yacht x owner

Please use a modern browser to view this website. Some elements might not work as expected when using Internet Explorer.

• Landing Page
• Luxury Yacht Vacation Types
• Corporate Yacht Charter
• Tailor Made Vacations
• Luxury Exploration Vacations
• View All 3644
• Motor Yachts
• Sailing Yachts
• Classic Yachts
• Catamaran Yachts
• Filter By Destination
• More Filters
• Latest Reviews
• Charter Special Offers
• Destination Guides
• Inspiration & Features
• Mediterranean Charter Yachts
• France Charter Yachts
• Italy Charter Yachts
• Croatia Charter Yachts
• Greece Charter Yachts
• Turkey Charter Yachts
• Bahamas Charter Yachts
• Caribbean Charter Yachts
• Australia Charter Yachts
• Thailand Charter Yachts
• Dubai Charter Yachts
• Destination News
• New To Fleet
• Charter Fleet Updates
• Special Offers
• Industry News
• Yacht Shows
• Corporate Charter
• Finding a Yacht Broker
• Charter Preferences
• Questions & Answers
• Add my yacht

• Yacht Charter Fleet
• Fleet Updates News

In pictures: Inside Golden Yachts’ iconic superyacht PROJECT X

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on X
• Share via Email

By Nina Done   12 December 2022

Marking her debut onto the international stage at the Monaco Yacht Show in September, Golden Yachts’ impressive 88m (289ft) superyacht PROJECT X proved an instant hit, with lucky show-goers afforded the first glimpse into her chic and voluminous spaces.

Already nominated for a slew of awards, her iconic exterior with its cascading aft decks and triple-X paneling amidships ensures she turns heads wherever she ventures, but her interiors have been kept closely under wraps. Now, you can take a look inside the Greek yard’s latest superyacht for yourself.

Delivered in August 2022, the 2,973 GT yacht’s head-turning exteriors come courtesy of Ken Freivokh Design, with naval architecture by Marco Yachts. Designed to create a harmonious connection with the outside world, she captures the essence of innovative superyacht design through subtle interplay with her surroundings evidenced by her floor-to-ceiling windows, fold-down balconies and large open-plan beach club.

But while her contemporary profile has already become something of an Instagram sensation, an insight into her interiors has been hotly anticipated. 

The first official pictures have now been dropped showcasing her contemporary light-filled interiors, by Italian studio Massari Design, to perfection.

Designed to a specific brief by her experienced owner, each interior space has been meticulously crafted to create a unique feel, yet one that still maintains complete harmony with the rest of her beautiful interiors.

Showcasing a warm and welcoming palette in a variety of rich materials and textures; from rare woods to exquisite marbles, worked metals to myriad types of leather, every detail has been carefully thought out.

the design brief was to create a contemporary, refined, welcoming and harmonious style

The main deck of the motor yacht plays host to a large, open-plan salon with a lounging area and grand piano positioned forward. Neutral tones and textured surfaces give the space a polished feel while plush fabrics, sumptuous furniture and contemporary artwork ensure a warm and inviting ambience. Sliding doors afford direct access onto her side decks. 

This area adjoins an anteroom with comfortable seating where guests can relax and kick back. Her formal dining area is accessed from here through large polished doors, where you’ll find seating for 16.

The upper deck lounge has a similar color palette and refined theme, with plenty of sleek furnishings and modern accents. The lounge is drenched in light thanks to full-height windows running the complete perimeter of the space, providing spectacular views and a complete connection to the outside world. 

This connection to her surroundings was something the owners were keen to recreate throughout the yacht, and nowhere is this best expressed than in the unique triple-height atrium. This area is flooded with light through her X-shaped paneling, leading to a stunning central glass elevator where light also flows in from the sundeck via a series of panels above.

On a luxury yacht charter, PROJECT X provides accommodation for 12 guests across 9 suites cabins.

The full beam owner's suite is particularly show-stopping, with the bed positioned centrally to take advantage of the 180-degree views. The Owner’s suite comes equipped with two bathrooms and two dressing rooms, and even an office and meeting room – neatly combining business with pleasure. It also benefits from a private owner's lounge and alfresco terrace which is primed for a morning coffee watching the sun rise. 

A further generous VIP cabin can be found on her upper deck, which can be subdivided to provide an additional stateroom if necessary. The remaining light-infused cabins are well-appointed and can be found on her lower deck, with each one enjoying its own color scheme.

In terms of amenities, charter yacht PROJECT X aims to impress with an expansive beach club complete with sea terraces and full beam swim platform. This vast waterside area also plays host to a spa complete with sauna, Hammam and a beauty treatment room, as well as a juice bar and lounging area which are infused with light from the glass walls of the swimming pool above, which cleverly mirror the same X-shaped theme.

This swimming pool is one of her main highlights; a 7 x 3.5 meter glass-walled pool with cascading waterfall feature, surrounded by loungers and a shaded sit-up bar positioned further forward. Overhead, there is a professional DJ setup complete with Bang & Olufsen sound system and strobe lighting – ideal for balmy summer pool parties. 

Crowning the yacht is another superb spot for socializing and relaxing. Here, you’ll find a large 10-person Jacuzzi surrounded by sunpads. This deck also features a huge bright and airy gymnasium, courtesy of her 360-degree glazing and ceiling light, featuring the latest tech equipment for supreme workouts while on board. You can also access the gym via the glass elevator, which conveniently connects all 5 of her decks. 

Yacht PROJECT X is equipped with a variety of the latest toys and accessories to ensure her guests can make the most out of the sun and sea, as well as boasting not one but four tenders, including two limousine tenders providing comfortable transfers from yacht to shore in elegant surrounds. A touch n go helipad completes the picture for this extraordinary yacht.

Superyacht PROJECT X is available for yacht charters in Caribbean hotspots including the Virgin Islands and St Barts . You can view and compare all Caribbean luxury charter yachts .

To discover more about chartering M/Y PROJECT X, please get in touch with your preferred yacht charter broker . 

• READ MORE ABOUT:
• Golden Yachts

RELATED STORIES

Previous Post

Eco-anchorage regulations update for Mediterranean yacht charters in 2023

Superyacht ACE set to join the charter fleet in 2023

EDITOR'S PICK

Latest News

17 June 2024

14 June 2024

13 June 2024

• See All News

Yacht Reviews

• See All Reviews

Charter Yacht of the week

Join our newsletter

Useful yacht charter news, latest yachts and expert advice, sent out every fortnight.

Please enter a valid e-mail

Thanks for subscribing

Featured Luxury Yachts for Charter

This is a small selection of the global luxury yacht charter fleet, with 3644 motor yachts, sail yachts, explorer yachts and catamarans to choose from including superyachts and megayachts, the world is your oyster. Why search for your ideal yacht charter vacation anywhere else?

