Yachts & Sailing

Simon Cowell Plays Second Fiddle to Sean "Diddy" Combs in St. Barths

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Jan 13th 2011 at 7:01PM

American Idol bigwig Simon Cowell got one-upped by Sean "P. Diddy" Combs in St. Barths over the New Year's holiday where his superyacht played second fiddle to the rap mogul's state-of-the-art iPad-controlled craft. Cowell chartered his favorite yacht, the 196-ft. Slipstream (above) built by France's CMN Shipyard, for $450,000 plus expenses. With luxe accommodation for 12 guests plus a crew of 14, Slipstream features mirrors above a giant waterbed, a Jacuzzi, an observation lounge with panoramic views, gym and a sky lounge with a retractable roof. Diddy's yacht Solemates runs to $600,000 per week plus expenses and is a critical 12 inches longer than Cowell's. In addition to the iPad concierge Solemates accommodates 12 guests in six luxurious cabins and features a sun lounge wrapped around a Jacuzzi forward; a discotheque sound and lighting system turns it into an al fresco nightclub. Cowell's cruise was also somewhat hampered by the fact that he had several warring females aboard. While Diddy's yacht is blandly luxurious, Cowell's yacht has a bit more style; take a look at the images of both below and tell us what you think.

Gallery: 'Solemates' iPad Superyacht Charter

Gallery: Simon Cowell Superyacht 'Slipstream'

[via JamesList]

Tags: American Idol, celebrity, Diddy, iPad, P. Diddy, Sean Combs, Simon Cowell, simon+cowell+yacht, simoncowellyacht, Solemates, St. Barths, superyacht, yacht

Google Founder Larry Page Splashes Out on a New Superyacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Jan 11th 2011 at 4:02PM

Google founder Larry Page has splashed out $45 million on a new superyacht with interiors by design genius Philippe Starck. The internet billionaire's new toy is the 194-ft. expedition superyacht Senses, purchased from New Zealand tycoon Sir Douglas Myers. The steel-hulled yacht was designed by Kusch Yachts and built back in 1999 at Germany's Schweers yard with a refit in 2010, and features accommodation for 10 guests and 14 crew over six decks. Split-level decks provide open and shaded sun lounging areas, secluded side pods, sheltered outdoor dining and informal seating areas. There's an airy and light gymnasium and a private beach club, complete with a Jacuzzi pool and vast sun beds, all with Starck's signature flair. The centerpiece of the vessel is a spacious owners' suite with dressing room which spans the full beam of the yacht. Senses also has a helipad and is equipped to carry a variety of toys and tenders. With twin 1,600 hp Deutz diesels she has a maximum speed of 15 knots, a cruising speed of 11 knots, and a range of 6,500 nautical miles at cruising speed.

Gallery: Larry Page's Superyacht 'Senses'

[via JamesList]

Tags: billionaire, expedition yacht, Google, google+yacht, googleyacht, Larry Page, larry+page+yacht, larry+page+yacht+senses, larrypageyacht, larrypageyachtsenses, Philippe Starck, senses+yacht, sensesyacht, superyacht, yacht

Salma Hayek & Supermodels Party on St. Barths' Sexiest Superyacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Jan 7th 2011 at 3:02PM

Roman Abramovich's Eclipse is bigger, Demi Moore's Philippe Starck-designed cruiser is cooler, and P. Diddy's floating iPad-controlled palace is more expensive, but the 161-ft. Destination Fox Harb'r Too was hands-down the sexiest superyacht in St. Barths over the New Year's vacation. It's not that there's anything terribly special about the Trinity-built vessel considering the competition; rather it has to do with who was onboard: Salma Hayek and stunning supermodels Alessandra Ambrosio (above) and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Hayek's billionaire husband François-Henri Pinault of the famed French luxury goods conglomerate reportedly footed the $250,000-per-week tab for the oceangoing extravaganza.

