jaguar yacht owner

Shahid Khan’s $200 million megayacht Kismet is a sight to behold – Owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham F.C the billionaire once washed dishes at YMCA for $1.20 an hr. The 312 feet vessel has a massive Jaguar statue and enough space for his team to practice on.

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The story of Shahid Khan's 95m superyacht Kismet

As owner of two football clubs, Shahid Khan knows the sporting maxim: you don’t change a winning team. So when he wanted a new, bigger, better version of his 60 metre Kismet he knew exactly what to do.

When Shahid Khan ordered his first Kismet , in 2004, the gist of the brief to his design team was “make it impressive”. Not only would his family be using the boat for their own enjoyment, but Khan wanted it for corporate entertaining as well as for charter service. That 68 metre motor yacht, launched in 2007 by Lürssen , was successful on all counts, but in the intervening years Khan’s business and his corporate guests have both increased in size. He now owns two football teams, one in the UK and the Jacksonville Jaguars in the US. The American footballers, in particular, mean that Khan does have some pretty bulky guests to accommodate. Sixty-eight metres just wasn’t cutting it.

Enter the new Kismet , launched in 2014, all 95 metres of her. Her size alone is impressive. Then there is the four metre silver statue of a jaguar, its paw resting on a football helmet, that graces the bow on game days; the two helipads and all that space – enough for his Jacksonville Jaguars to stage a practice. The number of decks for owner and guest use – five – is the same as on the previous yacht, but the scale of those decks, the accommodation afforded by eight suites, and especially the size of the areas dedicated to entertaining, are where the new Kismet really scores. She went on to take a win at the 2015 World Superyacht Awards , claiming top spot in the Displacement Motor Yachts of 1,3000GT to 2,999 GT of 75 metres and above category.

There are obvious advantages when the team responsible for a successful superyacht project is reassembled for an encore and, indeed, the owner brought all the original Kismet players back together: Moran Yacht & Ship , to develop the specification package and oversee the build, which again was at Lürssen; Espen Øino , for the exterior design; and Reymond Langton for the interior. Just as important in ensuring that the new yacht functions as smoothly as the first, is the fact that Captain Kyle Fultz and his wife Gerry, who serves as purser, have crewed for Shahid Khan for 15 years and have the benefit of knowing how the family lives, works and entertains. The Fultzes made frequent visits to the yard over two and a half years implementing the owners’ wishes for the new luxury yacht.

“They made it what it is,” Shahid Khan says. “Sometimes they would have to take on the yard, sometimes the designers and sometimes they would have to take on the owners,” he chuckles. “They would say to me, ‘yes, you can have that but you would have to give up this function.’ I knew the design of Kismet had to follow the function.”

Khan, who left Pakistan as a teenager to attend the University of Illinois, personifies the American dream with a story that starts with him washing dishes and selling ice cream, takes in marrying his college sweetheart Ann and results in him owning a $4.4 billion auto parts company with 13,000 employees. He first tested the waters of yacht ownership in 1999 by purchasing a 39-metre Feadship named Gallant Lady from his friend and customer, the late Jim Moran, a car dealer and philanthropist. After several years aboard the Feadship, they started talking about building from scratch.

“We were six months into the specs for his next boat when the economic crisis began,” Moran recalls. “Two weeks after Lehman Brothers collapsed, we had a meeting. The market was falling about 1,000 points a day. We were prepared to hear [Khan] say he was halting the project; instead he said: ‘Everybody thinks I’m mad but I’m going to do it.’ He’s a forward-thinking progressive and he makes decisions other guys wouldn’t.”

They started with a design of about 85 metres. “What was originally offered is not what you see today,” says Moran. “He challenged the designers a lot. He’s heavily influenced by automotive shapes and he pushed the designers to the max.” The max became 95 metres.

Pascal Reymond, of interior design firm Reymond Langton , says: “He asked us to scale up the drama of the first Kismet ; he had seen [our work on 134 metre] Serene and wanted that level of detail.” Her lead designer on the project, Jason Macaree, credits a collaborative process. “She (Ann Khan) has a clear idea of what she wants things to look like and he (Shahid) drives things to be at the edge. He presents ideas, they are good ideas, and we would work on them, bounce them back and then they would just grow.”