136m | Lurssen

from $4,288,000 p/week ♦︎

115m | Lurssen

from $2,787,000 p/week ♦︎

85m | Golden Yachts

from $965,000 p/week ♦︎

88m | Golden Yachts

from $1,179,000 p/week ♦︎

84m | Feadship

from $1,072,000 p/week ♦︎

93m | Feadship

from $1,501,000 p/week ♦︎

Maltese Falcon

88m | Perini Navi

from $490,000 p/week

122m | Lurssen

from $3,000,000 p/week

As Featured In

The YachtCharterFleet Difference

YachtCharterFleet makes it easy to find the yacht charter vacation that is right for you. We combine thousands of yacht listings with local destination information, sample itineraries and experiences to deliver the world's most comprehensive yacht charter website.

San Francisco

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on Instagram
• Find us on LinkedIn
• Add My Yacht
• Affiliates & Partners

Popular Destinations & Events

• St Tropez Yacht Charter
• Monaco Yacht Charter
• St Barts Yacht Charter
• Greece Yacht Charter
• Mykonos Yacht Charter
• Caribbean Yacht Charter

Featured Charter Yachts

• Maltese Falcon Yacht Charter
• Wheels Yacht Charter
• Victorious Yacht Charter
• Andrea Yacht Charter
• Titania Yacht Charter
• Ahpo Yacht Charter

Receive our latest offers, trends and stories direct to your inbox.

Please enter a valid e-mail.

Thanks for subscribing.

Search for Yachts, Destinations, Events, News... everything related to Luxury Yachts for Charter.

Yachts in your shortlist

The Best Yacht Concepts From Around The World

The Stunning Ritz Carlton EVRIMA Yacht

Gliding Across Tokyo’s Sumida River: The Mesmerizing Zipper Boat

CROCUS Yacht: An 48 Meter Beauty by Admiral

• Zuretti Interior Design
• Zuretti Interior
• Zuccon International Project
• Ziyad al Manaseer
• Zaniz Interiors. Kutayba Alghanim
• Yuriy Kosiuk
• Yuri Milner
• Yersin Yacht

Yacht Bible

The world's leading yacht directory.

Super Yachts

Yacht Owners

Yacht Builders

The ultimate superyacht collection ….

Welcome to Yacht Bible, the ultimate destination for superyacht enthusiasts looking to explore our comprehensive collection of superyachts from all around the world. With a database compiled of hundreds of the best luxury yachts, all of the yachts on this site are owned by the wealthy elite. 

Each of the superyachts in our database has been broken down to give you the best insight into the incredible specifications and luxury features that these vessels have to offer. 

From swimming pools, beach clubs, elevators, and a plethora of toys such as jetskis, helicopters, and tenders, these yachts truly have it all. Join us as we delve into the history and take a closer in-depth look at the design of these ‘giant jewels of the ocean’.

• Superyachts

PHI Yacht – Royal Huisman’s $45 Million Superyacht

PROJECT X Yacht– The Enigmatic $150,000,000 Superyacht

Discovering the 60m DREAM Yacht

Unveiling The Kensho Yacht: A 75-Meter Masterpiece

The ALFA Yacht: A 70-Meter Marvel of Maritime Excellence

Yacht owner database ….

Not only do we explore these superyachts in detail, but we also take a closer look at the owners and explore how they can afford such magnificent vessels. 

From self-made entrepreneur billionaires to royalty and celebrities, we explore their backgrounds and how they use these ultimate leisure crafts.

At Yacht Bible we strive to keep the information as up-to-date as possible by following the sale history of each of the yachts listed in order to bring you the latest information on the owners to add an extra layer of insight into the world of the wealthy.

We respect owners’ rights to privacy so any owner featured on our database is free to reach out in order to have information changed or removed by contacting us .

Sign Up For Yacht Updates

Love yachts as much as us? Leave your email for new yachts weekly.

More From Forbes

New superyacht owner profile: dave hagewood.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Dave Hagewood and Danielle Hill onboard Galaxy

Like many ocean-obsessed-experience-seekers, Dave Hagewood and Danielle Hill became hooked on the superyacht lifestyle as soon as they started chartering yachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. But once they got a taste of the luxury, mobility, and the ability to enjoy exclusive adventures with their tight group of family and friends that large yachts provide, they soon realized that chartering would never be enough. They needed to own a yacht that would reflect their unique tastes and desires that they and their community could live an aboard for as long as they wanted.

Superyacht Galaxy's night-club-inspired main salon is exactly what Hagewood and Hill wanted

And lucky for them, design experts Marie Soliman- Berglund, Albin Berglund and Sarah Colbon of Njord by Bergman Design House did way more than just “refresh” the interior of the pretty conventional 184-foot-long, 2005 Benetti they found. In fact, Hagewood’s newly relaunched Galaxy is the ultra-luxe- Burning Man -inspired, superyacht spaceship the young, first-time superyacht owner always knew he wanted.

Superyacht Galaxy

“I was just magnetized to this,” says Hagewood when he talks about first stepping aboard. “We vibed with it even though it was an older boat with a dated interior because we’re good at imagining what could be changed.

Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best covid-19 travel insurance plans.

“And I really wanted something that was going to be unique,” he adds.

Galaxy's interior is inspired by space and Burning Man

Sarah Colbon describes how she and the husband-and-wife team of Marie Soliman-Berglund and Albin Berglund were able to exceed Hagewood’s expectations. “The design concept was always about Dave and Danielle’s love of life, passion for creating their own community like they find at Burning Man and gifting everyone who steps onboard an energy that’s pure and unforgettable. Galaxy their very own spaceship.”

“We want Galaxy be the creative focal point where everyone can be free to do what they want and just have a ton of fun and bring their own talents and energies to the boat and see what happens,” Hagewood adds.

The forward area of the owners suite is designing for Hagewood and his friends to hang out under ... [+] the "stars."

Hagewood’s background (he founded Psyonix LLC that developed the wildly successful video game Rocket League and was eventually sold to Epic Games in 2019) also brings some fresh perspective to superyacht ownership as well.

“There are lot of yachts out there that are very private, very closed. And there are lots of people that are kind of just retired sailing off into the sunset,” he says. “But there are a few that are open to the energy and the vibe we're bringing.”

The upper saloon onboard Galaxy

“Their passion for outer space and that feeling of being in another world meant so much, Galaxy became this, but it’s also their home on the water,” Colbon adds. “It touches the senses from head to toe, especially in the main salon which can be their very own private members club, a super comfortable space to chill in the afternoon, a movie theater and then transform into a nightclub where Dave can play his latest music track.”

The hot tub deck is forward of the owners suite.

Other unique design features include the master suite that has a music studio and unique snuggle space in their private apartment in the bow. And the cosmic-inspired accents including the illuminated headboard with their own star signs is off-the-hook. The upper saloon features one-of-a-kind artwork by Hannah Camille, and a cool a space for playing the piano and dining.

