latest superyachts

• Motorcycles
• Car of the Month
• Destinations
• Men’s Fashion
• Watch Collector
• Art & Collectibles
• Vacation Homes
• Celebrity Homes
• New Construction
• Home Design
• Electronics
• Fine Dining
• Baja Bay Club
• Costa Palmas
• Fairmont Doha
• Four Seasons Private Residences Dominican Republic at Tropicalia
• Reynolds Lake Oconee
• Scott Dunn Travel
• Wilson Audio
• 672 Wine Club
• Sports & Leisure
• Health & Wellness
• Best of the Best
• The Ultimate Gift Guide
• This New 144-Foot Superyacht Has a Glassed-In Dining Room With Ocean Views

Azimut's new 44M Grande flagship breathes quiet luxury, but its scale is impressive. Plus, its sustainable tech is a game-changer.

Michael verdon, michael verdon's most recent stories.

• Taking a Bow: How Yacht Makers Are Rethinking the Front End
• Airliners Are Trying Radical New Wing Designs to Improve Fuel-Efficiency
• Share This Article

What if you’re a boatbuilder and publicly draw a line in the sand to not build past a certain length? But then a new design comes along that is so compelling that you just have to break your own rule.

Related Stories

• This New Blended-Wing Jetliner Was Just Cleared for Test Flights
• Land Rover’s Newest Defender Is Its Most Powerful Yet
• The Bonkers Maserati MCXtrema Is a Track-Only Beast With 730 HP

At Palm Beach, the yacht’s designers showed initial renderings of the largest-ever Azimut. Marijana Radovic and Marco Bonelli of Milan-based m2atelier were responsible for the interior and Alberto Mancini did the exterior.

Mancini, a veteran yacht designer, told Robb Report that this was only the second yacht of hundreds in his career where he was given carte blanche over the exterior, so it ended up morphing past 40 meters into the Grande 44M. Typically, he said, the shipyard gets involved with the details of the design, and most owners want to have a say, so most designs end up as compromises. This time, says Mancini, Azimut not only left him alone, but let him go wild.

And he did.

The yacht itself is revolutionary in some ways, with a 550-square-foot upper deck that can be converted into an owner’s space—the owner’s “enclave”—with two primary suites and a forward glassed-in area that works as an office or dining room, with the world’s best view. Its four stern decks are tiered, emphasizing large exterior spaces and easy movement between the interior and exterior spaces.

Then there’s the 12-person dining table on the aft cockpit above a swimming pool with a transparent window looking out over the ocean. This optical illusion is one of several wow factors, but mostly the yacht overwhelms with quiet luxury.

Radovic and Bonelli said their goal was to create a simple interior with muted tones and splashes of color, as part of the Azimut DNA. The pair are not yacht designers, so brought a new approach from their residential architecture and private clubs to the design.

“We wanted to clean up the space and enhance it, not overwhelm it,” said Radovic. “For instance, we designed the dining table to be a reflection of the pool, and in every case, we made sure to follow what was happening on the exterior.”

Bonelli added that the goal was to “enhance the flow” between the interior and exterior. “It seems simple, but there’s a lot of effort to finding that balance,” he said.

The shipyard also focused on the technical components of the build, claiming that it will produce 10 to 30 percent fewer fuel emissions than yachts of the same size and displacement. Federico Ferrante, president of Azimut Americas, said the 44M will have a hydrodynamic wing under the dual-mode hull that provides better fuel efficiency at the same speeds. “It also reduces the pitch—the annoying movement of the boat—and smooths out the wake,” said Ferrante.

The 44M also has lithium batteries that allow it to run the boat’s hotel (non-propulsion) load for 4 hours during the day and eight hours at night, at anchor. The vessel also has two electric generators in the shafts that recharge the batteries when under way. “Most yachts typically run their diesel generators 24/7, which causes lots of noise, emissions and cost,” said Ferrante. “This system cuts that in half.”

The 44M’s molds are being constructed at Azimut’s Livornia shipyard in preparation for the first build. The first five units have been sold to current Azimut owners.

Read More On:

• Azimut Grande
• Azimut Yachts
• Azimut/Benetti

More Marine

Four Seasons Just Unveiled the First Itineraries for Its Luxury Cruise Ship

Lexus Just Unveiled a Speedy New 68-Foot Yacht

This New High-Performance Electric RIB Can Hit a Ferocious 50 Knots at Full Tilt

This Insane Submarine Concept Doubles as a 107-Foot Superyacht

Culinary Masters 2024

MAY 17 - 19 Join us for extraordinary meals from the nation’s brightest culinary minds.

Give the Gift of Luxury

Latest Galleries in Marine

Four Seasons Yacht in Photos

Lexus LY680 Yacht in Photos

More from our brands, kinross cashmere parent dawson-forté cashmere sells majority equity stake to tempus partners, ncaa push to ban prop betting is a complex wager, fantastic fest horror hit ‘strange darling’ lands wide theatrical release from new bob yari venture (exclusive), a whitney biennial with no heroes and no villains, the best exercise mats for working out, according to fitness experts.

