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. The billionaire's effect on politics has become the subject of many debates, yet his influence on yachting is often overlooked. Having owned one of the largest yachts of her time, Trump once commissioned the world's largest superyacht and also briefly owned a leading Dutch shipyard.
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.
Currently valued by Forbes at $3.1 billion, Trump serves as the United States' 45th president since January 20th 2017. Having sparked controversies throughout the world due to his polarising views on a number of domestic and foreign issues, he has recently led a series of reforms to have US conglomerates bring back a large portion of their cash back to the United States.
After getting a start at his father's real estate development company, Trump started his Manhattan real estate crusade, acquiring part of the Commodore Hotel in 1978. Following this, Trump embarked on building Trump Tower, which was completed in 1983. Five years later, Trump bought the Plaza Hotel for $407 million and invested $50 million into its refurbishment. At the same time, Trump started branching out of Manhattan, building in Palm Beach, Atlantic City and ventured int golf.
Trump's net worth is still predominantly tied to his New York-assets though, with $1,6 billion in real estate. The billionaire has another $500 million in real estate in another cities, in addition to $570 million worth of golf clubs and resorts according to Forbes. His branding business, which includes hotel management and product licensing is currently valued at $200 million. "Money was never a big motivation for me, except as a way to keep score. The real excitement is playing the game." Trump said in his book, The Art of the Deal.
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Northrop & Johnson has announced the launch of Ocean Angel, the second 40-meter explorer yacht in Ocean King's DOGE 400 series. The vessel has commenced sea trials and is scheduled for delivery ahead of its debut at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show.Designed by aLOT with interiors by Burdissocapponi Yachts & Design, Ocean Angel features a commercial-grade steel hull and aluminum superstructure. The yacht is powered by twin Caterpillar engines that deliver a top speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 13 knots, with a transoceanic range of 4,000 nautical miles.Accommodation includes five guest suites for 10 passengers and crew quarters for seven. Notable features include a beach club with sauna and hammam, a concealed 1.2-ton telescopic tender crane capable of launching a 6.25-meter tender, and fold-down sea terraces. The interior design emphasizes natural light through full-height windows and seamless indoor-outdoor connectivity."Ocean Angel demonstrates our commitment to building capable explorer yachts with customized interiors," said an Ocean King representative. The yacht's commercial-grade construction enables extended autonomous operation in remote cruising areas.Following sea trials, the yacht will undergo final outfitting before delivery to its owner. The first DOGE 400 series yacht was delivered earlier this year, with both units sharing the same rugged exploration capabilities paired with refined interior spaces.Credits: Northrop & Johnson
June 11, 2025
The Amels 60 Memories has departed from Damen Yachting’s main build facility in Vlissingen following its final delivery to the new Owner. The yacht was officially named during a private ceremony held at the Dutch shipyard, attended by the Owner’s team and crew.The exterior design of Memories was created by Espen Øino International, featuring the signature geometric windows and enhancements typical of recent Amels deliveries. Notably, Memories is the first Amels 60 to feature custom interiors by Harrison Eidsgaard, marking a new collaboration for the shipyard.The Owner, introduced by Moran Yacht & Ship, joined the project just six months prior to delivery. Despite the late entry, the Owner was able to implement several customizations, including modifications to the Beach Club, Owner’s areas, and Sun Deck, where a large sofa with a ceiling-mounted TV replaced the original dining table and bar. The Bridge Deck Aft was transformed into an on-deck cinema setup from its original lounge configuration.Joppe Osté, Project Manager for Amels 60 Memories, commented: “When the Owner stepped in, we were already at an advanced stage of construction. The advantage of this was that the new Owner was able to make decisions quickly and take possession of it before the start of summer. Until the buyer steps in, we design the yacht for all potential clients. The sales, design, and proposal teams are all involved. That is a major advantage. The custom interiors by Harrison Eidsgaard appealed to her new Owner, which allowed us to stay on schedule and move forward according plan.”The interior design by Harrison Eidsgaard features a contemporary beach house luxury style with natural materials and refined detailing. A notable feature is the spiral staircase with illuminated handrail. Ben Harrison of Harrison Eidsgaard stated: “It has been an absolute delight working on this superyacht and a great collaboration with all partners involved. MEMORIES is our first Amels Limited Editions interior and brings a new look and feel to this successful 60-metre design.”Memories is expected to follow a busy charter schedule, with private use by the Owner also anticipated. The yacht will be available for charter through Moran Yacht & Ship, with its first destination being Ibiza.The next Amels 60 is already under construction and scheduled for delivery in Autumn 2025.The Amels 60 Memories features the following specifications: length of 60 metres, gross tonnage of 853 GT, accommodation for 12 guests and 12 crew plus Captain. The yacht boasts interior design by Harrison Eidsgaard, exterior design by Espen Øino International, and naval architecture by Damen Yachting.Credit: Damen Yachting
