yachtspotting

Russian President Medvedev Buys $42 Million Megayacht

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has spent $42 million on a secondhand superyacht complete with whirlpool baths, an artificial waterfall and a cinema. The 177 foot-long explorer-style Sirius (above), above, was built in 2009 and has accommodations for 12 guests in six staterooms along with 12 crew. The Kremlin bought the yacht from Turkey's Proteksan-Turquoise shipyard as a replacement for the current presidential yacht, which is due to be decommissioned, the London Telegraph reports. The craft's other luxury features include a deck Jacuzzi for 6, spacious sunbathing areas, a gym, a sheltered lounge area and an alfresco dining area for 14 with barbecue and bar. Ironically, Medvedev has been critical of Russians flaunting their wealth.

Sirius can reach a maximum speed of 18 knots, powered by twin Caterpillar 3512B diesel engines, each rated for 1,911 horsepower. Her range is 5000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots, making a transatlantic trip possible. Kremlin spokesman Viktor Khrenikov was quoted in the Russian press to the effect that the yacht will be given a presidential upgrade at an unspecified cost, no doubt with some Abramovich-style security features as well. "Everything necessary for a president for work and relaxation has been thought of," Khrenikov says, noting, "The president could use her during the 2014 Olympics [in the Black Sea port of Sochi]."

Gallery: Dmitry Medvedev's Superyacht 'Sirius'

Tags: Dmitry Medvedev, Kremlin, politician, politics, Russia, superyacht, yacht, yachtspotting

Did Mark Cuban Buy The Utopia II?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Has Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban bought the Utopia II or is he just renting? NBC6 in Miami has a story of Cuban's controversial "Go Mavs" sign on the Utopia II which Cuban had parked out in front of the American Airlines Arena. Miami police and code enforcement inspectors laid down the law, telling Cuban that if the sign didn't come down, the yacht would have to move. NBC 6 cameras caught Cuban's yacht pulling away from the AAA on Wednesday. I'm curious to know if Cuban has made the yacht his since last time I looked it was for sale for $4.95 million.

UPDATE: As our commenters have pointed out, Cuban said on his blog that the yacht is not his. According to NBC5, it belongs to a Dallas resident who was given the banner by Cuban.

Source

Tags: dallas mavericks, mark cuban, MarkCuban, utopia ii, yachtspotting