Meet ‘Sherakhan,’ the 228-Foot Ice-Class Explorer Yacht With a Lavish Balinese Spa
When it comes to classic yachts, the 228-foot Sherakhan puts a very different spin on things. It was built 50 years ago as an ice-breaking tug and used as a Dutch training ship before its current owner, businessman and sailor Jan Verkerk, acquired the vessel in 2006. Verkerk then oversaw its conversion into an expedition yacht. Sherakhan was the second yacht in his four-strong fleet that included sailing yacht Thandeka, classic schooner Borkumriff II, and Legend, one of the first ice breaking superyacht conversions, which he sold to Eric and Wendy Schmidt in 2020.
Verkerk’s vision for Sherakhan was to create a classic-looking expedition yacht capable of visiting remote and undiscovered regions. The global explorer has more than lived up to expectations with a logbook that includes Greenland, Antarctica and Patagonia. In 2020, Sherakhan sailed over 150,000 nautical miles—the equivalent of more than seven trips around the globe in one year.
A surprisingly elegant exterior is coupled with an arresting interior styled by Claudia Rijntjes, where 26 guests enjoy an array of amenities, including a cavernous double-height open atrium dining space and a Balinese-themed spa. On board comfort is further heightened by the service and skill set of the yacht’s 19 crew.
In 2022, Sherakhan underwent a complete interior renovation, which saw a dedicated gym added and updates to the engine room.
Here are 10 things you didn’t know about one of the best examples of a classic explorer on the charter market, available through Y.CO.
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