Peter Cook was one of our earliest friends after we arrived aboard ADAGIO into Hobart, Tasmania in 2001. In November, 2003 Pete joined us aboard ADAGIO for a passage from Hobart to Nelson, New Zealand. It was an exciting passage, and Pete certainly demonstrated his seamanship and offshore sailing skills, including setting ADAGIO’s still-standing 21.8 kn speed record. Since then we have followed his career as professional skipper.
Needless to say, we were very pleased to hear Pete’s voice hailing ADAGIO over the VHF radio after our arrival in the Whitsunday Islands this year. Peter is now skipper of the lovely superyacht Princess Iluka. Of course we were tickled that Peter found time in his busy charter schedule to invite us aboard for a tour and coffee.
While we had studied her specifications and photos we were not prepared for the grace and style of Princess Iluka. The original M/V Iluka was built in Tasmania in 1979 by respected boat builder Ray Kemp from Huon Pine and Tasmanian Oak. She was the largest ever yacht to be built with Huon Pine, now a protected species. The 35 meter M/V Princess Iluka is the result of loving $14 million rebuild completed in 2009 by new owner Robert McVicker — continuing the tradition of timber boat building throughout. As you can see from the Princess Iluka Gallery the result is unique, there is no other superyacht that achieves such luxury by combining the latest technology in engineering and systems with the traditional shipwrights arts.