Destination Fox Harb'r Too was launched in 2008 with luxe accommodations for 11 guests in six spacious staterooms. The yacht is manned by a crew of 10 including a 5-star chef, three hostesses and a watersports guide. The split-level owner's suite features amazing 180-degree views and dual private en-suite baths. The Patrick Knowles Design interior is modeled on a European spa resort, featuring sophisticated fabrics, hand-carved glass and stone work, and acres of Honduran mahogany paneling with redwood burl, lacewood, and Macassar ebony accents. The sexy shipmates were in St. Barths for Abramovich's lavish New Year's Eve bash featuring the Black Eyed Peas.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: 'Destination Fox Harb'r Too'

Tags: Alessandra Ambrosio, megayacht, Philippe Starck, Roman Abramovich, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Salma Hayek, St. Barths, supermodels, superyacht, yacht

The Streets of Monaco

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Jan 6th 2011 at 6:01PM

Think you've seen it all when it goes to mega-yachts? Not even close. Not when it comes to The Streets of Monaco.

As you can see from the photo above, this super-yacht design borrows more from conventional architecture than naval architecture. It's modeled after a section of downtown Monte Carlo, complete with buildings formed into the superstructure and a go-kart track inspired by the city's iconic grand prix street circuit.

There's also staterooms enough for 16 guests, crew's quarters for 70, a movie theater, helipad, submarine dock, waterfalls and much, much more. All packed into a 155-meter twin-hull design that's about half the size of an aircraft carrier or cruise ship. This way, instead of sailing to Monaco, you can take the glamorous city with you wherever you go.

Tags: mega yacht, super yacht, the streets of monaco, yacht

106th Annual New York Boat Show Takes Place This Month

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Jan 4th 2011 at 1:01AM

The 106th annual New York Boat Show gets underway later this month at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The event runs January 19-23, and the 'Queen of the Show' will be the 49-foot Sunseeker 47 Portofino. The $1.15 million sports cruiser has a large saloon and well-equipped galley with a master stateroom and a twin bed cabin, both en suite. Other features include a second social area with seating, wetbar and sunpad. Also on display will be the Azimut 48 Flybridge-Range, a $1.1 million yacht with midship located guest cabins, an extended aft bathing platform, a dinette for six and a spacious galley.

The show features boats from several thousand to several million dollars and special Show pricing can save buyers up to 15%. Show goers can also enter to win a Boater's Dream Vacation at the Bitter End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands. The contest awards one 8-day/7-night trip for two to Virgin Gorda's Bitter End Yacht Club in a beachfront villa or a North Sound suite including three meals daily, use of the vast club fleet of over 100 boats, snorkel excursions, sailing school 101 and more.Russell Newberry, from the television show "Deadliest Catch" will be on hand to offer the inside scoop about life aboard three of the most popular crab boats in America. Tickets are $12 for adults; children 15 and under get in free.

Tags: deadliest catch, new york boat show, russell newberry

P. Diddy Charters the $600,000-a-Week iPad Megayacht in St. Barths

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Jan 3rd 2011 at 7:02PM

The other day we told you about Solemates (above), the $600,000 per week 197-ft. superyacht charter designed by the great Espen Oeino and launched by Lürssen earlier this year, the first of its kind to offer clients control of its various high-tech systems via the iPad. Now none other than Sean "P. Diddy" Combs has turned up on the yacht in St. Barths, where he chartered the ultra-luxe vessel for a family vacation over New Year's with girlfriend Kim Porter, their daughters D'Lila and Jessie and son Justin before jetting to Las Vegas to party. Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas visited as well. Via the iPad Diddy and co. can control the shipboard entertainment, climate and lighting systems and even summon crewmembers to bring refreshments.

