Celebrities and billionaires have superyachts — take Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Michael Jordan as prime examples — but some have had them far longer than others.
Creole, a masterful 213-foot schooner once owned by fashion titan Maurizio Gucci, continues to bewitch boating enthusiasts almost a century after its launch.
Valued at $21 million USD and famed as the world’s largest wooden sailing yacht, the black-hulled beauty is currently moored in Palma de Mallorca’s port, undergoing its annual refit. Boasting a history intertwined with Hollywood icons, European royalty, Greek shipping barons, and the illustrious Gucci family, here’s how Creole sailed through a storied past to become an enduring symbol of luxury on the high seas.
Creole Quick Facts
| Name | CREOLE |
| Length | 65.3m (214.2ft) |
| Guest Accommodation | 11 guests in 6 cabins |
| Year Built | 1927 (refitted 2007) |
| Builder | Camper & Nicholsons, United Kingdom |
| Weekly Charter Rate (from) | EUR 189,000 |
| Sailing Speed | Up to 16 knots |
| Sail Area | 1,080 sqm |
Set Sail for the Roaring Twenties
Originally named Vira, Creole was first launched in 1927, crafted by British shipyard Camper & Nicholsons under the direction of Charles E. Nicholson, the era’s greatest naval architect. The boat was commissioned by Alexander Smith Cochran, a (very) wealthy American carpet magnate known at the time as the “richest bachelor in New York.”
Sadly for Cochran, his frail health stopped him from fully enjoying the schooner’s true potential. Fearing its towering masts, he insisted on them being cut down twice before attempting to cruise around Europe. Unsurprisingly, that first voyage proved to be a rough one, with the short-masted yacht rolling heavily in the Bay of Biscay. Soon after, Cochran placed Vira on the market…
The yacht’s name changed to Creole under a subsequent owner, Major Maurice Pope who, like Cochran, very rarely embraced the thrill of actual sailing. Several owners later, Sir Connop Guthrie restored Creole closer to Nicholson’s original vision and the reinvigorated vessel began winning regattas in Britain. However, as World War II loomed, the British Admiralty requisitioned Creole — renaming it Magic Circle —to serve as a minesweeper along the Scottish coast.
After the war, Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos acquired Creole, investing heavily in another restoration. Alas, in an all-too-familiar tale, Niarchos rarely used it after personal tragedies on board led him to abandon sailing altogether. Thereafter, the Danish Navy took the helm, using the historic schooner to rehabilitate drug addicts — something of a far cry from the opulence for which it was originally intended.
Maurizio Gucci’s Ambitious Transformation
In 1983, Maurizio Gucci stepped in to rescue Creole. With a passion for the sea and an equally well-honed eye for craftsmanship, he poured millions into reviving the vessel. The refit lasted six years and spanned multiple shipyards, including Beconcini in Italy to Lürssen in Germany and Astilleros de Mallorca in Spain. Painstakingly restoring the interiors to evoke the Roaring Twenties from whence it came, the yacht once again featured antique furnishings, period artwork, and bespoke details that paid homage to the Gucci family’s knack for timeless style.
Returning her rigging to an impressive three-masted schooner configuration, Creole can reach a top speed of around 17 knots, making her swift for a wooden yacht of this size. Below deck, the yacht has six guest staterooms, all exuding vintage glamour with modern-day creature comforts. Creole carries a full crew of 16 and can accommodate up to eight guests on charters.
Gucci’s Legacy at Sea
Maurizio Gucci’s tragic passing did not dim Creole’s lustre. His daughter, Allegra Gucci, inherited the yacht and has taken on the task of preserving it, but maintaining this nearly century-old schooner is not an easy feat. The black paint, a hallmark dating back to its original design, demands near-constant upkeep. Allegra estimates Creole requires at least $2 million USD in annual maintenance, including the yearly routine of hauling it out of the water for thorough checks. As a result, Creole commands a weekly charter rate starting at €189,000 from those seeking the Gucci magic.
From the wonderful Sophia Loren to King Juan Carlos of Spain, many have been dazzled by Creole. Racing enthusiasts, including Allegra herself, have captained Creole’s companion vessel, the 60-foot Avel, in many a summer regatta.
The Future of an Icon
For Allegra Gucci, being Creole’s owner is closer to being its guardian; responsible for safeguarding a piece of living history. The appeal of classic sailing yachts lies in authenticity, and as today’s yachting world is awash with ever-larger and ever-uglier ‘gigayachts’, Creole remains a regal throwback to an age when sailing was as much about art as engineering. As Allegra says, “She is a floating piece of history… and she still has many miles to sail.”
