We've seen a lot of futuristic superyacht designs that look extremely cool and avant garde, and have no chance at all of ever being built. The 315-ft. Project Orca (above) by UK-based designer Michael Leach is an exception; it's currently under construction at the famed Blohm + Voss shipyard, scheduled for delivery in spring 2010. Leach's 220-ft. Anna for Feadship, one of their largest ever, won a World Superyacht Award for best displacement motor yacht. The Orca features a futuristic exoskeletal curving superstructure, aggressive lines and innovative glazing. Its enormous entertaining and private spaces will feature bespoke furniture from British firm Silverlining, with each piece handmade by a single craftsman and stamped with their signature silver hallmark. Metrica will handle the interior execution, and Cougar Marine will provide two custom limousine tenders stored on the yacht's sports deck.

Dutch yachtbuilder Oceanco's newest superyacht creation, dubbed the Y708 and its most advanced and largest ever at 283 ft., will be completed in 2012 at an estimated cost of $150 million. The floating luxury palace, designed by Russian Igor Lobanov in a style calculated to appeal to the oligarch set, features a library, sushi bar and cigar bar among the many luxe amenities on its four decks. Based on three guiding principles - motion, elegance, and privacy - Lobanov used dramatically sculpted surfaces to convey motion, a dynamic silhouette to impart elegance, and a compartmentalized interior layout and hidden crew passages to ensure privacy. The yacht has four guest cabins, two VIP suites and a master suite on its own deck with a salon, study, turbo jet whirlpool and wraparound balconies, while the aft deck features a swimming pool that converts to a helipad. The Y708 will be powered by 2 MTU 20V 4000 M73L diesels, each producing 4,830 hp and enabling her to cruise at a speed of 20 knots.

[via JamesList]

The mystery buyer of the 289-ft. Maltese Falcon, the world's largest, best designed, and most expensive sailing superyacht, has been revealed as Elena Ambrosiadou, Greek-born founder of hedge fund Ikos Partners. The UK's highest-paid woman and its wealthiest female entrepreneur, Ambrosiadou, pictured above after winning the Perini Navi Cup with her new toy (and collecting the Rolex prize), is said to have paid $120 million for the megayacht. Built by Perini Navi for venture capitalist Tom Perkins in 2006, it remains the ne plus ultra of sailing superyachts, a masterpiece of technology and design, and was recently featured on the cover of Luxury Toys: Top of the World. Her revolutionary sailing system - the DynaRig - set a new milestone in yachting history: three self-standing and rotating masts hosting 15 sails for a total sail area of 25,791 square feet for unrivaled, performance maneuverability and record-shattering speed; she can complete Atlantic crossings in ten days.

[via JamesList]

Italian shipyard Tecnomar has built the 141-ft. Nadara (above), the world's largest tri-deck superyacht with a planing hull. In a nutshell that means the yacht is incredibly fast, with an astounding top speed of 30 knots, about double that of a comparable displacement or semi-displacement yacht. The incredible performance is reflected in the styling of the Nadara, with its aggressively pointed bow and unbroken black curving lines of windows on all three levels. The interior features light-colored tropical woods like African wenge and Tanganyika walnut, while picture windows in the salon offer 360-degree ocean views. An adjoining dining area seats up to 14, and the full beam master suite positioned on the upper deck for an exceptional view features a private terrace with its own dining area. There are also six guest cabins and four cabins in the bow for the crew.

Italian shipyard Tankoa is offering its new 213-ft. S65-12 superyacht (above) for December delivery at €55 Million, or about $82 million. The commercial displacement twin engine yacht in dual class (RINA/Lloyd's), with Atlantic autonomy, a high tensile steel hull and lightweight alloy superstructures is sleek and stunning. The hull is the work of Prof. Vincenzo Ruggiero with exterior lines by Francesco Paszkowski, while the S65-12's interiors were designed by Giugiaro architecture with a chic Milanese feel. Polished wood floors and white upholstery are in marked contrast to the usual garish superyacht decor, and complement the clean look of the alloy superstructure well. The S65-12 has stylish accommodations for 12, a cruising speed of 12.5 knots, a range of 5,000 nautical miles at cruising speed and a maximum speed of 16.5 knots.

