Back
Share this

Hanuman’s lady in waiting: ready for her next century

Nearly a century after her launch, the elegant 37m / 122ft motorsailer Atlantide has resumed the role she was always destined to play: the faithful companion to a great racing yacht. Following a meticulous rebuild by Huisfit by Royal Huisman, this historic gentleman’s yacht once again accompanies the J Class Hanuman, serving as both day boat and regatta tender for her owners Jim and Kristy Clark and their family.

 

Atlantide following a large black-sailed racing yacht across deep blue water

 Hanuman, the modern recreation of the “Super-J” Class yacht Endeavour II, alongside of her support vessel, Atlantide.  

 

The revival of the J Class has rekindled appreciation for the complete yachting ecosystem of the 1930s. Alongside the majestic racing yachts themselves, classic support vessels like Atlantide evoke the romance of the golden age of yachting. It was an era defined not only by competition, but also by elegance, craftsmanship and style.

Today, modern technology discreetly supports that heritage. Advanced stabilizers, air conditioning, improved insulation and updated onboard systems ensure that the yacht performs to contemporary expectations while preserving her historic character. The result is a vessel that remains unmistakably classic yet perfectly suited to modern cruising and regatta life.

For Dr. Jim Clark, whose long relationship with Royal Huisman includes the yachts Hyperion, Athena and the J Class Hanuman, the appeal of Atlantide lies precisely in that authenticity. “What I like is the historic quality of this boat; nothing is plastic,” he says. “I’m a classic boat snob. I like the old wood look; big modern boats do nothing for me.”

 

View across the teak deck and rail of Atlantide towards a black-sailed yacht

  

A natural companion to Hanuman

Today Atlantide operates both as an elegant summer day boat, often based around Martha’s Vineyard, and as the trusted tender accompanying Hanuman to major classic yacht gatherings and bucket races. In this role she revives a tradition from the golden age of yacht racing, when beautifully crafted tenders travelled with the fleet, supporting owners and crews while contributing to the unique theatre of classic regattas. Together, Hanuman and Atlantide form a striking pair wherever they appear.

Their presence will be once again at the 2026 edition of the St. Barths Bucket, where the J Class yachts traditionally draw significant attention. As Hanuman will be sailing among the world’s most spectacular sailing yachts, Atlantide fulfils her role as elegant “lady in waiting”, hosting guests and supporting the campaign.

 

Brass bell engraved Atlantide on the mast, with a cushioned bench and sailing yacht behind

 A comprehensive rebuild

When Atlantide arrived at the Dutch shipyard in January 2021, her future depended on a comprehensive rebuild. Decades of modifications had introduced structural challenges, including galvanic corrosion where aluminium structures had been added to the original steel construction.

As dismantling progressed, it became clear that far more extensive renewal was required. The Huisfit team ultimately replaced around 40 percent of the hull, deck and frames, rebuilt major structural elements and overhauled virtually every onboard system while retaining the original Gardner diesel engines.

Clark appreciated the uncompromising approach to the work by the shipyard team. “The previous owners did not keep a full-time crew on the boat as they tended to use it only in summer and it suffered a bit for that,” he explains. “And it appears that some early work may have been more about cosmetics or meeting a deadline than longevity of the vessel. Everything that Royal Huisman replaced was done with the highest quality.”

 

Atlantide's navy hull and cream deckhouse during rebuild in the Huisfit hall
Atlantide's bare grey hull on transport trolleys outside the hall during her rebuild
Empty cabin lined with silver insulation during the interior rebuild of Atlantide
Workshop hall with wooden interior sections and cabinetry under assembly during Atlantide's rebuild
Craftsman in blue gloves finishing a varnished wooden frame in the workshop
Burr wood top of a varnished wooden chest with rounded edge and black handle
Wooden helm station with steering wheel and instrument panel in the workshop during Atlantide's rebuild
Varnished wooden staircase and teak side deck of Atlantide with the sea rushing past
Curved varnished wooden staircase with stainless steel balustrade against the blue sea
Polished brass handwheel mounted on a bracket
Spiral wooden staircase seen from above, with varnished panelling
Engine room with engines, white pipework and electrical cabinets
Close-up of cream Gardner engine blocks with polished covers and copper pipes
View from under the deck canopy of Atlantide towards a black-sailed yacht in the distance
Atlantide's navy stern with gold lettering and George Town, beside a red ensign
Brass deck fitting with an engraved plate naming Atlantide
Atlantide under way with two masts and a funnel, a large black-sailed yacht behind her

Above carousel: Atlantide during and after the full rebuild: attention to detail, in every detail. 

 

 

Respecting heritage

While the Clarks wished Atlantide’s post-war exterior profile to remain untouched, the interior offered an opportunity to reconnect the yacht with her earlier heritage. The brief was to simplify the design and evoke a refined 1930s atmosphere that would complement the classic interior of Hanuman.

Working with deVosdeVries design, whose principals had previously collaborated with renowned designer Pieter Beeldsnijder, the interior was reimagined using French walnut joinery crafted by the shipyard’s artisans. Specialists from Acanthus International in Palm Beach then applied a painstaking fourteen-step finishing process involving bleaching, colouring, French polishing and hand distressing to create an authentic, time-worn character.

The result is an interior that feels both historic and harmonious with the yacht’s renewed purpose. Every detail reflects the philosophy behind the project: craftsmanship, authenticity and respect for heritage.

 

Saloon aboard Atlantide with a blue sofa, cream armchairs and a decorative skylight

Atlantide's main salon after her rebuild at Huisfit

      

Rebirth of a legend

Nearly 94 years after her original launch, Atlantide has been fully renewed and returned to active service. Once again she accompanies a great racing yacht, welcoming guests, transporting crew and adding to the spectacle of classic regattas around the world.

In doing so, she reminds us that the golden age of yachting was never only about the yachts themselves. It was also about the vessels that supported them, the craftsmanship behind them and the enduring passion of the owners who keep their stories alive.

 

Atlantide seen from the water's surface, two masts against a clear blue sky

See more of Atlantide? Rebirth of a Legend (opens new tab)

 

“Thanks to the owners of historical rebuild projects, these yachts will not become forgotten history: each one will remain a living sailing legend.“

   

Restoration of classics and rebuilds of historical yachts

Huisfit by Royal Huisman has an established track record of success with such projects. Although rebuild projects by Huisfit are never a “typical refit”, the scope of such projects is widely regarded as a newbuild, both by those involved at the shipyard and by outside observers. Learn much more about Atlantide and more rebuild solutions by Huisfit? link (opens new tab)

More about the J Class yacht Hanuman? link

 

Back