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
• Pricing Plan
• Superyacht Insight
• Product Features
• Premium Content
• Testimonials
• Global Order Book
• Tenders & Equipment

BOAT Business

From our partners, sponsored listings, yachts for sale, brokerage news.

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 3569
• 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
• New to Fleet News

Top ten brand new superyachts to charter in 2023

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

By Nina Done   2 June 2023

With the summer season now in full swing, we take a look at some of the newest additions to the charter fleet for 2023.

Offering unparalleled levels of privacy, the chance to spend quality time with your closest friends and family, world-class leisure and entertainment facilities and stunning surroundings there really is no better way to enjoy a vacation than on a luxury yacht charter. Read on to discover our top ten picks of the best new yachts to charter in 2023;

Launched by Golden Yachts last month, the 78m (255ft) superyacht O'REA  is scheduled for delivery to her owner this June, when she will be made available for charter around the sublime cruising grounds of Greece . 

Showcasing a sleek exterior with a plumb bow, the yacht has been designed with relaxation in mind, with plenty of areas onboard where guests can kick back, unwind and entertain in maximum comfort and style.

Highlights include : an expansive swimming pool on her main deck, health bar at the entrance of her lounge area and an abundance of top-quality spa facilities including a sauna, massage room and Hammam. 

Commissioned by highly experienced owners, you can be assured that the elegant 66m (216ft) Rossinavi superyacht ALCHEMY will offer everything you could possibly want on a luxury yacht charter.

Penned by the esteemed Philippe Briand for Vitruvius Yachts, the steel and aluminum motor yacht is a masterclass in design and innovation, with Enrico Gobbi at Team 4 Design heading up her interior scheme.

Highlights include : a spa-centered beach club, a suspended glass staircase, zen-calm interiors and a huge array of land and water toys

Marking her debut onto the world stage at the Palm Beach International Boat Show in March, the custom Amels 60 (196ft) superyacht ENTOURAGE offers her guests a floating oasis of luxury. 

Providing accommodation for 12 guests, she boasts an exceptionally well-equipped master cabin, comprising a dedicated lounge, two bathrooms and adjoining twin-bed guest suite, as well as a fold-down balcony providing glorious over-water views.

Highlights include : a vast sundeck where guests can sip drinks in her Jacuzzi pool or relax on sumptuous loungers, chic light-filled interiors, fold-down balconies and wide deck spaces offering endless opportunities to relax and unwind. 

Available for charter around the glittering coastline of Croatia this summer, the 52m (171ft) Custom sailing yacht SCORPIOS will cut a fine figure in the water as she powers along under sail. Showcasing a striking black hull and blonde teak decking, she is every inch the contemporary sailing yacht .

Her stylish flair continues into her beautiful interiors, featuring elegant herringbone wooden floors, plush carpets and sumptuous sofas, with discrete lighting adding a warm ambiance.

Highlights include : a sun-kissed flybridge offering guests a variety of options with far-reaching views across a number of zones; from her expansive forward dining area to her Jacuzzi with swim-up bar and semi-circular sunpads further aft. 

Marking Benetti ’s third hull in its award-winning B.Now 50 series, the 50m (164ft) superyacht FANTASEA is home to a wealth of charter-pleasing amenities and beautiful interiors that will have charter guests in raptures. 

Designed to reflect the characteristics of the owner’s unique vision and insight, the yacht offers up a wealth of interior and exterior relaxing and social spaces that flow harmoniously between one another.

Highlights include : her vast sundeck, stunning upper deck saloon and 36 square-meter waterside beach club with infinity pool and loungers.

ETERNAL SPARK

Marking the first hull in Bilgin Yacht ’s highly-anticipated 163 series, the 50m (163ft) superyacht ETERNAL SPARK is the perfect blend of performance, style and innovation. 

With a bright and airy scheme that has been cleverly engineered through the use of full-height windows and low external bulwarks, the motor yacht offers guests spacious living areas set across a unique layout, with accommodation for 12 in six luxurious suites. 

Highlights include : a convertible indoor movie theater, with an additional alfresco cinema set-up, oversized glass-walled Jacuzzi on her sundeck and a sunken-level beach club featuring a full-height Finnish sauna, ice fountain, entertainment system and wet bar.

Winning a special commendation award at the World Superyacht awards 2023 , charterers will not go far wrong in making 44m (145ft) yacht ACE  their top choice for their next luxury yacht vacation. 

Built by the up-and-coming Conrad Shipyard in Poland, the yacht is not just a pretty face. Featuring a slew of crowd-pleasing amenities, guests will also love her generous proportions and elegant interiors.

