The world's billionaires have a long-standing history of owning some of the most luxurious yachts ever made. This can of course be explained through their wealth but also through their taste.
Following the release of this year's list of the world's billionaires by Forbes, we've decided to compile the list of the richest people who according to other media publications own a yacht.
#1 Musashi | Larry Elisson | $47 billion
The Japanese name of this Feadship XL-88 comes from the renowned samurai, Miyamoto Musashi, who is not only revered as the greatest samurai of all time but also as the author of The Book of Five Rings which deals with strategy, tactics, and philosophy that is still studied today. This choice of name does not come as a surprise knowing that Larry Ellison is an aficionado of Japanese culture.
Designed by the duo De Voogt Naval Architects/Sinot Yacht Design, the 87.78 metres of Musashi accommodate a total of 18 guests and a crew of 23. One of the two master suites faces forward on the upper deck, while the second one is aft on the bridge deck. Seven further double guest cabins are on the main deck.
#2 Senses | Larry Page | $35.2 billion
Delivered by Germany's Schweers yard in 1999, this superyacht was designed, built and engineered to rise to the challenges of exploring the world's oceans. Senses carries a comprehensive inventory of equipment and exceeds the expectations of any 21st century adventurer.
She is the opportunity for a truly unique lifestyle in luxury yachting with stylish, well appointed interiors designed by Philippe Starck.
Split-level decks provide open and shaded sun-lounging areas, secluded side pods, sheltered outdoor dining and informal seating areas, an airy and light gymnasium and a private beach club complete with Jacuzzi and vast sun beds. With impressive volume provided by six decks and a beam of 12.7m, Senses can store three tenders laterally, has full helicopter capability and a stern-launched 42' Nelson tender.
Water toys include no fewer than four high speed tenders, five waverunners, two jet skis, snorkeling gear, diving equipment and a range of towables.
#3 Dragonfly | Sergey Brin | $34.4 billion
Built by Silver Yachts in 2009, Dragonfly was hailed as the fastest, most fuel-efficient long-range cruising superyacht on the water. She has a transatlantic range at 22 knots and has a fuel consumption of only 360 litres per hour at 18 knots, extending her range to 4,500 nautical miles.
Previously named Silver Zwei her luxurious interior is designed by Silvestrin Design and her exterior styling is by Espen Oeino.
The superyacht offers accommodation for up to 18 guests, who are taken care of by a crew of 16. The most special feature is the yacht's foredeck helipad that doubles as a guest sitting area. Also she has two tender garages, one forward and one aft, the latter converting to a beach house following the launch of the tenders.
#4 Symphony | Bernard Arnault | $34 billion
Symphony, formerly known as Project 808, was launched in January 2015. She is the first Feadship yacht to exceed the 100-metre mark, surpassing the builder's previous flagship, 99-metre Madame Gu, launched in 2013. It's also the first Feadship yacht built to be fully compliant with the new Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) regulations, which allows for pleasure yachts to carry 13 to 36 passengers. Building with PYC has allowed for a custom interior that makes use of veneers, leathers and exotic materials that are compliant with the new rules. She is also certified for chartering with helicopter operations.
The yacht features exterior design by legendary yacht designer Tim Heywood with naval architecture by Feadship's De Voogt Naval Architects. Her accommodation is spread over six decks, with up to 20 guests hosted in six staterooms, including one full-beam VIP cabin, double owner's stateroom and additional guest cabins on the lower deck.
Symphony is also kitted out with a gym, a beauty salon and massage room and carries no less than three custom Pascoe tenders of 9.6, 8.3 and 7.85 metres, as well as two wave runners, two Seabobs, windsurfers, watersides and various inflatable toys. Her layout includes an observation lounge, bar and Jacuzzi on the sun deck, while the bridge deck features a terrace and outdoor cinema. The main deck hosts a six-metre contraflow, glass-bottom swimming pool with waterfall, and below the pool on the lower deck is a lounge, beach club and wellness centre, as well as an ultra-high-definition megayacht cinema.
