Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Introducing 'Sea Force One'

Sea Force One

Introducing 'Sea Force One' - Hi-Tech Nightclub Party Yacht [PHOTOS] -- Glittarazzi

We all know Air Force One pretty well.

And, you've probably seen our tweets from Car Force One in NYC (the most digitally equipped vehicle in the world).

But, have you met Sea Force One?

Introducing the world's hottest bi-level super party yacht (54 meters/177 feet)! A creation of A.M.Y. Yachts and Luca Dini interior designs, this swanky, hi-tech ship is made to speed across the ocean at 18-knots as you party like a rockstar.

Read more ....

My Comment:
This boat is not my style.

Abramovich’s Fleet Tops Forbes 100 Largest Yacht List

Image: Born Rich

Abramovich’s Fleet Tops Forbes 100 Largest Yacht List -- RT

The yacht Eclipse owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich topped the list of the world’s 100 Largest Yachts, according to Forbes.

­Abramovich purchased Eclipse in 2010 for more than $250 million. The 162 meter yacht boasts a 56 meter owner’s deck with a 16m swimming pool, the largest on any yacht. The floor of the pool can be raised to transform the area into a dance floor. The yacht also has facilities for up to 92 crew and the owner’s personal staff and can accommodate three helicopters.

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My Comment: More info on the Eclipse can be read here.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

A look At The Superyacht "A"

"A"

Luxury Real Estate – GigaYachts – “A” -- Luxury Property

Whilst not fitting the term “Luxury real estate,” in the traditional sense of the word, i.e. on land, the current crop of giga-yachts or mega-yachts certainly fall under my definition of the word. Massive, spectacularly-outfitted floating mansions in fact.

Conspicuous over consumption? Absolutely. Insanely expensive? Oh yes. Most of the final prices are carefully kept secret. Either that, or no one actually knows how much they cost.

Introducing “A” – the most recent member of the giga-yacht club, and to put things in perspective, the fuel tank is 757,000 liters. Diesel fuel costs around €1.40 per liter currently, so it would cost just over €1 million to fill the fuel tank. $1.4 million US just to fill the tank. That amount of fuel will last 15.5 days at cruising speed.

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My Comment: What caught my attention is the cost for fueling such a ship ....

.... it would cost just over €1 million to fill the fuel tank. $1.4 million US just to fill the tank. That amount of fuel will last 15.5 days at cruising speed.

Ouch!!!

Is The Ultimate Toy For The Super Rich A Submarine?

James Cameron emerges from his submersible after his successful solo dive to the Mariana Trench on Monday. MARK THIESSEN / NATIONAL GEOGRAP/EPA

Submarines: The Ultimate Toy For The Super Rich -- New York Daily News/AFP

James Cameron's recent descent to the bottom of the Pacific sheds light on exclusive hobby

Jet plane, tick.

Private island, tick. Chopper, tick. Submarine?

When director James Cameron descended to the bottom of the Pacific on Monday, he not only shed light on the world's deepest ocean, but the world's most exclusive hobby: private submarine voyages.

The phenomenally profitable director of "Avatar" piloted an ungainly looking, bright green, one-seat sub to an amazing 36,000 feet, or 11,000 meters, down into the Mariana Trench.

Only the third person to go there, Cameron led the mission, which was entirely privately funded.

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My Comment: The luxury yacht that carries the submarine is where the real money is.

Monday, March 26, 2012

The 73 Metre Superyacht Laurel

The Laurel

Superyacht Of The Week: The 73 Metre Delta Masterpiece Laurel -- Superyacht Times

With the launch of the 73 metre Laurel back in 2006, Seattle-based Delta Marine added a true lady to their fleet of superyachts. With her royal blue hull reflecting an image of elegance and nobility, Laurel gracefully ruled the waves of the world's oceans. For 5 years, her owners kept her completely private. However, when the veil of secrecy was recently lifted, the yard offered us a first look inside, when they invited our editors on board in Fort Lauderdale.

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Editor: The photo gallery is gorgeous.

The Eco-Friendly SuperYacht

Credit: Richard John Sauter

Assuage Your Liberal Guilt With An Eco-Friendly SuperYacht -- Science 2.0

Let's be honest, if you are a Republican, you don't care about the environment because you received your own oil well when you registered to vote. And you like vampire babies. So you do not care about the emissions of your yacht.

