Pearl.

As a yacht, Maltese Falcon is significant because she combines engineering innovation, design individuality, charter appeal and lasting cultural recognition. She remains one of the benchmark sailing superyachts of the twenty-first century.

Key features

• Built by Perini Navi and delivered in 2006
• Approximately 88 metres in length
• Three-masted DynaRig sailing system
• Naval architecture and sailing system work by Dykstra Naval Architects
• Commissioned by Tom Perkins
• Reported accommodation for up to 12 guests in 6 cabins
• Reported crew of around 18
• Large automated sail plan
• Outdoor cinema and spa-style facilities
• Major refit history
• One of the most iconic sailing yachts ever built