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 Italian Sea Group has launched the 72-meter Admiral Armani megayacht, marking the first vessel designed in collaboration with Giorgio Armani. The ceremony took place at the company's Marina di Carrara facility, attended by representatives from the Armani Group, local authorities, and project team members.This yacht represents the first of two projects fully designed by Giorgio Armani, featuring distinctive exterior styling and interior design by Armani/Casa. The collaboration with The Italian Sea Group's Centro Stile combines minimalist aesthetics with advanced naval engineering.Key design elements include geometric volumes with curved surfaces, satin aluminum and steel detailing, and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. The upper decks incorporate open-air lounges and a helicopter landing area. Interior materials feature Black Marquinia marble, golden Calacatta, and Canaletto walnut, complemented by custom lighting and fabrics."This yacht represents the confluence of Giorgio Armani's poetic elegance and The Italian Sea Group's technical excellence," said Giovanni Costantino, Founder & CEO of The Italian Sea Group.The Admiral Armani 72m will make its official debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2025. The vessel measures 72 meters in length and represents a new direction in luxury yacht design through the Armani collaboration. Technical specifications and performance details were not disclosed in the announcement.The Italian Sea Group is a global operator in the luxury yachting industry, listed on Euronext Milan (“EXM”) and active in the construction and refit of motor yachts and sailing yachts up to 140 meters. The Company, led by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Costantino, operates on the market with the brands Admiral, renown for elegant and prestigious yachts, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, and Picchiotti; the Company has a business unit, NCA Refit, that manages the maintenance and refit services for yachts and mega yachts with a length over 60 meters. Credit: Giuliano Sargentini/The Italian Sea Group
May 7, 2025
Silent Yachts has announced its 24-meter flagship solar-electric catamaran, the SY80, is approaching completion. The Italian builder recently launched two SY62 3-Deck Open models and one SY62 3-Deck Closed variant from its Fano shipyard as part of its plan to deliver 10 yachts in 2025.The SY80 will be available in three customizable configurations: 2-Deck, 3-Deck Open, and 3-Deck Closed. The model retains the sustainable features of Silent Yachts' smaller vessels while offering increased volume, accommodating up to 12 guests. Key features include an open layout, spacious staterooms, and ample storage for water toys."We can accommodate a very high number of different configurations, making the yacht of your dreams into a lived reality," said Silent Yachts CEO Fabrizio Iarrera. Owners can opt for an on-deck master suite or an open-plan salon with the master cabin below deck.Performance specifications include a top speed of 12 knots, cruising speeds of 7-8 knots, and battery capacities of 522 kWh or 696 kWh. The solar array peaks at 22.4 kWp, supporting near-zero-emission operation.The SY80 2-Deck variant will debut at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival (September 9-14), with sea trials expected in the coming weeks.Silent-Yachts is producing the world’s first fully solar-sustainable oceangoing production catamaran yachts. They are powered exclusively by solar energy and capable of cruising up to 100 miles per day. In 2009, founders Heike and Michael Köhler, who have spent 6,000 days cruising more than 75,000 miles all around the world, launched the Solarwave 46, the first fully self-sufficient blue-water catamaran after years of testing solar-powered propulsion, and they have been building boats ever since. Credits: Silent-Yachts
May 7, 2025
The 52-meter sportfisher Special One, built by Royal Huisman with design by Vripack, has received the Judges' Special Award at the 20th World Superyacht Awards in Venice. The yacht competed in the Best Motor Yacht – Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts 50m+ category.Judges described Special One as "spectacularly different," with one noting: "She is truly special! This yacht is so unusual, so different and so successfully done." The award recognizes the vessel's unique combination of sportfishing capabilities and luxury amenities.Vripack's co-creative director Bart Bouwhuis commented: "The owner's desire to build one of the coolest and challenging boats to ever hit water was unwavering from the outset." The design maintains traditional American sportfisher proportions while incorporating innovative features like a 28m² fish