The interior of the yacht, which accommodates 12 guests in six luxurious cabins, was designed by Glade Johnson in a blend of elegant, rich woods and textures and classical details paired with contemporary, sleek lines. The main and upper deck salons are awash with natural light and offer impressive spaces for formal or casual dining and entertaining. The sun deck features an outdoor dining area and a sun lounge wrapped around the Jacuzzi forward, and a discotheque sound and lighting system turns it into an al fresco nightclub. There are several toys and tenders aboard for a variety of recreational activities.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: 'Solemates' iPad Superyacht Charter

Tags: celebrity, Diddy, Espen Oeino, iPad, New Years Eve, p+diddy+ipad+yacht, p+diddy+yacht, P. Diddy, p.+diddy+ipad+superyacht, p.diddyipadsuperyacht, pdiddyipadyacht, pdiddyyacht, Sean Combs, Sean P. Diddy Combs, Solemates, St. Barths, superyacht, yacht, yacht charter

Perini Navi Founder's Personal Sailing Superyacht for Sale at $3 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Jan 3rd 2011 at 8:01AM

The famous Maltese Falcon embodies the elegance married to technical excellence characterizing the sailing superyachts of Italy's Perini Navi. The firm was founded in the early 1980s by dashing yachtsman Fabio Perini who wanted a large sailing yacht that was modern, stylish, fast and relatively easy to sail. He revolutionized the world of sailing superyachts in the process, and one of the very first Perini Navi yachts he built for himself, in 1987. The 80-ft. Elettra (above) is now being offered for sale at $3 million, an important piece of modern sailing history. Still raced every year in the Perini Navi Cup against much larger craft, the yacht has a Kevlar-composite hull and and is capable of a crusing speed of 10 knots. With accommodation for seven guests and three crew members Elettra recently benefited from a total refit of all sailing systems undertaken by Perini Navi and has been the subject of constant upgrades and improvements over the years. The interior remains an icon of classic maritime style with tons of teak and nautical accents.

Gallery: Perini Navi 'Elettra'

Tags: Italy, Maltese Falcon, Perini Navi, Perini Navi Cup, sailing, sailing yacht, superyacht

Demi Moore & Martha Stewart Party on Russian Billionaire's Megayacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Jan 3rd 2011 at 6:01AM

Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Martha Stewart made the New Year's scene in St. Barths as guests of Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko aboard his Philippe Starck-designed megayacht 'A' (above). The awe-inspiring 390-ft. craft ranks as the 11th largest yacht in the world and cost an estimated $300 million to build. The celebs were in town for oligarch Roman Abramovich's star-studded New Year's Eve bash featuring the Black Eyed Peas at his lavish estate on the island. While on board the yacht Moore strutted around in a barely-there bikini and caught some rays.

She and Kutcher also played around on the vessel's jet skis. The yacht's interior features $40,000 bath faucets, $60,000 stair banisters, and an all-white, 2,583-sq.-ft. master suite wrapped in bulletproof glass and accessed by a silver-plated staircase with a fingerprint scanner at the door. Key decor accents include Baccarat crystal tables, alligator skin and Kudu horn chairs, stingray skin upholstered walls and hand-stitched leather paneling. Filling the A's gas tanks alone costs $500,000 a pop and running costs come to about $20 million a year.

Tags: Andrey Melnichenko, Ashton Kutcher, celebrity, Demi Moore, Martha Stewart, megayacht, parties, Philippe Starck, Roman Abramovich, Russian billionaires, St. Barths, superyacht, yacht

Abramovich's 'Eclipse' Finally Ready to Set Sail

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Jan 1st 2011 at 8:04AM

After a year-long delay our favorite Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich finally took delivery of the world's largest and most expensive yacht, the Eclipse (above), the other day in time to berth her in St. Barths for his big New Year's Eve bash starring the Black Eyed Peas. The yacht, which measures anywhere from 533 ft. to 557 ft. depending on reports, cost somewhere between $500 million – $1 billion, again depending on which news accounts you give credit to. In any case, the Eclipse will cost an estimated $50 million a year to maintain and each fill-up at the gas tanks will run Roman a cool $650,000. The Eclipse, built by Germany's Blohm + Voss with luxe accommodations for 30 guests and 75 crew members, was beset with problems as we noted over the summer. The yacht, which features a military-grade missile defense system, armor plating, bulletproof windows, three helipads, two swimming pools and a wellness center, is said to be paparazzi proof thanks to a special electronic shield.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: abramovich, abramovich+eclipse, abramovicheclipse, Blohm + Voss, eclipse+yacht, eclipseyacht, megayacht, Roman Abramovich, Russian billionaires, st+barts, St. Barths, stbarts, wealth, yacht