But if you are a rich Democrat, things are a little dicier. Buying pretend carbon offsets for a 29,000 square foot house can only get you so far. If you want to own a superyacht too, that's a lot of liberal guilt to agonize over. What to do?

Read more ....

Editor: For more info on the Ocean Supremacy, go here.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

The £75m Mogambo Superyacht Visits Bristol

74m Mogambo Superyacht by Nobiskrug

The £75m Mogambo Superyacht Designed In Bath -- This Is Bath

A superyacht designed by a Bath firm is turning heads in the centre of Bristol.

The 244ft long Mogambo is estimated to be worth £75 million and was designed by North Parade Buildings firm Reymond Langton Design.

It docked in Bristol’s Floating Harbour on Monday and has attracted interest from hordes of people.

The yacht is on its maiden voyage after leaving the dock in Germany where it was built last week.

Mogambo will remain in the Floating Harbour for up to a week, just a few hundred yards from Bristol’s famous ships, the SS Great Britain and the Matthew.

Read more ....

Update: Farewell to Bath-designed superyacht as Mogambo leaves Bristol -- This is Bath

Editor: For more pics and info on the superyacht Mogambo, go here. A beautiful night-time pic of the Mogambo is here.

Is The Middle East Becoming The International Sailing Capital?



Is Middle East Becoming The International Sailing Capital? -- CNN

(CNN) -- Over the past decade the Middle East has made a massive move to secure some of the world's major sporting events. Abu Dhabi won the right to host a Formula One Grand Prix beginning in 2009, Qatar was successful in its FIFA World Cup bid for 2022 and the world's top tennis players and golfers regularly head to the region for big tour tournaments.

Among the sporting push in the region is sailing; nine teams are currently taking part in the "Sailing Arabia - the Tour" -- the Middle East's version of Europe's Le Tour de France a la Voile. The event sees the fleet sail throughout the region from Bahrain to Oman.

It is the second time it has been held but it is not the only sailing competition to take place in the region this year.

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My Comment: The money is there .... the history for sailing is there .... so why not the boats and people.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Super Yacht Octopus Makes A Port Of Call At Guam



World Class Vessels Make Port Stops On Guam -- PNC

The Octopus, a mega yacht owned by Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen is currently docked at the Port. The 414 foot yacht comes with a pool, two helicopters , and two submarines... one of which is operated by remote control.

Inchcape Shipping Services is the agent for the ship, Inchcape General Manager Ariel Dumapit tells PNC that the Octopus arrived Thursday morning and is scheduled to leave at 10am Saturday after re-fueling and changing crew. Its not known why the ship is on Guam or whether Allen is here too.

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Editor: The Octopus has a website dedicated to it (it is here), and the Wikipedia entry has some additional information. Superyachtfan has some more information, including photos of the interior.

The Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia, seen here in 1960, was launched by Queen Elizabeth II on 16 April 1953.

How To Design A Yacht Fit For A Queen -- CNN

(CNN) -- The British royal family has a long history with the sea. Queen Elizabeth II's much beloved Royal Yacht Britannia carried members of the monarchy on almost 1000 official voyages over 44 years, from her launch in 1953 to her decommissioning in 1997.

Her Majesty was seen wiping a tear away at the farewell ceremony for Britannia, which was launched in 1953 with a dual purpose - to provide royal travel around the Commonwealth and to act as a hospital ship in time of war.

Now UK media reports that Conservative member of parliament Michael Gove has suggested the Queen should be given a new yacht to mark this year's diamond jubilee.

What would go into designing a yacht fit for the Queen of England? We ask some yacht designers what they would do if they received the commission of a lifetime.

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My Comment: In an age of austerity .... a new yacht for the Queen is not going to happen.

Friday, March 23, 2012

The Life Of A Superyacht Worker

Bonnie Muddle has been working on superyachts for the past six years.

Confessions Of A Superyacht Worker -- CNN

Editor's note: Bonnie Muddle has worked on superyachts for the past six years. She runs a website giving tips on how to find work on a superyacht. Below she writes for CNN about what life aboard superyachts is really like.

Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) -- The phone call came from my uncle -- a captain on a superyacht -- offering me a seasonal job as a stewardess. Having absolutely no experience and no idea what the job would entail, where it would take me and how I would fare in rough conditions, I jumped at the chance.