Highlights include : a sun-kissed top deck, featuring an infinity pool with a shaded nearby sit-up bar providing day-long refreshments. This area also benefits from an alfresco cinema set up for movie nights under the stars.  

Available for charter around the Mediterranean , the 40m (131ft) yacht LADY FIRST is the perfect platform for first-timers looking to dip their toes into the charter waters this summer.

Launched earlier this year as part of their Belissima 130 range, the Riva yacht is elegance personified.

Highlights include : a lavish, 60 square-meter beach club and a spacious sundeck that provides guests with ample alfresco outdoor entertainment spaces. Meanwhile, principle charterers are in for a treat with their own on-deck stateroom complete with a terrace and Jacuzzi that offers next level privacy and comfort for their yacht vacation.

Representing the second hull in Gulf Craft ’s Majesty 120 series, the 37m (121ft) superyacht OLIVIA will mark her debut onto the charter market in the celebrated cruising grounds of the West Mediterranean .

The yacht's tri-deck design offers ample spaces for socializing and relaxing, as well as a variety of interior and alfresco dining options.

Highlights include : an expansive sundeck with a beechwood finish wet bar and large Jacuzzi, a crowd-pleasing beach club and swim platform with retractable steps where guests can take to the warm Mediterranean sea on her array of toys and accessories. 

Set to welcome her first guests around the sublime cruising grounds of the East Mediterranean, the sumptuous 36m (117ft) yacht ANDIAMO makes a wonderfully comfortable choice for a luxury yacht charter this summer. 

The brand new Sanlorenzo SD118 has been purpose-built for outdoor living, with generous deck spaces offering swathes of sunbathing opportunities and plenty of lounging space. She also offers a great family-friendly layout; ideal for guests with children or groups of friends keen to experience the high life. 

Highlights include : a large swim platform and beach club stocked with an array of the latest water toys, exercise equipment, on-deck Jacuzzi and fold-down balconies in the main and upper deck salons. She also boasts a top speed of 19 knots, perfect for island hopping around the East Mediterranean. 

So there we have it, ten incredible new yachts all available for charter this year and you can be among the first step on board and experience a wonderful vacation in the utmost luxury.

To find out more about any of the superyachts featured in this list get in touch with your preferred yacht charter broker . Alternatively, view the entire fleet of superyachts available for luxury yacht charter.

Other standout new yachts available for charter

48m Dunya Yachts 2024

47m Sanlorenzo 2023

55m Custom 2024

41m Benetti 2023

30m Ferretti Yachts 2023

27m Sanlorenzo 2023

• READ MORE ABOUT:
• Brand new for charter

RELATED STORIES

Previous Post

In pictures: MALTESE FALCON completes her refit at Lubsen

Caribbean yacht charter fleet welcomes 67m superyacht CALEX to its ranks

EDITOR'S PICK

Latest News

27 March 2024

26 March 2024

25 March 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 3569 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 $4,333,000 p/week ♦︎

115m | Lurssen

from $2,816,000 p/week ♦︎

85m | Golden Yachts

from $975,000 p/week ♦︎

88m | Golden Yachts

from $1,192,000 p/week ♦︎

84m | Feadship

from $1,083,000 p/week ♦︎

93m | Feadship

from $1,516,000 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

RAI Amsterdam acquires The Superyacht Forum

We are entering a new era that reinforces our expertise as industry consultants through intelligence, marketing, bespoke events and independent journalism

Inaugural World Boating Day set to launch

With intent on attracting quality talent growing, some industry leaders are spearheading an initiative to highlight the viable career prospects in yachting…

Ukraine to auction Royal Romance

Applications for potential global bidding organisers are currently being accepted, with auction proceeds to aid the nation’s war effort against Russia…

YETI: Five Years On

Feadship reflects on five years of Water Revolution Foundation’s transformative Yacht Environmental Transparency Index tool…

Review: YARE 2024

Dario Schiavo, Italy Editor, reflects on the 2024 edition of the Yachting Aftersales and Refit Experience in Viareggio…

Superyacht UK Young Designer Competition commences

The event launched the 2024 Superyacht UK Young Designer competition, offering a platform for talent exploration and industry engagement…

IGY Sète Marina – the destination of choice

IGY’s in-water shipyard programme in the South of France a hit with superyacht owners…

Business Partner Content

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

Receive unrivalled market intelligence, weekly headlines and the most relevant and insightful journalism directly to your inbox.

SuperyachtIndex Press releases

Medaire partners with lj elogbooks to enhance onboard medical record keeping.

