Trump's election as president of the United States marked a number of firsts, including the institution of what has historically become the wealthiest cabinet ever in existence in America. The billionaire's effect on politics and policy has become the subject of many international debates, yet his interests in yachting tend to be less talked about but remain no less fascinating when coupled with his administration.
In his former life as a billionaire businessman, Trump not only owned an 86m superyacht as well as a shipyard for a brief period of time, but he also ordered the world's largest yacht, although it was never completed. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, with a net worth estimated at $1,5 billion, and her family have been linked to no less than 13 yachts over the years.
In 1980, the late Saudi businessman and arms dealer, Adnan Khashoggi took delivery of the 86 meter (282 ft) Nabila. Built by Benetti in Italy, she became the 8th largest yacht in the world and appeared in the 1983 James Bond movie, Never Say Never Again.
When Khashoggi, however, ran into financial problems, the Sultan of Brunei took possession of the yacht to cover one of his loans. The Sultan quickly flipped the yacht to Donald Trump for a reported $29 million in 1987. In an interview in 1988, Trump said he received a $1 million discount for agreeing to change the name from Nabila, Khashoggi's daughter.
Khashoggi probably spent $200 million building this yacht, probably the best yacht ever built. I purchased it for a business. I use it for my hotels. I use it for a lot of different charities.
After acquiring Nabila, Trump renamed the yacht to Trump Princess and had it refitted by Holland-based, Amels for a near $10 million according to the LA Times. The H on the helipad was also changed to a T to stand for Trump.
Spread into over 100 separate areas over five decks, Nabila was without a doubt one of the most complex yachts of her time. With luxurious materials including onyx used for her interior, the yacht was also ahead of her time from a technological standpoint. Remote controls were installs next to the bed for shades, room service, and the entertainment center.
Amongst the yacht's main feature was a hair salon with 3 separate chairs, a sauna, a private elevator for the owner, one for guests and one for the crew, a 2.4-meter in diameter spa pool with a waterjet behind bulletproof glass. Whilst still owned by Khashoggi, many arms deals were signed onboard the yacht.
In June 1989, Donald Trump announced that he would build a larger yacht, "something in excess of 400 feet long, closer to 500 feet" as he told Newsday and that he was accepting bids from yacht builders for this project. Amels, then owned by a group of 4 British investors, secured the deal to develop the 128-meter Trump Princess II according to NRC.
In May 1990, it was announced that Trump bought Amels altogether. At a press conference in Makkum in 1990, Jeff Walker, VP of Trump's investment empire, denied that the shipyard was sold due to the previous owner's financial difficulties, which some have said, resulted from Trump canceling the construction of the Trump Princess II.
In September 1990, two months after the acquisition, Trump sold Amels to American businessman, Peter Kutell according to Deseret News due to financial problems. At the same time, the Trump Princess was put up for sale and all work on the Trump Princess II stopped. In 1991, Trump Princess was sold to Prince Al-Waleed for $19 million who renamed the yacht to Kingdom 5KR.
The superstructure for Trump Princess II allegedly remained at the Amels Makkum facility until summer 2001 when it was eventually removed. According to sources familiar with the matter, the superstructure is still parked at the Makkum facility, now owned by Feadship De Vries and reportedly sometimes used as a bike parking space.
Although Trump never came back to yacht ownership, other members of his cabinet remained involved in the space to this day. Betsy DeVos, US Secretary of Education, and her husband have a combined net worth valued at $5,1 billion. Amongst their long list of assets are no less than 10 yachts and reportedly an interest in the shipyard that built them.
Delivered in 2008 by US shipyard, Westport, Seaquest measures 50 meters (162 ft) and was designed by Donald Starkey. Reaching a top speed of 24 knots, she is part of the Westport 164 series. Interestingly, she's also not the only Westport 164 linked to the DeVos family as the 50-meter Legacy is also reportedly owned by the family.
Whereas the actual construction price of this particular Westport is unknown, as is typical with the vast majority of new build yachts, a similar 50-meter Westport sold at an asking price of $29,950,000 in November 2016. It is standard for the final, actual price to be 30-40% lower to the asking price in yachting.
Delivered in 2011, Legacy is a slightly updated version of the Seaquest. According to the media, the DeVos family has a solid preference for Westport yachts, having reportedly owned several of them in the past years. In fact, the family may even have acquired a stake in the US yacht manufacturer according to SYF.
Amongst the Westports linked to the DeVos is a Westport 112 from 2003 and a Westport 130 from 2005. Their fleet also includes an 85ft Pacific Mariner ( a brand owned by Westport) called Sun Quest. Additionally, an 80ft Hatteras called Kitsune can also be found in their fleet according to the media.
Although the DeVos fleet may already sound expansive as it is now, the family hasn't always been buying Westports and went through a number of other yacht shipyards as well. One of these superyachts was the 53-meter sailing yacht Independence, delivered by Italian shipyard, Perini Navi in 1998.
