Famously known as the world's largest yacht by gross tonnage, ie interior volume, the 156-meter Dilbar has redefined the notion of space in yachting. The third yacht to bear the same name, she was delivered by Lurssen to her Russian billionaire owner in 2017.
The first Dilbar superyacht to be delivered to Alisher Usmanov, a billionaire investor whose net worth was valued by Forbes at $16 billion, became a 66-meter Oceanco. Launched in 2005 by the Dutch shipyard, the first Dilbar was a significant step forward for the yard thanks to the 66-meter's innovative features such as her spa pool and beach club. Both well ahead of their time.
With an interior by Alberto Pinto, she became one of the most sought-after yachts on the water. Her rounded aft as well as her impressive 1,801GT of interior volume made her stand out from the crowd on the exterior. Inside, amenities included a private cinema, spacious cabins on the main deck, a vast dinning room and a salon with a piano.
Shortly prior to the delivery of his second Dilbar, Usmanov renamed the 66-meter to Ona in 2008 and subsequently put her on the brokerage market. The yacht was then sold in 2010 to US oil mogul, William Kallop at an asking price of €59.9 million.
Lately, Natita was in the press following her being seized by Goldman Sachs from Kallop and then sold. The American oil veteran had taken out a $32 million loan against Natita and his other yacht, the 57-meter Bad Girl, from Goldman before stopping to service it with nearly $28 million still left on it.
The investment bank thus decided to seize the 66-meter yacht from Kallop in Palm Beach and put her on the market. Goldman quickly offloaded Natita from their books by selling the yacht at a final price of $39.9 million, hence covering Kallop's remaining payment on the loan.
Usmanov's second Dilbar became a 110-meter superyacht out of Germany. A close sistership to Pelorus, she was launched by Lurssen in June 2008 and became the world's 17th largest yacht in the world. In addition to this, she also became one of the first yachts on the water to have particle filters on her main engine exhausts.
Known throughout her build as Project Opal, the 110-meter featured some similarities in interior design and amenities with the first Dilbar. A large Jacuzzi with a glass wall and water feature was installed forward of the sundeck with a lounging area around it, both on the 110-meter and the Oceanco. A lounge with a bar and piano was also incorporated into both yachts as well as a private cinema.
The scale of the new superyacht, however, allowed for some new, ameliorated features such as a large owner's office with several meeting areas and lounging area that opens onto the upper aft deck. A separate, executive conference room was also built onboard with an unbeatable view onto the sea through floor-to-ceiling windows. Other improvements include a spacious gym and spa area.
After several years near the top of the list of the world's largest yachts, the Dilbar name leapfrogged onto the number spot with the delivery of the 156-meter behemoth that is now the fleet's flagship. One of yachting's most anticipated projects ever, Dilbar was launched in 2016 and boasted a gross tonnage of 15,917 confirmed by the shipyard.
Around the same time, the 110-meter was renamed from Dilbar to Ona and put on the brokerage market according to landing pages that had then sprung up on websites of superyacht brokers. These have since been taken offline, however, it is yet unknown if the owner of the 110-meter changed or if these simply updated their marketing strategy.
Photo by Josip Baresic
With an exterior design by Espen Oeino, Dilbar now has a gross tonnage of 15,917 tons, hence topping Al Said's 15,850 tons and Azzam's 13,136 tons. Notably, all three of these voluminous yachts were built by Lurssen that has kept fortifying its position as the main destination for megayacht construction.
Impressive facts about the new Dilbar flagship include her beam of 23 meters as well as her deep, 6-meter draft. Onboard over 1,100km of cables were stretched for all of the required wiring and set up. According to the shipyard, 3,800 square meters of living space were built on Dilbar.
Built in under 52 months from the time of signing of the contract to delivery, Dilbar was also the largest yacht ever to feature a diesel electric power plant from an engineering standpoint. This lets the 156-meter yacht get up to a cruising speed of 22.5 knots. Her hull and superstructure represented near 10,000 square meters of faired surfaces.
Ever since her delivery in 2016, Dilbar has drawn the attention of worldwide press as well as social media users around the globe. Her travels throughout the Mediterranean have hence been essentially documented by enthusiasts around the world with her photos now having been taken from nearly every possible angle.
In early 2017, it was reported that a 160-meter berth, the largest in the world, was sold in OneOcean Port Vell, Barcelona. Although the name of the acquirer of the long term lease that is set to last until 2036 wasn't released, Dilbar is statistically the only yacht that could have used the berth to its full potential, which it has indeed done during the off season.
Fully renovated in 2014 through a €100 million investment led by the UK-based Salamanca Group, OneOcean Port Vell has become a hype destination for large superyachts in recent quarters thanks to its newly built amenities. In 2017, they had reported a 742% spike in visits of 100m+ yachts. Later that year, the marina was acquired by Qatari investment bank, QInvest together with an investment fund beneficially owned by Russian billionaire, Vagit Alekperov.
Currently Russia's fifth richest man with a net worth of $16 billion according to Forbes, Alisher Usmanov was also featured as one of the most powerful people in the world on their 2016 ranking. Primarily known in yachting through the Dilbar fleet, Usmanov is best known in business circles as the main shareholder of USM Holdings.