After speaking with Hagewood and Hill about the community, beauty, luxury, and adventure that a yacht like Galaxy makes possible, I wasn’t surprised to learn about their love of Burning Man.

The textures, colors, artwork and lighting onboard Galaxy create an unmistakable vibe.

And that actually got me thinking.

If they can design and refit a yacht to bring Burning Man’s unique vibe, ethos, energy and community spirit to superyacht ownership. What other modern inspiration sources could propel superyacht design and ownership into cool new realms?

The main salon onboard Galaxy.

I’m looking forward to finding out.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Who Owns Which Superyacht? (A Complete Guide)

Have you ever wondered who owns the most luxurious, extravagant, and expensive superyachts? Or how much these lavish vessels are worth? In this complete guide, we’ll explore who owns these magnificent vessels, what amenities they hold, and the cost of these incredible yachts.

We’ll also take a look at some of the most expensive superyachts in the world and the notable people behind them.

Get ready to explore the world of superyachts and the people who own them!

Table of Contents

Short Answer

The ownership of superyachts is generally private, so the exact answer to who owns which superyacht is not always publicly available.

However, there are some notable superyacht owners that are known.

For example, Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, owns the Rising Sun, which is the 11th largest superyacht in the world.

Other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

Overview of Superyachts

The term superyacht refers to a large, expensive recreational boat that is typically owned by the worlds wealthy elite.

These vessels are designed for luxury cruising and typically range in size from 24 meters to over 150 meters, with some even larger.

Superyachts usually feature extensive amenities and creature comforts, such as swimming pools, outdoor bars, movie theaters, helipads, and spas.

Superyachts can range in price from $30 million to an astonishingly high $400 million.

Like most luxury items, the ownership of a superyacht is a status symbol for those who can afford it.

The list of superyacht owners reads like a whos who of billionaires, with names like Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The most expensive superyacht in the world is owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

While some superyacht owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye, others have made headlines with their extravagant amenities.

Some of the most famous superyachts feature swimming pools, private beaches, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, and luxurious spas.

In conclusion, owning a superyacht is an exclusive status symbol for the world’s wealthy elite.

These vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from $30 million to over $400 million, and feature some of the most luxurious amenities imaginable.

Notable owners include the Emir of Qatar, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Who are the Owners of Superyachts?

From Hollywood celebrities to tech billionaires, superyacht owners come from all walks of life.

Many of the most well-known owners are billionaires, including Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Other notable owners include Hollywood stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp.

However, not all superyacht owners are wealthy.

Many are everyday people who have worked hard and saved up to purchase their dream vessel.

Other notable billionaire owners include Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, and former US President Donald Trump.

These luxurious vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from $30 million to over $400 million.

For many superyacht owners, their vessels serve as a status symbol of wealth and luxury.

Some owners prefer to keep their yachts out of the public eye, while others have made headlines with their extensive amenities – from swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas.

Many of these yachts are designed to the owner’s exact specifications, ensuring that each one is totally unique and reflects the owner’s individual tastes and personality.

Owning a superyacht is an exclusive club, reserved for those with the means and the desire to experience the ultimate in luxury.

Whether they are billionaires or everyday people, superyacht owners are all united in their love of the sea and their appreciation for the finer things in life.

The Most Expensive Superyacht in the World

When it comes to superyachts, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, certainly knows how to make a statement.

His luxury vessel, the 463-foot Al Mirqab, holds the title of the world’s most expensive superyacht.

Built in 2008 by German shipbuilder Peters Werft, this impressive yacht is complete with 10 luxurious cabins, a conference room, cinema, and all the amenities one would expect from a vessel of this magnitude.

In addition, the Al Mirqab features a helipad, swimming pool, and even an outdoor Jacuzzi.

With a price tag of over $400 million, the Al Mirqab is one of the most expensive yachts in the world.

In addition to the Emir of Qatar, there are several other notable owners of superyachts.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos all own luxurious vessels.

Bezos yacht, the aptly named The Flying Fox, is one of the longest superyachts in the world at a staggering 414 feet in length.

The Flying Fox also comes with a host of amenities, such as a helipad, swimming pool, spa, and multiple outdoor entertaining areas.

Bezos also reportedly spent over $400 million on the vessel.

Other notable owners of superyachts include Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who owns the $200 million Kingdom 5KR, and Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who owns the $200 million Rising Sun.

There are also many lesser-known owners, such as hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin, who owns the $150 million Aviva, and investor Sir Philip Green, who owns the $100 million Lionheart.

No matter who owns them, superyachts are sure to turn heads.

With their impressive size, luxurious amenities, and hefty price tags, these vessels have become a symbol of wealth and prestige.

Whether its the Emir of Qatar or a lesser-known owner, the worlds superyacht owners are sure to make a statement.

Notable Superyacht Owners

When it comes to the wealthiest and most luxurious owners of superyachts, the list reads like a whos who of the worlds billionaires.

At the top of the list is the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who holds the distinction of owning the most expensive superyacht in the world.

Aside from the Emir, other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

All of these owners have made headlines with their extravagant vessels, which are typically priced between $30 million and $400 million.

The amenities that come with these vessels vary greatly from owner to owner, but they almost always include luxurious swimming pools, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, and spas.

Some owners opt for more extravagant features, such as submarines, personal submarines, and even their own personal submarines! Other owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye, but for those who prefer a more showy approach, they can certainly make a statement with a superyacht.

No matter who owns the vessel, it’s no surprise that these superyachts are a status symbol among the world’s wealthiest.

Whether you’re trying to impress your peers or just looking to enjoy a luxurious outing, owning a superyacht is the ultimate way to show off your wealth.

What Amenities are Included on Superyachts?

Owning a superyacht is a sign of wealth and prestige, and many of the worlds most prominent billionaires have their own vessels.

The most expensive superyacht in the world is owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, while other notable owners include Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The cost of a superyacht can range from $30 million to over $400 million, but the price tag doesnt quite capture the sheer extravagance and amenities of these vessels.

Superyachts come with all the comforts of home, and then some.

Many owners will equip their vessels with swimming pools, helicopter pads, on-board cinemas, spas, and other luxury amenities.

The interior of a superyacht can be custom-designed to the owners specifications.

Some owners opt for modern, sleek designs, while others prefer a more traditional look.

Many of the most luxurious yachts feature marble floors, walk-in closets, and custom-made furniture.

Some vessels even come with a full-service gym, complete with exercise equipment and trained professionals.

Other amenities may include a library, casino, media room, and private bar.

When it comes to outdoor amenities, superyachts have some of the most impressive features in the world.

Many yachts come with outdoor entertainment areas, complete with full kitchens, dining rooms, and lounge areas.

Some owners even opt for hot tubs or jacuzzis for relaxing afternoons in the sun.

And, of course, there are the jet skis, water slides, and other exciting water activities that come with many of these vessels.

No matter what amenities a superyacht has, it is sure to be an experience like no other.

