Photo: Burgess/Instagram
A very lucky yachtsman in the US is now the proud owner of a special and rare superyacht. The Ice Bear is not only a beautiful vintage Feadship but also one of the first hybrid sportfish/superyachts ever launched.
The Ice Bear is somewhat of a secretive superyacht because it was used only privately for its entire life. Since it was never chartered, curious guests didn't get the chance to explore all of its nooks and crannies. Still, it was one of those luxury pleasure craft associated with a famous billionaire owner. This vintage Feadship was reportedly owned by the late Walter Scott Jr., who was known for owning Berkshire Hathaway Energy and being a lifelong friend of Warren Buffett.
It's unknown exactly when the US billionaire purchased the vintage Feadship, but the West Coast became the Ice Bear's playground for almost four decades. A fisherman's dream boat in every way, the Ice Bear is particularly unique because it combines the specific equipment of a sportfishing vessel with the luxurious amenities and elegant décor of a typical superyacht.
At the time of its delivery in 1988, it was one of the first hybrid sportfish/superyachts and, according to its broker, it still is one of the few sportfishing Feadships out there. Its cockpit proudly displays two teak fighting chairs, rocket launchers, fishboxes, and an ice chipper. Another classic fishing boat amenity is the tower with a full helm station, as well as ample rod storage space on the mezzanine deck.
Truth be told, the Ice Bear's interior looks dated, even though some might describe it as purely classical. What you see is the original interior by Paola D. Smith. The yacht did undergo a partial refit in the early 2000s (which is still twenty years ago) and had its old furniture replaced, but the original style was untouched. It's most likely that the new owner will choose to refresh and revamp this vintage Feadship on the inside.
The 171-footer (52 meters) was listed for sale for $9.95 million (after a $1.5 million price cut) and was displayed at the Palm Beach Boat Show this past summer. In early October, however, it was offered for auction. Nine bidders showed interest during the live auction with no set opening bid amount. Still, prior to that, it was speculated that bidding would start at around $3 million, which means it's likely that the Ice Bear eventually fetched less than its original listing price when it entered the market after almost four decades.
It's unknown how much the lucky new owner ended up bidding for the Ice Bear, but it was most likely a bargain, considering this yacht's iconic status, long history of exclusive private use, and pedigree. As a vintage Feadship and one of the first-ever hybrid sportfish/superyachts, this '80s yacht is a rare gem. With a few tweaks, it could easily become the perfect luxury boat for fishing enthusiasts.
It's unknown exactly when the US billionaire purchased the vintage Feadship, but the West Coast became the Ice Bear's playground for almost four decades. A fisherman's dream boat in every way, the Ice Bear is particularly unique because it combines the specific equipment of a sportfishing vessel with the luxurious amenities and elegant décor of a typical superyacht.
At the time of its delivery in 1988, it was one of the first hybrid sportfish/superyachts and, according to its broker, it still is one of the few sportfishing Feadships out there. Its cockpit proudly displays two teak fighting chairs, rocket launchers, fishboxes, and an ice chipper. Another classic fishing boat amenity is the tower with a full helm station, as well as ample rod storage space on the mezzanine deck.
Truth be told, the Ice Bear's interior looks dated, even though some might describe it as purely classical. What you see is the original interior by Paola D. Smith. The yacht did undergo a partial refit in the early 2000s (which is still twenty years ago) and had its old furniture replaced, but the original style was untouched. It's most likely that the new owner will choose to refresh and revamp this vintage Feadship on the inside.
The 171-footer (52 meters) was listed for sale for $9.95 million (after a $1.5 million price cut) and was displayed at the Palm Beach Boat Show this past summer. In early October, however, it was offered for auction. Nine bidders showed interest during the live auction with no set opening bid amount. Still, prior to that, it was speculated that bidding would start at around $3 million, which means it's likely that the Ice Bear eventually fetched less than its original listing price when it entered the market after almost four decades.
It's unknown how much the lucky new owner ended up bidding for the Ice Bear, but it was most likely a bargain, considering this yacht's iconic status, long history of exclusive private use, and pedigree. As a vintage Feadship and one of the first-ever hybrid sportfish/superyachts, this '80s yacht is a rare gem. With a few tweaks, it could easily become the perfect luxury boat for fishing enthusiasts.
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