[via JamesList]

A 137-ft. racing schooner dubbed the Elena, built in 1910 for financier Morton F. Plant and one of the most coveted superyachts of its day, has been rebuilt and relaunched in all its original splendor. Plant, who is best remembered these days as the man who traded his Fifth Avenue mansion to Cartier in 1917 for $100 and a pearl necklace, later sold the yacht to Cornelius Vanderbilt, and it won several of the major regattas of its day. Elena's crowning triumph came in 1928 when it won the 3,400 mile 1928 King's Cup Trans-Atlantic Race from New York to Santander, Spain. Now the Elena (above) has been completely rebuilt by Spain's Factoria Naval de Marin with help from the original hand-drawn plans donated by MIT. Historic images of the yacht were painstakingly studied to ensure that every detail was restored to perfection, from her towering masts and nearly 1,200 square meter sail plan to the wide teak deck and luxurious appointments. The Elena can accommodate 10 guests in Gilded Age luxury, with mahogany paneling throughout and elegant, period correct fittings discreetly updated with modern technology.

[via Duncan Quinn]

Eurocopter has just unveiled a new nautical-themed helicopter concept designed specially for use on superyachts at the Monaco Yacht Show, in partnership with luxury yacht broker Edmiston. The exterior of the twin engine Eurocopter EC155 B1 Dauphin by Andrew Winch Designs (AWD) is meant to evoke the contours of ocean waves via curving raised polished stainless steel trim lines. Yacht-inspired interior teak flooring, leather wrap-around adjustable sport seats fitted with carbon fiber back shells, fold-down central armrests, and "floating" LCD screens with headphones combine to offer the ultimate in luxury transport, along with bespoke touches such as the yacht's name etched in the rear windows. "The key idea behind my concept is endless comfort, be it on land with a Range Rover, at sea with a yacht or in the air with a helicopter," Winch notes.

[via JamesList]

Alfa Nero, the 269-ft. Oceanco superyacht designed by Nuvolari & Lenard with interiors by Alberto Pinto, has been listed for sale via brokerage firm Edmiston & Co. for €129,750,000, or about $190 million. Launched in 2007, the ultra-luxe yacht features over 4,000 sq. ft. of living space, with suite accommodations for 12, two VIP staterooms and berths for 28 crew members. It also has three separate dining areas, a centered, leather-stepped staircase and glass-enclosed elevator, a grand piano, theater lounge, dance floor, gym, and beauty salon. Exotic Italian marbles, goat skin wall panels, sycamore and brushed stainless steel flooring, and tropical wood are featured throughout. A swimming pool on the main aft deck converts to a helipad.

Monegasque yachtbuilder Wally, known for its avant-garde designs, will debut two new sailing superyachts at the Monaco Yacht Show later this month. The Wally 100 Indio (above) is a 30-meter (100-ft.) sloop combining all the amenities of a blue-water cruiser with the performance of a maxi-racer; the sleek 59-ton yacht can do 12 knots amd has a total of six cabins providing accommodation for 10 guests and four crew. The 40-meter Wally 130 has an innovative keel and steering system which makes the 130-footer maneuver like a racing 80-footer. Wally President and CEO Luca Bassani her to be the only cruising yacht in the world that can sail faster upwind than the record-breaking maxi racer Alfa Romeo.

[via Duncan Quinn]

The new owner of the 289-ft. Maltese Falcon, the world's largest, best designed, and most expensive sailing superyacht, must be pretty pleased with his purchase, a relative bargain at $100 million thanks to the recession; the yacht just won the Perini Navi Cup, the world's most stylish and exclusive regatta which we wrote about last month. 19 superyachts all from the Perini Navi shipyard, builders of the Maltese Falcon, competed in the race which took place in the billionaire's playground of Sardinia. The triple masted Falcon reached top speeds of an impressive 21 knots to capture the Cup as well as a Rolex wristwatch presented by the president of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, His Highness the Aga Khan, and master yachtbuilder Fabio Perini.

[via JamesList]

The 296-ft. Corsair Nero, built in homage to financier J.P. Morgan's famous yacht, is one of the most beautiful, elegant megayachts ever launched, made all the more striking by its vintage lines. The design is so successful it's hard to imagine this is a brand new boat. In fact, its owner, London-born entrepreneur Neil Taylor, initially set out to restore a motor yacht from Morgan's era, but could not find one that met his requirements. Morgan actually owned four Corsairs; the last, launched in 1930, was 343 feet, cost $2.5 million to build at the time and was later converted into a cruise ship.

