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.
Brokerage company Moran Yacht & Ship has announced that 125-metre superyacht Project Gaja is sold. Moran is a project manager for this stee-hulled superyacht with an expected delivery in 2023 for a repeat client.Not much known yet about the exterior and interior designers , but it is already known that the yacht will accommodate up to 20 guests in 11 cabins, while crew quarters is for 40 people. Other key details include a beam of 18.5 metres and draught of 4.8 metres.125-metre in length, with a beam of 18.5 metres and draught of 4.8 metres, Project Gaja will be built in Northern Europe. Gaja will be equipped with all the perks superyachts have : a superyacht helipad, beauty salon, spa, sauna, swimming pool, indoor and outdoor cinema, dance floor, gym and elevator, storage room for all the imaginable toys and tenders.
January 23, 2019
Dutch shipyard Amels has announced the sale of a new 55-metre Amels 180 from the Amels Limited Editions range. Planned to be delivered in spring 2020, she will become the 25th Amels 180 delivered since shipyard Amels its Limited Editions to yacht building in 2007.“The owner will be exploring many destinations around the world,” comments Rutger Dolk from the Amels sales team. “He was looking for a yacht that was built to travel the world and that is exactly what Amels Limited Editions yachts offer. We’re looking forward to delivering this new Amels yacht to her owner in 2020.”Will Christie of Y.CO represented the buyer in this sale. Y.CO’s build team will also supervise the outfitting of the yacht. The Tim Heywood design will be completed with custom interiors by Laura Sessa.“The sale of the 25th Amels 180 is a milestone because it demonstrates the strength of our Limited Editions proposition,” notes Director Sales Rob Luijendijk. “When we first introduced our concept of fast delivery with custom interiors and a standardised technical platform more than a decade ago, I don’t think anyone expected that the market would develop so quickly. A big factor in our success is our determination to keep pushing ourselves, evolving and tailoring each Limited Editions yacht to meet each client’s unique requirements. Each yacht has its own character and the next one will, too.”The Amels Limited Editions range has grown with six designs from 55-metres to 83-metres. In total Amels has sold 40 Amels Limited Editions yachts since 2007.
January 23, 2019
Sunseeker International has announced their new model Project 8X, with a fresh design direction of Sunseeker's new generation of larger models and shows the company's passion for bringing more exciting products to market. Project 8X boasts latest cutting-edge design and innovative process of build, which drastically differs from the current Sunseeker range. She has striking lines, incredible volume for her size, a sophisticated open-plan interior and a new concept of beach club concept, offering four times the are of a traditional bathing platform design. A key feature to be found throughout the yacht is the ample exterior space; designed with entertainment in mind, she offers plentiful seating, dining and sunbathing options across multiple spaces, all with new recessed ambient lighting central to their appeal.Project 8X is set to surprise and delight at every turn. Every single element has been carefully considered in meticulous detail, exuding a sophistication and detail hitherto only found in custom superyachts.Commenting on the launch of Project 8X, Sean Robertson, Sales Director at Sunseeker International, said: “We are immensely excited about the launch of this project which we believe will dictate this sector for years to come. Her exterior and interior are fundamentally very different from the current range. Sunseeker prides itself on producing the world’s finest luxury performance motor yachts and the design and engineering behind Project 8X epitomises our next generation of larger models. Whilst each new model is still quintessentially and unmistakeably a Sunseeker, this exciting new yacht will, without doubt, reinvent the market when it launches next year.”
January 22, 2019
142-meter Project Redwood has been launched by Lurrsen. The details are coming from brokerage company Moran Yacht & Ship, which sold the yacht. This vessel is the largest yacht ever sold and built by a brokerage company in the history of yachting. Designed by the team at Nuvolari & Lenard, Project Redwood is being built to a Moran Yacht & Ship specification and her construction is being overseen by them.Image courtesy of Moran Yacht & ShipIn September, 2015 Project Redwood's sale was announced, as a 139-meter project. Now, she's 3 metre longer and boasts six deck, as well as other features, such as sports and diving centre, a large swimming pool, two helipads and a whole bunch of tenders. Completion is scheduled in 2020.Nuvolari & Lenard created her interior design, which will be able to accommodate up to 36 guests in 20 staterooms. The yacht will also be able for long-range and efficient global explorations. More details coming soon.
