A Brand New Copy Of The Titanic To Be Built

Australian Billionaire Clive Palmer To Build Titanic II -- BBC

Clive Palmer, one of Australia's richest men, has commissioned a Chinese state-owned company to build a 21st Century version of the Titanic.

The mining billionaire told Australian media that construction would start at the end of next year.

It would be ready to set sail in 2016.

The plan, he added, was for the vessel to be as similar as possible to the original Titanic in design and specifications, but with modern technology.

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More News On Titanic II

Same Titanic but brand-new, built from scratch, billionaire says -- L.A. Times
Titanic II: Australian billionaire announces plan to rebuild liner -- The Guardian
Australian billionaire to build Titanic II -- The Titanic
Australian billionaire commissions 21st-century Titanic replica -- Daily Mail
Australia billionaire to launch "unsinkable" Titanic -- Reuters
Titanic replica to be built in China -- The Telegraph

A $190,000 Hovercraft

For The Millionaire Who Has Everything: A $190,000 Hovercraft -- Yahoo News

How are you planning on spending your summer vacation this year? If you had a good year, you might be considering buying a fishing boat or maybe even a jet ski. But if you had a really, really good year, you might want to put one of these in the water: A $190,000 hovercraft that lets you explore the waterways — and the sky — of exotic vacation destinations in style.

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My Comment: Nice .... but $190,000 is a bit steep.

Laurel Superyacht For Sale

Laurel Superyacht

Laurel Superyacht For Sale With Fraser Yachts -- Extra Vaganzi

The 73 meter Superyacht Laurel was launched way back in 2006 by Seattle-based Delta Marine. For five years, her owners managed to shield this beauty from the world, but this beauty with her blue hull has finally been revealed to the world. A beauty like no other, the superyacht commands attention with its compelling design and high-tech features. The Laurel is a superb yacht that can accommodate as many as 12 passengers on board and has around 19 crew members. The firm of naval architecture which delivered her plans and general arangement on the yacht was Delta Design Group and Donald Starkey Designs. Donald Starkey Designs in addition was responsible for her interior design.

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My Comment: She is a beaut.

The Growing Trend Of Rich Asians Wanting Super Yachts

Rich Asians Go Full Steam Ahead Into Superyachts -- Reuters

The newly wealthy in Asia think nothing of spending big money on a big boat for prestige and fun but the region's nascent yachting class may have trouble finding a berth in overcrowded marinas.

Asia is home to less than 4 percent of the world's 7,000 superyachts but interest has been taking off for the last five years and many buyers are young, executives from the luxury boat industry said at a conference in Singapore on Wednesday.

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My Comment: The money and waters are there .... so why not the boats.

Seattle 110ft Luxury Touring Yacht Destroyed In Fire

Seattle Luxury Yacht Destroyed In Fire -- King 5

SEATTLE -- A 110-foot luxury touring yacht is a total loss after a fast moving fire tore through the vessel early Friday morning in Seattle’s Ballard Neighborhood.
The boat’s owner says he heard a popping noise and got out before it was too late.

“It was a freak thing I was even inside, but it’s a good thing I was,” said Dan Blanchard, owner of the Safari Spirit. “My engineer was on board, too and didn’t hear it so I'm glad I could get him out.”

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My Comment: It's always a shame to see such a nice boat destroyed. More news on the fire at the video below.

Yacht Racing Off Californian Coast Suspended By The U.S. Coast Guard

Yacht Racing Off Californian Coast Suspended -- The Telegraph

Yacht racing off the coast of northern California has been suspended by the US Coast Guard following an accident that killed five people west of San Francisco earlier this month.

Laura Munoz, executive director of the Yacht Racing Association of San Francisco Bay, told Reuters on Thursday that the Coast Guard stopped issuing permits for ocean races pending results of a report on the April 14 tragedy in the Farallon Islands.

The association subsequently re-routed a race scheduled for Saturday out of the open water and into San Francisco Bay, she said. Plans for future ocean sailboat contests remain uncertain.

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Update: California sailing tragedy prompts suspension of ocean racing -- Reuters

My Comment: What a shame. Our our prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones.

