Some boats carry a story, and Lady Francine carries hers with quiet pride. A Scorpio 72 ketch designed by the American naval architect Robert Perry, she was built in 1991 and has aged into real character, one of a small series of just thirty, all of them still sailing the world today. This is a boat with genuine seafaring capability and the warmth of a well-loved yacht, her solid teak interior finished in soft marine blues that feel timeless rather than dated. Life aboard is unhurried and thoroughly maritime. The engines fall quiet, the sails fill, and the coast slips past on the wind. A large sunbathing area runs along the teak deck, while a protected, cosy cockpit offers shelter and a place to gather as the day turns. Four cabins, each with its own bathroom, welcome up to eight guests overnight, and as many as twenty-four can join for the day. A skilled hand keeps her running, and she sails with a joy that only a boat of this pedigree seems to manage. Snorkelling gear is aboard for the clear water below, and the pace, a gentle eight knots under sail, is entirely the point. She is for the guest who values character and calm over speed and shine. Anchor in a quiet bay, feel the boat move gently beneath you, and let the afternoon stretch out. Time moves differently on a boat like this. That is exactly her charm.