June 11, 2025
Northrop & Johnson has announced a significant price reduction on the 43.6m Feadship True North, now listed at $6,995,000. The yacht is represented by brokers Kevin Merrigan and Kristen Klein and is actively for sale, presenting a notable opportunity in the current market.Originally built in 1987 at the Van Lent shipyard under the name Fiffanella, True North underwent a comprehensive refit in 2021. The current owner invested approximately $4 million in capital improvements, which included a full exterior paint job, major upgrades to the air conditioning, electrical, and navigation systems, as well as a new Headhunter sanitation system. The vessel has completed its Bureau Veritas 35-year survey and is in turnkey condition, ready for immediate use.The yacht features accommodation for up to 16 guests across five staterooms. The main deck includes a full-beam master suite with his-and-her ensuites. The interior refit in 2021 introduced updated headliners and wall coverings, blending modern amenities with the yacht’s original character. The lower deck staterooms are flexible and suitable for families or groups, each with private en-suite facilities.Outdoor spaces include a large sundeck equipped with a Jacuzzi, swim-up bar, and lounging areas. The covered aft deck is ideal for dining and relaxation, while the swim platform provides convenient water access. The vessel is powered by twin CAT 3508 DI-TA engines, offering a cruising range of 4,000 nautical miles at 11 knots. True North is U.S. Duty Paid.True North represents a significant offering in the classic yacht segment, combining historical pedigree with modern upgrades and is now positioned as a competitive option in the market.Credit: Northrop & Johnson
June 11, 2025
ISA Yachts has secured the sale of the second hull in its Unica 45M Steel series to a European client, with delivery scheduled for 2028. The steel-hulled, aluminum-superstructure yacht follows the sale of the first unit announced earlier this year.Designed by Enrico Gobbi's Team for Design with naval engineering by ISA Yachts, the 45-meter displacement yacht features 60,000 liters of fuel capacity for extended ocean crossings. The design emphasizes outdoor connectivity through expanded deck spaces and full-height windows.Accommodation includes an owner's suite with lounge area and walk-in wardrobe on the main deck, plus four guest cabins below deck. Crew quarters house nine staff in four cabins, with the captain's cabin adjacent to the wheelhouse.Key features includes three-level stern area with infinity pool, 16-meter flybridge with dual sunbathing areas, two dining areas (indoor formal and outdoor casual), and convertible starboard space for sixth cabin or office use.Performance specifications include twin CAT C32 970kW engines delivering 15-knot top speed and 4,000+ nautical mile range at 10 knots.The sale increases ISA Yachts' current production to 11 vessels across its Ancona and Savona facilities, including three 80-meter projects and two 66-meter yachts. The Unica 45M Steel joins ISA's portfolio of semi-custom series alongside GT and Classic models.Palumbo Superyachts took root in 2008, when the Columbus Yachts brand was established, and in 2011 it launched its first 54m superyacht, emblematically christened Prima (the First). Currently, Palumbo Superyachts comprises a representative office in Monaco and a logistics network of five shipyards in the Mediterranean (Ancona, Malta, Marseille, Naples, and Savona); it also operates the following brands: ISA Yachts, Columbus Yachts, Mondomarine and Palumbo SY Refit.Credits: ISA Yachts
June 10, 2025
CRN's 70-meter fully custom superyacht Project Thunderball has entered advanced construction phases at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Division shipyard. The steel and aluminum displacement yacht, scheduled for delivery in 2026, has completed hull and superstructure carpentry work.Developed with Vripack Yacht Design handling exterior styling and preliminary naval architecture, and Nauta Design creating interiors, the project features classic elongated bow lines optimized for cruising efficiency. The five-deck layout accommodates 12 guests and 15 crew across 1,100 GT of interior volume.Current progress includes:exterior fairing completion scheduled for summer 2025,full hull painting to begin September 2025, main deck insulation and compartmentalization completed and initial furniture installations planned for late spring/early summer.Y.CO serves as owner's representative, overseeing construction quality and technical coordination between CRN and specialty contractors. The yacht will feature MAN V12-1213kW engines delivering 16-knot top speed and 12-knot cruising speed.Technical systems include energy recovery solutions and peak shaving technology to reduce fuel consumption. The design incorporates silent mode capability at anchor through optimized power management."Project Thunderball exemplifies CRN's fully custom approach," stated a yard representative. "From Vripack's naval architecture to Nauta's timeless interior concept, every element responds to owner specifications."The yacht's construction timeline remains on schedule with VIP cabin installations beginning June-July 2025. Final outfitting will continue through 2026 prior to sea trials and delivery.The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credits: Ferretti Group
June 10, 2025