The yacht has since been sold, renamed to Jasali II and made available for charter from €138,600 per week. Accommodating up to 10 guests in 5 cabins, she stretches over a beam of 11.4m and can cruise at up to 12 knots.
Prior to their long run with Westport, the DeVos have reportedly owned no less than five Feadships according to SYF, all of which have been named Enterprise. The first to qualify as a superyacht would become Enterprise II, a 116ft Feadship delivered in 1970 now known as Utopia II.
Although from a different era and with different standards, in the 1970s, Utopia II was a true superyacht for its time. Amongst her classical feature are a round aft with an open top deck, partly used to store its tenders. 10 years following her delivery, a new Enterprise was built by Feadship, this time measuring 131ft.
Now known as Seagull of Cayman following changes of ownership, she features several enhancements over the previous Enterprise. The most noticeable of these is a dedicated sundeck, an upper deck skylounge and a larger main salon aft of the main deck. Several weeks ago she was put again on the market at an asking price of €5,900,000.
Yet another improvement on Enterprise III, the 149ft Enterprise IV was also built by Feadship in 1985. Through the Enterprise line can be seen the growth of a niche industry into the superyacht sector it is today. Now known as Explora, the yacht features larger windows, a sleeker line and a swimming platform aft of the yacht, all of which weren't found on classical yachts.
The last Enterprise to be built was delivered by Feadship in 1993 and is today known as Chantal Ma Vie. Measuring 55-meters (179 ft) in length, she already was a good representation of the modern superyacht, featuring a sleek line, large sundeck, expansive lounges, spacious cabins, a swimming platform and purpose-built tenders. In 2010, she was sold at an asking price of $15,9 million to her current owner.
Although their effect on US policy can be polarising and debated throughout the world, the effect that Trump and member of his administration have had on yachting throughout the past decades has undoubtedly played an important role in growing the market to the point where it is today.
The 83m concept Comète comes from the A Group designer Thibaud Le Merdy and yachting director Matt Pegrum. <iframe width=560 height=315 src=https://www.youtube.com/embed/pjco2ulDBXA title=YouTube video player frameborder=0 allow=accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture allowfullscreen></iframe>This design is the result of the perfect balance between spaces open to the surrounding nature and refined, clean forms. Spaces of the yacht were created to be the closest to the sea and what she can offer, without any hindrance. For the exterior design, A Group has worked on a dynamic and the beautiful silhouette without any compromise.The green technologies are also an important part of the project. The creators were closely monitoring the development of hydrogen fuel cells for the project. In addition to batteries for peak shaving and waste heat-recovery systems (for heating the swimming pool and hot water), which are already proven, the yacht can have an all-around efficient energy production and storage system.Her well-engineered hull form and sleek design made of lightweight materials (to reduce propulsion requirements) remain the most effective way to control the environmental footprint of the yacht.The hybrid solution for reduced consumption also makes it possible to redistribute space on the boat, offering the best place of the boat for guests.Comète can accommodate fourteen guests in seven cabins. Her top speed is 16 knots. Credits: A Group
April 14, 2021
At the La Spezia shipyard, Sanlorenzo is starting construction on the first unit of the superyacht 57Steel, which aims to be one of the new stars of the Sanlorenzo range; she will be equipped with a hybrid diesel/electric engine system. A sophisticated superyacht with an extreme cleanliness of form (something all Sanlorenzo ranges have), she is distinguished by a straight bow, providing an image of importance and decisiveness. The new 57Steel is an ambitious project, the result of intense typological experimentation carried out by the shipyard together with Studio Zuccon International Project, which has led to the creation of a 56.70-meter-long yacht with five decks and a tonnage of 1000 GT.The volumes doubled compared to the 52Steel, which have made it possible to offer indoor and outdoor spaces that are decidedly out of the ordinary for a model of this size and with unprecedented functional content.The innovative layout alters the traditional balance on board: the wheelhouse area, normally forward of the upper deck, has been relocated to an additional deck – a real bridge deck, as on larger yachts – thus making it possible to use the upper deck from a different perspective. This is where the owner's cabin is located, a 54-square-metre space overlooking the very large owner's deck, a private deck from which to enjoy an exclusive view over the infinite sea.The new layout has also made it possible to create a spacious full-beam VIP cabin forward of the main deck that can be used as a second owner's cabin. "The versatility of use that distinguishes the spaces on board is a key element of the 57Steel, which makes it possible to satisfy the many requests of a diverse and multicultural market like that of superyachts,” says Bernardo Zuccon. “A model in which there is no ostentation of the brand and whose external lines are defined and extremely fluid, transparent and clear, in which the language of the shipyard shines through. We can define the 57 Steel as a skilful balancing act between content and container.”The swimming pool, with its transparent floor, allows the passage of light into the environment below; the beach area is 110 square meters. The garage is placed at the bow and can accommodate tenders of up to 7.5 m and numerous toys.Sanlorenzo was founded in 1985 in Viareggio by yacht builder Gionvanni Jannetti. In 2005, Massimo Perrotti became the majority shareholder in the shipyard. Sanlorenzo builds yachts ranging from 28.60 to 62m in length. Credits: Sanlorenzo