One example of this process is the video walls in the space separating the main saloon from the forward section of the main deck and flanking the stairs to the deck above. Originally a pair of curved stairs, like a double helix, was envisioned to rise between the floors through an open atrium and the renderings showed curved artwork surrounding the staircases. “Then it was Shahid’s idea to have one staircase only with a video wall and open space opposite. Ann said she thought there might be room for a piano there and that led to the idea of creating a more intimate lounge in that space. We made a presentation on that idea and, in the middle of that presentation, she asked if the piano could be integrated into a bar. Well, you’ve seen it, it’s a piano that can be heard through two decks and it’s a bar, but it’s really a work of art. That’s the way this entire project evolved,” says Macaree.

It is why  Kismet , despite her size and the fact that her remit is to charter, is so intensely personal. Shahid Khan says he has space to host parties for 270 people and yet there are also comfortable places to go when he’s alone on the boat.

The video walls – with one extending two decks high – are a unique piece of work, made up of 42 individual 140-centimetre monitors. Yes, they can show Fulham's football games, news or films, but they are also programmed to show digitised, high-definition moving artwork as a backdrop to life on board. The system, installed by Atlanta’s Techno Gurus, also links to a pair of high-def cameras mounted outside that can convert the walls into virtual windows.

The massive art deco staircase between the video walls leads from the main saloon to the upper deck lounge, but is not, in fact, the yacht’s centre of circulation – that is farther forward and comprises a lift and offset stairs leading to all decks. But it is the link between the four primary indoor guest entertainment areas on two decks: saloon and cinema on main deck and dining room and lounge above. It’s a feature, amongst others on board, that had Lürssen’s engineers scratching their heads.

“There were, of course, many challenging design features both inside and outside, which gave our engineers some headaches but as expected we were able to solve them all,” says Peter Lürssen, the yard’s CEO. “Particularly, the level of detail on the exterior furniture with its decorative features, was something we hadn’t done before to this extent. And the stunning staircase is a feature that has brought many engineers and craftsmen a few more grey hairs. But that’s our job."

An etched glass walkway spanning the atrium connects the bar with the dining room. It is a masterful way to keep the party connected between decks while exterior stairs link the two aft decks. During inclement weather, sliding glass panels flanking the aft owner’s deck turn that space into a winter garden and outside dining area in all but the worst winter or tropical downpours. The adjacent V-shaped bar – back-lit onyx with RGB colour controls – is party central, but to get celebrations off on the right foot, the aft main deck begins with a convivial outdoor bar. The entire area becomes one big social loop. Add in the bridge-deck lounge above, which looks out over the aft helipad, and the spacious sundeck higher still, with both pool and spa pool, and large-scale entertainment is guaranteed.

One of the challenges Reymond Langton faced was in creating enough intimacy for family use or small charter parties on such a big yacht. Smaller spaces such as the up to date cinema , which is adjacent to the six guest cabins on the main deck and doubles as a guest saloon or reading room, the bridge deck lounge up top and the gym and spa below, show that they have not forgotten the value of cosiness. In fact, there are four fireplaces aboard to ensure just that.

Kismet really shines in details. Each of the five guest suites has not only a unique colour scheme, but uniquely themed door trim. Their position on the main deck means that the suites are wide and multi-windowed. It also has an unusual feature called a sea cabin, carefully placed on the lower deck on portside amidships, where motion will be at a minimum for guests who suffer from seasickness. Of course, its placement adjacent the guest gym , the spa and the starboard side fold-down tender dock would make it equally coveted for other reasons.

“You can go one of three ways with a spa,” says Pascal Reymond. “You can either put it up top and make it surrounded by glass walls for light and views; you can put it adjacent to the beach club at the stern, but that ambiance might suffer when the stern door is closed, or you can put it deep in the ship where it’s naturally going to be dark and cosy and restful with little motion. This is what the owner chose for Kismet . It’s very much a meditative space.”

Indeed it is. Dark stones and interesting juxtaposed textures – from smooth flat rocks to glass to various wood surfaces, including a door that had patterns routed into its face and then was singed for effect – provide just the right amount of physical stimulation while the hammam, spa pool, cold plunge pool, steam shower and massage room are focused on relaxation. The light is soft and soothing.

