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.
A young company Zeelander Yachts founded in 2002 in the Netherlands by Sietse Koopmans. He would like to create a sports cruiser design driven by boating experience alone. Following this concept, the yacht should be composed of curved surfaces so that, depending on which angle the sun shined on the hull, you’d see something new. The shipyard uses the highest quality materials inside and out. The first hull Z44 launched in 2008 at the Monaco Yacht show and impressed so many people who’d like to see closer this project despite that it was much larger yachts. Over thirty hulls sold within 3 years at US and Europe market. The second larger model Z55 delivered in 2015. Together with the designer Cor D. Rover, the Zeelander team pushed forward of yacht design through innovative engineering. They worked on combining a fantastic performance with the smoothest ride, the finest luxuries with the best possible equipment. They produced very stick to memory hulls which once you see, you never forget. Now Zeelander unveiled the new flagship yacht 22-metres Z72. “An S-Shaped deck line, a wider stern and even more curved surfaces. The exterior design inspired by the way Porsche has its designs over time. A legendary icon is what we envision for the Z72. true yacht building is a form of art. This is our craft ”, says Leonardo van den Berg, Commercial Director at Zeelander Yachts. Her actual model ’s length is 20.2 meters and it surpasses 22 meters with a large swim platform open, while her beam measures 6 meters. Z72 has a stylish luxury décor, huge panoramic windows, glass ceiling in saloon and many social areas for the best possible on board. “The biggest JL sound system on all spaces—helm, galley, aft deck, foredeck, staterooms and even the swimming platform,” says Floris Koopmans, marketing coordinator at Zeelander. On the main deck, guests can enjoy the open bar and alfresco dining. Accommodation will be in three en-suite staterooms: two cabins with queen berths and the forward master-suite with a king-size bed. This Porsche-designed yacht offers a quite sportive character, her maximum speed is around 40 knots with Volvo Penta IPS engines.The first Z72 is going to launch before the end of this year. Zeelander Yachts will take part in many events in 2019, the nearest is the Palm Beach International Boat Show from March 28 to 31. @Photos by Zeelander Yachts
March 25, 2019
100-metre superyacht concept Crossbow revealed by Italian studio Hydro Tec at the end of 2018 as their largest concept so far, has been now taken on by Italian shipyard and part of the Palumbo Group, ISA Yachts.From the moment on, the vessel will represent ISA Yachts Sport Coupé line and will be conceived of as the brand’s flagship.Crossbow will be built of aluminium hull and superstructure within a beam of 12,5 metres, boasting arrow-like, sleek and sporty design. One of her key distinctive features is a draught of 3,5 meters that is very unusual for a yacht of her size. That will allow Crossbow easily reach even very shallow waters.Her huge 135-square-metre beach club is another important design feature, along with infinity pool on the upper deck, Jacuzzi, cinema and piano lounge, a separate owner’s deck as well as helipad and spacious tender garage. The latter can play host to a couple of 9,5-metre tenders and four Jet Skis.What is more, the yacht’s bow will easily transform into sunbathing and entertainment zone when at anchor. Meanwhile, the wheelhouse is unconventionally located at the uppermost deck, giving room on the main deck to a double-height atrium faced forward.As to her speed limits, powered by two MTU 16V 4000 M93L engines, Crossbow will boast a top speed of approximately 25 knots. This determined Crossbow’s "speed in mind" interior design with fixed furniture protected from the wind.Crossbow’s accommodation capacity makes up to 16 guests within 8 doubles, while the lower deck is fitted to accommodate the staff of 32 members.According to Hydro Tec, after the Monaco Yacht Show the studio has been facing a growing interest from the builders in the concepts inspired by Crossbow design. "After the Monaco Yacht Show this year we received even more interest to develop new designs based on the core principles of project Crossbow," they comment.OKTOFor the moment, the largest vessel built buy ISA Yachts remains 66,4-metre OKTO launched in 2014.