Within the week I had arranged my B1/B2 visa at the American Consulate, booked in the obligatory safety course ( S.T.C.W 95), had a medical, packed up the accumulation of goods a girl at 22 owns and flew across to the USA.

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My Comment: Bonnie Muddle's blog is here.

Who Owns This Superyacht?

Ocean Victory anchored in front of Stanley Pt. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Who Owns This Superyacht? The $120m Question -- NZ Herald

A multimillion-dollar luxury superyacht anchored off Queen's Wharf is drawing extra attention to Auckland's waterfront.

The Ocean Victory can be seen from the Viaduct and has been there for a number of days.

A superyacht broker said yesterday it was hard to estimate exactly how much the yacht was worth, having not been inside to inspect it.

But given its size, it could be worth anything from $60 to $120 million, she said.

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My Comment: Ocean Victory .... what a beautiful name for a boat.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Luxury Cruiser Catches Fires And Sinks Only A Day After The New Owners Received It

A luxury cruiser on fire at Docklands. Picture: @chrisdonlon1/Twitter

Luxury $4m Boat Explodes In Flames At Docklands -- Herald Sun

UPDATE: A LUXURY cruiser that sank after an inferno on a Docklands marina had been delivered to its new owners just yesterday.

The Herald Sun has been told the $4 million 2010 model Horizon Skylounge arrived from a Queensland boat dealership.

A friend of the owner said the family did not wish to comment on the incident, but they were devastated.

"They're pretty upset. It had been delivered today, ready to be enjoyed by all," he said.

Four people were aboard the 24m cruiser when it erupted into flames about 4.30pm, sending plumes of black smoke across the city.

Read more ....

Update #1:
Luxury boat sinks after massive inferno -- ABC News
Update #2: Luxury boat explodes in flames at Melbourne's Docklands -- News.com.au
Update #3: Inferno guts luxury cruiser -- Adelaide Now

My Comment:
And they just received the boat the previous day. Wow .... the owners must be "freaking out".

Superyacht Galaxy For Sale


Superyacht Galaxy For Sale With Burgess -- Suepr Yacht Times

Burgess has listed the 56 metre superyacht Galaxy for sale. Built in 2005 by Benetti, she offers sleek Italian exterior styling and very well-conceived deck spaces combined with an efficient and sensible layout that takes full advantage of the yacht’s guest spaces. Contemporary, modern design is the key feature of the highly bespoke, light-filled interior, which incorporates geometric and functional styling and is finished in a range of exotic woods including eucalyptus, sycamore, ash and Burma teak parquet.

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My Comment: The asking price is € 28,000,000.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Are Submarines The New Yachts For The Wealthy?


Are Submarines The New Yachts For The Wealthy? -- ABC News

Some call it the final frontier. While humans have breached the limitations of land, air and space, the underwater world remains largely untouched.

In addition to researchers and scientists, another group has taken an interest in the underwater unknown--the mega-rich.

The race to the bottom of the sea is being led by director James Cameron and British entrepreneur Richard Branson.

Read more ....

My Comment: Thanks .... I prefer to be above water .... not under.

Luxury Yacht To Call Stockton Home

The yacht Casino Royale cruises past the Statue of Liberty in New York in August 2010. The multimillion-dollar yacht was purchased in 2009 by Clovis businessman David McDonald, who is planning to dock the Casino Royale at the Stockton Marina. The yacht is scheduled to arrive today.Courtesy photo

Luxury Yacht To Call Stockton Home -- Recordnet

STOCKTON - Around lunchtime today, a 163-foot "super yacht" will squeeze beneath the Interstate 5 bridge and motor into Stockton Marina, its home port for the next year or so.

The Casino Royale - owned by security camera mogul David McDonald - could be the largest and most extravagant passenger boat to call on the downtown waterfront.

McDonald, who lives in the foothills east of Clovis, will use the yacht for weekend trips around the Delta and the Bay Area, and for longer cruises to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

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My Comment: What a cool name for a yacht.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Largest Yacht Ever Built In Australia For Sale At $100 Million

SMERALDA, the largest ever superyacht built in Australia at 77-metres long, was launched into the water at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson. Picture: Stewart Allen

Largest Yacht Ever Built In Australia, 252-foot Smeralda, Could Sell For Up To $100 Million -- Haute Living

The owner and builder of the mammoth 252-foot superyacht announced that he’s putting his pride of the sea up for sale. German eco-industrialist Guido Krass owns the Henderson-based Hanseatic Marine that built the yacht that is already predicted to sell for $100 million.