#5 Moneikos | Leonardo Del Vecchio | $19.1 billion
Moneikos was built in 2006 by Codecasa in 2006 to a Della Role Design. The yacht can reportedly accommodate up to 16 guests in 8 cabins.
With a beam of 11.2 meters, the yacht can cruise at a speed of 14 knots for 6,000 nautical miles.
#6 Tatoosh | Paul Allen | $17.5 billion
Tatoosh is a 92.42m motor yacht, built by Nobiskrug for mobile phone magnate Craig McCaw. Then the vessel was purchased by Paul Allen for a reported $100 million. Allen also owns the motor yacht Octopus. The yacht's interior has been designed by Terence Disdale and has exterior styling by Kusch Yachts, Studio Yacht.
The owner's accommodation incorporates two deck levels and is designed for total privacy, with a full beam bedroom, family room, observation lounge, gymnasium and a private office along with two children's cabins. She can sleep 20 guests overall in a further nine double staterooms and two cabins for four staff. Amenities aboard include a cinema and a heated swimming pool with contra-flow jets and Tatoosh also has two helicopter pads.
#7 Kingdom 5KR | Prince Alwaleed | $17.3 billion
Kingdom 5KR was launched by Benetti in 1980 and was one of the world's largest yachts for many years. The 85.9 metre yacht was designed by Luigi Sturchio and originally named Nabila.
The yacht has not had a quiet life. She featured in the James Bond movie Never Say Never Again and was owned for a time by 2016 candidate for President of the United States, Donald Trump. However she can now usually be found berthed at the International Yacht Club in Antibes.
The superyacht features five decks, a disco, a cinema with seats for 12 and 2 double beds, 11 opulent suites, a helipad on top (its funnels are sloped outward to avoid interference with the helicopters), a pool with a water jet on top in front of the heliport, 2 Riva tenders, a crew of 48, a top speed of 20 knots, and cruising speed of 17.5 knots.
#8 Venus | Laurene Powell Jobs | $16.7 billion
A 78 metre aluminum yacht engineered by De Voogt Naval Architects with styling by Philippe Starck was launched in 2012 and last refitted in 2015.
One of the best Feadship superyachts of all time, Venus has a wealth of interesting design features, from her highly innovative glass exterior design to the reported high-tech amenities. The yacht is extremely secret with no interior images ever seen.
The new photos show Venus emerging from her refit with a gleaming hull, and close-up pictures give a look at intriguing details of the yacht. The bridge on Venus, for instance, is packed with Apple computers.
Sadly, Steve Jobs passed away in 2011 before the yacht was launched and never got to enjoy his vessel.
#9 Archimedes | James Simons | $15.5 billion
Archimedes is a 68.00m (223.09 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Feadship in 2008 making the yacht 8 years old. With a beam of 12.30m and a draft of 3.50m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 1462 tones. She is classified by Lloyds.
She is powered by Catepillar 3516B DITA engines of 2,000hp each, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 16 knots and cruise at 12 knots for 7500 nautical miles.
She can accommodate 8 guests in 4 cabins with an interior design by John Munford and an exterior design by John Munford.
#10 Pacific | Leonid Michelson | $14.4 billion
The 85,2m yacht was built by Lurssen in 2010. The yacht's interior has been designed by Bannenberg & Rowell Design and exterior styled by German Frers.
Pacific offers accommodation for up to 12 guests. She is also capable of carrying up to 28 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.
The yacht has a unique colour, which seems to change in the sun.
Little more is publically known about Pacific. She has been designed and built to be a blue water superyacht made for the ocean and she will no doubt be able to explore long distances in trying conditions if required. While not plumb, her bow is reasonably sheer and it raises to an ample height above the waterline with good flare which is ideal for challenging ocean and weather conditions.
#11 Dilbar | Alisher Usmanov | $12.5 billion
Launched by Lurssen in November 2015, the superyacht was reportedly built for Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, who owns a 110 metre superyacht Dilbar, which has now been renamed Ona.