Sunreef Unveils 131-foot Power Catamaran Megayacht

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Dec 29th 2010 at 3:01PM

Buyers as well as designers of motor yachts of any size face a difficult decision: make the boat too wide and it will suffer from poor performance on the water. Make it too narrow, on the other hand, and it won't have much room inside. Perhaps the ultimate solution is the catamaran.

With two hulls, a catamaran can slice through the water while straddling a wider beam to provide the best of both worlds. Sunreef is emerging as one of the most tempting builders of twin-hull power megayachts of this nature. We brought you news earlier this year of their 70-meter design, and now they've followed up with a slightly more modest 40-meter model.

Still measuring an enormous 131 feet length overall (LOA), the 40-meter Sunreef Power boasts expansive accommodations across three decks. The lowest is split between the two hulls, one containing the crew's quarters and galley, the other a pair of VIP staterooms. Two more staterooms can be found on the main deck, with the owner's suite on the upper deck. There's also a gym with deployable terrace, a pool and tender garages fore and aft.

Generous propulsion options promise a quick pace, with twin 1,920-horsepower engines driving up to 20 knots, the addition of water jets up to 32 knots and gas turbines up to 41.

Tags: catamaran, mega yacht, sunreef, sunreef power, sunreef yachts, yachts

BMW Splits from Oracle After Huge America's Cup Win

by David Kiley (RSS feed) — Dec 29th 2010 at 7:02AM

America's Cup champion BMW Oracle Racing says German automaker BMW is ending its sponsorship at the end of the year.

BMW has been part of the syndicate since 2002, contributing in the areas of structural engineering and lightweight, composite construction.

BMW Oracle Racing swept Alinghi of Switzerland in two races in February to win the America's Cup, the oldest trophy in international sports. Its radical trimaran design was the fastest boat in the history of the America's Cup.

BMW Oracle Racing is owned by Larry Ellison, CEO of business software maker Oracle Corp.

The reason for the break? BMW is said by sources to want to separate from technology partner Oracle over business issues.
The BMW-Oracle team won the America's Cup in February with a convincing 2-0 victory.

"In winning the 33rd America's Cup, we achieved all of our ambitious goals," said Ralf Hussmann, general manager BMW sports marketing. "We will continue to be involved in the sport on a national level."

Tags: Americas Cup, BMW Oracle Racing, sailing, yachts

$600,000 Superyacht Charter Comes with iPad Controls

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Dec 27th 2010 at 11:02AM

The 197-ft. superyacht Solemates designed by the great Espen Oeino and launched by Lürssen earlier this year is the first of its kind to offer charter clients control of its various high-tech systems via iPad – perhaps helping to justify the $600,000 per week price. The captain hands each guest their own iPad upon boarding, which remains theirs for the duration of the voyage. Via the device they can control the shipboard entertainment and climate systems, adjust the blinds and lights in their cabins, and even summon a crewmember to bring more cocktails. The interior of the yacht, designed by Glade Johnson, blends elegant, rich woods and textures with contemporary sleek lines. The main and upper deck salons are awash with natural light and offer impressive spaces for formal or casual dining and entertaining. The sun deck features an outdoor dining area and a sun lounge wrapped around the Jacuzzi forward. A discotheque sound and lighting system turns it into an al fresco nightclub at nightfall. The yacht accommodates 12 guests in six luxurious cabins.

[via JamesList]

Gallery: 'Solemates' iPad Superyacht Charter

Tags: Espen Oeino, iPad, ipad+yacht, ipadyacht, superyacht, superyacht+charter, superyacht+ipad, superyachtcharter, superyachtipad, yacht, yacht charter

Strand Craft Expands its Ambitions with new 166-ft Megayacht

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Dec 23rd 2010 at 8:02PM

Earlier this year we brought you plans for the Strand Craft 122, and followed that with particulars of its availability. Now the shipyard has returned with an even bigger, more impressive design.

