27.4m Classic Sailing Yacht WHITEFIN Cut to €2.65m

A new asking price for a classic racer

Bernard Gallay Yacht Brokerage has announced a further price reduction for WHITEFIN, the 27.43-metre Spirit of Tradition sailing yacht built by Renaissance Yachts. The updated asking figure is €2.65 million, advertised as VAT paid. The broker places her in Port-de-Bouc near Marseille, presenting a current sales opportunity for a yacht with a long competitive sailing history.

The 20 October 2026 announcement is a price adjustment, not a sale or a new launch. WHITEFIN was launched in 1983, and her age is fundamental to the buying decision. Buyers looking at a classic should judge not only her style and racing reputation but also the accumulated maintenance commitments associated with a wooden hull and specialist fittings.

Bruce King's distinctive design

WHITEFIN was designed by Bruce King, whose work blended traditional visual proportions with performance-oriented underwater shapes. The yacht combines a long, graceful sheerline and recognisable classic profile with a keel and sailing arrangement designed to be effective on the racecourse. These characteristics underpin the broker's description of a Spirit of Tradition yacht.

The design philosophy is very different from a modern light-carbon maxi or a displacement motor yacht. Racing success depends on sail choices, rig condition, crew work and the rating system as much as original naval architecture. A purchaser should compare design drawings and present measurements with the yacht's configuration after decades of maintenance and refit.

Cedar construction requires specialist attention

The broker describes a cold-moulded hull comprising six layers of wood, principally cedar, bonded with WEST SYSTEM epoxy. This construction method can combine a fine hull shape with a strong laminated structure, but inspecting it requires expertise in timber, adhesives, moisture behaviour and past repairs. Ordinary visual checks are not sufficient on their own.

An independent survey should cover moisture ingress, fastenings and structural attachments, along with the condition of deck joints and areas carrying concentrated rig loads. The appropriate maintenance programme depends on the coatings and repair systems actually used. Buyers should seek a detailed history of yard work rather than assume all traditional wooden yachts have the same preservation needs.

Regatta results and the cruising brief

WHITEFIN is associated with victories at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo, the Trofeo Panerai in Imperia and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, according to the broker. That record explains why she has a profile beyond normal leisure cruising. Competitive performance in a classic class is part of the yacht's identity and appeal.

Historic trophies are important provenance, yet they are not a prediction of current competitiveness. Classes, handicaps, sail inventories and opponent fleets change. Owners planning regattas should review eligible racing categories, recent measurements, sail condition and crewing needs before deciding whether the yacht fits their preferred calendar.

Refit investment in control and rig systems

The latest brokerage summary cites improvements involving electronics, lithium batteries, hydraulic furlers and standing-rigging service. These are relevant operating systems on a large sailing yacht, where hydraulic and electrical reliability helps crews control demanding sail loads. The listing also identifies a recent refit date in the published yacht details.

A buyer should ask for specific evidence of work completed, not simply a summary of upgrades. Lithium battery systems need appropriate protection and charging arrangements; hydraulic equipment should have documented inspections, and standing rigging needs records tied to the actual components installed. A surveyor can then distinguish new equipment from service work and older items that remain in use.

Wood-panelled saloon and guest accommodation

The interior retains the character of a classic yacht through carefully finished woodwork. The broker highlights a brass fireplace and piano in the saloon, elements that make WHITEFIN notably different from the minimalist interiors of many contemporary performance craft. Published accommodation provides for eight guests in four cabins, with separate crew space.

Such distinctive features should be assessed as practical fixtures, not only as visual attractions. Buyers will want to confirm serviceability, safety and stowage, while inspecting how the cabins, bathrooms and galley operate on passage. A yacht used for both racing and relaxed guest cruising must balance domestic comfort with secure equipment and safe movement at sea.

Berthing, operations and the Mediterranean

At 27.43 metres, WHITEFIN qualifies for the large-yacht market but remains shorter than many motor superyachts displayed in major marinas. Her beam, draught and sailing rig impose different berth and approach considerations, especially when entering ports with height limitations or restricted manoeuvring space. Her current southern French location allows a buyer to plan a viewing in an established sailing region.

Owners should also account for seasonal sailing schedules, insurance and professional support. A classic may attract invitations to heritage regattas, but its running costs still include crew, marina fees, rig maintenance, coatings and refit contingencies. Comparison with similarly priced motor yachts on length alone would overlook the very different operational character.

What the reduction means for prospective buyers

The €2.65 million published price draws renewed attention to a documented Bruce King design with recognisable racing history and a carefully preserved classic appearance. Its value proposition depends on a purchaser who genuinely wants the responsibilities and rewards of owning a Spirit of Tradition yacht rather than a low-maintenance production platform.

The price is an offer figure, not evidence of a completed transaction or an independently assessed valuation. Any buyer should obtain the broker's full specification, refit documentation, survey and title papers before making a decision. The confirmed October development is WHITEFIN's lower asking price and continued availability; the condition and suitability of the yacht require individual verification.