Sydney to Hobart yacht race’s $17,500 loo on Saskia Groen-in’t-Woud’s Swan 38 Celeste

It might look like an average toilet and even operate like one but the price tag makes this the ultimate Royal Throne in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race fleet.

Sailors Saskia Groen-in’t-Woud and Maude Demazure aboard Celeste. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

It might look like an average toilet and even operates like one but it’s the extraordinary price tag making this the ultimate Royal Throne in the Sydney to Hobart fleet.

In fact, with a replacement cost of around $17,500, this could well be the most expensive toilet ever to race to Hobart in the 79 year history of the famous race.

Celeste owner/skipper Saskia Groen-in’t-Woud received the shock of her life when she checked out how much it would be to replacement the original toilet on her beloved 51-year-old Swan designed yacht.

“I went to buy a service kit for it and it was 900 pounds so I though I’ll buy a new toilet instead,’’ Groen-in’t-Woud said.

“I looked up Baby Blake Classic marine toilets and there it was for more than $17,000.’’

Aside from the price tag for the new loo, Groen-in’t-Woud knew there was something special about her 51-year-old original toilet when she decided to have it services instead.

The $17,000 plus Blakes toilet. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The beautiful 51-year-old Celeste in race mode. Picture: Andrea Francolini/CYCA

“You know it is indeed the royal throne when the man who came to remove it for the service wore white gloves,’’ she said.

“The Swans were back in the day known as the Rolls Royce’s of the sea but I had no idea the toilet was so expensive.’’

Fortunately it won’t be in high demand in the race south with Groen-in’t-Woud racing in the double-handed class in the 79th Sydney to Hobart with co-skipper Maud Demazure – one of three all female teams tackling the race in the two-haned division this year.

Groen-in’t-Woud tracked down Celeste, the original Swan 38 built in Finland during Covid and bought her while working in Europe.

JESS WATSON BACK ON A BOAT

Saskia Groen-in’t-Woud and Maude Demure will race south in the two-handed division. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

She has since bought her back to the Gold Coast where she now lives.

“She is beautiful and very original,’’ she said.

“The only thing that has changed is the fabric on her cushions.’’

Groen-in’t-Woud and Demazure, from Yamba, are also Brand Ambassadors for Jean Hailes for Women’s Health and promoting the national not-for-profit dedicated to empowering women to enjoy their best health and wellbeing at every life stage.

They are also racing in the Melbourne to Osaka race in 2025.

A fleet of around 100 yachts will compete in this year's race to Hobart, one of Australia’s most iconic sporting events.

The fleet frontrunners include the four 100-footers – last year’s winner LawConnect, race record holder Master lock Comanche, Wild Thing 100 and the beautiful cruising yacht Maritimo.

Built more for comfort than sheer speed, Bill Barry-Cotter’s Maritimo boasts plenty of creature comforts including five marble bathrooms.

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Originally published as Sydney to Hobart yacht race’s $17,500 loo on Saskia Groen-in’t-Woud’s Swan 38 Celeste