April 14, 2021
The Morning Glory is Perini Navi's 48m sailing superyacht, famous for having Australian media magnate Rupert Murdoch as a previous owner. This historic ketch, built in 1993 at the iconic Perini Navi shipyard in Viareggio, has been restored to her original splendor according to the wishes of her Italian owner. Through the Forza 5 company in Milan, Lusben was chosen to carry out the ten-year refit of the yacht.The Lusben team has painted the hull, living areas, and part of the aft cockpit. The generators were also replaced and almost half of the teak deck were refurbished. The refit went on for a total of five months and involved almost fifty workers in total, including direct employees and external suppliers who worked in cooperation with the crew. The owner is now ready to cruise the Mediterranean.Morning Glory is the first of six Perini Navi boats to be launched this season. The remaining five are currently undergoing refits at the Lusben facilities in Livorno and Viareggio, planned for delivery to their owners in the coming weeks.Lusben, with over 60 years of experience in the yacht refit sector, boasts facilities at which know-how, organization, attention to detail, and hospitality make up the foundation for the company philosophy. To further expand the range of services, in 2004 Lusben acquired a new site in Livorno in order to be able to operate on yachts of 120 meters in length. Credits: Lusben
April 14, 2021
Sea Coral 2 is the third hull in the award-winning Arcadia A105 series. Sea Coral 2 is a 31.5 m long, 7.76 m wide yacht. The hull and deck are built in fibreglass, while some of the veranda’s elements are made with aluminium. All this adds up with a full load displacement of 145 tonnes. The interior decor was created in collaboration with the owner's personal designer and the support of Milan-based Hot Lab firm. "Yet another achievement that underlines how, for Arcadia Yachts, furnishing does not simply mean placing a designer sofa or table on board – it means carefully choosing every detail to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of our yachts,” says Francesco Ansalone, Arcadia Yachts Marketing & Communications manager. "In the case of the Sea Coral 2, we enriched our experience working closely with the designer chosen by the owner and the professional support of Hot Lab design studio," he adds."Having carried out many prestigious projects in some of the most beautiful places in the world, such as Saint-Tropez, Paris, Formentera, Val d'Isère, Casa de Campo, etc. I had no doubts about accepting the task of working on board an Arcadia A105," says Alain Perrier, the owner's designer. “If there is one yacht that makes a difference, it is this one: low on the water, with a sleek profile and a modern design. The Arcadia A105 represents the art of experiencing relaxation, comfort and safety on board an exceptional yacht. That's why I wanted to preserve the spirit and concept of the shipyard, while adding the owner's personality through the decor."The open aft cockpit on the main deck is openThe living hall on the upper deckThe inner bow area of the main deck could be used either as an office or as a second VIP cabinThe large living area at the centre of the main deckAnother view of the main living area on the main deckOne of the twin guest cabins on the lower deck, where the entire sleeping area is locatedThe full-beam owner's cabinThe reverse view of the owner's cabin highlights the TV’s central position: the owner’s access to the bathroom is to the right, while the door to the left leads to the walk-in wardrobeAfter the first few months cruising in the Mediterranean Sea, Sea Coral 2 has crossed the ocean and is now in the Caribbean. Arcadia Yachts is based in Naples, Italy. Since 2008, they have been building semi-custom luxury composite yachts and have succeeded in perfectly integrating artisanal craftsmanship, modern technologies, attention to detail and to the surrounding environment. The Arcadia Yachts fleet has included two ranges since September 2016. The shipyard’s first and most characterising range is the A range, which includes four models (A85, A85s, A105, and A115).The Sherpa range has a new model, the 24m Sherpa XL, which was launched at the 2019 Cannes Yachting Festival. Credits: Arcadia Yachts/Alberto Cocchi
April 13, 2021
Camper & Nicholsons has announced the in-house sale of 48.77m Elaldrea+, with Fernando Nicholson and Tommaso Bilotta representing both the seller and the buyer.Delivered in October 2018 by Benetti, Elaldrea+ is a tri-deck yacht designed by Horacio Bozzo Design in partnership with the Benetti Style Department. With a six-stateroom arrangement and the capacity to accommodate twelve guests. She has a 60-square-meter owner’s suite with automatic sliding balcony door, and two 25-square-meter VIP suites. Her interior finishes make use of distinguished materials such as Canaletto walnut, Tanganyika woodwork and various marbles. Elaldrea+ also features a beach club and two separate pool areas: a 4-meter pool located on her 115 square meter flybridge and another forward of the wheelhouse that can be filled with either seawater or freshwater. This forward pool can also house a 3.4m crew tender, while the main garage can house a 6.3m tender. Her top speed is 16 knots, and she’s all ready for new adventures with her new owners.Credits: Camper & Nicholsons
April 13, 2021