Not a lot is known about this project, only that 156m Omar could possibly be the largest yacht in the world measured by gross tonnage. It is understood that her exterior design is by Espen Oeino with interiors by Andrew Winch. Omar's construction materials of a steel hull and aluminium superstructure are confirmed.
The megayacht has recently been spotted in Germany heading out on sea trials. Omar is due to be delivered in 2016.
#12 C2 | Ronald Perelman | $12.4 billion
Little is known about C2, Eminence, Amaryllis, Titan and her share the same hull platform.
C2 is a 78.00m (255.90 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Abeking & Rasmussen in 2008 making the yacht 7 years old. With a beam of 12.14m and a draft of 3.20m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 2050 tones. She is classified by Lloyds.
#13 Nirvana | Vladimir Potanin | $12.1 billion
Built by Oceanco in 2012, Nirvana was the star of the Monaco Yacht Show the following year busting an aquarium aft and a set of revolutionary features.
With a jungle-themed interior design, the yacht features two spa pools and extensive lounging accommodations. Designed by Sam Sorgiovanni, the yacht has a transpacific range and a maximum speed of 19.5 knots.
The yacht was previously listed for sale asking 199 million euros but was supposedly taken off the market without any sale occurring.
#14 Tango | Viktor Vekselberg | $10.8 billion
Tango is a 78.00m (255.90 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Feadship in 2011 making the yacht 5 years old. With a beam of 12.20m and a draft of 3.65m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 1250 tones. She is classified by Lloyds.
#15 Amevi | Lakshmi Mittal | $9 billion
Part of the, at the time, new initiative by Oceanco to move to larger yachts, Amevi was allegedly delivered to Lakshmi Mittal for the 2007 summer season.
Amevi is a 80.00m (262.46 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Oceanco in 2007 making the yacht 8 years old. With a beam of 14.20m and a draft of 3.90m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 2500 tones.
#16 A | Andrey Melnichenko | $8.4 billion
There is perhaps no more noticeable shape than the Philippe Starck design of superyacht A. Built by Blohm and Voss in 2008 out of a steel hull and aluminum superstructure for owner Andrei Melnichenko, A has a length of 119 meters.
Crewed by 42, A is capable of accommodating 14 guests in 7 luxurious cabins. With her upside-down exterior line, A has a draft of over 5 meters which allows for plenty of volume as well as increased stability. With a meticulous attention to detail, A's interior uses wood furniture with natural light to reach an innovative style.
#17 Palladium | Mikhail Prokhorov | $7.9 billion
With an original design by Michael Leach, Palladium, formerly Project Orca, is thought to be own by Mikhail Prokhorov, Russian oligarch and owner of the Brooklyn Nets.
Palladium is a 95.15m (312.17 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Blohm + Voss in 2010 making the yacht 5 years old. With a beam of 16.00m and a draft of 4.40m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 6000 tones. She is classified by Lloyds + MCA.
#18 Mayan Queen IV | Alberto Bailleres Gonzalez | $7.6 billion
Owned by Mexican billionaire, Alberto Bailleres, Mayan Queen IV, formerly known as Project Safari, has been built as a replacement vessel for his previous 49m Feadship, MQ2.
Mayan Queen IV is a 93.25m (305.93 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Blohm + Voss in 2008 making the yacht 7 years old. With a beam of 15.88m and a draft of 4.25m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 3879 tones. She is classified by Lloyds.
She can accommodate 16 guests in 8 cabins with an interior design by Terence Disdale and an exterior design by Tim Heywood.
#19 Eclipse | Roman Abramovitch | $7.6 billion
Demoted from the rank of the largest superyacht in 2013 by Azzam, Eclipse has dominated for 3 years the superyacht rankings with a tremendous length of a 160m. Owned by Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich, Eclipse , is now the flagship of the Blohm + Voss yards.