From the sleek interiors to the luxurious outdoor features, these vessels provide a unique, luxurious experience that is unrivaled on land.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing escape or an exciting adventure, a superyacht is sure to provide.

How Much Do Superyachts Cost?

When it comes to superyachts, the sky is the limit when it comes to cost.

These luxury vessels come with hefty price tags that can range from anywhere between $30 million to over $400 million.

So, if youre in the market for a superyacht, youre looking at an investment that could easily break the bank.

The cost of a superyacht is driven by a variety of factors, including size, amenities, and customization.

Generally, the larger the yacht, the more expensive it will be.

Superyachts typically range in size from 100 feet to over 200 feet, and they can be as wide as 40 feet.

The bigger the yacht, the more luxurious features and amenities it will have.

Amenities also play a significant role in the cost of a superyacht.

While some owners prefer to keep their yachts out of the public eye, others have made headlines with their extensive amenities.

From swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas, the sky is the limit when it comes to customizing a superyacht.

The more amenities a superyacht has, the more expensive it will be.

Finally, customization is another major factor that will drive up the cost of a superyacht.

Many luxury vessels have custom-designed interiors that are tailored to the owners tastes.

From custom furniture and artwork to lighting and audio systems, the cost of a superyacht can quickly escalate depending on the level of customization.

In short, the cost of a superyacht can vary widely depending on its size, amenities, and customization.

While some may be able to get away with spending a few million dollars, others may end up spending hundreds of millions of dollars on their dream yacht.

No matter what your budget is, its important to do your research and find out exactly what youre getting for your money before signing on the dotted line.

Keeping Superyachts Out of the Public Eye

When it comes to owning a superyacht, some owners prefer to keep their vessels out of the public eye.

Understandably, these individuals are concerned with privacy and discretion, and therefore tend to take measures to ensure their yachts are not visible to outsiders.

For instance, some superyacht owners opt to keep their vessels in private marinas, away from the public areas of larger ports.

Additionally, some yacht owners may choose to hire security guards to patrol and protect their vessels while they are moored or sailing.

In addition to physical security, some superyacht owners also use technology to keep their vessels out of the public eye.

For example, a yacht owner may choose to install a satellite-based communications system that allows them to keep their vessel completely off-radar.

This system works by bouncing signals off satellites rather than transmitting them, making it virtually impossible for anyone to track the yachts movements.

Finally, some superyacht owners also choose to limit the number of people who have access to their vessels.

For instance, the owner may only allow family members and close friends to board the yacht.

Additionally, the owner may choose to employ a limited number of staff to help maintain the vessel and keep it running smoothly.

These individuals may be required to sign non-disclosure agreements to ensure they do not disclose any information about the yacht or its owner.

Overall, while some superyacht owners may choose to keep their vessels out of the public eye, there are still plenty of other ways to show off the opulence associated with owning a superyacht.

From swimming pools and helicopter pads to on-board cinemas and spas, there are many luxurious amenities that can make a superyacht the envy of any jet setter.

Final Thoughts

Superyachts are a symbol of luxury and status, and the list of yacht owners reads like a who’s who of billionaires.

From the Emir of Qatar’s world-record breaking $400 million yacht to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s vessel with a helicopter pad and on-board spa, the amenities of these luxury vessels are truly stunning.

With prices ranging from $30 million to over $400 million, owning a superyacht is an expensive endeavor.

Whether you’re looking to purchase one or just curious to learn more about the owners and their amenities, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to stay up to date with the superyacht scene.

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

Recent Posts

When Was Banana Boat Song Released? (HISTORICAL INSIGHTS)

The "Banana Boat Song" was released in 1956 by Harry Belafonte. This calypso-style song, also known as "Day-O," became a huge hit and remains popular to this day for its catchy tune and upbeat...

How to Make Banana Boat Smoothie King? (DELICIOUS RECIPE REVEALED)

To make a Banana Boat Smoothie King smoothie at home, start by gathering the ingredients: a ripe banana, peanut butter, chocolate protein powder, almond milk, and ice. Blend the banana, a scoop of...

The human side of yacht ownership

How would you characterise the typical yacht owner? Whatever you may have been led to believe, the truth is simple: for most, it’s about using their yachts for precious family time, and for many it’s also about using their yachts for good.

There’s a theme that is repeated on countless yachts large and small the world over – superyachting, for most, is not about being seen but rather the opposite. It’s about yacht families and their friends enjoying precious, private moments away from the pressures of demanding business lives and the long hours running those businesses can entail.

“I have an extended family, and when our schedules allow we all like to gather on the yacht and spend some quality time as a family,” Douglas Barrowman , owner of the yacht Turquoise , told Superyacht Life back in 2017. “There is no place like a yacht for family togetherness.”

Douglas Barrowman with family

A love of the sea, adventure and technology

Superyachts and yacht ownership are also a way to explore the world around us, and to interact with and grow to understand extraordinarily diverse communities from remote Pacific islands to the Scandinavian Arctic. It’s something that inspired tech entrepreneur Jasper Smith to combine his love of adventure and his love of the sea with an opportunity for owners to give back while indulging their passion.

“I have always had a deep passion for the ocean,” Smith says. “I grew up watching Jacques Cousteau movies and being enthralled at the idea of being challenged by an endeavour.” When he set out to find his own perfect explorer yacht, however, he realised it didn’t yet exist. His answer was to create Arksen. “My aim with Arksen was to create the perfect machines to enable adventure,” he enthuses. “I also wanted to build sustainable boats which considered full life cycles, from material sourcing to recycling.”

That’s not all – Arksen also asks owners of its yachts to sign up to a pledge it calls 10% for the Ocean, where they will donate 10% of their vessel’s time to philanthropic activities. “A lot of people who have the money feel a responsibility to try and make sure that the oceans are well looked after,” Smith explains. “The people that are attracted to Arksen are passionate about the ocean and want to go off on slightly more advanced expeditions and trips. With that audience, there is a tremendous buy-in to the boat being for more than just their own purposes.”

Superyachts as a force for good

It speaks to the heart of the matter, which is that the superyacht industry and yacht owners in particular have a heart – they care about preserving the environment they enjoy, and they care about the communities they interact with who make them feel so welcome when they visit. It’s reflected in the smallest of gestures, such as donating materials and books to local schools, to the largest – helping with last-mile delivery of critical disaster relief. It’s about superyachts giving back.

It’s a positive-impact attitude toward humanity that is quietly typified by hundreds of superyacht owners, who often prefer to do their thing under the radar rather than take false glory for their philanthropic or humanitarian endeavours. For some it’s as straightforward as getting involved in projects with organisations like YachtAid Global . For others, their endeavours become a key reason for yachting.