LONDON, 20th March 2024 – Leading health, medical and travel safety solutions provider MedAire has announced a partnership with LJ eLogbooks, respected provider of bespoke and digital logbooks. The partnership initially sees the creation of a new di

Aeolus collaboration offers a compelling path to future-proof yachting

In late summer 2022, custom yacht builder Oceanco hosted a roundtable to discuss a revolutionary vessel concept – Aeolus – that would set new standards in superyacht design. Bringing together some of the sharpest creative and technical minds from the yach

MedAire and Acquera enter strategic partnership

Global yacht agency, Acquera Yachting and health and security services provider MedAire , have strengthened their support to the superyacht industry, by forming a strategic partnership. This new relationship will leverage the combined global reach

The event launched the 2024 Superyacht UK Young Designer competition, offering a platform for talent exploration and industry engagement

CRN delivers 139

The fully custom 72 metre vessel from the Italian shipyard was designed, engineered and built in collaboration with Vallicelli Design and Nuvolari Lenard

Lateral presents new 140-metre multihull project

The progressive naval architecture firm has introduced a new highly efficient and hydrodynamic 140m trimaran yacht concept with T. Fotiadis Design

Echo Yachts to build world’s largest sailing catamaran

As the Western Australian industry continues to grow, the Perth-based shipbuilder will construct a fully custom 57-metre, twin-masted catamaran

ABB TechTalks: Meeting the strictest Underwater Radiated Noise URN notations with Azipod® propulsion

Introducing the revolutionary ABB Dynafin™ – the latest propulsion innovation by ABB

ABB Dynafin™ and the new era of superyachts - Interview with Lateral Naval Architects and Oceanco

Antigua fire extinguished

Falmouth Harbour ablaze after Tropical Storm Phillipe

Europlan 3D and VR

Sign up to the superyachtnews bulletin, the superyachtnews app.

Follow us on

Media Pack Request

Please select exactly what you would like to receive from us by ticking the boxes below:

Membership Login

To view our digital library and complete intelligence data, please login below Alternatively please join here

SuperyachtNews.com

• Charter & Brokerage
• Yacht Design & New Builds
• Tenders & Toys
• Superyacht Events Calendar
• Career & Training
• Departments
• Superyacht Crew Finances
• Sustainability
• Shipyards and Marinas
• Health & Wellbeing
• Polar Region
• Our Services
• Meet the Team

5 New Superyachts to Look Out for in 2022

With the high demand for luxury vessels leading to a record-breaking number of new superyachts under construction, 2022 is looking to be a year full of boat debuts. With many projects set to reach important milestones, we are expecting lots of news from all the major shipyards. Here are 5 of the most exciting superyachts to look out for in 2022.

Feadship 1010

At 118m long, project 1010 interestingly marks Feadship’s largest vessel to date. Since the project’s announcement, the renowned shipbuilder is working towards a 2022 delivery. October 2020 saw the vessel hit the water for the first time when it was first launched in the Netherlands, but 2022 is when completion and delivery are scheduled. Although very little is known about the details of the superyacht, we expect to hear more as we enter the new year.

Oceanco Y721

Set to become the third 100+m sailing yacht in 2022 is Oceanco’s Y721. She will take Black Pearl’s title of the second-longest sailing yacht in the global fleet. When delivered, there will only be three sailing yachts measuring over 100m, with the biggest being Nobiskrug’s 142m Sailing Yacht A. Reportedly commissioned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Y721 is the longest yacht ever built in the Netherlands. As well as this, it is also Oceanco’s largest-ever build. 

Heesen Cosmos

After her Spring 2022 delivery, Heesen’s 80m superyacht Cosmos will be the biggest and fastest all-aluminium superyacht in the world. This is due to her maximum speed of 30 knots and 1,700GT. Cosmos features an exterior crafted by  Winch Design , which comprises clean lines, a sporty look and extensive use of glass, achieving a timeless profile. Expect to see her undertaking North Sea trials in early 2022 ahead of her delivery.

Lurssen Northern Star

Amongst the numerous projects under construction at Lurssen is Northern Star, a 107m explorer superyacht. Once delivered, she will be used to explore the farthest reaches of the globe. Northern Star (previously named Project Icecap) is a diesel-electric hybrid that accommodates up to 20 guests in 10 staterooms. She sports a rugged design by  Salt Ship Design and is due for delivery in 2022.

Amels Custom 78

With a gross tonnage of 2,850, once the Custom Amels 78m delivery is complete, she will be Amels’ largest vessel to date in terms of GT. The superyacht features exterior and interior design by Espen Øino and Zuretti Interior, respectively. Øino has stated it is “a unique project” which features a spacious, open-top deck, large aft pool, and wide side decks. She accommodates 14 guests in total whilst also housing 26 crew. The superyacht was recently spotted during her sea trials in September, ahead of her delivery in 2022.

Read about the largest yacht deliveries in 2021 here

Superyacht Content

Related articles

Bluewater announces the 2024 superyacht chef competition – everything you need to know, tender of the week: ribeye 821, funky or freaky what’s up with this ‘guilty’ superyacht, what’s new with ayss in 2024. membership benefits & their new chair.

