A Dutch sailing yacht completes another sale
Fraser announced the sale of ANTARES, a 40-metre sailing yacht built by Royal Huisman, on 23 October 2026. The Dutch shipyard delivered her in 2005, and the broker reports that she was refitted most recently in 2025. The announcement confirms a completed transaction rather than a listing that remains on the market, a distinction that is important for prospective buyers and industry readers.
Georges Bourgoignie of Fraser’s Florida office represented both buyer and seller in the sale. Fraser also says he handled an earlier sale of the same vessel in 2017. The repeat involvement is an interesting brokerage detail, but it offers no basis for claiming that the two transactions involved the same buyer, achieved the same price or followed a particular ownership strategy.
The selling price and identity of the new owner were not disclosed. This means the sale is useful evidence of an actual transfer, not a reliable data point for computing the achieved market value of a forty-metre sailing yacht. Public listing histories and asking prices should never be presented as if they were final contractual consideration.
Bill Dixon design and the rhythm of sailing
Fraser credits the design of ANTARES to Bill Dixon and points to her world-cruising credentials. A long-distance sailing yacht provides a different ownership experience from a fast motor yacht, with sail handling, weather routing and the relationship between crew and rig becoming central to every passage. Her dimensions and pedigree suggest seriousness of purpose, although the precise operating limits must be established from vessel records.
A protected cockpit is one of the features highlighted by Fraser. For guests making longer passages, shelter from sun, wind and spray may matter more than an entirely open social area. Its effectiveness will depend on real conditions, seating, visibility and how easily the watchkeeping crew can move between steering positions and other equipment.
The notice describes ANTARES as combining performance, comfort and long-range capability. Readers should treat that as a broad assessment rather than a certified set of speed or endurance figures. Passage planning still requires current sail inventory information, machinery reliability, fuel and water capacity and an evaluation of the route and season.
Ten guests across four cabins
Fraser states that ANTARES accommodates up to ten guests in four staterooms. That can support an extended family group, but it is essential to understand the precise berth arrangements, especially where additional sleeping positions are included in a stated maximum. The suitability of a sailing-yacht cabin for a particular passenger also depends on motion, access and ventilation.
A protected cockpit and comfortable interior spaces offer alternatives when weather changes. Sailing yachts are often most rewarding when their guests accept a more flexible daily routine than a fixed resort itinerary. The interior layout can help provide privacy and quiet, but the arrangement should be tested in the context of the number of people usually aboard.
The yacht’s maintenance history matters to her next owner even after the successful sale. Sail-handling gear, rigging, deck hardware and hull systems all deserve ongoing inspection, and the recent refit should be documented in detail. A refit date alone does not explain which equipment was replaced or the future maintenance obligations that remain.
What the announcement adds to market knowledge
An individual brokerage sale should not be turned into a claim about the entire sailing-yacht market. Different yachts vary in age, condition, design and the extent of their previous investment, and buyers place different values on proven expedition capability. More comprehensive transaction evidence would be needed to infer market trends or price movement from October activity.
Fraser’s announcement refers to several earlier refits and continued maintenance. That may be encouraging to an owner assessing a comparable yacht, but it cannot replace independent technical diligence. Rigging records, structural survey findings and the quality of refit workmanship are all more concrete than general claims about how well a yacht has been kept.
ANTARES stands out as a documented sale involving a Royal Huisman sailing vessel with an established design pedigree and an unusually clear brokerage history. Her 2025 refit and four-cabin arrangement help explain the kind of yacht transferred, while the commercial details remain private. The resulting story is best read as a confirmed transaction and a concise profile, with no invented price or voyage plans.
Primary brokerage announcement: https://www.fraseryachts.com/en/news-detail/antares-is-sold/. Asking prices and availability may change; verify all transaction terms with the appointed broker.