USM's initial equity stakes primarily stem from the metal and industrial sectors. These have, however, over time diversified and now also include ownership of Megafon, one of Russia's largest telecom operators. To the United Kingdom, Usmanov is best known as one of the co-owners of the Arsenal football club.
To the tech community, Usmanov is one of the most successful investors in modern history, having made investments into companies such as Facebook, Alibaba and Mail.ru.
Photos via Superyachts Gibraltar, Yacht Harbour, Instagram
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The 32.7m yacht Exit Strategy has been sold by Denison Yachting's Drew Offerdahl and Russ Schafer who both introduced the buyer. Clint Matlock with Galati Yacht Sales represented the seller. The 32.7m Exit Strategy was delivered in 2006 by Hargrave and had a full refit in 2014. This family-friendly yacht can accommodate eight guests across four cabins, including a master suite, VIP suite, and port and starboard twins that convert to double cabins. Each stateroom comes with ensuite bathroom facilities. A favorite spot onboard Exit Strategy is the flybridge, which offers a comfortable and shaded socializing area. Guests can also set up a cabana on the bow.Her classic interior was made by Shelley. She has a top speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 17 knots.Exit Strategy was sold with a last known asking price of USD 3,700,000.Credits: Denison Yachting
December 1, 2021
The 37m Benetti Papaito is now available for charter with Northrop & Johnson. The luxury charter yacht will charter in the Bahamas in the summer and the Dominican Republic in the winter. Charters start at $125,000 per week, plus expenses.Papaito was delivered in 2009 with a refit in 2020, bringing her updates and upgrades throughout her interior and exterior. The motor yacht’s stabilizers allow for guest comfort when anchored or while underway.She offers a splendid charter yacht for groups of up to 10 people. The yacht’s contemporary interior areas and expansive exterior spaces make her ideal for on-water holidays. She has a classic Benetti styling across all her interior areas; from the main salon to the stunning staterooms, guests will feel the elegance of being onboard a luxury yacht. The yacht’s five sumptuous staterooms include a full-beam master suite with a king-size bed, two with queen-size beds and two with twin-size beds. The yacht’s tri-deck layout is a functional feature for optimal privacy between guests and crew. Papaito’s aft deck, skylounge, flybridge and foredeck offer commodious seating options for alfresco dining, socializing and sunset-watching.Credits: Northrop & Johnson
December 1, 2021
Sanlorenzo reaches an important new milestone: the сompany has signed the contract for the manufacturing of the largest superyacht ever to be built by the shipyard. The sale was finalised through the international broker house Edmiston and the new project will be delivered to its European owner in spring 2025. The sale of this new superyacht, which coincides with the sale of further two units of the 62Steel line, completes a record-breaking year for Sanlorenzo's Superyacht Division which is proud to have already closed 15 contracts to date in 2021. This year also saw a significant increase in production activity, with six superyachts delivered and six units launched.“The pride of having signed the contract for our first 72Steel, the largest Sanlorenzo ever to be built and which will be in the water in 2025, is the crowning achievement of an unparalleled year,” says Ferruccio Rossi, President of Sanlorenzo's Superyacht Division.With its 72 meters in length, five decks and a volume of 1850 GT, the 72Steel will be a completely new project with respect to its predecessors. Like every new creation of the Superyacht Division, the 72Steel will be characterised by unexpected solutions, the result of a project studied at 360 degrees around the concept of liveability on board: from the conception of the steel hull, with an aluminium superstructure, conceived and forged like a work of art, to the design of the interiors, customised in every smallest detail to adhere perfectly to the client's every desire.The external lines of the 72Steel will be made by Studio Zuccon International Project, while the interiors will be furnished to meet the owner's specific requirements. The owner's cabin will have a dedicated deck – above the bridge deck and will occupy an entire deck of the yacht. The main deck will be the area reserved for guests with lounge areas and five spacious cabins. One of the model's special features will be an extensive wellness area to ensure relaxation for all guests on board."The 72Steel is aiming to become one of the new protagonists of the Sanlorenzo range, thanks also to the hybrid diesel-electric engine system, which confirms again the Company's increasing attention to the future, constantly studying concrete solutions to reduce the impact of its yachts on the marine ecosystem. The hybrid diesel-electric engine system represents a combination of innovative solutions which make it possible to significantly reduce emissions into the atmosphere and the sea, ensure high levels of comfort and rationalise the spaces dedicated to the engine area in favour of the internal volume available for owners and guests, thus presenting itself as a new paradigm for superyachts of this size," stated Antonio Santella, New Product Development Director of Sanlorenzo’s Superyacht Division.On the same occasion, Sanlorenzo also confirmed the Group's guidance for 2021, which foresees a double-digit growth of the main metrics (Net Revenues New Yachts, EBITDA, Net Profit, Investments and Net Financial Position), supported by an order intake of €381.1 million in the third quarter, which led the backlog to a record level of €1.2 billion.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 28.6 to 62 meters in length. Credits: Sanlorenzo