American superyacht owner Carl Allen is a prime example of these philanthropic yacht owners. After selling his company, and having enjoyed chartering and owning yachts as a family for years, Allen set up Allen Explorations to deliver a full programme of projects, ranging from historical shipwreck searches and environmental research to disaster relief. Indeed, Allen’s support yacht Axis played a vital role in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian – one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the Bahamas.

“We had to drop everything and help after the hurricane,” says Allen. “ Axis delivered over £700,000 of supplies and made multiple trips to Little Grand island in the Bahamas. We’ve turned it into the epitome of how to organise hurricane relief.” The team helped get the local school back up and running, and organised for a group from Florida Power and Light to help restore power. “The island also lost their water tower,” he adds, “so we delivered four tanks on  Axis .”

Jasper Smith

Celebrating the good in the superyachting good life

From family time to time spent embracing the global family, superyacht owners have a far greater positive impact than many assume from preconceived ideas about what a superyacht is and the sort of person who owns or charters one. It’s one of the reasons The Superyacht Life Foundation, in association with the Monaco Yacht Show , has unveiled The Honours, which is a way to celebrate the people of our industry rather than the yachts which so often get sole focus. It’s about recognising the extraordinary contributions that people make, the change they inspire, the opportunities they create, and the lives they change.

On 26 September, the eve of the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show, three honourees – nominated by people from across the superyacht industry, and selected from a shortlist by an expert panel of industry judges – will be feted for their work and contribution to superyachting. These are industry professionals and yacht owners who epitomise what superyachting can do. These are people who highlight the good in the superyachting good life.

Yacht owners, impactful journeys

All around the globe, yacht owners are enjoying precious time on their yachts with family and friends, and many are also realising that their yachts can be a force for good and for change, tying in with their philanthropic works and humanitarian endeavours.

“Our yacht is a platform for much of our life,” offers Joe Anderson , co-owner of the Benovia Winery in California with his wife, Mary Dewane. “For instance, we used it at a fundraiser for cystic fibrosis in Baltimore at the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner event. The Blue Angels were flying overhead and used Bella Una [the couple’s yacht] as a GPS coordinate and performed flybys, tipping their wings at us. It was quite a thrill. Having a yacht is a way to keep the family intact, enjoy time with friends and have fun.”

You may also like...

Jenny Matthews

Jenny is the first officer on a superyacht based out of Barcelona. She is also the founder of She of the Sea, a platform which helps women in superyachting to connect with each other.

Working together to save the oceans

Richard Orme explains why he was compelled to reduce the dependency on single-use plastics in the superyacht industry with the Clear Ocean Pact.

Seeking healthier waters in Menorca and beyond

Sunseeker and Blue Marine join forces for Project Menorca, aimed at protecting the seas around this popular Balearic island.

Do you work in the superyacht industry? Yes No I would like to receive updates from Superyacht Life

Don’t miss out

Sign up to our newsletter and get our latest stories delivered monthly to your inbox.

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• Boat Pro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

How this Italian shipyard created a new category of explorer yacht

“The ‘X’ in X50 does not stand for ‘explorer’ but rather ‘experience’,” says Baglietto 's CCO Fabio Ermetto on the shipyard’s first model in its new XO series. The explorer yacht sector is rapidly growing, with a record number of projects listed in BOAT International ’s 2024 Global Order Book. Recognising a gap in this evolving market, the Italian builder launched its first 49.9-metre explorer yacht, where the guest experience is at the forefront of Francesco Paszkowski ’s design. BOAT ’s Hannah Rankine sits down with Ermetto to find out more…

Why did you decide to enter the explorer yacht market?

When it comes to the X50's concept, it is more than just an explorer; we call it an 'observer.' While most explorer yachts are designed around the experience of travelling the world, we noticed that many, particularly in the 50-metre, sub-500GT range, lack proper views of the surroundings. Travellers to destinations like Alaska and the Maldives often find themselves in the main saloon with limited views through the aft end of the boat. Thinking outside the box, we developed a concept that offers all the facilities you'd expect on an explorer yacht - tenders, storage, fuel, and ice class - while you can also enjoy the view in any climate or condition.

What inspired the design?

We wanted to create something that combines the adventure and experience of world travel with the luxury and comfort of a high-spec yacht. I often compare it to the Orient Express, where you can travel by train - a traditional mode of transport - in style and luxury whilst experiencing the journey. A long time ago in Italy, there was a train called the Settebello, which featured a first-class capsule on top, offering passengers panoramic views. This vision inspired the creation of our XO series.

What are your favourite features on board?

At the top of the boat, you'll find what we refer to as the “capsule”, which comprises two decks. The wheelhouse is located below, while the observation deck sits above. This is the reason we call it an 'observer.' The observation deck features extensive glass all around, including on the ceiling. Picture yourself travelling to Thailand or Australia, or entering a fjord enjoying panoramic views from an enclosed deck while relaxing on sofas and spending time with family.

The observation lounge also features large screens connected to an onboard drone. The idea is you can fly the drone one or two miles ahead of the yacht, offering a different view of your surroundings and making the experience more interactive. The sundeck above serves as an exterior observation lounge, designed to provide a cozy space to enjoy the views in good weather.

The main deck aft is a flexible area. Typically used for storing tenders and water toys, this area allows the tender to be launched quickly, with ample storage space underneath for freestanding furniture. This design enables the space to transition quickly from a technical area to a lounge area with a Bimini so that guests can be close to the water.

Why did you decide to work with Francesco Paszkowski on this project?

Francesco Paszkowski has been working with Baglietto for 30 years, designing the exteriors for many of our projects. Some of Baglietto's most iconic yachts are his creations. But he is also the kind of designer who is not afraid of doing something different, so he shared our vision of creating something unique in the explorer market. Our aim was to design a yacht that is unmistakably a Baglietto, distinct from those that could be built by any other shipyard. While many shipyards build quality boats, they often lack a distinctive identity. At Baglietto, we always try to give our models a strong and unique character.

What are the ways in which the owner can customise the yacht to their preferences?

The entire aft area of the main deck has been designed for versatility, serving as a gym, storage for tenders and toys or housing extra fridges and freezers. Our semi-custom boats are more or less full custom because we can accommodate clients’ requests not only in design but also in layout. The yacht’s design allows for easy modifications, such as a touch-and-go helideck on the top deck or incorporating a sauna into the layout.

Was there a specific reason why you chose 50 metres as the length?

In our design process, we looked at the market and noticed that many explorer yachts of this size offer very limited guest space. There is significant demand in the 499GT market, and Baglietto is renowned for creating some of the largest yachts in this category. Our goal is to apply this expertise to the explorer yacht market, producing the largest explorer yacht under 499GT. Remarkably, the X50 accommodates three tenders without compromising onboard space, a rare feature for a sub-500GT vessel.

We are also considering building a larger version in the 55- to 60-meter range, which would offer entirely different onboard spaces and features.

What are some of the environmental initiatives on board?