March 25, 2019
The Riva yachts announced that its current 50-metre flagship had been taken to the water at the company’s Ancona Superyachts Devision on March 23. The vessel christened Race by her Italian owner, exceeds the previous 37,5-metre Riva flagship Fora (ex. Sol) by 12 metres.According to Riva, Race with her “peerless standards of aesthetics” represents a worthy heritage of the brand’s traditional style and innovation. Her design was inspired by series steel motor yachts Caravelle and Atlantic introduced by Carlo Rivo himself in the 1960s and ‘70s.“This yacht and her unique magnificence, amplified by her impressive size, represents a remarkable achievement for the Riva Superyachts Division, which has built the biggest Riva ever made while meeting and enhancing the brand’s signature stylistic excellence. From the tiniest details to the breathtaking design, this 50-meter yacht is a treasure of beauty, illuminated by a legendary 177-year history and accompanied by an ultra-contemporary vision of yacht building Ferretti Group CEO, Alberto Galassi.Riva 50m project was developed in collaboration with Riva’s exclusive long-time partner Officina Italiana Design headed by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta. She features a maximum beam of 9 meters and a draft of 2,5 metres. This contributes to her interior volume of 499 tons spread over 4 decks.One of the yacht’s trademarks is her large beach club at the stern hosting both relaxation zone and as a tender garage able to store a Williams Dieseljet 625. The bow houses a living area as well as a second garage with a hatch that opens to reveal a rescue boat. At the foredeck, there are two jet-skis to be found, fitted with a carbon davit for easy launching. The sun deck is completed by a Jacuzzi, a sun pad and an area for dining and relaxing.Race will be able to accommodate up to 12 guests on-board in a master suite and luxurious VIP cabin on the main deck, plus another 4 VIP suites on the lower deck. The latter also hosts 4 cabins for the crew.The vessel is scheduled to debute at the Venice Boat Show in June, further proceeding to Monaco Yacht Show. As to other company’s latest activities, it has recently held a colourful launch of its Riva 90 Argo in Miami.
March 25, 2019
Yacht Harbour takes a look over the best images from the social media world from the past week.#1. 156m DilbarPhoto by @ronraffetyKnown during her highly secretive build as Project Omar, the 156-meter yacht was launched at Lurssen facility in 2015. She became Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov's third yacht and the third yacht to bear the same name Dilbar, after the businessman’s mother.With her gross tonnage of 15.917 tons, she has officially become the world's largest yacht by volume.Diblar boasts exterior design by Espen Oeino and interior styling by Andrew Winch. Dilbar features a combined 3,800 square meters of living space, being able to host up to 40 guests and a crew of 80.#2. 85,6m AquilaPhoto via @theyachtmogulFormerly known as Cakewalk, this 85-metre yacht was sold to her current owner at an asking price of €119,000,000 at the end of 2014, followed by 12-month refit for 12 months at Pendennis in the UK and her name changed to Aquila.The largest yacht built in the United States since the 1930s, she has now become the largest yacht to be refitted in the UK with improvements focusing on the interior. For instance, the owner's stateroom was entirely remodelled and a 60 sqm private deck was added.#3. 77m Go by Turquoise YachtsPhoto by @ronraffetyRegarded as modern classics, Go sports a fluidly sinuous exterior profile complemented by a rich contemporary interior, both developed London- based H2 Yacht Design. Her turquoise painted hull enhances the connection to the sea and is unified by a “water in motion” narrative that influenced the interior colours, metallic finishes, fabrics, textiles, and stonework.All the tenders and toys, including the 5,5-metre rescue tender, are painted the yacht’s signature turquoise hull colour.#4. 43m Infinity III (ex. Cheers 46)Infinity III was built by Benetti in 2014 with an interior designed by Redman Whitley Dixon and exterior styling by Stefano Righini. She was sold in July, 2018 asking $13,450,000. Amongst her key features are a Jacuzzi and an ample lounging area located on the bow of the yacht, a fully-equipped gym with a sea view and a spacious sitting area for entertaining located on the main deck.This 42,67 motor yacht offers accommodation to 10 guests in 5 cabins on-board. Powered by MTU engines of 3460 HP each, she can reach her maximum speed oat 22 knots and a cruise comfortably at 18 knots.#5. 85.5m M/Y Vibrant CuriosityPhoto by @yacht.photographyThis yacht was built in collaboration between the Dutch shipyard Oceanco and the Italian Nuvolari & Lenard design house, working both in the yacht’s exteriors and interiors. She was built in 2009, featuring a beam of 14,2 m and a draft of 4 m, steel hull and aluminium superstructure. With her gross tonnage of 2000 tones, Vibrant Curiosity can accommodate 14 guests in 7 cabins on-board.As to Vibrant Curiosity' speeding options, powered by MTU 6V 595 TE70 engines of 4680 HP each, she reaches a maximum speed at 18.5 knots and cruises at 17 knots for 5500 nautical miles.