Smeralda, the largest-ever superyacht built in Australia, was launched into the water at Henderson at the Australian Marine Complex. It took more than two years and 550,000 man hours to build, and Hanseatic claims Smeralda is the world’s longest aluminum motor yacht and the most expensive export product to come out of Australia. It’s the third superyacht produced for Krass, who has made it a habit to keep the vessels for a year before selling them.

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Update: Luxury superyacht may fetch $100m at sale -- Perth Now

My Comment: The Aussies

Billionaire Spurs Owner Has A Mooring Built For His 220ft Superyacht

Impressive backdrop: Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis has had a moor built for his superyacht Aviva on the Thames near Tower Bridge

From The Caribbean To The Thames: Billionaire Spurs Owner Has A Mooring Built For His 220ft Superyacht -- The Daily Mail

This is the extraordinary superyacht of billionaire Spurs owner Joe Lewis, currently moored up on the Thames near Tower Bridge.

The wealthy businessman has been given special permission to moor in the heart of London, and has even had his own moor built there.

Mr Lewis, 74, who is usually based in the Bahamas with his yacht, is in London to negotiate an aggressive takeover of a leading pub company.

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My Comment: So if you need a mooring ... you just build it. Sweet.

Monday, March 19, 2012

The Rolls Royce Of The Sea

The 139-foot vessel is a major attraction at Dubai International Marine Club. Image Credit: Pankaj Sharma/XPRESS

Rolls Royce Of The Sea: Dh93.5m Super Yacht -- Gulf News

A Dh93.5 million expedition-adventure vessel — with a steel hull to smash through ice — is creating waves at the International Boat Show.

Dubai: A Dh93.5 million super-yacht touted as the Rolls Royce of the sea is making waves at the Dubai International Boat Show.

The 139-foot Andiamo has heated granite floors, plush cabin bedrooms that seal off in emergencies, windsurfers, tenders, ocean kayaks, a sun-deck jacuzzi and barbecue corner, gym facilities, sky lounge, a study and even outdoor air-conditioning.

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My Comment:
The owner`s asking price for the boat is Her asking price is 19.5 million Euros.

Super Yachts Are Still A Big Seller In Dubai

The Majesty 105 is the latest in a series of revolutionary concepts created by Gulf Craft. It represents both, the degree of engineering, design and technological sophistication already achieved by the company during its three decades in the business as well as its ability to anticipate and meet the need for striking new superyacht concepts tailored to diverse cruising needs. Super Yacht Times

In Dubai, The More Super The Superyacht, The Better -- MSNBC

The boating industry may have had a few rough years since the days of 2007 and 2008, when banks loaned money more freely, but there’s one place where the luxury yachts continue to grow more super.

The BBC reports that Dubai, currently hosting the Middle East’s biggest boat show, has seen an increase in the type of boats that are selling – small boats and super yachts. In fact, the average size of super yachts -- luxury yachts that are privately owned and professionally crewed -- has increased to 150 feet from 143 in 2009.

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My comment: Never a recession for those rich arab sheiks.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

The Super Yacht Serene

123m motor yacht Serene by Fincantieri Yachts

Editor: For more info on the super yacht "The Serene", check out these links.

Fincantieri delivers 134m superyacht Serene
-- Boat International
Serene -- Super Yacht Times
The Largest Yacht Ever Built In Italy : Super Yacht Serene… -- GiiraYachts
FINCANTIERI assaults TOP 10 by 134-meter yacht – SERENE -- Yachts Interior
SLIDESHOW: Fincantieri’s Serene -- MegaYacht News
Serene Yacht Photos -- Super yachts

Ninth-Largest Yacht In The World Spotted Near Venice, California



Ninth-Largest Yacht In The World Spotted Near Venice -- CBS Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Yachts, by definition, are supposed to be luxurious, but one docked near Venice goes above and beyond mere luxury.

A yacht named “Serene” was spotted by Sky 9 Wednesday night – all 440 feet of it. The super yacht comes with seven decks and almost 50,000 square feet of interior space, 12 staterooms, two helicopter landing platforms, a salt water pool and storage for a submarine.