We have included solar panels in the honeycomb design on top of the X50, which is part of the shipyard’s wider Bzero hydrogen project that we launched last year. With 80 per cent of our clients interested in hybrid propulsion, we now offer all of our boats with a hybrid option and we were the first shipyard to build a Lloyd’s-certified hybrid boat. We are also starting the first hydrogen plant at our shipyard to generate electricity out of seawater. The X50 can be offered with a hybrid package because the boat and engine room have been designed to accommodate this without any major modifications.

To find out more information about Baglietto’s X50 superyacht, contact the team today .

How long will feckless Joe Biden ignore the grave threat of sharks and electric boats?

Does biden even care about patriotic americans like us, the ones who might one day be forced to choose between boat-battery electrocution or death by shark.

Thank God for MY PRESIDENT, Donald J. Trump, the one presidential candidate with courage enough to confront the greatest twin threats of our time: sharks and electric boat batteries.

At a recent rally, Trump brought up the dilemma that’s keeping so many Americans who ride through shark-infested waters in battery-powered boats awake at night: “What would happen if the boat sank from its weight, and you’re in the boat and you have this tremendously powerful battery, and the battery is now underwater and there’s a shark that’s approximately 10 yards over there ?”

It’s truly every electric-boat-using parent’s worst nightmare, assuming they don’t understand how boat batteries work and don't question why the shark that’s 10 yards over there wouldn’t also be getting electrocuted.

“Do I get electrocuted if the boat is sinking, water goes over the battery, the boat is sinking?” Trump smartly asked . “Do I stay on top of the boat and get electrocuted, or do I jump over by the shark and not get electrocuted?”

Unlike Trump, Biden doesn't care if you get eaten by a shark

These are not the kind of sensible, America-loving questions you hear from Sleepy Joe Biden. Does he even care about patriotic Americans like us, the ones who might one day be forced to choose between boat-battery electrocution or death by shark?

I doubt he cares at all. He’s too busy being both dementia-addled AND the devious mastermind of a global crime family while also turning our country into a banana republic by allowing the justice system to use a "jury" to find Trump “guilty” of “crimes.”

Obviously Trump is Jesus: Marjorie Taylor Greene compares Trump to Jesus. Which Bible is she reading?

No, you won’t hear one word from Biden about sharks or large boat batteries.

He’s either too busy being totally out of it due to severe mental decline OR carefully plotting an elaborate scheme to get his son convicted on federal gun charges so people think that the justice system is legitimate and that Trump’s recent 34-count conviction on New York felony charges wasn’t actually rigged.

NICE TRY, SLEEPY JOE!

Maybe for a change you could give a damn about the American people by making sure they aren’t dying of ocean electrocution or in the razor-toothed mouths of presumably electrocution-proof sharks!

Trump will surely protect us from battery electrocution and sharks

At the same rally where Trump addressed our nation’s shark/battery crisis – a speech many are saying was as good as, if not better than, President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address – the man who made MAGA noted : “By the way, a lot of shark attacks lately, do you notice that? A lot of sharks. I watched some guys justifying it today. ‘Well, they weren’t really that angry, they bit off the young lady’s leg because of the fact that they were not hungry but they misunderstood who she was.’ These people are crazy. He said there’s no problem with sharks they just didn’t really understand a young woman swimming now who really got decimated and a lot of other people too, a lot of shark attacks.”

Indeed. All these shark attacks , combined with what I assume are innumerable instances of battery-powered boats sinking near sharks, have created a national catastrophe Biden is choosing to ignore.

Questions abound when it comes to sinking electric-powered boats

There are so many questions. Why are the boats sinking, and why, as Trump mentioned, is there always a shark “approximately 10 yards” away?

Are these sharks working for the Democratic National Committee? Is the Biden Crime Family having communist China manufacture the boats that keep sinking under the weight of these batteries?

Hunter Biden convicted: Hunter Biden guilty verdict proves Trump's trial wasn't 'rigged'

And why does the electrical current stop mattering if the person jumps over by the shark?

Wouldn’t the boater who leaps overboard get both electrocuted AND eaten by the shark that, for some reason, is wholly unfazed by any electric current?

Another Biden term means certain death for electric-boat owners

And why have we never heard of the presumably thousands of people who are being electrocuted by boat batteries? Is this a cover-up by the fake news media?

With shark-lover Biden in office, we’ll surely never know. And unless Trump gets elected this fall, more and more Americans will have to answer the impossible question posed by the man we Republicans think should be leader of the free world: “Do I stay on top of the boat and get electrocuted, or do I jump over by the shark and not get electrocuted?”

Vote accordingly, folks. Otherwise, the sharks and the batteries win.

Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly Twitter,  @RexHuppke  and Facebook  facebook.com/RexIsAJerk .

A Brief History of Superyachts

And how they explain the world..

Tim Murphy January+February 2024 Issue

James Clapham

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter

When the US targeted Russia’s oligarchs after the invasion of Ukraine, the trail of assets kept leading to our own backyard. Not only had our nation become a haven for shady foreign money, but we were also incubating a familiar class of yacht-owning, industry-dominating, resource-extracting billionaires. In the  January + February 2024  issue of our magazine, we investigate the rise of American Oligarchy—and what it means for the rest of us. You can read all the pieces  here .

The luxury yacht may be the world’s most exclusive form of transportation. But there are only a hundred-some that meet the definition of a gigayacht—a pleasure craft 295 feet or longer. Their opaque ownership records offer a glimpse of modern wealth and power: Over two dozen are linked to Gulf royals, businessmen, or states, and 20 to citizens (past or current) of the former Soviet Union. At least 23 have reportedly belonged to Americans, including founders of Microsoft, Netscape, Amazon, WhatsApp, and Snapchat. The widow of a German retailer who thrived under Hitler owned one; a UK tax exile and a Formula 1 dad still do. Yugoslav strongman Tito’s old yacht makes the list; Dominican dictator Trujillo’s does too. Take a cruise through the history of the vessels and their—somewhat—more modest sister ships.

1895: Nineteen years before World War I, the future King Edward VII of England punches his nephew, Kaiser Wilhelm II, in the face, after the German’s 121-foot yacht, Meteor II , defeats the royal Britannia in a race off the Isle of Wight.

1954: Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis ushers in an era of postwar one-upmanship with his 325-foot Christina O . It features a pool that converts into a dance floor, furniture made from whale foreskin, and pornographic carvings.

1963: During his final birthday party aboard the presidential yacht Sequoia , JFK chases future Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee’s wife, Antoinette, into the bathroom and gropes her. “I guess I was pretty surprised, but I was kind of flattered, and appalled, too,” she says later. The ship’s visitor logs are destroyed after Kennedy’s assassination.

1984: King Fahd of Saudi Arabia builds the record-breaking 482-foot Prince Abdulaziz .

1987: Sen. Gary Hart (D-Colo.) drops out of the presidential race just before photos emerge of him with model Donna Rice aboard the yacht Monkey Business .