Behind all the beautifully, exotically finished owner and guest areas lies the heart of the yacht: not just the engine room, which is a typical two-deck Lürssen paean of efficiency, but rather the attention that has been put into the operation side of things, or “back of the house”.

“The first Kismet was the first Lürssen with the ‘Moran cathedral’ engine room: two storeys, with a separate control room,” says Khan. “Some people thought it was a waste of space, but we have factory experience and know how much good visual connection improves the work.”

The crew passages and their connectedness to stores, exteriors and the areas they need to access quickly and repeatedly for service are brilliantly thought out. The main deck placement of the galley, for example, might be considered atypical yet it was arranged to service interior and exterior dining areas above and the social areas on the main deck as well as to receive provisions. The spa also has hidden access so crew or visiting therapists do not travel through owner areas.

The under-deck crew passage contains copious amounts of linen storage and connects to the laundry on the same deck. Like most of the things aboard this yacht, it is well worth the space allocation and adds to function and maintenance: key design elements that are often, unfortunately, overlooked by less experienced project teams or owners. “The crew areas, their cabins and the crew gym as well as the passageways and work spaces, have a positive impact on crew retention, our charter operation and resale,” says Khan.

Kismet itself is a Turkish word that means destiny or fate, perhaps resulting from random forces set in motion long ago, like a 16 year old arriving in America to study engineering and ending up with a superyacht.

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Photos: A look at Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s yacht Kismet through the years

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It’s a big week for Shad Khan’s Jacksonville Jaguars.

The team has the top pick in the NFL Draft once again, giving them a chance to get some help for Trevor Lawrence , who was picked No. 1 overall by the Jags last year.

RELATED: Jacksonville Jaguars fielding no offers for top pick, narrow choice to 4

In honor of the Jags’ upcoming moment in the spotlight, let’s take a trip down memory lane with another one of Khan’s assets: The Kismet, his nearly $200M yacht.

‘I WANT TO LIVE ON IT’

Action Sports Jax’s Brent Martineau first gave you a look at the mega yacht when it was brand-new and anchored in the Thames River ahead of the Jags’ London game against the Dallas Cowboys in 2014.

Khan sold his previous yacht in 2013, replacing it with the 300-foot Kismet, which took two years to build. Back then, the Kismet had a statue of a Jaguar on the front.

One of the Kismet’s onlookers in London declared “I want to live on it!”

‘MY FEET WOULD NEVER TOUCH LAND’

The yacht made it to the River City in 2015, docking in the St. Johns River next to the CSX building.

Deborah Kaczorowski of Jacksonville told Action News Jax then she was impressed with the Kismet.

“My feet would never touch land — maybe once a week —- if I had something like that,” Kaczorowski said. “I’d enjoy that bad boy.”

KISMET FOR SALE

In October 2020, the Kismet was listed for sale .

At that time, the asking price was $199,039,663. Now, the Kismet’s listing says “POA” under the asking price.

“POA” means “price on application” or “price on asking,” which means the seller must be contacted to get the price.

‘I CAN MOVE THE NEEDLE’

In December 2021, the Kismet was the site of an informal question-and-answer session with the media as Khan reflected on his 10-year anniversary as the owner of the Jaguars.

He reiterated his hope to help elevate the city to new heights and bring a Super Bowl to Jags fans.

“There’s a vacuum here, there’s a football team here and as an owner I can move the needle,” Khan said. “How many times do you get a chance to move a needle in a good way in a great American city, very rarely. That’s the power here.”

PHOTOS: The Kismet, a look inside Shad Khan’s almost $200M yacht

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Have $200 million? You can buy Jaguars owner Shad Khan's superyacht, Kismet

Ever wonder what it costs to live the luxurious life of Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan ? Well for starters, you could buy his yacht for a whopping $200 million.

You know the one — It's called the KISMET and it usually frequents Downtown Jacksonville, most times docking in front of the CSX building.

Built in 2014 and measuring about 300-feet long, the KISMET can accommodate 16 guests in eight staterooms. It also has a helipad, sundeck, swimming pool, a full-service spa and a one-of-a-kind outdoor fireplace.

