Mark Twain Story

Mark Twain is a legendary Australian yacht with a storied history in one of the world's most challenging ocean races—the Sydney to Hobart.

Built for speed and endurance, Mark Twain has battled the notorious Bass Strait multiple times, facing everything from glassy calms to howling southerlies. She's a vessel that embodies the true spirit of Australian ocean racing—tough, resilient, and always ready for the next challenge.

A Sydney to Hobart Veteran

The Sydney to Hobart is more than a race—it's a test of seamanship, courage, and determination. Mark Twain has earned her place among the fleet that takes on this 628-nautical-mile gauntlet every Boxing Day, navigating treacherous waters and unpredictable conditions that separate the sailors from the dreamers.

Why Mark Twain for Old Saltys?

At Old Saltys, we celebrate the vessels and the sailors who know what it means to be truly tested by the sea. Mark Twain represents everything we stand for—heritage, adventure, and the unbreakable bond between a crew and their boat.

Our limited-edition Mark Twain collection honors this iconic yacht and the spirit of Australian ocean racing. These designs are for those who understand that the best stories are written on the water, in the wind, and under pressure.

Why Mark Twain Matters

Boats like this don’t just disappear when they fall silent, but they can, if nobody steps in. The Mark Twain was found forgotten in dock, resting and waiting to be bought to former glory and racing again.  Her restoration is about:

  • Preserving maritime heritage and traditional seamanship

  • Keeping stories alive (the people, the passages, the hard-won lessons)

  • Creating a platform for mentoring and mental wellbeing, using sailing as a steadying force

  • Rebuilding something worth handing down to the next generation of salty souls

What your support does

Every purchase that connects to the Mark Twain mission helps move the needle in real, practical ways, from restoration and repairs to documentation and storytelling. That can include things like:

  • Essential restoration materials and labour

  • Safety and compliance requirements

  • Project documentation and heritage storytelling

  • Community initiatives that share the message: keep going, even when it’s rough

The spirit behind the project

Mark Twain sits at the heart of Old Saltys, a place for “well-weathered wisdom” and the kind of leadership you don’t learn in a lecture. Sailing has always been a classroom without walls: it teaches patience, responsibility, decision-making under pressure, and the value of staying calm when conditions change.

That’s the heartbeat here. Restoration is the physical work. The bigger work is what it represents.

Follow the journey

We’ll share updates, milestones, and behind-the-scenes progress as the restoration continues, including wins, setbacks, and the honest reality of bringing a classic yacht back to strength.

If you’d like to be part of the crew behind the comeback, you can support the mission by purchasing from this store, sharing our story, or reaching out to collaborate.

Because some boats are worth saving.
And some stories are worth sailing again.