1988: Donald Trump acquires Nabila , which previously belonged to the Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi and was featured in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again . He renames it Trump Princess , adds a disco, and changes the helipad’s “H” to a “T.”

1991: After one of Trump’s casinos files for bankruptcy, he sells Trump Princess to his bank—which flips it to a Saudi prince. A new yacht, the Trump Princess II , which he boasted would be “something in excess of 400 feet long, closer to 500 feet,” is never built.

British publisher Robert Maxwell’s body is found in the Atlantic Ocean, where he had been cruising on a 180-footer named for his daughter—the Lady Ghislaine . The vessel is eventually resold to Anna Murdoch, Rupert’s second wife.

1994: At a cocktail party on the oligarch Petr Aven’s yacht in the Caribbean, Boris Berezovsky meets Roman Abramovich, calling him a “nice boy who wanted to discuss commercial projects.” He and Abramovich begin working together to acquire Sibneft, a Russian state oil company.

1997: Construction ends on The Limited and Victoria’s Secret owner Les Wexner’s ­316-foot Limitless . The project was overseen by his good friend Jeffrey Epstein.

1999: Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison buys the 191-foot Izanami from a Japanese seller. He changes the name to Ronin , he said later , after “the local newspapers started pointing out that Izanami was ‘I’m a Nazi’ spelled backwards.”

2001: Months before Enron files for bankruptcy, former CEO Jeffrey Skilling asks a company executive for advice on finding a yacht broker. “This industry is known for crooks and thieves,” he warns Skilling.

2002: House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas) promises to strip “corporate kingpins of their ill-gotten gains,” after scandals rock Enron and WorldCom. “We’re coming after the yacht.”

2003: DeLay charges donors $500,000 a pop for tickets to a yacht cruise.

2005: Ellison shoots down rumors he issued orders midconstruction to have his newest yacht, the 454-foot Rising Sun , extended to outdo Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s recently launched 414-foot Octopus .

Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-Calif.) pleads guilty to federal bribery charges after being caught living rent-free on a yacht, called the Duke-Stir , that was moored in Washington, DC, and owned by a defense contractor.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s 531-foot Dubai surpasses Prince Abdulaziz as the world’s longest yacht.

2006: Media mogul Barry Diller reveals the world’s longest sailing yacht, the 305-foot Eos , whose prow features a 9-foot-tall sculpture of his wife, Diane von Furstenberg.

2007: Diller opens a Manhattan corporate headquarters­­ at a Frank Gehry­–designed building that itself has been likened to a sailboat . It’s across the street from where Eos ties up.

2008: George Osborne, the No. 2 official in the UK’s Conservative Party, relaxes on Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska’s yacht while vacationing with his family in Greece. He denies an accusation that he solicited funds, explaining in a statement that they discussed “Russian history” and drank tea.

2009: As his marriage falls apart, Tiger Woods retreats to a 155-foot yacht called Privacy .

2010: Abramovich’s new ship, Eclipse , surpasses Dubai as the world’s longest yacht. The 533-foot vessel features a submarine, anti-missile systems, and lasers to thwart paparazzi .

2011: During an unsuccessful suit seeking $5 billion he believed Abramovich owed him from the sale of Sibneft, an exiled Berezovsky claims that his former partner helped purchase the yacht Olympia for Vladimir Putin. When the BBC publishes a supporting account from another Russian businessman five years later, Abramovich’s lawyers dismiss the allegation as “a rehash of speculation and rumours.”

2012: As GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney faces criticism for holding investment funds in the Cayman Islands, his campaign invites donors to party on Cracker Bay . The ship, owned by the founder of The Villages retirement community, flies the Cayman Islands’ flag.

2013: UAE leader Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan launches the 593-foot Azzam , surpassing the Eclipse .

2014: The Wall Street Journal reports that Ellison has basketball hoops on “at least two of his yachts” and had someone follow in a smaller boat “to retrieve balls that go overboard.”

2016: Allen’s Tatoosh drags its anchor through a protected zone in the Cayman Islands, destroying 14,000 square feet of coral.

2017: After leaving office, Barack and Michelle Obama retreat to the South Pacific aboard David Geffen’s yacht, where they’re joined by Oprah, Tom Hanks, and Bruce Springsteen.

Abramovich’s business partner, Eugene Shvidler, blocks views of the Statue of Liberty while anchoring his 370-foot Le Grand Bleu in New York Harbor for a month.

Addressing the national Boy Scout Jamboree, Trump tells an anecdote widely assumed to allude to sex parties on a yacht belonging to the developer of the Levittown suburbs. “You’re Boy Scouts, so I’m not going to tell you what he did,” he said. “But you know life.”

Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) buys a yacht and on the same day votes to cut taxes on yachts.

2018: Rupert Murdoch is airlifted to UCLA after collapsing on a yacht trip with his fourth wife, Jerry Hall. “He kept almost dying,” a source tells Vanity Fair .

Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott designates a billionaire donor’s marina as a special anti-­poverty opportunity zone.

Someone unties Seaquest , a superyacht belonging to Trump administration Secretary of Education (and billionaire) Betsy DeVos, causing it to crash into a dock on Lake Erie.

Businessman Jho Low, who financed The Wolf of Wall Street , is accused of taking part in a $4.5 billion scheme to siphon Malaysian state development funds and using some to purchase a $250 million yacht.

2019: Actress Lori Loughlin is arrested in a college admissions bribery scheme . Her daughter, USC student Olivia Jade, is vacationing in the Bahamas— on a yacht belonging to USC board of trustees chair Rick Caruso.

Following an investigation into corruption in the Nigerian oil industry, the US government auctions off businessman Kolawole Aluko’s Galactica Star , six years after Jay-Z rented out the vessel for Beyoncé’s 32nd birthday. A former Enron unit attempts to claim a portion of the proceeds.

Clarence Thomas visits an Indonesian preserve for Komodo dragons with billionaire Harlan Crow on the conservative megadonor’s Michaela Rose .

ArtNet reports that a $450 million (reputed) da Vinci that was supposed to be in an Abu Dhabi museum has been spotted hanging in Mohammed bin Salman’s personal yacht, Serene .

Kylie Jenner holds her 22nd birthday party on Low’s yacht, now under new ownership.

2020: “[I]solated in the Grenadines avoiding the virus,” Geffen writes on Instagram from Rising Sun , which he purchased in 2010. “I’m hoping everybody is staying safe.”

Steve Bannon is arrested off the coast of Connecticut by US Postal Police while aboard the fugitive Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui’s 150-foot Lady May .

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. dresses up as a character from the TV show Trailer Park Boys for a costume party aboard a NASCAR mogul’s yacht. He later posts a photo of himself to Instagram with his fly unzipped and his arms around his wife’s assistant.

2021: NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre testifies that he took refuge on Illusions , a Hollywood producer’s yacht, after the Newtown and Parkland mass shootings. “I remember getting there going, ‘Thank God I’m safe, nobody can get me here.’”

