Jimmy Buffett’s Former 90-Foot Explorer Yacht Is Heading to Auction
You can now live your best Margaritaville life at sea.
A ‘90s explorer yacht once owned by the late, great Jimmy Buffett will go under the gavel at G3 Auctions this fall. The 90-foot Doubleyou will be offered in 24-hour auction on September 4, with a starting bid of $1.2 million.
Launched in 1999, the expedition vessel was penned by American yacht designer Tom Fexas and built by Chinese yard Cheoy Lee. It was known as Continental Drifter II under Buffett’s ownership, with the American singer-songwriter owning several boats with the Continental Drifter name.
The 158 GT cruiser is quite long in the tooth, but underwent an extensive interior refit in Indonesia in 2020. The seller, who wishes to remain anonymous, says the yacht is in excellent condition and is continuously being improved. “The teak deck is being redone this week,” they said in an email.
The light and airy main salon features a large dining table.
PHIL CLARK
The traditional exterior remains largely unchanged, with a navy blue hull, a cream superstructure, and a distinctive long bow. The revamped interior is simple but stylish, with a neutral palette, white timber paneling, and relaxed furnishings. The indoor-outdoor layout is conducive to that laid-back lifestyle made famous by the “Margaritaville” singer. The living quarters comprise a light-filled main salon with a large dining table, a full-beam galley with a dinette, a sky lounge with an L-shaped bar, and four guest cabins that can accommodate nine guests. The owner’s suite and VIP both span the full beam, naturally.
The current owner says their favorite part is the pilot house, which was designed for socializing with friends. “It also allows me to personally pilot the boat,” they explained. “I specifically chose this yacht because, beyond its size, one would typically need a full crew to operate (and drive) the vessel.” The crow’s nest is also a special spot as it is where Buffett reportedly lounged about and wrote songs.
The yacht is an explorer at heart, with a range of over 4,000 nautical miles, an open foredeck for storing toys and tenders, and a hydraulic crane for launching vessels. “Doubleyou for me is a wonderful opportunity for someone looking to have autonomy at sea in comfort and ease without a hefty price tag,” broker Cassidy Woods of breezeYachting adds.
The yacht’s connection to music royalty has to be its biggest selling point, though. “The fact that it was owned and loved by none other than Jimmy Buffett adds a special draw for me personally as I am a big fan,” Woods adds. “I also have it on good authority that many celebrities have graced its decks over the years, but I’ll remain tight-lipped about who they are.”
Doubleyou’s original asking price was $2,700,000, but the yacht could sell for substantially more or less. “That’s the beauty of auctions,” concludes Guy Masters of G3.
Click here to see all the photos of Doubleyou.