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My Comment: A Storage room for a sub?

Friday, March 16, 2012

China's Super Rich Are Set To Propel Luxury Yacht Sales

Boat builders are preparing for a rush of demand from China. Photo: Glenn Hunt

China Super Rich Set To Propel Luxury Yacht Sales -- USA Today/AP

HONG KONG — With their sleek, modern lines and polished finish, the two yachts built by Samuel Wong's shipyard fit right in among the multimillion-dollar floating palaces moored at a tony Hong Kong yacht club.

Onboard, a disco ball, karaoke system and garish neon blue accent lighting in the living quarters are hints that the vessel is aimed at the luxury yacht industry's newest growth market: wealthy Chinese.

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My Comment: China's super rich have an insatiable appetite for everything 'high class', so why not yachts.

The Super Yacht That Comes With Its Own VOLCANO

(Click on Image to Enlarge)
Luxury: This yacht will soon be cruising the oceans with its very own floating tropical islands

The Super Yacht That Comes With Its Own VOLCANO: Multi-Million Pound Boat Which Is A Paradise Island -- Daily Mail

This is the next super-yacht set to hit the world's oceans - which comes complete with its own functioning volcano and floating tropical islands.

The vessel - dubbed the 'Tropical island Paradise' - has been designed by British boat builders Yacht Island Design, from Derby, Derbys - some 90 miles from the sea.

The extravagant 295ft ship boasts a towering volcano with a cascading waterfall which feeds the swimming pool.

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My Comment: It is definitely different.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Is Abramovich Bored With New Yacht Already?

Pushing the boat out: The 533ft Eclipse cost £300m but is already up for rent

Is Abramovich Bored With New Yacht Already? £300m Vessel For Rent After Six Months -- Daily Mail

With two swimming pools, two helipads, a gym, hair salon, dancefloor and submarine, there is plenty to occupy even the most discerning visitor.

But it seems Roman Abramovich has already tired of life on board the world’s largest private yacht.

Just six months after taking delivery of the £300million vessel, the Russian billionaire is renting it out – for £1.25million a week.

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My Comment: I guess the yacht is too small for him.

The Top 100 Superyachts

Roman Abramovich and his 164-metre mega yacht, Eclipse Photo: Rex Features

World's Biggest Superyachts Unveiled -- The Telegraph

Eclipse, the luxury vessel owned by Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionnaire and owner of Chelsea Football Club, has retained its number one billing in an annual list of the world's largest superyachts.

The Top 100 Superyachts, compiled by the website Superyachts.com, is a yearly run down of the world's largest privately owned yachts. The 2012 edition includes a number of sleek new arrivals as well as the famous gin palaces of media moguls and royalty that have previously hit the headlines.

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Editor: The Top 100 Superyachts as compiled by the website Superyachts.com can be checked here.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

£100m Superyacht Owned By Britain's Richest Woman Takes To The Waves

Luxurious: The Vava II superyacht is the biggest ever built in the UK at 96 metres

Making A Splash! £100m Superyacht Owned By Britain's Richest Woman Takes To The Waves For The First Time -- Daily Mail

A £100million superyacht commissioned by Britain's richest woman has taken to the seas for the first time.

The luxury vessel - the biggest this country has ever seen - was constructed for former Miss UK Kirsty Bertarelli over two years in Plymouth, Devon, and boasts a helipad and six decks.

Mrs Bertarelli and her Swiss husband Ernesto had the 96-metre Vava II built to replace their previous 47m ship.

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My Comment: A perfect boat for a Queen.

The £85m Superyacht That Comes With A Matching Limousine Onboard

(Click on Image to Enlarge)
Luxury: This 100-metre superyacht, which comes with an onboard garage, is yours for a mere £85million


The King Of The Sea: The £85m Superyacht That Comes With A Matching Limousine Onboard -- Daily Mail

This huge superyacht is so sleek you'd almost be forgiven for mistaking it for a floating limousine.

This is no coincidence - the 'Sovereign' yacht is based on the design of a limo, and even comes with its own matching car.

And the vessel fit for a king could be yours, if you're willing to shell out a mere $132million - that's £85million.

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My Comment: An interesting concept .... you have the car .... now build a boat around it.