December 1, 2021
WHY200 is the first unit of the new WHY range, which made its World debut at Cannes Yachting Festival 2021. This innovative motor yacht combines the comfort and space of a larger displacement yacht with the speed and performance of a semi-displacement.WHY200 exterior She was developed by the Wally design team led by Luca Bassani, jointly with the Ferretti Group Engineering Department. The naval architecture was made by Laurent Giles NA Ltd and interior design by Studio A. Vallicelli & C. WHY200 exterior night view "We are very proud of WHY200, a yacht that was a bit of a gamble but that today rewards us with a result that exceeds our wildest expectations," says Stefano de Vivo, Wally Managing Director. "With its widebody design, this 200 GT yacht offers far larger volumes compared to traditional motorboats, plus a living space and stability that are definitely greater than any competitor’s. It is the ideal yacht to freely and safely regain possession of one's space with family and friends." Main salon The first unit, displaying an exclusive "Wally Silver" colour, has a four-cabin layout: the master cabin with two separate bathrooms on the main deck, a VIP and two guest cabins on the lower deck. One of the key features is a spectacular 4.7-meter-high glazed bow housing a 37 sq. m master suite overlooking the sea, with an uninterrupted 270-degree view of the horizon. Master suiteThis cabin stands out also for its exceptional noise levels thanks to the positioning of the engine room which is located at the opposite end of the boat.SkyloungeThe eye-catching upper deck has a futuristic glass and carbon dome and the extended, structural top with no supporting pillars is a masterpiece of design and engineering for its exceptional stability and strength.Upper deck cockpitThanks to the 5G wireless network connection with home automation control, guests are able to comfortably manage all the audio/video systems via mobile devices, both outside and inside the yacht. Main deck Through Naviop's integrated system, they will also be able to check navigation data, keeping the yacht's progress and parameters constantly under control. The first unit features a state-of-the-art 55 inch TV in the upper living room and a 5.1 Premium sound system on the main and upper decks, while a sophisticated Sonance sound system serves the outdoor areas. Wheel house The WHY200 has the folding beach club bulwarks, that not only allow access to the sea on three sides (according to a radically innovative concept), but also expand the living area to 32 sq. m, transforming it into a true terrace over the water, with size and features that make all competitors, even larger ones, pale in comparison. Beach club In addition, WHY200 boasts two garages with a storage capacity never seen before on yachts of this size, capable of accommodating a 4.05m jet tender, wave runner, seabob, paddleboard and all manner of water toys. WHY200 exterior Thanks to four Volvo Penta D-13 IPS 1350 engines 1000 hp each, WHY200 can cruise at 23 knots top speed. WHY200 exterior "The new WHY200 expresses all its innovative power through new architectural elements, which represent a break with the past and with the typical clichés of a motor yacht. Ferretti Group made it possible to realise a concept that had been close to my heart for some time, believing in the success of a bold design that will improve the owner's experience on board and represent a turning point in the motor yacht market,” comments Luca Bassani, Wally Founder and Chief Designer. WHY200 exterior night view Wally is part of Ferretti Group. It was founded in 1994 in Monaco by Luca Bassani and is the only yachting brand to be a two-time winner of the ADI Compasso d’Oro, the world’s most important award for quality and design. Credits: Wally
November 30, 2021
The UK’s Princess Yachts will present an exceptional line-up at boot Düsseldorf, including two global launches, the Princess X80 and the all-new V50 – plus two show debuts, the Princess X95 and Y72. The Princess F55 and V55 make up the fifth and the six yachts on display.Princess X80Featuring an extended flybridge that provides 30% more indoor space than a traditional motor yacht, the X80 is the smaller sister ship to the award-winning X95. Defined by innovative layout options with a host of distinct spaces, the X80 includes an enclosed bridge and skylounge on the upper deck, and an optional master stateroom forward on the main deck. Working together with Olesinski and Pininfarina, Princess has created the ultimate in avant-garde yacht.Princess all-new V50The all-new V50, available as a deck saloon or open model, replaces the popular original V50. Crafted with a new hull mould that delivers impeccable handling and sea-keeping, this modern sports yacht features new standards of refinement in interior fixtures and fittings as seen on her larger counterpart, the V55. An extended canopy creates the perfect place for guests to enjoy the outdoors under the large shaded cockpit area, whilst attractive shapes and forms flow throughout the main deck salon.Princess X95“Princess Yachts is thrilled to see the return of the much-anticipated boot Düsseldorf 2022 and eagerly await the opportunity to be back with the team at Messe Düsseldorf in person. We will be at Düsseldorf with an innovative range of boats that encapsulate everything we are about – improved efficiency and seakeeping; innovative packaging; and the extraordinary elegance of design for which we are renowned. With our full X Class range on display, as well as the all-new V50 and the Y72, we look forward to showing the world how we continue to push the boundaries in yacht design,” says Antony Sheriff, Executive Chairman, Princess Yachts.British yacht builder Princess Yachts was founded in 1965, manufacturing fibreglass yachts ranging from 13 to 40 meters in length. Its parent company is the French luxury group LVMH. Credits: Princess Yachts
November 30, 2021