St. Barth's Article Zion Magazine

Emerging from the blue horizon, she makes her grande entrance into the Gustavia Harbor. What was a graceful silhouette sailing across the Caribbean Sea now captivates the many eyes of onlookers with her timeless and elegant essence. Like a rare piece of fine art, one cannot help but to admire her beauty, her aura, and her spirit.

At nearly 100 years old, Portola—an exquisite classic motor yacht—radiates in a way of her own. Much like the illustrious image of the one and only Marilyn Monroe, the correlation of both beauty and timelessness between the two extend much deeper into the hands of time. To add some context, Hollywood links both Marilyn and Portola forever in cinematic history.

In fact, Miss Monroe’s most celebrated film—the 1959 classic comedy hit Some Like it Hot—was shot aboard Portola and went on to win the prestigious award for best comedy of all time by the American Film Institute (AFI). Because the ship so well emulates Marilyn’s perpetual beauty, it made for the perfect film location and is now a renowned piece of both maritime and Hollywood lore.

Although Portola’s romantic getaway to the alluring white sand beaches (island?) of St. Barth’s lasted only a few months, her brief holiday was full of pampered relaxation and admiration.

Among a vast display of glittering super yachts and other fabulous vessels littering the port, Portola stood out like a rose in a field of sunflowers. The nearly 25-meter cruiser took to the water in 1929 and has been turning heads up and down the coast ever since with her unique exterior made of original varnished teak and a white metal hull complete with a two-story wooden cabin. Portola boasts an original Winton diesel engine with a top speed of 10 knots and has almost all her original interior parts. The planked decks glisten under the hot heavy summer sun while the sterling handrails welcome guests aboard this beautiful ship, back to a luxurious half circle patio perfect for a midnight cigar under the moonlight or a competitive game of backgammon on the ship’s deck. Just above the glamourous back patio sits an elegant and roomy upper lounge giving way to fabulous views of the infinite stretching sea.

To put it quite simply, Portola’s place in both maritime and Hollywood history has led to an impressive string of owners, reportedly including actor Errol Flynn, the Chairman of General Motors, and Victor Flemming—the famous Wizard of Oz producer. In 2018, the vessel was acquired by a family in Orange County, California who prefers to remain anonymous. Even though the family chooses to stay in the shadows, it is no secret that Portola’s newfound owners have an extreme level of understanding and appreciation for the ship's rich and extravagant pedigree.

Not too long ago, the historic vessel underwent certain renovations such as a complete restoration of the interior, a painting overhaul in the salon and dining room, and other carpentry makeovers to bring the ship’s rare aesthetic back to what it once was and always will be.

We here at Zion Magazine are forever grateful to the exceptionally accommodating and supportive owners of Portola for allowing us to recreate such an exemplary film and pay tribute to the ship’s fabulous history.

With her 100th birthday looming just over the warm red horizon, Portola shows no sign of slowing down. Quite the opposite, in fact—she is thriving like the enduring and storied gem she is. For years past and years to come, Portola remains an iconic representation of elegant and timeless beauty.