Update: Deadly California sailing accident survivor urges new safety rules -- Reuters

The Super Yachts Luna And The Octopus Together

Battle of the boats: The Luna (left) and the Octopus sit alongside each other in the Mediterranean close to the town of Antibes

My Yacht's Bigger Than Yours! Battle Of Boats As Billionaire Roman Abramovich Is Put In His Place By Microsoft Boss's Larger Vessel -- Daily Mail

He is used to having the biggest and best of everything.

Yet Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was put in his place yesterday by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

The billionaire Russian's 377ft yacht named Luna was moored close to the town of Antibes in South East France, making quite an impression on the coastline.

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My Comment: This article is slightly dated .... but it is always fun to see two super yachts together.

Gloriana, The First Royal Barge To Be Built In 100 Years

God bless her and all who sail in her! The Queen visits the Gloriana, the first royal barge to be built in 100 years, at Greenland Pier in East London

Resplendent In Red! Queen Brightens The Gloom As She Names Gloriana, The First Royal Barge To Be Built In 100 Years -- Daily Mail

* Monarch also formally reopened Cutty Sark five years after it was devastated by fire

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh today braved heavy rain and driving winds to name a spectacular barge built to mark the Jubilee.

The royal couple travelled to the East London dock where Gloriana is currently moored, awaiting the moment when it will make its way to Wandsworth Bridge on the Thames from where it will lead the Jubilee pageant on 3 June.

Dressed in a bright red coat and hat that cut a swathe through the morning's gloom, the monarch descended a gangway at Greenland Pier on the Thames in London's Docklands before boarding the Gloriana.

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My Comment: Classy as always.

The 281-Foot Megayacht Cakewalk

via Boat International

YACHT OF THE WEEK: This 281-Foot, $215 Million Yacht Is The Perfect Billionaire's Toy -- Business Insider

After bringing you the news that the 281-foot megayacht Cakewalk was listed for sale nearly one year ago, it still hasn't been picked up by a lucky new owner.

At the time, the yacht was listed for $215 million. Obviously, that is a steep price for anyone, even a billionaire, to pay. But Cakewalk, which was commissioned by private equity king Charles Gallagher, is certainly worth it.

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Editor: The photo gallery can be seen here.

My Superyacht

The 2012 Millenium Yacht Design Award

The Allochroous is the 'Dream Boat' winner of the 9th Millennium Yacht Design Award

Winner Announced For 2012 Millenium Yacht Design Award -- Gizmag

The Allochroous is the Dream Boat category winner of the 9th Millennium Yacht Design Award (MYDA), an international competition for yacht designers around the world. Conceptualized by beginner entrants Ezgi Aksan and Ambra Ceronetti, Allochroous is a futuristic representation of what their dream yacht would be. Drawing upon innovative technologies, the key feature behind the concept is that the yacht is able to transform its functionality. The vision was to create a sustainable yacht that is ideal for enjoying a summer concert at sea.

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My Comment: Having a yacht to host a summer concert at sea .... yup .... that is a "dream boat".

Feadship's New 257-Foot Hampshire II Motoryacht Is Launched

Feadship's new Hampshire II luxury motoryacht prepares to launch

Feadship's New 257-Foot Hampshire II Motoryacht Launched -- Gizmag

When Feadship Royal Dutch shipyards rolls, or rather, floats out one of its multi-million dollar superyachts, it does so with a lot of fanfare. Just last month, we covered the unveiling of their innovative Qi (Chi) concept vessel and now the megayacht builder has introduced its latest real-world effort, the 257-foot (78.50m) luxury motoryacht Hampshire II, which left the drydock at the company's Kaag, Netherlands, facility a few days ago.

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My Comment: Now that's a beautiful yacht.

Confessions Of A Luxury Yacht Captain

Port Louis Marina visited by numerous Superyachts. Charter World

Confessions Of A Luxury Yacht Captain: We See Everything! -- Malaysia Chronicle

WILD parties on board - people having sex, walking around naked, yacht owners bringing their mistresses to their love boats - pleasure craft captains have seen it all.

"We see these things with our eyes wide shut," said a pleasure craft captain with 15 years of experience. The captain declined to be named.

"If you want to remain in this business, one of the qualities you need is to be able to keep secrets."

When asked for details of these wild parties that took place onboard, all the captains and crew interviewed for this report were uncomfortable about divulging details.

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My Comment: This article only interview captains from Singapore, Malaysia, etc... but I suspect that the stories from luxury yacht captains in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, etc., are the same.