Built in a shroud of secrecy in 2010 to a design by Terence Disdale, Eclispe features a 16-meter long swimming pool convertible into a dance floor, a three-man private submarine, an exterior fireplace as well as space for six tenders and three helicopters.
#20 Rising Sun | David Geffen | $6.6 billion
Built by Lurssen Yachts to a famous Bannenberg exterior design, the 138m Rising Sun has beam of 18.5m and a draft of 5m. She is powered by 4 MTU engines of 12,230 hp each giving Rising Sun a maximum speed of 28 knots and a cruising speed of 26 knots.
Originally commissioned by Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle, the project was supposedly extended by 18 meters to become larger than the 126 m Octopus owned by Microsoft owner Paul Allen. Half of it was sold a year later to David Geffen, media mogul, who bought the remaining share in 2010.
#21 Seven Seas | Steven Spielberg | $3.5 billion
Owned by Steven Spielberg, Seven Seas features a large cinema, several large televisions and a large swimming pool aft.
Seven Seas is a 86.00m (282.15 ft) luxury motor yacht. She was built by Oceanco in 2010 making the yacht 5 years old. With a beam of 14.02m and a draft of 3.96m, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. This adds up to a gross tonnage of 2658 tones. She is classified by MCA.
She is powered by MTU engines of 4680hp each, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 20 knots and cruise at 15 knots.
She can accommodate 12 guests in 7 cabins with an interior design by Nuvolari & Lenard and an exterior design by Nuvolari & Lenard
#23 Radiant | Abdulla Al Futtaim | $3.1 billion
Built by Lurssen yachts in 2009 to a famous Tim Heywood exterior design, Radiant has a length of 110m, a beam of 16.2m and a draft of 4.6m. With a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, these metrics add up to a gross tonnage of 5,027 tones.
Commissioned by Boris Berezovsky, Russian billionaire who died in London in 2013 after having lost a huge lawsuit against Roman Abramovitch, his rival in the Russian market, the yacht was supposed to rival Abramovitch's Pelorus. The yacht has cost a reported 270 million $ to build but was sold, 10% away from completion to Abdulla al-Futtaom, UAE billionaire. The sale resulted in a lawsuit between Ousmanov and Edmiston for a 6 million commission that was ultimately paid to the brokerage firm.
#24 Ocean Victory | Victor Rashnikov | $1.87 billion
Ocean Victory was built for Russian billionaire, Victor Rashnikov and delivered in 2014.
#25 Lady Lara | Alexander Machkevich | $1.65 billion
Owned by Kazakh billionaire Alexander Machkevitch, the 91m long superyacht embarked her first sea trials in July. It is believed that Machkevitch still owns his previous yacht, which has been put on the market this year for $35million.
The superyacht's noticeable features include VIP suites with fold down balconies, a large beach club, a gym, Jacuzzi, a swimming pool and even a helipad. Lady Lara has a full displacement hull and an aluminum superstructure. Her exterior and interior design comes from Reymond Langton.