Popular Posts

• 5 superyachts made famous by the movies
• The Edorado 8S Model: The Future Of Sustainable Luxury
• How To Handle Workplace Conflicts In Yachting
• Zero-Emission Catamaran Collaboration: Cambridge Uni & Propulsion House
• Anchor & Balance: Mindful Meditation For Yacht Crew On The Go

Social media influencer and digital brand expert.

Superyacht Content brings you the latest in social news for the superyacht industry.

Keep up to date with us across our social channels, and don’t forget to hit that share button!

• Superyacht News
• Superyacht Jobs
• Superyacht Marketing

Join our Newsletter

• Your Name First Last
• Your Email *

Copyright © 2023 Superyacht Content | Website Design by Zonkey

Privacy | Credits | Get in Touch

What yachting industry insiders have to say about Jeff Bezos' superyacht

• Jeff Bezos' yacht , which reportedly cost $500 million to build, completed its first year at sea.
• The superyacht, Koru, was a frequent topic of conversation at the Palm Beach boat show.
• Here's what industry insiders think about the vessel.

It's been just about a year since Koru, Jeff Bezos ' $500 million megayacht, set sail from the Oceanco shipyard in the Netherlands, capturing the attention of yachting insiders and land dwellers alike.

Even after her first season at sea, the 127-meter ship is still one of the most talked about vessels among those in the know — and not just for the busty figurehead on its prow, which many have wrongly speculated is based on Bezos's fiancée . Koru was a hot topic at the annual Palm Beach International Boat Show, where the yachts of other billionaires were on display for sale or charter.

The overwhelming response from those Business Insider spoke to was awe, with many praising her unique design, commenting on her immense size, or remarking that they'd been lucky enough to see her up close.

"It's absolutely beautiful," said Federico Rossi, the COO of luxury yachtbuilder Rossinavi.

Still, due to the small size of the industry — and the fact that privacy is paramount in the yachting community — even those who complimented Koru mostly did not want to go on record in order to protect professional relationships.

"That thing's amazing," one such superyacht expert told BI. "It's very well done in terms of craftsmanship."

Unlike many other megayachts, Koru, which media billionaire Barry Diller's Eos inspired, is designed as a sailing yacht. That bucks the current trend of more severe-looking explorer boats — though Koru's 75-meter support vessel Abeona is of a more typical style,

"I heard back in 2018 or something that somebody had ordered a classic sailing yacht," the superyacht expert also told BI. "You order 125 meters, that's not really going to be classic. But it is. I think it's pretty cool."

Like most other megayachts, Koru is powered by her engines, which are reportedly innovative in their use of a kinetic energy recovery system. Industry experts, therefore, pointed out that her sails are more for looks than anything else — but that still works in her favor, with many praising her overall aesthetic appeal.

Related stories

"It's stunning," added a captain who has worked on several megayachts. He said he'd seen Koru in St. Barts, a favorite spot of Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez , over the holidays.

"There are definitely uglier boats out there," one yacht architect said. "It's not like it's shaped like his rocket," he jokily added, referring to the phallic design of Blue Origin's New Shephard .

Some, though, think the yacht is a bit excessive — which is saying something in a world where bigger is better and $250 million is a normal amount to spend.

"That's over the top. That's an insanely ridiculous boat," a longtime broker who favors discretion said. It's a "whole big show."

And the expert who praised the yacht's craftsmanship balanced his admiring comments by saying Koru's liberal use of teak — a wood traditionally used for yacht decks — was "bizarre."

The material has gained a bad reputation in the industry in recent years, as it typically comes from Myanmar, a country with a checkered human rights record. Plus, it takes a long time to grow, leading to deforestation.

Many shipyards have now turned to alternatives, like bamboo or plantation-grown teak, in their pushes toward sustainability. Bezos' team did not respond to BI's question about the origin of the deck's wood.

Teak or not, the yachting industry isn't generally known for being all that environmentally friendly — or indeed lowkey, so many who BI talked to didn't buy into the idea that Koru is "too much."

"If this is genuinely Jeff's dream come true, then great," Anders Kurtén, the CEO of brokerage Fraser Yachts, said. "I'm genuinely happy for him, and I'm happy for the people who got the opportunity to have employment to work on that."

And Bezos, of course, isn't the only billionaire with a stunning yacht . Billionaires like Jerry Jones and Bernard Arnault have also, at times, turned heads with their boats.

Most recently, insiders have tied Mark Zuckerberg to a 118-meter ship named Launchpad . It's the latest superyacht to capture the yachting world's attention.

So, as she sets sail for her debut summer season, Launchpad may take Koru's place as the main yacht on everyone's radar this year.

Watch: Walmart heiress' superyacht vandalized by activists in Ibiza

• Main content

More From Forbes

Despite wars and sanctions, superyacht market continues recent growth.

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

The Phi has been detained in Canary Wharf since March 2022.