cockpit, DJ station, and cinema with rising projector screen.Interior highlights include walnut and oak finishes, a 237-piece parquet dining floor, and a sky lounge with custom blue glass chandelier. Technical innovations include laser-powered fiberglass exterior lighting.The World Superyacht Awards ceremony took place in May 2025, honoring exceptional vessels in the global luxury yacht market. Special One represents Royal Huisman's first sportfisher project and Vripack's largest motor yacht design to date.Royal Huisman is a Dutch shipyard established in 1884 in Ronduite, building and refitting custom luxury sailing and motor yachts at its shipyard in Vollenhove, the Netherlands.Credit: Guillaume Plisson, all provided by Vripack
May 7, 2025
The upcoming South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show 2025 at Ocean Village Marina in Southampton will showcase several world and UK premieres from leading marine manufacturers. The event, scheduled for May 9-11, will highlight new models across both power and sail categories with a focus on innovation and sustainable technologies.Among the notable debuts, Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding will present the Hardy 45 European, making its world premiere. The 45-foot vessel combines offshore capabilities with inland waterway navigation, powered by twin Yanmar 440hp engines reaching speeds up to 28 knots. Dave Cockwell, Founder and Sales Director, stated: "Our all-new Hardy 45 European provides an extraordinarily luxurious and secure environment for ocean crossings and long-distance cruising."Hardy 45The show will introduce four models to the UK market for the first time, including the BENTE28 sailing yacht with its distinctive IMOCA-style dodger, the high-speed Delta 33 Coupé from Sweden, the modular Axopar 29 Sun Top adventure boat, and the versatile Saxdor 340 GTWA walkaround cruiser.Hanse 360Additional show debuts will feature the award-winning Hanse 360 sailing yacht, recently named European Yacht of the Year 2025, alongside the FJORD 39 XL powerboat and the Absolute 47 Fly flybridge cruiser. The Hanse 360 offers an optional sustainable sail package using recycled materials.Absolute 47 FlyTim Mayer, Sales and Marketing Director at MDL Marinas, commented: "Each year the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show grows in scale and significance." The event will display over 90 boats both in-water and shoreside at the Harbour Hotel Southampton location.Credits: South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show
May 6, 2025
Benetti has launched FB287, a fully customized 67-meter steel yacht from its B.Now series featuring the Oasis Deck® design. The vessel represents Benetti's steel-hulled superyacht expertise, with exterior design by RWD and interiors by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. Engage Maritime served as owner's representative throughout the project."The launch of FB287 demonstrates the capabilities of the Benetti shipyard and the possibilities for clients to realize their ultimate expression of the yachting lifestyle," said Daniela Petrozzi, Benetti Sales Director.Key customizations include a rectangular elevator, marble guest staircase with glass balustrade, widened corridors, and multiple pool areas - an infinity pool on the Oasis Deck®, a spa pool on the observation deck, and a reflecting pool with waterfall effect on the owner's deck. The yacht features a lower-deck spa complex with sauna and steam room, a main deck saloon with grand piano, and an entire upper deck dedicated to the owner's private use.Originally conceived with light beach house interiors, FB287's owner requested a darker, richer aesthetic inspired by Gatsby-era styling. The final design incorporates woods like sycamore, ebony, and macassar, along with specialty marbles and metal detailing. Despite the dramatic style change from initial concepts, the design maintains seamless flow between interior and exterior spaces through coordinated material selections.Following launch, FB287 will undergo sea trials before scheduled delivery this summer. The project marks Benetti's successful adaptation of its B.Now platform to meet specific owner requirements while maintaining the series' signature indoor-outdoor living philosophy.Founded in 1873, Benetti is the oldest Italian shipyard specializing in luxury yachts. Benetti designs, builds and sells composite vessels from 29 to 44m and steel and aluminum boats from 37 to over 100m. The fleet consists of five categories: Class, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now and Custom to meet all the needs of the market. Benetti belongs to the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest privately owned luxury yachting group in the world.Credits: Giuliano Sargentini/Benetti
May 6, 2025