IF I HAD A BOAT

Ann Avery

11/01/2007

The owners of the new 52-meter (171-foot) Perini Navi Tamsen break the mold. The captain is one of the owners, and the person sleeping in the master cabin can be seen scrubbing the decks. Launched April 21, Tamsen is such a vivid expression of the owners and their shared life philosophy that to understand the yacht is to understand some history of the owners, who call themselves Firestone Family and Friends.

It began in 1973 when seven California families, inspired by clinical psychologist and author Robert Firestone, pooled their resources and bought an unfinished wooden schooner, Vltava.

The purpose was to provide the group’s teenagers with a healthy energy outlet and to nurture parent-child connections. Adults and adolescents alike worked and sailed on the boat, which became a petri dish for revitalized relationships. They created an environment that encouraged—in fact, required—authentic self-expression. The highlight of the venture was a circumnavigation that began in 1976 during which 11 teenagers, ages 14 to 19, served as permanent crew. Under the leadership of their elected skipper, then 16-year-old Steve Firestone, Robert’s son, their successful epic voyage made headlines when they returned to San Francisco in 1978.

"The boat was a vehicle for self-discovery and growth. We left [as] teenagers and came back adults," noted Steve, who in many ways still helms Firestone Family and Friends. When the trip was over, the bonds formed were so tight that marriages, children and business partnerships ensued.

"Our business culture is an extension of what we learned on Vltava," emphasized Ron Zamir, one of the teen crew who is currently involved in the group’s Global Power Supply business. "We have a deep respect and compassion for people. And we have a dislike of status and rules. There was only one rule on Vltava—don’t fall off."

As businesses flourished, from real estate development and computers to psychology practices and design businesses, and the group expanded with family and friends, it purchased a 104-foot yacht. "We kept learning things on the boats, then we would bring that back home," reflected Mike Wolfe, an original Vltava crewmember. "To this day, the best part of our lives is usually on the boats. People are the closest, feel the best and develop the most on those voyages."
The 104-foot yacht was later sold to make way for the group’s first Perini Navi, the 46-meter Liberty, renamed Tamsen. Given the financial stretch its members made, it was inconceivable to the group at that time that it would ever be in a position to build its own, even larger boat.

"When we bought Vltava we sailed to Catalina, then to San Francisco, then a crossing to Hawaii," said Robert. "We didn’t think we would go around the world. It just evolved."The idea to build evolved in much the same way. Discussions for the new 52-meter Tamsen took place on a lovely day in Antigua, in December 2004.

Tamsen’s unique design has the galley and dinette share the forward part of the main deck, keeping close at hand what is dear to the group. (Click images to enlarge)
Perini Navi’s naval architect, Franco Romani, recalled: "I was ready to meet the owners, but then, what a surprise. There were 15 owners at the table, all with an opinion, and I thought, we will never finish the specs."

To Romani’s delight, he was mistaken: "I got into their mentality. There is playfulness, not fighting, and always concern for the group."

Although the 50-meter’s basic blueprint was used as a point of departure, so much has changed to suit the owners’ specs that it grew two meters and is hardly recognizable.

"The boat is so beautiful, yet so practical," acknowledged Tamsen Firestone, Robert’s wife. "It was an absolute joy to work with the whole Perini Navi team. They really build to please each client."

Most of the art on board is Robert’s creation, although one sculpture by Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante, affectionately nicknamed "Fish Boy," continues his swim on the newest Tamsen.

Just as "Fish Boy" has made the transition from one boat to the next, so have Firestone Family and Friends. Everyone still stands watch. Everyone still uses the core values of teamwork, honest communication and respect to welcome new challenges and live new dreams.

"We really liked being together on Vltava, so we chose a lifestyle to be together with whom we love and relate to," said Steve.

"Yep," chimed in Mike, "The trip is over, but the journey continues.