A volley of horns could be heard across the Whangārei Harbour earlier this week, farewelling one of the largest sailing catamarans in the world.

The catamaran, Douce France, had been on the hard at Port Nikau for six weeks, undergoing the five-yearly maintenance. The boat was then heading to Opua to clear customs before carrying on to Bali and then on to Seychelles.

Douce France is one of the most famous sailing yachts in the world and is secretly known as “the gentle giant”. The boat typically operates as a charter vessel in the South Pacific so is known as both a luxury and true performance yacht. The vessel has six cabins with ensuites, providing accommodation for 12 guests and 8 crew. 

The luxury vessel was previously at Port Nikau two years ago and it has now been made a tradition when leaving the port for surrounding vessels in the port to sound their horns in the send-off for the vessel.

The sailing yacht left behind at Port Nikau the 59 metre $45m Senses, which was formerly owned by a google co-founder, and 58m motor yacht Odyssey, owned by New Zealand’s richest man Graeme Hart. The world’s largest aluminium yacht, the 81m Sea Eagle II is also still residing at Port Nikau but due to depart soon.

Find the full story here