Photos: Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s superyacht Kismet

It's being sold for exactly $199,039,663 by Moran Yacht & Ship .

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Inside Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan’s $160m ‘Kismet’ superyacht which is ‘champagne and caviar palace’

• Jordan Kligman
• Published : 17:45 ET, Nov 16 2023
• Updated : 19:00 ET, Nov 16 2023

JACKSONVILLE Jaguars billionaire owner Shahid Khan is listing his $160 million superyacht up for sale in anticipation of his new Lürssen vessel.

The Kismet is currently the largest yacht for sale on the market.

The 312-foot superyacht is decorated with a particular "champagne and caviar" theme designed by Reymond Langton and Espen Øino.

To start, the boat has a fire pit, two helipads - one of which converts into a basketball court - three pools with a waterfall, and two movie theatres, with one indoors and another outside.

On game day, when the Jags take the field, a 13-foot silver statue of a jaguar with its paw resting on a football helmet is mounted on the bowsprit.

"The original intention was to make Kismet the most luxurious charter boat on the water," Captain Dave Andrews told Robb Report.

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Since the boat set sea in 2014, it's been a staple of Khan's .

The most extravagant feature of the themed craft is a Champagne-colored chandelier by Crystal Caviar.

The one-of-a-kind piece hangs in the central lobby next to a sweeping black-and-gold Art Deco staircase suspended over a fancy grand piano.

To get around the vessel, there's a glass elevator in the lobby with access to all decks.

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When hosting guests, folks flock to the climate-controlled winter garden with sliding glass panels.

With both heating and air conditioning, it's perfect for the yacht’s cruising itinerary of the Caribbean in winter and the Mediterranean in summer.

Docking in London every year, Khan pays his respects to his English soccer club, Fulham FC , too.

"We either anchor in Canary Wharf or go to the warship mooring downstream of Tower Bridge as the boss likes the view of the bridge," Andrews said.

In the sky lounge, the Pakistani American sits at a large sports bar watching his teams out across the bridge deck.

It also transforms into a disco with a built-in stereo system.

Despite having a helipad, it's hardly used, instead being swapped out for a basketball court with netting erected to catch any balls that bounce off.

"We always have a deckhand standing by on a Waverunner," Andrews added.

The foredeck serves as a private deck with a Jacuzzi and is also used for yoga.

It opens directly into the master suite with a private office, an oval skylight, and one of three bioethanol fireplaces.

The Kismet has seven added guest suites, fitting 16 guests in total.

There are also crew quarters for up to 26.

Khan spends most of his time when he's not entertaining in the lower-deck spa.

"The spa was mandated by the owners to be a place they can just chill out in," Andrews shared.

It has a hammam ( Turkish -style bathtub), a spa bath, a cold plunge pool, a steam shower, and a massage room with an onboard therapist.

To top it all off, Khan has a crow's nest platform dedicated to viewing the stunning scenes of the ocean.

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The Kismet has been on the market for nearly a year, previously listed at over $200 million.

Once the boat sells, Khan is expected to use his new 5,500-ton Lürssen as his primary ship.

• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Shahid Khan

Jaguars Owner Shad Khan Puts $200 Million, 312-Foot Superyacht For Sale: See Photos

Times must be tough for billionaires, as Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan is putting his $200 million superyacht, Kismet, up for sale.

The superyacht, which is 312 feet long, is insane. It’s like a floating resort that is designed to be extraordinarily luxurious. It has accommodations that have been described as , “better than a 5-star hotel.”

Take a look at Shad Khan’s superyacht, here :

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Front Office Sports (@frontofficesports)

Among the accommodations that Kismet comes with are multiple pools, a full-service spa, a gym, a moving theater, and a helipad. That way you can fly your helicopter straight onboard and avoid associating with anyone.

The best part is that it comes with a 3-D printed jaguar. That’s the kind of detail that helps make sure all your friends know you’re from Duval.

Shad Khan, a Pakistani-American billionaire, bought the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011, having previously tried to buy the Rams . Since then, he also bought Fulham F.C. and is the lead investor with his son in AEW. His money comes from a car bumper company he founded before buying Flex-N-Gate, an auto parts supplier.