March 22, 2019
Espen Oeino was born and brought up in Norway. Completing naval architecture studies in Normandy, he further worked his way from employment with UK designer Martin Francisto to building his own renowned design company based in Monaco. Espen Oeinio is nowadays considered one of the most influential exterior designers in the yachting world, with his project REV, the largest vessel ever, currently being built in Norway. Yacht Harbour takes a look over some of his most legendary works.#1. Ocean VictoryLength: 140 mBuilder: FincantieriYear: 2014Ocean Victory was built for Russian billionaire steel magnate, Victor Rashnikov and delivered in 2014. At the time of delivery, she was the largest superyacht constructed in Italy and the 9th largest yacht in the world.This seven-deck vessel is packed with such alluring features as 6 pools spread out over her 7 decks, an internal foldable dock hosting a 14-metre tender, a helideck with lifting platform and internal helicopter hangar and a spacious (over 300 m2) spa zone. As to accommodation capacity, she can house up to 36 guests on-board.#2. DilbarLength: 156 mBuilder: LurssenYear: 2016Currently the world's largest yacht by gross tonnage with 15,917 GT of interior volume, Dilbar has once redefined the notion of space in yachting. She became Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov's, valued by Forbes at $16 billion, third yacht and the third yacht to bear the same name, after the businessman's mother.With the yacht’s beam of 23 meters and a deep draft of 6 meters, cabling used on board stretches over 1,100 km with guests and owner's spaces totally combined to 3,800 square meters of living space. What is more, Dilbar was the largest yacht, featuring a diesel electric power plant from an engineering standpoint.Ever since her delivery in 2016, Dilbar has been drawing great attention of press as well as social media users around the globe. Her travels throughout the Mediterranean have been essentially documented, with photos of her taken from almost every possible angle.#3. REVLength: 182,9mBuilder: VARDYear: 2021Nothing less than the largest superyacht in the world once completed, this is one of the recent ambitious projects designed by Oeinio. REV is currently taking shape at the VARD shipyard in Tulcea, Romania.Built for environmental research missions in partnership with WWF Norway, the Research Expedition Vessel (REV) will also be available for charter for recreational purposes and expeditions.By virtue of her purpose, REV is designed for long-term operation in remote and harsh waters without external support, able to operate autonomously for up to 114 days. The ship will be equipped with laboratories and hi-tech instruments for exploration of the entire marine ecosystem, able to analyse, document and collect. REV’s robust exterior lines and modern features ensure she is able to cruise in both arctic and tropical areas alike, with her hull built to ICE PC 6 for navigation in ice. The yacht will also deploy mini-submarines and actual submarines, drones and helicopter, while overhead cranes can lift and launch equipment weighing up to 20 T over the side.With a beam of 22 metres, REV will also become the largest yacht in the world by gross tonnage of 16,000GT, reportedly overtaking Alisher Usmanov's Dilbar by 100 GT. When in expedition, the vessel will be able to accommodate up to 90 people including the crew. #4. DreAMBoatLength: 90mBuilder: OceancoYear: 2019According to the information from social media, DreAMBoat was built for US billionaire and owner of the Atlanta Falcons NFL team Arthur Blank, who is valued at $4.7 billion by Forbes. Her delivery is scheduled to summer 2019.DreAMBoat is trademarked with generous overhangs from the superstructure and cut outs in the bulwarks lending her classic and strong appearance. The vessel’s exterior features numerous large windows offering panoramic views. Swimming pool aft at the main deck, a partially closed sundeck with Jacuzzi and plenty of seating and entertainment zones and a private Jacuzzi at the Owner’s deckHer impressive interior volume of 2,950 GT allows accommodation for 23 guests on-board, along with up to 33 crew members.