Measuring 166 feat instead of the 122-foot original, the new Strand express megayacht is every bit as stealthy. Its smooth lines conceal a number of deployable extensions that transform its svelte shape into a haven on water. Like other express yachts, the Strand Craft features a hidden garage at the stern, but instead of housing jet skis or tender craft, the 166 like its smaller sibling houses a bespoke supercar.

Inside there are five staterooms – each 52-inch flat-screen televisions controlled via iPad – a hidden Jacuzzi tub in the bow and much more. See for yourself in the video after the jump and the images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Strand Craft 166

Tags: express yacht, mega yacht, motor yacht, sport yacht, strand craft, strand craft 166, yacht

Continue reading “Strand Craft Expands its Ambitions with new 166-ft Megayacht”

Tony Accurso's Touch Yacht Up For Sale To Satisfy Tax Debt

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Dec 10th 2010 at 2:02AM

Tony Accurso, a Quebec millionaire whose construction companies are facing federal tax evasion charges, is selling off his luxury yacht. Accurso owns a 120-foot yacht known as the Touch. The Toronto Sun reports that an Accurso company, Louisbourg Construction, pleaded guilty Tuesday to improperly claiming and deducting $1.7 million in expenses on the yacht as business expenses. Louisbourg and construction company Simard-Beaudry also pleaded guilty to two counts of tax evasion agreeing to pay $4.1 million in taxes plus an additional $4.1 million in fines by next summer. All that necessitated the sale of the Touch, an aluminum-hulled super yacht built in 2004 and refitted in 2008.

The yacht accommodates up to eight guests in a master cabin and three double cabins and has room for a crew of seven. It also has an on-board exterior hot tub, leather chairs on its top deck, wireless Internet, a private dining room, and several bars and lounges. The interior was designed by Quebec designer Danielle Vignault with gleaming teak wood finishes. It comes with a variety of toys including kayaks, water skiing equipment, wake boards, and three towable and inflatable inner tubes. The yacht has a cruising speed of 11 knots. It is for sale through Fraser Yachts for $7.9 million.

Gallery: Touch Yacht

Tags: megayacht, superyacht, tony accurso, touch, yacht for sale

Pat Boone Buys A Residence On The Utopia Yacht

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Dec 9th 2010 at 9:01PM

Singer Pat Boone is taking to the sea. Utopia Residences announced that Boone and his family have just acquired a luxury apartment onboard the new residential ocean liner, Utopia. The Utopia will circle the globe and visit cities hosting sporting and cultural events such as the Cannes Film Festival, Monte Carlo Grand Prix, The Olympics, Carnaval, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, Melbourne Cup and other worldwide events. Pat Boone said, "I am excited to take my family to these world class events on the world's most luxurious ship. Everyone in my family is thrilled about having future family reunions on the Utopia and traveling the world without leaving our home on the sea."

The ship has not officially launched its international sales of its 200 residences yet. As we reported last year, the project is a $1.1 billion super cruiser being built in Korea.The 1,000-foot, 105,000-ton ship will be completed in 2013. The 200 floating apartments will range from 1,400 to 6,600 square feet and last year we heard that they had a starting price of $3.6 million. There will also be a 204-room hotel on board, a fact that makes it different from a similar concept, The World of Residensea ship which is all owned units.

Utopia Residences has opened a showroom on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and is also selling through Douglas Elliman in New York City. The Utopia venture is being financed by a majority of New Mexico investors and the project's lead investors are the Chant and Robb families. David Robb serves as Utopia's chairman while Chris Chant is its president. Frank Carlucci, the former U.S. Secretary of Defense and co-founder of The Carlyle Group, is also involved and the project is backed by Frontier Group, a private equity firm founded by Carlucci.

Tags: celebrity real estate, pat boone, utopia, Utopia Residences, UtopiaYacht

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