The last time Shad Khan sold a yacht, it measured only 223 feet long. At that time, he replaced it with Kismet. So, there is a good chance this decision to sell is only so he can upgrade once again.

Shad Khan Slept Through an Important Game

In Week 18, the Jacksonville Jaguars had a pivotal game against the Tennessee Titans as they fought for a playoff berth. However, that wasn’t exciting enough for Shad Khan, who was caught dreaming about his new yacht during the game.

The cameras seemed to catch Khan sleeping as the game was going poorly for Jacksonville. Then, after a Jaguars’ score, cameras found him awake and celebrating.

Ultimately, Jacksonville won that and earned a home playoff game. It was a glimpse of the future for Jaguars fans.

More From Forbes

Billionaire superyacht showdown: who’s who in st. barths for new years 2022.

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Gustavia harbor, St Barts, Caribbean

Every time I arrive at St. Barths, I feel an instant buzz of energy. Typically on tropical Caribbean islands, I am lulled into a quiet calm, but this island's life is far from that, especially during the holidays. Beaches are full of sun worshippers, while streets are filled with traffic and shoppers, this paradise is pulsing with action.

This year many of the hotels are celebrating refreshed, renovated re-openings including my favorites; Cheval Blanc , Eden Rock , and Le Toiny . Also restaurants like Bagatelle , Le Tamarin , L’Isola and even a cool new bohemian beach club Gyp Sea (where you might rub elbows with Jeff Bezos). You will often see the yacht owners and their guests dining out at these boîtes, but during festival season, it is nearly impossible to get a table.

Anchored overlooking the action is a vast collection of some of the most spectacular superyachts in the world. Russian oligarchs and international CEOs rub shoulders with tanned and toned celebrities as they tease the paparazzi, and the nightlife seems to go on until the early hours.

This year, the legendary superyacht showdown started with numerous high-profile billionaires already anchored outside of Gustavia harbor and Anse de Colombier. Many stayed throughout Christmas on neighboring islands like Antigua, and Virgin Gorda, and then partied with the outrageous fireworks New Years' Eve celebration in St Barths.

Nikki Beach New Years Eve

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Despite the pandemic hitting all industries hard in the past two years, the yachting industry is thriving. In a recent Global Order report by Boat International , an impressive 1,024 yacht projects are being built or on order for 2022. Demand is strong across almost all superyacht categories and sizes 147 feet and above saw a rise of 10.5 percent. The Expedition yacht category grew by 33 percent, with 85 vessels recorded on build or on order.

Hot spots around St Barths hosted New Year's Eve parties, including Bonito (Kool & the Gang concert), and Nikki Beach , while Eden Rock had Dua Lipa performing at the Luisaviaroma x UNICEF gala.

Here is a selection of some of the largest yachts that were in and around St. Barths for the holidays. This list with owner details was sourced by my friends at Superyachtfan .

OVER 300 Feet

Superyacht Eclipse

ECLIPSE (533 feet)

Owned by billionaire Russian Steel magnate Roman Abramovich

Rising Sun yacht

RISING SUN (454 feet)

Owned by billionaire entertainment mogul David Geffen

'Flying Fox', one of the top 20 largest superyachts in the world

FLYING FOX (446 feet)

Previously rumored to be owned by Jeff Bezos but denied by Amazon

'Le Grand Bleu' yacht

LE GRAND BLEU (371 feet)

Owned by Russian oil billionaire Evgeny Shvidler

KAOS (361 feet)

Owned by Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie

DREAM (348 feet)

Owned by Greek shipping magnate George Prokopiou

MOONRISE (327 feet)

Owned by billionaire WhatsApp founder Jan Koum

The Newly Restored Christina O, Former Private Yacht Of Aristotle Onassis

CHRISTINA O (325 feet)

Owned by Irish lawyer Ivor Fitzpatrick. Previously a Canadian anti-submarine frigate converted into a superyacht by Aristotle Onassis.

LAC LEMAN (315 feet)

Owned by biotech billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli .

KISMET (312 feet)

Owned by billionaire Jacksonville Jaguar owner Shahid Khan

QUEEN MIRI (300 feet)

Owned by casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.