#5. Silver FastLength: 77mBuilder: Silver YachtsYear: 2015The vessel represents one of the most advanced and eco-fuel efficient vessels built by Silver Yachts. She is one of the world's largest and fastest aluminium motor yacht with conventional propulsion in terms of length to speed ratio. Silver Fast is capable of crossing the Atlantic at approximately 22 knots cruising speed. Silver Fast’ alluring amenities include a winter garden, helipad, outdoor cinema, Jacuzzi with capacity for 8 people, a spa area fitted with sauna, steam room, beauty salon and a gym. She can accommodate up to 18 guests in 8 cabins on-board.#6. SolandgeLength: 85,1mBuilder: LurssenYear: 2013The yacht that won the Monaco Yacht Show Award for Best Exterior Design in 2014. Espen Oeino has created harmonious lines and balanced proportions for the yacht, encasing a vast selection of outdoor living, dining and entertainments zones.Solandge’ panoramic top deck plays host to a beach club area with customised dance floor, Jacuzzi and a bar while the bridge deck is ideal for relaxation and casual al fresco dining with a spacious seating area. On the bridge deck, there is also a fully-equipped health spa featuring massage room, sauna and gymnasium leading out onto a glass-edged plunge pool.The yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests in 7 staterooms on-board, including a panoramic master deck featuring 180 degree windows, and a private deck with spa pool.At the moment of sale in 2017, Solandge was asking €155,000,000.#7. Flying FOXLength: 130mBuilder: LurssenYear: 2018Delivered in March, 2019, Flying Fox is the world’s 14th largest yacht at the moment of writing. Nonetheless, she boasts the most elegant and graceful exterior design, maintaining striking looks despite her massive volume of 9,100 GT.This superyacht’s key features include two helipads, capable of hosting the largest helicopters. Another highlight of the vessel is the large swimming pool located aft of the main deck. Flying Fox also boasts vast sea terraces, swim platforms for watersports.#8. KismetLength: 95,2mBuilder: LurssenYear: 2014This superyacht is owned by Shadid Khan, Pakistani-American billionaire and business tycoon, who is also the owner of the Fulham FC and Jacksonville Jaguars.Kismet is stretching over five decks, designed with corporate entertainment and charter in mind, thus suitable for parties of up to 270 guests. As an innovative feature, Kismet boasts video walls, extending up to two decks high, able to show regular television but programmed to display high-definition moving artwork.A large swimming pool and Jacuzzi area, spa zone, movie theatre, an outdoor fireplace and winter garden can be found among the yacht’s luxury amenities.The yacht’s entertainment and design characteristics have been attracting top artists and events on-board. For example, Jay-Z and Beyonce were spotted on-board last year, while Netflix filmed Kismet in party scene from its biggest production so far, "Six Underground".#9. OctopusLength: 126,2mBuilder: LurssenYear: 2003At the time of writing, Octopus remains the largest explorer yacht in the world, not surpassed in 16 years from her launch. She belonged to Paul Allen, one of Microsoft founders, who passed away in late 2018. Allen once described his yacht: "Octopus is less a Bentley than a Range Rover".As part of this, the yacht is fitted with two submarines, one of which can dive for up to 8 hours with 10 people on it; the second submarine can be remotely controlled. Octopus is capable of accommodating 26 guests in total, with up to 57 crew members. Other amenities found on-board include a second helipad, a swimming pool and a music studio as well as a courtyard-like set up on the third deck of Octopus occupied by guest space.Despite her expedition nature, the yacht has been much favoured by the world’s first-class celebrities, with Mick Jagger recording an album in on-board studio in 2011 and Usher, U2 and Johnny Cash listed among other performers.
March 22, 2019