A superyacht is a status symbol and the ultimate pleasure boat. What ordinary people envisage doing on cruise ships, the super-rich do on their mega-yachts. Space and change of scenery have appealed to humans from time immemorial. However, with luxury yacht ownership requiring vast sums of disposable income, one would think that factors putting the global economy under pressure, such as inflation, Houthi terrorists and Somali pirates attacking ships in the Red Sea, sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and before that, the COVID-19 pandemic, would slow down the demand for superyachts. Instead, despite severe disruptions, mainly because of the post-Ukraine 2022 Russian invasion sanctions, with billions sloshing around in the global economy, demand for these vessels has reached a high point, driven by changes in the tastes of the ultra-rich, innovative new uses for superyachts, and the number of buyers able to splurge on such craft.

Expensive Mega-Toys The unique uses of a superyacht are driven by the size and crew demands that separate it from a regular yacht. A superyacht is considered to be a pleasure vessel larger than 24m (80ft) with a full-time captain and crew. This is a costly outlay. There are added costs for not including maintenance, fuel, and expensive power plant, navigation, and communications gear.

The desire for seclusion and social distancing exhibited by the rich since the 2020 pandemic lends itself perfectly to these large, customizable ships that can be taken out to sea. A fully crewed ship is also needed to keep up with for new trend in exploration and environmental sailing, with boat owners venturing outside of the Mediterranean and Caribbean to experience more varied habitats. Other luxury sectors are taking note of these trends driving demand for superyachts, with hotel chains like The Four Seasons and The Ritz-Carlton aiming to offer bespoke superyacht experiences by 2025. By introducing this option, hotel chains are responding to the increased market demand for exploration while creating an experience that is more exclusive and private than a luxury cruise.

Demand has also been driven by an expanding number of prospective superyacht buyers as the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals continues to increase globally. The growth is primarily driven by American buyers, with significant potential in regions like China and Southeast Asia, where ultra-rich buyers with disposable income are growing at a faster pace than they are in the West. This increase in wealthy customers in Southeast Asia, combined with miles of islands and coastlines, creates the conditions for a robust scene for superyachts in the area. The emergence of a new customer base wealthy enough to purchase super- and mega-yachts has made the industry resilient in the face of government sanctions against one of the industry’s largest consumer bases: Russian oligarchs.

The megayacht Nord, believed to belong to sanctioned Russian oligarch Alexey Mordashov, is seen in ... [+] Hong Kong on Friday, Oct. 7.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.

Target: Russia Beginning in the early 2000s, Russian billionaires developed a taste for luxury superyachts, with some like Roman Abramovich (who is reported to own 16 vessels , including the Aquamarine, Eclipse, Garcon, Halo, Pelorus, Solaris and Sussurroo), Alexei Mordashov ( Lady M and Nord ) and Eduard Khudainatov ( Scheherazade , Amadea , Crescent ) placing orders for multiple vessels. According to Superyacht News, an industry publication, Russians account for a significant piece of the world's superyacht market. Their estimated share represents about 10% of superyachts exceeding 40 meters in length. The percentage of Russian ownership rises even further for mega-yachts exceeding 80 meters, where Russians hold the number two spot globally, owning 20% of these vessels. Research by Boat International estimates the contribution of Russian buyers to the global superyacht order book (valued between €35 and €40 billion) to be €3.9 billion.

The popularity of superyachts among Russia’s wealthy has caused them to become a focus of the sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Alongside traditional targets, including Russian financial holdings, banks, and energy, the assets of oligarchs are actively being seized and frozen by Western powers when possible through initiatives like the Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs (REPO) task force launched by the G7 and the U.S. Treasury’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Rewards (KARR) program.

The seizure of superyachts as assets will likely continue through the end of the invasion of Ukraine and possibly beyond. Recently, there have been increasing calls to sell or transfer these assets, allowing Ukraine to use or sell them to compensate for the damages caused by the war.

Eclipse | 162.5m Built in 2010 , Germany

Europe Suffers Even though the superyacht industry has a sizeable consumer base in Russia, the companies building and managing these yachts are primarily based in Western Europe. Many of these boats are built by shipbuilders such as Lürssen in Germany and Heesen Yachts and Oceanco in the Netherlands. This has led one of the shipyards, Damen, to sue the Dutch government over damages it claims it suffered from the EU sanctions. Additionally, companies like Burgess in the UK, Imperial Yachts and Edmiston in Monaco, and Moran Yacht & Ship in the US, in charge of servicing, managing, and brokering superyachts, are also concentrated in the West.

While Western shipyards and management companies may lose revenue because of sanctions and asset seizure of the Russian oligarchs, keeping the yachts frozen generates additional costs for the countries where they are being held. Some Western countries devised a solution to ease the burden on taxpayers, granting owners and their representatives special licenses to pay for the frozen vessels. Notably, France and Spain have allowed the billionaire owners of at least four mega-yachts to pay for their upkeep. In the UK, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has allowed the management company Burgess to pay for pre-sanction crew salaries of a yacht frozen in the UK.

