For the megayacht lovers! special on rising sun (2-10)

[marktak]

This is Leander L: 245'3. For the past few years, Leander has been the most expensive charter yacht in the world. But with the launch of Annaliesse (see no. 17), she’s now just one of the most expensive. Sigh. The good news is, given the reputation she’s earned for herself over the past 11 years on the charter market, Leander is arguably one of the finest to vacation aboard. Notables like the late Gianni Agnelli of Fiat and über-gossip Taki have enjoyed her sumptuous spaces. The owner’s suite, for example, contains two suites as well as a saloon and a private deck—talk about living in the lap of luxury. And no one can ever complain of having nothing to do, given the dozen or so watertoys to choose from, which include 18- and 20-foot RIB/landing crafts. Another reason Leander has such an outstanding reputation: her owner, Sir Donald Gosling of England. Gosling, who created the National Car Parks chain in his homeland, has long been high on the list of likeable yacht owners. One story had him telling girlfriends to take their parents along for cruises, since his own Mum was a frequent guest.











This is Big Roi....I really do not like it, do you? Bermuda and New York City were stops on Big Roi’s itinerary this summer. She also stopped by Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, and anchored in just about the same spot as Lone Ranger (see no. 5) had a few weeks prior. Her owner, Home Shopping Network founder Roy Speer, has the entire second deck reserved for himself. It includes his stateroom, a his-and-her head, an office, and a lounge. Guests are treated well, too, as the main deck contains a grand piano and bar (conveniently near the main entrance—banish the thought of anyone remaining thirsty for long after they step aboard). Speer has Big Roi for sale for $21.5 million.

[marktak]

This is the asian lady.....ugly as hell imo......

Considering 70 percent of the time onboard is spent on anchorage, stability is definitely the ultimate essential.” So says Brian Chang, the CEO/chairman of Raffles Yacht, and thus the reason why his unusual-looking Asean Lady is equipped with a 138-foot-long outrigger. Chang was inspired several years ago while watching Indonesian fishermen in wooden outrigger canoes navigate choppy waters with relative ease while his yacht at the time, a 158-footer, became susceptible to the seas to the point where guests became seasick. “The skeptics will wonder about the idea of an outrigger on a megayacht,” Chang admits. “But if you put a 1,000-year-old concept with the shipyard’s advanced technology, you will be able to eliminate all shortfalls and proceed to [transform] an overlooked conceptual design into a breakthrough technological one.” As for the decor, the main deck features an enormous carved block of Duan Mu, a Chinese wood, which took one month to complete. And the dining hall (it’s far too big to be called a room) has 12 panels made from rare natural Chinese stones, each depicting a different scene. Chang intends to take the yacht to boat shows worldwide in the coming months.

Another one, that I do not realy like...arctic P.



If you ever visit Australia and buy one of the country’s most popular magazines, like Wheels, Bulletin, or She, then you’ll make Kerry Packer a very happy—and even wealthier—man. They’re among the titles that the Australian media baron owns; in fact, he owns about 60 percent of all magazines sold in his country. The 66-year-old is known for his lavish spending sprees, such as the time a few years ago when he lost several million dollars in a Las Vegas casino; some reports have his loss as high as $34 million. But when you consider his net worth is estimated by Forbes to be about $2.5 billion, it’s not that much, now is it? He also reportedly spent nearly $20 million to convert this former ice-class tug into a world cruiser eight years ago.







This is the constellation. Twenty-two crew members keep the 23-knot Constellation going. Little is known about the yacht, other than that the owner is Middle Eastern.











This is stargate. The Middle Eastern owner of Stargate has prohibited any interior photography from being taken, so there’s unfortunately little we can tell you about the yacht, other than the fact that she was built simultaneously with her sistership, Constellation.





Beginning next month Delphine should be available for charter in the Med, after finally completing a major refit in Belgium. We say “finally” because a handful of previous owners intended to restore her but never did. She’s been returned to her Roaring Twenties glory, including the full operation of her steam engines, thanks to a Belgian textiles magnate. A Turkish bath and sauna as well as about 10,000 square feet of open deck space are at the disposal of upwards of 26 guests. Thirteen staterooms accommodate guests, with two of the rooms reserved as VIPs and two others reserved for children and/or babysitters. Delphine was originally launched for American Horace Dodge (of the famous Dodge automobile family) and named for his daughter. A book chronicling the yacht’s history and restoration is in the works.