Last quarter of 2019 has brought several news from the stock exchange in the yachting industry. One of the leading Italian yacht builders, Sanlorenzo, has gone public on the Borsa Italiana on track with earlier plans. Their compatriot competitors, the Ferretti Group, meanwhile earlier abandoned the course. Yacht Harbour takes a closer look at the situation.Sanlorenzo entered the stock exchange on December 10 successfully and spent the first day of trading starting from €16 per share, according to the plans they had intended. The initial pricing meanwhile is set to bring total market capitalisation to €552 million, meaning the €72 million capital increase for Sanlorenzo.However, although the stock traded at or slightly above the IPO offer price for much of the week, it sank on Thursday to close at €15.42. According to GlobalCapital, liquidity was very low even by Thursday, with only 1.5% of the free float traded on the day. Nonetheless, in regards of the difficult market backdrop towards IPOs of the small and mid-size companies, the situation can be considered positive. Noteworthy, only one third of investors interested in 35% of the shipyard’ listed capitals, come from Italy.The offering consists of 4.5 million newly-issued shares resulting from a capital increase and 7.6 million shares offered for sale by Happy Life Srl. The latter is the company’s major shareholder, also controlled by Sanlorenzo executive chairman Massimo Perotti.Perrotti commented:Today we have reached an important objective, and we are very proud of this achievement. […] Listing on the stock exchange represents a fundamental step for Sanlorenzo, and a new starting point for growth and development on international markets.Another yachting industry representative, major US retailer OneWater Marine specialising in boats sale and maintenance of boats, filed for an IPO July 12 this year. The company owns and operates 60 stores in the United States.Founded in 2014, they reported $719 million in FY2019. On October 15, OneWater Marine announced the terms of its IPO. They were planning to raise $60 million by offering 3.2 million shares at prices ranging from $18 to $20. However, the group decided to postpone its IPO.Returning to the European market, another key player and competitor of Sanlorenzo, the Ferretti Group, not only postponed but even withdrew from the public listing 30% of the company’s shares due to insufficient valuation.Ferretti saw lowering of its indicative price range for shares from the initial target of €2.50 to €3.70 per share to only between €2.00 and €2.50. That said, it would have meant a market valuation of € 581 million instead of aimed €1.08 billion. Under the new prospective, Alberto Galassi, CEO of the company, said in 2020 a share of about 30% might be sold to some new investor from Europe, reported Reuters.
December 13, 2019
Italian yacht builder Baglietto has announced the sale of the 48-metre T-Line, hull no. 10233 to a South American Owner. Along with her sisterships Andiamo and Silver Fox, Project no. 10233 represents a flagship model of the Baglietto T-Line.Designer Francesco Paszkowski and the yacht’s experienced owner worked closely together on adding stylistic and functional improvements to the project.The vessel features a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. She offers spacious outside areas that include a vast 140-square-metre sun deck. The stern has a swimming pool with tanning beds, complementing the roll-bar and lunch area with a coffee-bar, barbecue grill, and refrigerator. The zone also connects directly to the galley thanks to a dumb waiter. Compared to her two sisterships, this model has a different layout on the upper deck, offering more space to the sky lounge and extending outside with a semi-circular window. This layout allows for a winter garden that houses a comfortable dining table for 12 guests. As per the Owner’s request meanwhile, a crystal lift connects the decks, including the sun deck.Large, full-height windows with no obstructions both on the upper deck and the main deck bring a lot of natural light inside. Another exciting feature is the lower deck’s layout, which includes two large double cabins that can be transformed into four doubles thanks to a sliding partition wall. Finally, the aft 46-square-meter beach area includes a relaxation space and a spa with fully-equipped gym and steam bath. The tenders and two jet skis are found at the bow.The yacht can easily cruise at a maximum speed of 15 knots and 12 knots of cruising speed.Currently under construction at the shipyard in La Spezia with the supervision of Camper & Nicholsons, the yacht is planned for summer 2021 delivery. Noteworthy, Baglietto has recently launched its current flagship superyacht, the 55-metre Severin°. The yard has also revealed the Francesco Paszkowski Design of its new 65-metre superyacht V-Line during the Monaco Yacht Show 2019.