Though the media associated superyachts with Russian oligarchs, this archetypal image of a superyacht owner may soon grow obsolete if the sanctions regime remains or even strengthens, causing multi-million dollar losses to the industry. Instead, growth in the sector is driven by a new class of rich being created in places like the United States and the Pacific Rim, seeking luxury lifestyles that can be provided by a superyacht. The superyacht industry will capitalize on the unprecedented wave of demand to increase its resilience in the stormy global security and economic environment.

Quin Buckley & Henry Tsai contributed to the production of this article.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

When it comes to luxury yachting, Burgess is all you need to know

• Yachts for charter

Summer’s coming

Book early, enjoy the anticipation for longer

• Yachts for sale

European grand tour by yacht. Next stop - Greece

Insider's guide to Croatia

The Bahamas superyacht charter guide

Italy's UNESCO-listed Amalfi coast

Why refit with burgess, french polynesia. by burgess.

Discover the difference

As a Burgess client, you always come first, whether that’s charter, sale and purchase, build, refit or any aspect of yacht ownership. That’s the Burgess difference.

charter a yacht

Your great escape. Tailored by Burgess. 

Cruise in inimitable style and experience real freedom.  The adventure of a lifetime awaits aboard the world’s greatest superyachts, all curated by your own professional broker.

BUY A Yacht

Your life. Spent wisely.

From the global fleet of mega yachts offered for sale, we hand-pick the best opportunities and share our expert knowledge, so that you can make the best decisions.

Your wish. Our world.

Our reputation is your recommendation. Since 1975 all our knowledge has been distilled into one goal, making sure you enjoy the best yachting experience.  If it involves yachts, we’ve got you covered.

sell a yacht

Your perfect buyer. Our exclusive audience.

Our directly employed brokers share market-leading intelligence and powerful client database insights with our experienced global team to ensure the best outcome for you.

build a yacht

Your vision. Our expertise.

From first concept to maiden voyage and beyond, we work on your behalf so you can enjoy building your dream yacht. Together we bring your unique vision to life.

refit a yacht

Asset upgrades. Enhancing your investment.

We work with you to transform your yacht into the one you want to own. No other company has more in-house knowledge and experience than Burgess and it’s all on your side.

yacht management

Your enjoyment. Our responsibility.

Our aim is to allow you to get maximum enjoyment from your luxury yacht without any of the day-to-day operational concerns. We take care of everything on your behalf.

Yacht owners

You live the dream. We take care of it.

Get more out of your owner experience knowing that we have all your yachting requirements in hand. Working with your captain and crew, we reduce risk and increase enjoyment.

crew services

Your crewing needs. Our tailored support.

Crew are a vital part of your yachting experience. We are your trusted partner in every aspect of their employment, from sourcing to payroll, training to insurance and beyond.

sustainability

Leading change. It's our business.

We love the ocean and we want future generations to enjoy it too, so it’s our responsibility to protect it. 

Find out how we’re driving sustainability from the inside out.

Burgess - luxury superyachts

Whether you’re considering your first charter or building your fifth yacht, Burgess has the expertise you need. Learn how our global brokerage team consistently sells more yachts like yours than anyone else. Talk to our charter team about personalised luxury yacht charter experiences. If you own a yacht, find out about our full-service support and if you plan to build a series or full-custom superyacht, find out how our experts can help you turn your vision into a reality.

5 stunning private Mediterranean islands to add to your charter

Price reduction on BIG EASY

PROJECT 515 is for sale

Price reduction on RUYA

BOMBADIL III is for sale

Price reduction on MUCHOS MAS

Price reduction on AD LIB

Price reduction on ICE BEAR

AMBROSIA is for sale

Sign up to our newsletter, stay in the loop.

Subscribe to our newsletter to keep updated with all things Burgess.

What would you like emails about?

• Chartering a yacht
• Buying or selling a yacht
• General superyacht news

In order to understand how we use and protect your personal information, please read our privacy policy .

• Mediterranean
• French Riviera
• Corsica & Sardinia
• The Balearics
• Croatia & Montenegro
• The Bahamas
• Caribbean - Leeward Islands
• Caribbean - Windward Islands
• British Virgin Islands
• US Virgin Islands
• New England
• Indian Ocean
• South East Asia
• French Polynesia
• The Red Sea
• Motor yachts for charter
• Sailing yachts for charter
• Latest offers
• Destinations
• New to charter
• Meet the Charter team
• Superyacht videos
• 360° yacht tours
• Corporate & event charters
• Inspiring charter ideas
• Charter FAQs
• Every day different

Charter DEJA TOO

Available this summer in the South Pacific

Abundant water toys for the children and places to relax for the adults; everyone is catered for on board

Charter BARBARA

Available this summer in the West Mediterranean

Outdoor cinema, massage and beauty room plus private master deck, make this summer special