[marktak]

If you happen to be in the Med while Lady Sarya embarks on one of her all-too-infrequent cruises, you’ll recognize her due to side-by-side, narrow (and unsightly) funnels aft. Movie buffs may remember seeing her (then named La Belle Simone) hosting a fabulous party and cruising around in the 1970’s film The Greek Tycoon.






One vessel I don't consider very beautiful. A two-year process turned a weather ship into this yellow-hulled yacht. We’ve received conflicting reports of her owner’s nationality, some saying he’s European and others saying he’s a Saudi prince. Regardless, little is known about her, other than that she retains some of that commercial character.





This is the second yacht on our list—and the second Lürssen—owned by the same Saudi billionaire, that owns Pelorus.If the British tabloids are correct, then he’s Al Sheik Modhassan, since the paparazzi snapped photos of him practicing yoga with actress Salma Hayek aboard Coral Island off Sardinia three years ago. Varying reports that same summer placed the yacht’s value at $90 million to $100 million, but knowledgeable parties haven't confirmed (or denied) those figures.A few years ago, the yacht received a lot of publicity as a result of the theft of a painting : the mystery of the missing Picasso. The 1938 painting "Buste d'une Femme" by Picasso was stolen onboard Coral Island in March 1999. The painting was insured for no less then 7 million US$. This picture of Dora Maar is still missing today. You can see a photo of the painting on the website of the FBI : http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/arttheft/a...i/saudiart.htm

[marktak]

Saudi Arabia’s Prince Khaled also owns this rugged-looking, blue-hulled vessel, the middle sister in his Golden Fleet. She’s the logistical support yacht of the trio and has a specially designed elevator at the stern to launch Golden Eye, the ten-seat turboprop plane, as well as other craft, like a 38-foot, Fabio Buzzi-designed RIB. She’s also thoroughly outfitted for diving, complete with a decompression chamber; trained medical staff are always onhand for dives as well.

[marktak]

Talk about luxurious: Lady Marina features an abundance of different woods, such as wenge, cherry, Canadian elm, eucalyptus, and anigre. She also showcases more than a dozen different marbles, from her grand entrance lobby (itself a spectacle, with a four-story atrium stairwell) down to the seven guest staterooms below decks. Also worthy of note is the presence of an eighth guest cabin, on the main deck. Adjacent to the owner’s office, it’s intended for the owner’s secretary or other personal assistants, since he anticipated doing business aboard frequently.

























When a yacht owner takes delivery of a successor to his or her present yacht, he or she usually sells the “old” one. Not so in the case of Heidi Horten; the German retail heiress sold this 31-year-old yacht (then known as Carinthia VI) after taking delivery of Carinthia VII (see no. 9) two years ago. The identity of the current owner is a mystery.







Talk about a shakedown cruise: Ilona faced down a Force 8 northwesterly gale after leaving Amels in mid-December en route to Gibraltar. Thankfully she came through fine, later going to Cyprus and Israel. Built for experienced owners (their previous yacht was a same-named 147-footer), Ilona is also notable for having her helicopter stowed in a garage under the main deck, fold-down “beach club” partitions on each side at the water level, and 65 underwater lights for the ultimate nighttime effect.









While she’s not the largest yacht on our list, this was the most expensive one available for sale: The asking price was a cool $68 mil, to be exact. We say “was” because until June, she belonged to Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle, and was known as Katana. The new owners are British. The only reason Ellison sold her is because he’s taking delivery of a 460-footer later this year. No doubt the new owners are enjoying the 100-inch retractable projection screen in the saloon (along with a 50-inch flat-panel television), as well as the upper-deck master stateroom with 180-degree views forward and a private deck area, an upper-deck dining area that seats 16, and the half-court basketball court on the main deck. If they have a sweet tooth, they will certainly appreciate the galley’s patisserie (pastry area).













Forty-four feet wide, Queen M is the yacht that was known under the project name Bun Bun for the past year or so. Her real name is the same as that of a 163-foot Benetti launched in 1998, so perhaps the owner is one in the same as well. If so, then expect to see this six-decker on the charter circuit in the Med and Caribbean. Her interior design is by Donald Starkey and is highlighted by some Japanese touches. We’ll take bets that the sky lounge will be a favored gathering spot, considering there’s a piano near the bar.





