Classic 50-metre superyacht refit, Malahne was built for the man in charge of the British arm of retail company F.W. Woolworth. The storied pre-war motor yacht took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk and served as a production office and hotel for the filming of Lawrence of Arabia.

Nicholas Edmiston and Edmiston Yachts took on the refit of this stunningly beautiful yacht from the 1930s back in 2015 and the painstaking nature of the work done to bring Malahne back to its former glory means that it remains one of the most difficult restorations ever.

The superyacht was restored once before, controversially in 1983 by Saudi Sheikh Adel Al Mojil and most would agree that this refit did not pay homage to Malahne’s glamorous roots. The superstructure was extended and enlarged, a new bow was fitted and the stern was redesigned.

Thankfully, she was identified by Edmiston and he was able to find another owner who he thought would understand the need for this vessel to be restored and the difficulty of undertaking such a task.

I watched the 1983 refit with tears in my eyes. I kept hoping that owner would sell it while it was still afloat. I’m so happy and fortunate I was able to interest an owner who understood the yacht and who would put his trust in me and our vision to return the yacht to what it felt like in 1937.

Nicholas Edmiston, Edmiston Chairman told…