• Motor yachts for sale
• Sailing yachts for sale
• Yachts for sale over 200 feet
• Yachts for sale from 150 to 200 feet
• Yachts for sale under 150 feet
• Tenders and chase boats for sale
• Yachts under construction
• Meet the Brokerage team
• Berths for sale
• Sold yachts
• Yacht marketing
• Delivered yachts
• Yacht designers
• New Build Sales
• Meet the Technical Services team
• Meet the Yacht Management team
• Crew vacancies
• Meet the Crew Services team
• Procurement Services
• Charter Management
• Sales Management
• Yacht Marketing
• Meet the Insurance team
• 360 degree yacht tours
• Boat shows and events
• Office vacancies
• Talent pool
• Office locations
• Burgess in Asia
• Burgess Blue Oceans
• Strategic partners
• Press centre
• Company Operations
• Crew Services
• New Business
• Technical Services
• Yacht Management
• Burgess Impact Report 2023

Filter your results

trending now

'Embarrassed' Bethenny Frankel says she was punched on NYC street...

Eva Mendes says she and Ryan Gosling had a 'non-verbal agreement'...

Leonardo DiCaprio, 49, and Vittoria Ceretti, 25, spark engagement...

Inside Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's $15K-a-night Bahamas...

Marcus Jordan claps back at Larsa Pippen 'rewriting history' for...

'Creepy' video of Sean 'Diddy' Combs and a teenage Justin Bieber...

Tiger Woods and ex-wife Elin Nordegren reunite as son Charlie...

Sean 'Diddy' Combs' relationship history: The embattled music...

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to copy URL

See Mark Zuckerberg’s glossy new $300M, 287-foot superyacht ‘Launchpad’

• View Author Archive
• Follow on Twitter
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

All aboard S.S. Facebook.

Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly gifted himself a $300 million megayacht, dubbed “Launchpad,” ahead of his 40th birthday.

The staggering 387-foot-long vessel was seen floating at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after arriving at its berth earlier this week, The Sun reported Thursday.

The multi-layered luxury ship’s sleek exterior was designed by Espen Øino International and boasts a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure, according to SuperYacht Times.

Reportedly ranking as the 45th largest yacht in the world, the interiors are just as aesthetically pleasing and reportedly executed by Zuretti Interior Design company, a France-based company specializing in unique and custom yacht design.

The breathtakingly beautiful floater stands out with a navy blue theme matching an American flag perched proudly on its wood-paneled stern.

There are several outdoor areas where the social media maven will be able to relax with his family and the indoor levels feature glass paneling allowing for tons of natural light.

For more Page Six you love…

• Listen to our weekly “We Hear” podcast
• Shop our exclusive merch

There also appears to be a helipad perfect for whenever the Facebook co-founder wants to travel to his vessel by air.

The Feadship-built yacht, built in 2022, can comfortably fit 24 guests aboard, requires a crew of 48, and is said to cost $30 million a year for upkeep and usage, according to Superyachtfan.com .

Want more celebrity and pop culture news?

Start your day with Page Six Daily.

Thanks for signing up!

Please provide a valid email address.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .

Want celebrity news as it breaks? Hooked on Housewives?

Boatworld insiders have been buzzing with speculation that Zuckerberg is the owner of the newly minted mega-cruise ever since it made its main voyage from the Netherlands last week.

The tech titan was spotted touring the Russian-commissioned megayacht in early March, though the impressive boat didn’t arrive stateside until this week due to sanctions, according to The Sun.

The website reported that Zuckerberg purchased the pricey yacht – along with its own $30 million partner boat — most likely as an early 40th birthday present to himself.

The boat reportedly traveled to Florida after being granted special permission to be imported just weeks ahead of Zuckerberg’s birthday on May 14.

Zuckerberg’s yacht is just 30 feet shorter than the length of fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos’ 417-foot megayacht Koru, which the Amazon boss snagged for a whopping $500 million.

Zuckerberg’s rep did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

Share this article:

Advertisement

Find anything, super fast.

• Destinations
• Documentaries

browse cutting-edge concepts & world-class models or find a custom superyacht builder.

Explore our complete range of cutting-edge concepts from the most innovative design thinkers in the superyacht industry.

Find a superyacht model to suit your every specification by searching our comprehensive range of world-class yacht models.

Discover your dream superyacht project by searching our extensive directory of custom superyacht builders around the world.

Discover new build

Peruse our complete range of cutting-edge concepts

Browse our collection of world-class superyacht models

Find the right superyacht builder to bring your dream to life

Related news

Damen yachting completes technical launch of seventh øino-designed amels 60.

• 19 Feb 2024
• New Launches

Fifth Amels 60 Motor Yacht Successfully Hits the Water

• 12 Feb 2024

Amels 60 SATEMI Delivered by Damen Yachting

• 22 Jan 2024
• Industry News