The story of this yacht goes back to its construction in 1991 at the WDB Werft shipyard in Berlin, which produced two sistership tugs designed to help manoeuvre large cargo ships. In 2000, a Belgian restaurateur bought both tugs to convert them into floating restaurants and fitted the two boats with the kind of galleys normally found on a 70m superyacht!

In 2001, Alter Ego (her original name) was given a new lease of life at the CNM shipyard in Cherbourg, France. The superstructure was entirely removed, leaving only the hull. The tug’s complete refit took 18 months, under the expert eye of architect Jean-Pierre Paquet. Alter Ego was then classified by RINA and went back to her glamorous life as a floating restaurant, this time in the Bay of Cannes.

In 2006, Alter Ego’s new owner renamed her “Bulldog” and sent her for a total refit below deck, adding a much needed feminine touch to the interior décor. Now a fully-fledged luxury yacht with plenty of class, BulldogW boasts a sober and functional design. With 5 double cabins (2 of which are fitted with Pullman berths – small foldaway bunk beds), and 2 single cabins, the yacht sleeps a total of 12 guests. The huge galley is perfect for a professional chef, who will find plenty of inspiration to delight passengers’ taste buds in all circumstances. The space onboard is quite remarkable, both above and below deck, where Bulldog offers a spacious saloon and various other relaxing areas. At 110 feet, Bulldog has the kind of space rarely found even on larger yachts. There is a jacuzzi on the upper deck where guests can kick back and relax before or after the party, which can turn out to be a big event, since Bulldog can host up to 150 people when in port!

Bulldog is truly different from regular yachts. The original wheelhouse remains practically intact, with the addition of state-of-the-art technology of course. She has authentic dials with needles, and a dashboard full of all sorts of switches etc., like something from another era. All that’s missing is the foghorn… and the fog! The whole experience is an exotic journey that starts as soon as you step onboard, without even leaving the port.

The original engine room is also a sight worth seeing, a quaint reminder of past times, unlike anything to be seen on modern yachts with their soulless machines. Bulldog has a single 950 HP SKL engine that propels all 350 tons at a speed to 10 knots, consuming 110 to 140 litres per hour with a range of about 3000 NM. She flies under a British flag, with MCA and Veritas certification.

Overall, Bulldog radiates a reassuring sense of safety, a kind of subtle self-confidence that she can head off into rougher seas any time. For the time being though, she is headed for the sunnier skies of the Mediterranean, where she is available for charter or sale. Oh, and one last thing, where did she get that name? … Well, given that her present owners have five bulldogs themselves, and what with the yacht’s flat nose, it couldn’t really be a better choice.

NauticNews Tech Specs of Bulldog W

– PzC –