The Cutty Sark Reopens To The Public After £50m Renovation

The Cutty Sark has now finished a long restoration process, and is now welcoming visitors aboard its historic decks

Sails Set For Bright Future: The Cutty Sark Reopens To The Public After £50m Renovation -- Daily Mail

After five years and a cost of £50 million, the first visitors to the newly renovated Cutty Sark stepped aboard the world's last remaining tea-clipper in Greenwich, South London today.

Lucky members of the press got the chance to explore the rejuvenated 143-year-old vessel, which was almost destroyed by fire in 2007.

Tomorrow will see The Queen and Prince Philip officially re-open the Cutty Sark, with the general public getting their first view on April 26. Individual tickets to keen history-buffs have already been on sale for weeks.

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My Comment: They have done a fine restoration job.

Concerns Over Yacht Safety

Concerns Over Yacht Safety -- New York Times

NICE — When the award-winning luxury motor yacht Yogi sank off a Greek island on Feb. 17, the yachting community was shocked.

Built last year at the Turkish shipyard Proteksan-Turquoise, the 60-meter, or 197-foot, Camper & Nicholsons boat won the Yachts Magazine prize for most innovative yacht of 2011, awarded at the Cannes international boat show.

The yacht, registered in France, sank off the coast of Skyros, a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, reportedly as a result of a mechanical failure in heavy seas and gale-force winds.

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My Comment: This is sober reading.

A Boat Builder Revolutionizing The Yacht Industry

Courtesy Wally Yachts

A Boat Builder From Monaco Is Revolutionizing The Yacht Industry -- Business Insider

Yachts are getting boring.

While they are opulent, luxurious, and relaxing, radical innovation seems to have passed the industry by in some respects.

But one boatyard in the south of France is looking to change all of that. Called Wally, the company is the vision of Luca Bassani Antivari, an Italian who became dissatisfied with yachts that he could buy from shipyards.

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My Comment: He is satisfying a niche for something new.

Fast Sailing: Pirates Of The Caribbean (Video)

Hat Tip: John Duk from The Boathouse

There's A Reason Why There Aren't More Superyachts In The World

Yachts & megayachts @ Port Forum, Sant Adriá de Besós. Barcelona (Flickr)

There's A Reason Why There Aren't More Superyachts In The World, And It's Not A Lack Of Buyers -- Business Insider

There's one big reason why the seas aren't filled with more monstrous superyachts, and it doesn't have anything to do with rich people getting seasick.

According to industry publication The Superyacht Report's annual report, there's a serious lack of marina berths in the western Mediterranean, the most desirable spot for yacht owners. And that means there's simply no room for new mega-ships.

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My Comment: So build some more berths .... I know I know .... it`s not so simple.

A Photo Gallery Of Some Middle-East Super Yachts

The Prince Abdulaziz (KSA)

Adastra Super Yacht is Cool, But These 6 Dream Boats Are Even More Badass -- Policymic

They say there are yachts, and then super yachts. Wrong. There are yachts, super yachts, and Middle-East super yachts.

The Middle East has long been a luxury goods and services nirvana. Here, you can find anything you want, as long as you have the cash to pay; and there’s no shortage of buyers.

Arab rulers and businessmen alike love their expensive toys and are always seeking out bigger, better, more sophisticated and advanced yachts, cars, and planes. After all, the Qatari royal family allegedly own a whole fleet of Lamborghinis in duck-egg blue.

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My Comment: I find these Middle-Eastern super yachts lacking style .... but then again .... that`s just me.

Not All Superyachts And Their Billionaire Owners Are Wanted

The Port Vell in Barcelona

Billionaire Superyachts Cast A Shadow Over Barcelona's Traditional Barrios -- The Guardian

Residents of a district near the port battle to block British plan to create a marina for the mega-rich

The world's largest private yacht looms over the old port of Barcelona – its six-deck, 163m profile offering proof of the love of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for a city he will visit again this week as his football team, Chelsea, tries to secure a place in the Champions League final.

But the superyacht, equipped with its own mini-submarine and anti-paparazzi shield, is a symbol of what neighbours in the traditional fishermen's neighbourhood of La Barceloneta fear will bring about the demise of one of the few city centre barrios to have maintained its traditional working-class character. Old Barcelona is under threat. A British private investment fund has taken control of much of the port area and has asked for an extended licence so that it can turn the Marina Port Vell into the Mediterranean's prime home for superyachts. Sources close to the group said it wanted the licence to run until 2036.