During a bitter divorce, the Daily Mail reports that Tatiana Akhmedova, wife of the Russian Azerbaijani billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov, hired a team of British special forces veterans to seize his yacht, Luna , in an effort to enforce a Marshall Islands court ruling. They settle instead, and he keeps the boat.

Port Azure , dubbed the world’s first harbor designed exclusively for megayachts, opens in Gocek, Turkey. It bills itself as a place where “problems big and small go away.”

2022: Amid reports a historic bridge will be dismantled so Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ newly built Koru can leave Rotterdam’s shipyards, residents threaten to pelt the sailboat with eggs . The city changes plans.

A Ukrainian mechanic is arrested in Mallorca for attempting to sink a vessel owned by his boss, a Russian arms dealer.

Biden promises oligarchs he’s going to “take their ill-begotten gains” after the invasion of Ukraine. “We’re going to seize their yachts.”

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder avoids a congressional subpoena on the team’s misogynistic culture while cruising the Mediterranean on his yacht, Lady S .

Missing Russian superyachts are spotted waiting out sanctions at Port Azure.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) criticizes Joe Biden for vacationing in Delaware while vacationing on a luxury yacht in Italy.

After sailing through Fiji on his yacht Aquarius , briefly retired Disney CEO Bob Iger tells friends he misses his wife and is bored with life.

New York Republican congressional candidate George Santos brokers a $19 million deal to sell a superyacht called Namaste to a Long Island car dealer.

Bankrupt crypto exchange FTX reveals in court filings that founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s hedge fund once spent $2.5 million on a yacht, which a top executive named Soak My Deck .

2023: Bezos takes possession of Koru . The $500 million, 417-foot sailboat comes with a bust that resembles his fiancée Lauren Sánchez—and its own second, 246-foot “shadow” support yacht with crew quarters and a hangar for the helicopter she pilots.

After divorcing Jerry Hall, Rupert Murdoch vacations on the Christina O with Abramovich’s ex-mother-in-law.

As TV and movie writers and actors strike, the Wall Street Journal reports that Iger, now back at work, has been regaling visitors to his Burbank office about the new, longer yacht he’s building.

Measuring Contest

Iconic gigayachts through the years

1931: Sea Cloud , Marjorie Post: 359 ft.

1981: Atlantis II , Stavros Niarchos: 380 ft.

2003: Octopus , Paul Allen: 414 ft.

2005: Rising Sun , Larry Ellison: 454 ft.

2010: Eclipse , Roman Abramovich: 533 ft.

2013: Azzam , Sheikh Khalifa: 593 ft.

Illustrations by Anthony Calvert

The Few, The Loud

Some famous faces aboard gigayachts

Steven Spielberg reeled out his anchor off Cannes.

A part of Katy Perry got stuck exiting a dinghy on her way to Barry Diller’s yacht.

Mohammed bin Salman purchased his yacht, Serene , just hours after he saw it.

Jerry Jones made a draft pick aboard his Bravo Eugenia to deepen the Cowboys’ bench.

Mariah Carey was engaged to a gigayacht owner, before the fantasy ended.

If You Want to Understand Trump’s Appeal, Look at John Gotti

Conservative Media Conglomerate Amplifies Misleading Attacks on Biden’s Fitness

A New Biden Ad Is Highlighting Trump’s Criminal Conviction

Julianne McShane

Blood and Soil

April Simpson

We Recommend

A Brutal Heatwave Is About to Wallop Some 265 Million Americans

Edward Helmore

Christian Nationalists Are Opening Private Schools. Taxpayers Are Funding Them.

Kiera Butler

Big Tech’s Energy Needs Are Growing So Fast That Power Grids Can’t Keep Up

Morgan Meaker

Sponsored Post

Navigating Farm and Ranch Transfers to a New Generation

American Farmland Trust

Let’s Check Back in on Those Trump Veepstakes

Biden’s $30m Weekend Fundraising Blitz Breaks Democratic Party Records

Trump World Reportedly Flirts With a Return to Mandatory Military Service

This Biologist Panned a “Mosquito Eradicator” Product. Its Maker Bit Back.

Brooke Borel

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use , and to receive messages from Mother Jones and our partners.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones ' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Independent. In print. In your mailbox.

Inexpensive, too! Subscribe today and get a full year of Mother Jones for just $14.95.

Bold. Brave. Beautiful.

Award-winning photojournalism. Stunning video. Fearless conversations.

Looking for news you can trust?

We noticed you have an ad blocker on..

Can you pitch in a few bucks to help fund Mother Jones' investigative journalism? We're a nonprofit (so it's tax-deductible), and reader support makes up about two-thirds of our budget.

We noticed you have an ad blocker on. Can you pitch in a few bucks to help fund Mother Jones' investigative journalism?

Don't let an algorithm decide what news you see.

Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily newsletter and follow the news that matters.

Bezos is back at it with another hot yacht summer

• We're in for another hot yacht summer.
• Recent photos show Jeff Bezos hanging out with his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, on a yacht in Portofino.
• Per reports, the ship in question is Bezos' $500 million yacht, Koru, which set sail in February.

Hot yacht summer is in full swing in the Italian village of Portofino.

A series of photos taken Monday show Jeff Bezos hanging out with his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, on a ship in the Italian Riviera. She's seen reclining against a flag pole and testing out a variety of poses as Bezos snaps some photos.

You'd be forgiven for thinking it's just standard couple-on-vacation stuff, but then you'd be compelled to remember that this is not just any billionaire, and it's not just any boat: It's the world's third-richest billionaire, and, per multiple media reports, it's Bezos' $500 million yacht.

Related stories

As The Cut perfectly put it on Instagram , you're never too rich to be part of the #boyfriendsofinstagram.

The 417-foot vessel, named Koru , set sail in February. You may remember it from that time in 2022 when the Dutch nearly had to dismantle a historic bridge to let the vessel pass through Rotterdam.

It's hard to tell from a distance, but it looks as if Bezos may be wearing his signature aviators. Sadly, the iconic $260, octopus-print swim trunks from 2019 didn't make the cut this time.

Bezos and Sanchez were also photographed on the yacht off the coast of Spain in May, shortly after they hit up Coachella . The pair are hot-yacht-summer experts by now: In 2019, they made headlines for partying with Lloyd Blankfein and Karlie Kloss on David Geffen's yacht, Rising Sun, off the coast of Spain.

And you can't see it in this recent series of photos, but Bezos' yacht is adorned with a female bust, which people have been speculating is modeled off of Sanchez.

The Dutch, by the way, ended up not dismantling the old bridge for the sake of Bezos' big boat.

Bezos didn't immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Watch: Jeff Bezos reportedly just spent $165 million on a Beverly Hills estate — here are all the ways the world's richest man makes and spends his money

• Main content