The Maltese Falcon has Landed in San Francisco

Boating and Sailing News 28 Sep

San Francisco, CA - Perhaps the most controversial yacht in the world sailed under the Golden Gate yesterday. Tom Perkins' Maltese Falcon, the giant sailing yacht with what may be the most advanced sailing system ever created, has come to roost for a while in San Francisco Bay. The debate over this boat is constant: Whether it is a beauty or a monstrosity, whether it is an advancement in wind power or one man's ego-driven carbon footprint; whether it is the ultimate yacht, or the ultimate exercise in conspicuous consumption. Good or evil, it's certainly a sight to behold.

The questions and opinions were flying as fast as the wind yesterday, as Bay Area residents, visitors and sailors watched the behemoth sail gracefully around the bay. The truth is, few know much about the boat. We've seen the published specs, but certain details are not available. How much fuel does it burn while sailing? What was the actual carbon-cost of the vessel? If it's a showpiece of technological advancement, what is that technology advancing toward? And above all: Why does one person need or even want such a gigantic boat?

The controversy and debate will likely go on until a larger sailing yacht is built, or until the Maltese Falcon is no more. One thing is definite: Love it or hate it, it's a boat that leaves an impression. With its long, angular, black hull and unique sails, it's not something that sails by unnoticed. Some of the opinions and reactions captured from people around the Bay:

"My God that's ugly!"
"It's absolutely beautiful!"

"It looks like Darth Vader is going to step out."
"It looks like George Clooney is going to step out."

"It's the 'greenest' mega-yacht in the world!"
"It's the least energy-efficient sailing vessel ever!"

"It's the perfect boat for James Bond."
"It's the perfect boat for a James Bond villain."

"Gorgeous."
"Sinister."

"Incredible."
"Freakish."

The Maltese Falcon is scheduled to be in San Francisco for a couple of weeks before moving south, where it will transit the Panama canal and spend the winter in the Caribbean.

- B. Hampton exclusively for YachtPals.com

Maltese Falcon mega yacht

Click here to read more about the Maltese Falcon (news, photos and videos of the Maltese Falcon).

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Amateur videos of the Maltese Falcon around the San Francisco Bay:

Maltese Falcon Sailing under the Golden Gate (from Marin).
Maltese Falcon Sailing under the Golden Gate (from the water).
Maltese Falcon sailing to Belvedere CA in San Francisco Bay.

Submitted By YachtPals on 28 Sep

san francisco bay, Maltese Falcon, mega yacht, maltese falcon yacht, tom perkins, san francisco, mega-yacht, super-yacht, sailing, yachts, sailboat, yacht, boat, Maltese Falcon sailboat

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Maltese Falcon - Powerful!

On September 28th, 2008 Sailor (anonymous) says:

I have been visiting SF my entire life of 40 years. I love it now just as much as I loved it then. But my SF experience, Saturday, was a little different than the others. Seeing The Maltese Falcon was an experience that not many people will get to have. This yacht is powerful, sleek and stunning. To see all the other boats surrounding it was also incredible. We were fortunate that we were at the right place at the right time.

I will always remember The Maltese Falcon.

Maltese Falcon

On September 28th, 2008 valvetrom says:

Maltese Falcon

Much cheaper and 1000x more peaceful than a nuclear sub.

I think peple point to other poeples ego too quickly. I don't care : this Yacht is a fantastic achieve-ment of creative thinking,careful engineering , if we have to shut down all combustian engines for trying to ameliorate climate( but I am more on the side of disbelief) then this sail technique could be applied in a cheaper way to passenger transport and cargo.

Has any body seen a polar diagram of what speed is possible ,upwind.?

This automated sail could work as a single master, or bipolar on a catamaran.

Is it as fast as CREOLE (of Nearchos) the 3 masted staysai schooner??

I am glad FALCON was created, its fascinating, has its own beauty

Hermann (c:

maltese falcon in the bay

On September 29th, 2008 Sailor (anonymous) says:

what a spectacle. thank you for these great photos of this.

Maltese Falcon and Tom Perkins

On September 29th, 2008 Sailor (anonymous) says:

A biography of the boat and the man who built it was published last year! Take a look at "MINE'S BIGGER: The Extraordinary Tale of the World's Greatest Sailboat and the Silicon Valley Tycoon Who Built It."

Maltese Falcon yacht specs and crew

On September 29th, 2008 Sailor (anonymous) says:

Maltese Falcon Yacht Specs:
Builder : Perini Navi
Sail area : 2,400 m² / 25,791 ft²
Year : 2006
Engines : 2 x Deutz TBD 620
Length overall : 88 m / 289.1 ft
Displacement : 1,240 t
Beam : 12.6 m /42.2 ft
Speed at max power : 19.5kt
Draught : 6.0 m / 19.7 ft
with dagger board : 11 m / 36 ft
Air Draught : 58.2 m / 191 ft
Guest Cabins : 6
Crew Cabins : 8
Naval Architect : Gerard Dijkstra & Partners and Perini Navi
Exterior & Interior Styling: Ken Freivokh Design
Facilities : 2x RIBs, Sailboat, Jetskis, etc

Maltese Falcon Yacht Crew:
CHRISTOPHER GARTNER CAPTAIN
ROBERT BELL FIRST OFFICER/ RELIEF CAPTAIN
TIMMY ATTARD SECOND OFFICER
RAHIM BOUDJELLAL (LARIM) BOSUN
MARK HEALY PERSONAL TRAINER/SPORTS THERAPIST
ANDRE ROSSIGNAUD DECKHAND
ED GILES DECKHAND
SEAN TRUSCOTT CHIEF ENGINEER
TIM GEERING 2ND ENGINEER
ANDREW MORRIS 3RD ENGINEER
JENNEL TILLER CHEF
REBECCA LAING CHIEF STEWARDESS
ZOE STENGER 2ND STEWARDESS
CLEONIE GREENALL STEWARDESS
NINA MELCK STEWARDESS
ALEXANDRA LOLLBACK STEWARDESS