An 11,000 mile shakedown

Other notable highpoints came with their arrival into Iceland’s southern shores and western fjords when they encountered hundreds of pilot whales that encircled the boat for weeks on end. “Their presence was a real source of tranquillity,” says Vonk. “We quickly realised that we were merely visitors in their world.”

Iceland’s outer peninsulas are often only approachable by boat, and the yacht cruised among high mountains and volcanic lands where trees were replaced with fire and ice, and the clear water took on a dark purplish hue reflecting the brooding skies above. “The whole environment feels like another world, with very few people aside from the inhabitants of small fishing villages,” says Vonk. “Those that we did meet were so hospitable that we ended up extending our stay to continue dining with the locals each night.”

As Scintilla Maris sailed further north skirting the east coast ice floes of Greenland, the temperatures plummeted and Vonk’s foresight to include a heat recovery system to warm the yacht’s exterior steel railings came into its own. “It was the epitome of luxury to be able to sit outside on the boat cruising under the midnight sun.”

In contrast with the commercial look of Scintilla Maris’ exterior, the Vripack interior, with its high ceilings, light colours and omni present daylight streaming through the skylights, enhanced the onboard experience. “It has a friendly, open and contemporary feel with brass portholes and deck light frames for that classic maritime ambience.” The country kitchen-style galley, complete with chef’s table, was a particular highlight with friends and family who were invited to join at various intervals.

Another area of interior refinement is the open bridge seating area, which is connected to the bridge deck salon. It encouraged guests to participate in the yacht’s navigation, particularly during the 700 mile open stretch of water when crossing to Newfoundland. “It was very much a transition going from the British Isles to inside the Arctic Circle and then across to the American continent,” says Vonk. “Canada’s verdant grass felt in stark contrast to the rugged, barren landscapes we’d grown accustomed to.”

The latter leg of the trip took them from the northern part of the US all the way down to Vonk’s hometown of Georgia, before the crew continued to the Netherlands to ready the yacht for her first Icelandic charter.

“I spent 15 years perfecting a boat that takes you places where few other people go,” he says. “Scintilla Maris combines battleship strength with the comfort and luxury of a boutique hotel. When you want to explore some of the last pristine environments on Earth, this is how you do it.”