Fifty-four years after her launch in the Netherlands, Serena left Europe on a ship bound for the United States. It was 2018 and Serena was on her way to becoming mothership of a small fleet of historic sailing yachts owned by Matt Brooks and his wife Pam Rorke Levy. Serena's pedigree—one of just seven yachts designed for Feadship by Carlo Riva—and sleek mid-century styling were a natural complement to the fleet's flagship Dorade, a 1930 Sparkman & Stephens yawl, and Lucie, a 1931 Six-Metre designed by Clinton Crane. 

Serena was acquired after a seven-year search that took Brooks and Levy to boatyards across the U.S. and throughout Europe. They were looking for a motor yacht with an illustrious and colorful history, and considered boats from as far back as the late 1800s. 

"We looked at gentleman's yachts pressed into military service during WWII, ferrying troops off the beaches at Dunkirk." says Levy. "We looked at an Edwardian steamship up in Seattle, a workboat on the River Clyde in Scotland, and high-powered commuters built for Wall Street tycoons making the trip to Manhattan from Long Island. And many, many more, probably a hundred in all."

Like Rembert Berg, the previous owner of Serena, the new owners have already demonstrated their commitment to the ongoing maintenance of their classic motor yacht, ticking off a long punch list of work items. Berg had underwritten a full-scale restoration of Serena in 2010 by the original builders, Feadship at Makkum, that totaled 43,000 man hours; but as with any older vessel, a continual and disciplined approach to upkeep is vital for longevity and Serena's new owners are committed to an annual visit to the yard. 

Serena Owners

Friedrich Stuckenbroker (1964- )

Ambrosio ( -2001)

Pietro Casella (2001-2010)

Rembert Berg (2010-2018)

William Mathews Brooks and Pam Rorke Levy (2018- )