Love story

Aphoto from 2018, on the day that Charlotte Devereux and Simon Greenwood first visited 32-metre Sea Breeze III, shows excited smiles. “We had no idea what lay ahead,” says Greenwood. “If we had, I don’t think we’d have gone for it, no way.”

Both had grown up in yachting families, and Greenwood’s career includes a stint as grinder during New Zealand’s first America’s Cup “Kiwi Magic” challenge in 1987. Even so, the complexities and cost of refitting a classic wooden superyacht took them by surprise. “It’s certainly been a journey,” he says.

But, back to the beginning. Entrepreneurs Devereux and Greenwood had hatched the idea of purchasing a yacht and turning it into a boutique floating hotel. On the hunt for a boat that had beautiful lines, plenty of space and a great history, they soon discovered in Brisbane. Built in 1976 by Australian yard Millkraft for businessman Keith Williams, she later became superyacht owner Graeme Hart’s first . During his ownership, in the 1990s, Hart undertook a lot of work, which included a stern extension and when he sold her.