Pendennis Shipyard Brings Life to a Turkish Bare Steel Hull and Aluminum Superstructure

Way down in England’s southwest, the Pendennis shipyard is so far off the beaten track that it has a slightly mythical status. Although it’s best known for superyacht refits and restoration projects—Marala, launched in 1931, and Malahne, which splashed in 1937, are recent examples—new builds are not unknown. Some of Britain’s most impressive yachts have come together in the Falmouth sheds during the past three decades.

A new yacht from Pendennis is always an event, and a compact expedition yacht like the 115-foot (34.9-meter) Fox is something of a departure. She started life in Turkey, as a project by Tansu Yachts, which declared bankruptcy in 2020. The yacht’s owner, an Englishman, then lodged her with Pendennis.

When Pendennis took delivery in spring 2021, Fox was a bare steel hull and aluminum superstructure, according to Joint Managing Director Toby Allies. She had no engines, equipment, windows or even cabling.

“It’s fair to say the yacht arrived at the yard with a lot of baggage,” Allies says, adding that Pendennis had experienced similar situations and always gained the trust of owners. “So, we got through that period, and he’s happy now.”

As well he might be. Taking over the project at such a primary stage gave the yard, owner, designers and engineers many options. The Q London studio was already engaged for interior design, while the original naval architects at Diana Yacht Design worked with Pendennis to carry on. Some changes were made; for instance, the owner’s stateroom windows were modified and enlarged, which involved cutting steel.

Three years later, in 2024, the yacht launched. It’s a full-displacement design with a range of 3,000 nautical miles at 9 knots. The aft deck is served by two 5,600-pound-capacity hydraulic cranes, making her versatile for her size. Two 24-foot (7.3-meter) tenders could be carried, or mission-specific payloads such as a portable laboratory or mini-sub. It could make a good party space, too: Fox’s owner installed a DJ station and powerful sound system.

With her full, rounded hull sections, Fox’s interior feels surprisingly spacious. Four guest staterooms on the lower deck are arranged symmetrically around a central corridor, with two doubles aft and two twins that convert to doubles. There is stowage on each side of the corridor.

The en suite owner’s stateroom is full-beam on the main deck with side seating and a vanity. Just aft, the galley and entrance lobby flank the central and crew companionways, with a salon that has big windows and opens onto shaded seating aft. Broad side decks with deep bulwarks lead forward, with access to the bow seating along the port side.

On the upper deck, the captain’s cabin is abaft the wheelhouse. For guests, there’s an aft terrace with a 10-seat dining table. The sky lounge is a comfortable retreat. Q London achieved a beach-house vibe that’s bright and welcoming. The crew quarters are down and forward with three twin-bunk ensuite cabins, a laundry room and a crew mess.

A deck hatch and a solid set of steel steps lead down to the engine room, where the space for twin Caterpillar C18s links to the lazarette aft via a watertight door. Fuel and water tanks are another level down. On her waterline length of around 110 feet, Fox can cruise comfortably and quietly at 12 knots. Top speed is a shade over 14 knots.

Following her launch at Falmouth last spring, Fox went to the Mediterranean for a busy cruising season before the Cannes Yachting Festival in the fall. The owner’s plan for the winter was to cruise in the Caribbean. 

She already has more cruising experience than most yachts her age—quite the explorer. 

Specifications

LOA  114ft. 4in. (34.9m)
Beam 25ft. 4in. (7.7m)
Draft 7ft. 6in. (2.3m)
Construction steel/aluminum
Speed (max./cruise) 14/12 knots
Naval architecture Diana Yacht Design/Pendennis
Exterior design Tansu/Q London
Interior design Q London
Builder Pendennis Shipyard Co.

Spring 2025