January 22, 2019
A new Chase Boat has entered the market and it’s quickly climbed the ranks to our number one spot, says Chase Tenders.We’re finding it difficult to find another Chase Boat that offers the perfect mix of boating and hospitality like that of the AXOPAR 37 Sun-top. High-build quality, unique in design and versatile, the Sun-Top is ideal for owners, guests and crews alike.If you’ve ever asked yourself the question ‘How does a Chase Boat benefit us more than a traditional garaged tender or RIB?’ we think the Sun-Top might be the answer. We understand that, in the world of 35 foot plus superyacht tenders, there’s a broad range of high-quality boats, all promising stand-out features that can quickly turn heads. So, to make things easier, we’ve broken down why the AXOPAR 37 Sun-Top is the Chase Tender team’s Chase Boat of choice for the coming season. Let’s start with the space on deck, offering a range of different social dimensions. The Sun-Top offers an extended length roof when compared to its T-Top counterpart; offering maximum shade and weather protection, and with a full-length Sunbrella canvas section that can be opened with ease, you can quickly turn it into an open boat. You can choose a manually-controlled canopy or upgrade to the fully electrical or fully enclosed options.Underneath the Sun-Top, there are seven fixed seating positions which can be arranged to be forward facing, or seated around a central dining table. The Sun-Top also benefits from a large foredeck seat, where you can sit back and relax or use as a sunbed. With such a large amount of deck space available, the Sun-Top provides an easy walkaround side deck, allowing guests, especially younger ones, to access all parts of the boat comfortably and safely, a standout feature compared to other typical Chase Boats of this size.You can choose to add the optional aft cabin, though as standard, the vessel offers a well-equipped double forecabin featuring a toilet, sink and air-conditioning (if specified). The aft offers a sunbed above, or you can choose a wet-bar with fridge, electric grill and sink in its place. On top of that, the vessel offers up to two drawer-type refrigerators on deck along with two large storage lockers, which holds enough food & drink for all-day hospitality. This is ideal for owners and guests pursuing an al-fresco dining experience wherever and whenever they can.For guests, there is a large amount of deck space aft and a boarding ladder, coupled with a ski frame, making the Sun-top a fantastic choice for watersports enthusiasts. This not only means you have very satisfied guests, but ensures the parent vessel as a package stands out as an exceptional charter amongst its competitors. Chase Tenders has also successfully equipped many Sun-Top models with a bow towing eye, allowing flexibility to conserve its fuel during passage making, or for all crew to be available on the parent vessel.When comparing it to the competition, the AXOPAR 37 Sun-Top comes equipped with a well specified list of options, a pair of Mercury Verado 350HP outboards (capable of 45 knots), delivery and commissioning for circa €210,000 plus TAX. Compare this to an Ex. works, Ex. TAX price of €580,000 for a Wally Tender. When you take into consideration the need to update tenders on a regular basis due to high hours, wear and the need to keep the parent vessel’s treasure chest new and appealing, the Sun-Top certainly offers excellent value.The 37 Sun-Top is available to order from Chase Tenders ready for the 2019 season!Favourite features:· Forecabin - All 37 models have a spacious and bright forecabin with lounge seating, a queen size bed, a fixed cupboard and a toilet with privacy curtains.· Sunbed on Foredeck - The foredeck features a large sunbed with cup holders and optional cushions· Adjustable table in Cockpit - The 37 TT and ST models are fitted with an adjustable table in the cockpit. The front seats can be turned to face the sofa for entertaining 7 guests by the table.· Day Cruiser Aft Cabin - All models can be equipped with a day cruiser cabin on aft deck sleeping 2 persons with twin flush Lewmar roof hatches and side windows.· Walk-around Deck - All 37 models feature a walk-around deck for easy handling and access.· Sun-Top with Sliding Canvas Section - The 37 Sun-Top gets its name from the huge sliding canvas mid section which lets you either enjoy the sunshine in the cockpit or shield yourself from strong sunlight and heat.What clients say:Tristan Mortlock, Captain of MY AWOL:"We bought "Chasing AWOL" (AXOPAR 37 ST) from Chase Tenders beginning of 2018. It was a very easy, pleasant and smooth experience. We are very happy with the result and very happy with the boat. It's been a great addition to the mother ship and we highly recommend it as a chase boat to any vessel. Big thank you to Chase Tenders, we're looking forward to a great summer".Jonathan Wiehahn, Tender Captain of MY Mischief“I’ve had the pleasure of captaining a 37 AXOPAR for the summer. She’s been a great tender and easy to manage and manoeuvre.On the managing side, as it’s a fairly basic boat, there is not much to go wrong. Everything is in an accessible place so doing my morning checks of bilges and all systems it was easy. I really like the improvements from the previous AXOPAR to the current one we have.In calm weather she gets up on the plane easily and just glides through the water. Get the trim tabs correct and trim the engines and you can easily do 48 knots. In slightly heavier conditions you just need to get your angle into the swell right and she just rides right over with easy, keeping guests dry. And close quarter manoeuvres she’s very easy to handle and with the bow thruster you can get into very tight spaces and make it look easy”.Sponsored by Chase Tenders
January 21, 2019