December 12, 2019
Wally has announced the forthcoming launch of a 48-foot (approx. 14.6-metre) high-performance open tender at Miami Yacht Show in February 2020. A modified sistership of 48 Wallytender model, the 48 Wallytender X has already demonstrated high speeds of 55 knots during preliminary sea trials.Stefano de Vivo, Managing Director of Wally, comments:As a hotspot for the outboard yachting lifestyle, Florida is the perfect place to unveil this exciting new model. With four 450hp outboard racing engines primed to unleash astounding speeds, the 48 Wallytender X will undoubtedly turn heads and be the perfect match for anyone who loves high-performance boats.In comparison to 48 Wallytender that made her international debut this autumn, Wally with Ferretti Group have reviewed a number of propulsion options for its new outboard model. They selected Mercury’s 450hp Verado R engines, with good power-to-weight ratio. The combination with a light carbon fibre construction designed in-house at Wally and Ferretti, allows for high top speeds and very low consumptions under extended range. Preliminary sea trials have indicated maximum speeds over 55 knots and a cruising speed of 40 knots with a range of 320 nautical miles.The builder hopes, that high performance would ‘ideally complement the fast-paced boating way of life favoured by many Florida-based selective owners’. Alongside the performance advantages of outboard engines, the 48 Wallytender X features reduced noise and vibration.In addition, with tilting outboards, the effective draft of the 48 Wallytender X can be reduced to 70cm at full load when the engines are lifted.The vessel comes with a spacious suite on the lower deck featuring carbon fibre decking with teak furniture and panels, conceived for cruising in comfort. The deck layout also comprises generous seating, sunbeds and alfresco dining catered to by the well-equipped galley unit and side-opening bulwarks.With the engines repositioned outside the hull, space is freed up for storage, allowing the 48 Wallytender X feature user-friendly joystick controls for easy docking.Another important feature of 48 Wallytender X is retractable hydraulic boarding passerelle/swim ladder. With the four engines split to the flanks of the boat enabling the ladder installation, it can provide direct and easy access to the water or the shore.Luca Bassani, Wally founder, expressed: We are very proud of what we have achieved in this new outboard version of the 48 Wallytender. We have been able to maintain its strong aesthetic identity and the many practical features found on the inboard model, perfectly packaged to serve the needs of clients who prefer the outboard experience in their boating lifestyle, including top speeds and high levels of performance.Founded in 1994 by passionate yachtsman Luca Bassani, Wally became part of Italian Ferretti Group in 2019. Recently, Ferretti Group abandoned the idea of trading on the stock exchange due to unsatisfactory results of the public offering period earlier this year.
December 12, 2019
The recently launched 77-metre Feadship Syzygy 818 has been renamed Pi. With her charter previously managed by KK Superyachts, it has not been revealed yet, whether the vessel has switched owners or has been listed for sale.The latest Feadship superyacht delivery, Pi made her international debut at the Monaco Yacht Show 2019, after successful sea trials in the North Sea. Still, little information has been revealed on the yard's second largest vessel. It is known, that she features naval architecture by Feadship De Voogt, exterior design by Jamsen and interiors by Sinot Yacht Design.With the yacht initially known as Project 818, the 818 in the name stood for"prosperous" in Chinese numerology, and mirrored the owner's birthday on August 18, revealed the yard. The word "syzygy" meanwhile came from astrology, referring to a rare event in which three or more celestial bodies line up, such as a new moon or lunar eclipse.With a beam of 11 metres, Pi boasts a steel hull and aluminium superstructure and boasts double-curvature glass windows drawing plenty of light inside. With impressive interior volume of 1,592 GT, the superyacht can sleep up to 12 guests and 18 crew members on-board.Techno wise, Pi is capable of a maximum speed of 18.4 knots, thanks to twin MTU 16V 4000 M63 engines.
December 11, 2019
After the meeting between the President The European Committee for Professional Yachting and the Directorate of Tax Legislation, it has been confirmed that VAT reductions on charters earlier practiced in Italy, France, Malta, Greece, Cyprus and Croatia, would no longer apply in 2020.Earlier, it was possible to reduce VAT on charter services by means of a short-term charter in international waters. The European commission had to ask the above-listed countries to modify their tax practice starting from from January 1st, 2020. The policy aims at unifying conditions and terms for VAT benefits application throughout Europe. Up to now, Italy, France, Malta, Greece, Cyprus and Croatia have been practicing tax benefits upon going in international waters during charter period. Starting from 2020, VAT discounts will be applied only in proportion to the time or the distance a yacht would take outside the European waters.Noteworthy, in summer 2019, the EU Commission warned Italy and Cyprus that it would take further steps to end illegal tax breaks in the yacht industries on their territories, first brought to light in the Paradise Papers leaks.
December 11, 2019