Classics, At the start of the book men sit in a yacht and discuss something

[Karolis]

Book seems to be written between 1920 and 1990. I remember that in in it few older men were discussing something then a young lady with a green dress came in to a cabin and narrator who is part of a group gave lady a compliment and thought to himself how nice is to be old when giving a compliment, because you can't expect any romantic developments happening further. Every detail could be wrong, I read the opening chapter very long time ago.

[Capn]

Do you remember what country / sea / region it was set in? And if it was like a cruise ship - trans-atlantic or a smaller, private yacht? Sail or steam? :)

Kindle, library, purchased? :) Famous author likely?

[Karolis]

Capn wrote: "Do you remember what country / sea / region it was set in? And if it was like a cruise ship - trans-atlantic or a smaller, private yacht? Sail or steam? :)

Kindle, library, purchased? :) Famous au..."

Thanks for reply !!! Most likely Europe, could be England maybe Holland, seemed something more private, sail yacht but the ship was not sailing(docked in a bay), book was purchased, or not returned to library... seemed at least 20 years old, should be a classic because it was translated to Lithuanian while soviet union was still thriving. Author was male.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Well if every detail could be wrong....

Heart of Darkness starts with a group of men talking on a ship anchored in the river Thames. It's certainly a classic. I can't say I remember any women on board. The ship is referred to both as a cruising yawl, and a yacht.

[JoLynn]

The older man/young lady compliment aspect makes me think of W. Somerset Maugham or one of the Agatha Christie books that has the Mr. Satterthwaite character.