Private cruising among the Greek and Italian islands is typically the order of the day for Astarte II. She belongs to a Greek shipping magnate.

[davide]

I love these boats!

Can you imagen to have this kind of boat? I just love these, they are just insanley big and gorgeous...!!

[Pickard]

that is the most pathetic boat ive ever seen, im more impressed with the one in my bloody bath

[marktak]

Not only did Donald Starkey pen this blue-hulled yacht’s exterior styling, but he also designed her interior, which features soothing beige tones and crown molding that augments up-lighting. Two guest staterooms on the main deck can be converted when they’re not in use to become part of the owner’s suite, serving as a gym and office.









While Virginian is spending the summer in the warm climate of the Med, chartering for $275,625 per week, we hope there’s at least one cool night while guests are aboard. That way they can request the working fireplace in her library be lit.









Apogee is available for charter starting at $305,000 per week. An elevator takes guests through each of her four decks, including up to the sun deck, which is complete with a gym. But who can concentrate on working out when there’s a 12-person Jacuzzi fully forward on the same deck? The yacht is the pride of Darwin Deason, chairman of the board of Affiliated Computer Services in Texas.









New Sunrise pulled into Malta Super Yacht Services earlier this year for routine maintenance. We’ll take bets that the owner’s party couldn’t wait for work to finish to tickle the ivories in the saloon; the piano is conveniently located near a fireplace and large seating arrangement for the ultimate late-night atmosphere.









Now available for select charters for $375,000 per week, Solemar has a two-level owner’s suite that includes a raised, private lounge area.







While Paul Allen had his other two yachts from our list (see Octopus and Tatoosh) in town for the Monaco Grand Prix in mid-May, interestingly he didn’t have Méduse there. Too bad, because what a sight it would have been to see all three together. This yacht’s no stranger to those waters, though, having hosted a party during the Cannes Film Festival four years ago.





This Saudi-owned yacht has been spotted in the South of France. She’s equipped with a walk-in cold room measuring nearly 30 square feet.

[CSedl87]

Psh, thats nothing! I've got a couple in my backyard! Nice boats, wish I had one...

[DUNKiNUTS]

I Love it, our boat is only 30ft, shit that is a life boat for that thing Keep up the good work.


Hey marktak, check this site. http://www.dupontregistry.com/boats/dprBoatsIndex.aspx

PM me with you AIM name if you want to talk more yachts and ships.

[tanelvali]

Some more pictures of Octopus in maintainance can be found here:

http://community.webshots.com/album/188688172wRWvxc

[marktak]

Boadicea again....some nice pics!!

[marktak]

Some fresh pics of the monaco yacht show:



This is Alfa IV. Alfa IV has an Andrew Winch interior, complete with art deco touches and walnut, burl oak, and macassar ebony.













Look how this engine (gas-turbine??) is shining!!









This is Sai Ram























Most expensive "parkingplace" in the world???



This is the white rose of Drachs (posted here before). This yacht is expected to debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in September. She’s been kept under tight wraps, although we do know that she features exquisite custom-made carpets from Craigie Stockwell Carpets, which has also supplied comfort underfoot for other megayachts like Tatoosh and Talitha G (nos. 12 and 28), luxury hotels like The Plaza in New York City, as well as a number of palaces and mansions for the ruling families of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Brunei.



Oh my god, the White Rose of Drachs owner does drive something as exclusive as his yacht......a Merclaren SLR!!









The lady Moura, posted before, but one of my favorites!!





Some VIP arabian customers landing on the Lady Moura....Almost all of the big yachts are owned by Arabs!!! (please do not take this as racism, because I do not intend it to be like that, but I think there are a lot of incredible wealthy guys there!!)





This is O'mega (it is a mitsubishi!!)





This is Wally 118

[DUNKiNUTS]

Hey question time. Who makes the best megayacht/superyacht or yachts in general?

I am in favor for Carver yachts, but i will say for the megayachts Benetti.

[marktak]

I really like Lurssen (Octopus, Pelorus, Carinthia VII) and Blohm and Voss (Lady moura, ....they do really make the big ones!!