G. Bruce Knecht

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PHOTOS: Grand Ambition

Stavros Niarchos’s Creole was adorned with paintings by Van Gogh and El Greco. ©James Robinson Taylor/PPL

Aristotle Onassis’s 352-foot Christina was a celebrity magnet and also known for barstools that were covered with the foreskin of whales. ©Beken of Cowes

When the modern-day Britannia was retired in 1997, the usually unemotional Queen Elizabeth II shed a tear. ©Beken of Cowes

Venture capitalist Tom Perkins built Maltese Falcon, a 289-foot-long schooner with masts that can be rotated to enhance its performance. ©Erik Simonson/PPL

Linda and Doug Von Allmen. ©Broward Performing Arts Center

To minimize labor costs, Lady Linda’s hull was built upside down— but eventually it had to be righted.

The vessel takes shape at the Trinity Yachts shipyard in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Once the fairing and painting were completed, Lady Linda’s arched bow had a lustrous sheen.

A $1.8 million lift raises the 487-ton yacht.

Lady Linda finally rolls toward its element.

Lady Linda’s main stairwell was surrounded by a mythical scene based on artwork created for the SS Normandie.

With blue fabrics, silver paneling, and serpentine floors, the “sky lounge” has several seating areas and a bar.

An outdoor table where the nearby air can be heated and cooled. ©Rupert Peace

The rounded shower enclosure in Linda’s bathroom reflects Evan Marshall’s taste for curved shapes. ©Rupert Peace

Lady Linda’s master stateroom. ©Rupert Peace

The “sky lounge” is contemporary in style but has elements of Art Deco ©Rupert Peace

The uppermost deck, the “fly bridge,” includes seating areas, a Jacuzzi, a bar, and gym equipment. ©Rupert Peace

Grand Ambition

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