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My Comment: Spain has an unemployment rate that is over 20% and is presently in the middle of a recession .... and they are going to say no to a new development project .... sighhhh ....

The 240-Foot Superyacht RM Elegant

via Boat International

This 240-Foot Yacht Is The Perfect Way To Go On Vacation With 30 Friends -- Buisness Insider

If you buy a 130-foot yacht, one complaint may be that there is only enough room for 15 additional guests.

Luckily, the buyer of the 240-foot RM Elegant won't have to worry about that, as it can fit 30 people in supreme comfort.

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My Comment: The picture gallery is here.

First Royal Barge To Be Made In Britain For 100 Years Makes Its Majestic Maiden Voyage Down The River Thames

The Royal barge Gloriana takes to the water in the River Thames in preparation for the Queens 60th Jubilee celebrations

Gloriana In Excelsis: First Royal Barge To Be Made In Britain For 100 Years Makes Its Majestic Maiden Voyage Down The River Thames -- Daily Mail

The boat that will lead the Queen's Jubilee pageant had its first dip into the water today in a test run before the big event.

The Royal barge Gloriana was escorted through the streets of the capital this morning on the back of a truck before it was launched in the River Thames in preparation for the Queen's 60th Jubilee celebrations.

The boat was then put through its paces on the river before a pageant of more than 1,000 boats will sail on June 3 to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty's reign.

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My Comment: Nice .... and suitable for Royalty.

The 191-Foot Superyacht Unbridled

via Boat International

This $46 Million Superyacht Can Go From LA to Tokyo On One Tank Of Fuel -- Business Insider

The 191-foot superyacht Unbridled is now available for purchase by a lucky person with $46 million to spare.

With a range of just under 7,000 miles (that's 5,900 nautical miles for the seafarers out there) from her 34,000 gallon tank, Unbridled can make the journey from Los Angeles to Tokyo on one tank of fuel and still have some miles to spare.

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My Comment: The inside of this yacht oozes class.

Steve Jobs Was Designing His Own Superyacht

Steve Jobs’s Unfinished Luxury Feadship Superyacht -- CEO.com

Updated: What is French designer Philippe Starck working on for Apple? Prior to his death, Apple CEO Steve Jobs was working with Starck on a yacht. And this is very likely the “fairly, if not very, revolutionary” project he was talking about. To be built by luxury superyacht builder Feadship, the yacht is believed to have a very minimalist and sleek design with a main feature being 40 foot long glass walls. And Starck has been involved in its design.

Mentioned in the New York Times from Walter Isaacson’s new biography of Steve Jobs, which was released last Monday, the late Apple leader was working on creating his very own Feadship superyacht. Jobs didn’t like the normal yacht designs so he decide to design it himself, not a surprise, creating a super luxurious yacht to rival his good friend and fellow yachtsman Larry Ellison.

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Update: Steve Jobs Was Designing His Own Luxury Superyacht -- Complex Rides

My Comment: It would definitely be one of a kind.

The Super Yacht 'Arianna'

Photo Courtesy of Delta Marine

Super Yacht, Arianna Debuted by Delta Design Group -- Justluxe

A beam of 34 feet, four, full decks, and 7,500 square feet of living area is just the beginning of the luxury yacht that was christened Arianna by the Delta Design Group. Her successful debut makes Arianna the largest all composite 50m, full-displacement motor yacht in the world. However, Arianna was designed with more than just size in mind. Her interior boasts a high degree of both simple beauty and elegance utilizing a variety of rare woods, such as Mascassar ebony, Koa, and Wenge. Her designers also incorporated Polynesian and Balinese inspired décor, like the solid slab dining room table, that bring a natural component to the contemporary sleekness of the vessel.

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My Comment: She is a beaut.

Darth Vader's Home On The Water

Courtesy Wally Yachts

The $33 Million Wally 118 Is Darth Vader's Home On The Water -- Business Insider

t seems that the majority of modern yachts all have the same outward appearance, and the main option is what size you would like your ship to be.

There are a select few yacht makers that build boats that look like absolutely nothing else on the water.

Monaco-based Wally is one of those makers, and the 118 is its most outrageous ship.

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My Comment: Not my style .... but I am impressed by the speed that this yacht can attain (70mph).