Having decided to build the yacht of his dreams and unwilling to compromise, Taylor found that to get it done properly he actually had to create a whole new yachtbuilding facility. This he did within the Yantai Raffles shipyard on China's Shangdong Peninsula, where the Corsair Yachts brand was born. After Taylor spent two years designing the steel-hulled Nero and its furnishings, down to two 656-piece place settings, over 400 craftsmen worked for three-and-a-half years to complete the project, which was kept top secret.

Taylor is now quietly offering the Nero for sale at $105 million (asked once how much his Corsair cost, Morgan snapped, "Sir, if you have to ask you can't afford it"). The yacht, which just made the cover of ShowBoats International, is as stylish in its way as the supermodern sailing yacht Maltese Falcon which recently sold for $100 million. In the meantime, the Nero is also available for charter at a base rate of about $450,000 a week. The Nero accommodates 12 in total luxury. The technology of course is state-of-the-art; her eye-catching smokestack, designed to echo the ones on classic ocean liners, actually houses an emergency generator and electrical switchboards.

Gallery: Corsair Nero

Acres of Burmese teak decking, oak paneling, oil lamps replicated from the Orient Express, coffered ceilings, marble fireplaces, a library, swimming pool on the foredeck, and a skylight in the aft lounge modeled on the one on Errol Flynn's famous yacht Zaca are just some of the highlights. The Nero can do 17 knots with her twin 2,333 hp Caterpillar diesel engines. Noise reduction, stabilizer systems and watermakers are as modern as the most high tech megayacht. The elegant interior is classic of course but features plasma TVs, iPod docks, Wi-Fi, an indoor and outdoor cinema, and ocean-liner style promenade, boat, main and accommodations decks. Check it out in the gallery.

Trinity Yachts, builders of the $40 million 168-ft. superyacht Euphoria we wrote about earlier this year, are offering their latest creation for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for $55 million. The 190-ft. superyacht (model above), dubbed the Trinity 190 and due to be completed next year, is a hybrid of the finest in marine technology and exquisite styling with a maximum speed of 18.5 knots and a cruising speed of 17 knots. The full beam master owner's suite on the main deck forward features panoramic ocean views. There's also a full beam VIP suite with king bed aft plus four other half-beam guest rooms. Other features include a panoramic full beam Sky Lounge on the pilothouse deck, an elevator servicing the three interior decks, a large flybridge with a bar, seating and 7-person hot tub, a helicopter pad and more.

Italian shipyard Perini Navi, builders of the 289-ft. Maltese Falcon, the world's largest, best designed, and most expensive sailing superyacht, will stage the third annual Perini Navi Cup hosted in the billionaire's playground of Sardinia by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda on September 3rd – 5th. It's shaping up to be the world's most stylish and exclusive regatta with 22 Perini Navi sailing yachts gathering for the event, ranging from the 80-ft. Elettra, launched in 1987, to the Maltese Falcon herself, helmed perhaps by her mysterious new owner. All but two of them will top 130 ft.; among them will be the will latest model to sail out of the Perini Navi shipyard, the 183-ft. Riela, recently debuted at the Monaco Yacht Show.

[via Duncan Quinn]

Last week we wrote about the new 200-ft. Roma megayacht designed by Espen Oeino, the world's top star in naval architecture. Like all of Oeino's megabucks creations, the yacht "combines the precision of fine machinery with indulgent finishes and the high-end amenities of a palace."

Now the Norwegian genius has turned his hand to designing a limited edition watch for Swiss luxury timepiece brand Scalfaro, which "evinces a passion for maritime sports married to traditional craftsmanship and sophisticated manufacturing."

The Scalfaro for Espen Oeino Edition watch will be launched during the Monaco Yacht Show in September. Limited to 100 pieces worldwide, the exclusive timepiece will be priced at 6,950 euros or about $10,000.

[via JustLuxe]

Back in March we wrote about Luxury Toys: Mega Yachts book we noted that in the rarefied sphere of the world's greatest yachts the ultimate achievement is to have one designed by a certain Norwegian genius named Espen Oeino. The world's top star in naval architecture, Oeino's megabucks creations "combine the precision of fine machinery with indulgent finishes and the high-end amenities of a palace." That's an accurate description of his latest launch, the $85 million, 200-ft. Roma built by Viareggio. The yacht's six staterooms accommodating 12 guests have en suite facilities, while the main deck full width master with forward panoramic views has a separate lounge area and his-and-hers baths. A VIP stateroom on the bridge deck, an enormous Jacuzzi / pool on the foredeck, cinema/game room, massive salon and dining area, fully equipped gymnasium and spacious sky lounge are all connected via elevator.

[via JamesList]