If you’re tired of meetings in airless meeting rooms or entertaining in forgettable restaurants, yacht charter specialists Northrop & Johnson now offer meeting planners and business travellers access to two of Hong Kong’s most historic and iconic yachts.
Wing Sing and Wayfoong are the jewels of a new Hong Kong yacht charter collection featuring the island’s most iconic and desirable private yachts. The two classic Hong Kong boats have been lovingly restored by their respective owners and are now available, for the very first time, for private charter. The Wayfoong, a 1930 steam launch, and Wing Sing, one of the last fully operational three-masted sailing junks in Hong Kong, offer a classic, high-end and uniquely alternative charter experience for meeting planners and business travellers looking to impress.
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Wayfoong is a beautiful, sleek steam launch built in 1930 on the original plans of its mother-ship, which was launched in 1898. Owned by HSBC for 80 years, it is now privately-owned by entertainment entrepreneur Allan Zeman. Once a common sight in Victoria Harbour, this true and unique classic is one of the last original steam launch designs in Hong Kong. Wayfoong was commissioned by HSBC to carry gold bullion to and from the ships anchored in Victoria Harbour. In the 1950s, she was also used for ‘burning picnics’, when the junior staff of the bank’s Note Cancellation Department would burn bag-loads of old banknotes as fuel in the boiler room furnace.
The restored Wayfoong now exudes panache and charm, evoking memories of old Hong Kong. She comfortably accommodates parties of 14 guests, for a memorable cocktail or dinner party in one of the many sheltered harbours of Hong Kong island’s south side.
Wing Sing is one of Hong Kong’s last authentic and fully functional Chinese sailing junks. Commissioned in 1974 and modelled on a traditional shrimp fishing junk, this one-of-a-kind boat was purchased by Hellmann Brothers in 2007 and entirely renovated in 2012. It now boasts some of the most sophisticated finishes and fixtures ever seen in a fully-operational, lug-sail Chinese junk.
Wing Sing’s spacious foredeck can be used as a lounge area while the elevated afterdeck is the ideal vantage point from which to admire Victoria Harbour on an evening cruise. Perfect for cocktail parties, this 53-footer can also sail around the outlying islands and is available for overnight charter. Comfortably entertaining up to 20 guests, she can accommodate four overnight, in two luxuriously appointed cabins.
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In classic yachting style, gourmet catering is available onboard both vessels, in partnership with floating private kitchen owner and caterer Le Bon Goût, who specializes in classic French Riviera-style buffets and hand-picked organic wines, imported directly from France. With a nod to the legendary Indian buffets once served onboard Wayfoong in its HSBC heyday, Le Bon Goût will also offer an Indian menu. Guests will also have the option of Chinese and Thai inspired menus. Professional waiting service is available for all parties and cruises.
Northrop & Johnson offers bespoke, unsurpassed service not found elsewhere in the yacht charter industry. Its Hong Kong charter collection includes a full range of classic and modern yachts, all available for day charter in Hong Kong waters.
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