Eilean is a 70 foot ketch designed and built in 1936 by William Fife.[1] She was built for the Fulton brothers, who were Scottish steel merchants.[2] The yacht was at some time in the 1960s owned by Hartley Shawcross, who sold her to a yacht charter business in English Harbour, Antigua.[2]

Eilean
Nation Italy
Designer(s)William Fife
BuilderWilliam Fife & Son
Launched1936
Owner(s)Panerai
Specifications
TypeKetch
Displacement50 tons
Length22 m
Beam4.65 m
Draft3.25 m
Sail area301 m2
Notes
Captain : Andrew Cully

"Rio" music video

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She is perhaps best known for featuring in the music video of the 1982 song "Rio" by British pop band Duran Duran.[3] The band chartered Eilean from a charter company in Antigua,[4] and the music video features footage of the band singing and playing around on the yacht as she speeds across the Caribbean Sea.

Subsequent damage

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Shortly after the filming of the "Rio" music video, Eilean collided with a ferry, breaking her mizzenmast. She then sunk on her mooring whilst waiting for repairs.[4]

Panerai restoration

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In 2006, Angelo Bonati, the CEO of Italian watch manufacturer Panerai[1] saw the boat in English Harbour in a state of disrepair.[5] Bonati arranged for the yacht to be restored.[6] The boat was sent to a shipyard in Italy for restoration.[3] She was re-launched in 2009 as part of an advertising campaign for the Panerai brand.[7] In 2012, some members of original Duran Duran lineup were present when Eilean was included in a "classic yacht regatta" in Antigua.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Long, Mark (May 29, 2013). "Object of Desire: The Restored Yacht Eilean". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b Heyman, Stephen (May 4, 2012). "Duran Duran Sails Back to 'Rio'". T: The New York Times Style Magazine. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  3. ^ a b Ellwood, Mark (October 17, 2017). "Duran Duran video yacht rescued by luxe watch CEO". New York Post. News Corp. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  4. ^ a b "On board Duran Duran's icon: Panerai's Eilean docks in London". www.boatinternational.com.
  5. ^ "My Atlantic crossing on Fife ketch Eilean". Classic Boat. April 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  6. ^ "Eilean's new era: Panerai's restored yacht". Wallpaper*. 11 Nov 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  7. ^ Nika, Colleen (3 May 2012). "Duran Duran Toast to the Glamour of 'Rio,' 30 Years Later". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
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