TRANQUILITY (300 feet)

Owned by Malaysian Casino billionaire Lim Kok Thay

UNDER 300 feet

Addiction (172 feet).

Owned by Russian telecom oligarch Sergey Adoniev

AIR (266 feet)

Owned by Italian candy billionaire Augusto Perfetti

ARCHIMEDES (222 feet)

Owned by Renaissance Technology billionaire Jim Simons

AQUILA (281 feet)

Owned by Walmart heiress Ann Walton Kroenke

AXIOMA (240 feet)

Owned by Russian steel billionaire Dmitry Pumpyansky

AZTECA (236 feet)

Owned by Mexican media billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego

BATON ROUGE (205 feet)

Owned by construction magnate Martin Bouygues

BROADWATER (184 feet)

Owned by AnyBill founder Matthew Voorhees

ELYSIAN (253 feet)

Owned by Boston Red Sox billionaire owner John Henry

EXCELLENCE (263 feet)

Owned by billionaire car dealer Herb Chambers

FLAG (205 feet)

Owned by fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger

GENE MACHINE (180 feet)

Owned by Engineer/Scientist Jonathan Rothberg who has a lab aboard his yacht where is developing an at-home antigen test

HALO (189 feet)

Owned by Mexican beer billionaire Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala

HOME (164 feet)

Owned by private investor and adventurer Harald McPike

HOSPITALITY (164 feet)

Owned by American Recovery Services founder Patrick Willis

ILLUSION V (189 feet)

Owned by property developer Brett Alexander Palos

JOY (230 feet)

Owned by real estate magnate Sahmeer Gehlaut

KAMALAYA (180 feet)

Owned by PokerStars billionaire Mark Scheinberg

KISSES (175 feet)

Owned by Florida car dealer Norman Braman

LADY JORGIA (243 feet)

Owned by waste managment magnate Patrick Dovigi

LADY KATHRYN V (203 feet)

Owned by Construction CEO Leo Vecellio

LARS (154 feet)

Owned by construction magnate Henry Holterman

LAUREL (240 feet)

Owned by Paychex founder billionaire Tom Golisano

LIONESS V (208 feet)

Formerly owned by British retail billionaire Sir Philip Green

LUNASEA (240 feet)

Owned by video game developer Yahn Bernier

MEAMINA (194 feet)

Owned by oil and gas magnate Beny Steinmetz

METIS (207 feet)

Owned by pharmaceutical billionaire Wilhelm Beier

MIA ELISE II (198 feet)

Owned by US car dealer Terry Taylor

MOSKITO (181 feet)

Owned by retail billionaire Tom Morris

MUCHO MAS (144 feet)

Owned by construction magnate Juan Carlos Mas

NENINKA (222 feet)

Owned by Grupo Financiero Interacciones billionaire Carlos Hank Rhon

NERO (296 feet)

Owned by Digicell billionaire founder Denis O’Brien

OLIVIA O (291 feet)

Owned by shipping billionaire Eyal Ofer

PARSIFAL III (177 feet)

Owned by coffee brewer magnate Kim Vobe Petersen

PLANET NINE (240 feet)

Owned by banker Nat Rothschild

POWER PLAY (181 feet)

Support vessel to yacht Moonrise, owned by WhatsApp founder Jan Koum.

ROCHADE (156 feet)

Owned by billionaire beer importers Rob and Richard Sands

ROSEHEARTY (183 feet)

Formerly owned by Rupert Murdoch and now developer/adventurer Joey Kaempfer

SAMURAI (197 feet)

Owned by German advertising billionaire Udo Mueller

SEANNA (213 feet)

Owned by real estate billionaire Stan Kroenke , and wife Walmart heiress Ann Walton

SEASENSE (207 feet)

Owned by real estate billionaire Charles Cohen

SILVER LINING (164 feet)

Owned by Life Cares billionaire founder Forrest Preston

SIREN (240 feet)

Owned by tech and real estate billionaire David Reuben

SOARING (224 feet)

Owned by Russian gas pipe magnate Ivan Shabalov

SYCARA V (233 feet)

Owned by Auto Group CEO Ray Catena

TITANIA (232 feet)

Owned by mobile phone billionaire John Caudwell

TRIUMPH (213 feet)

Owned by British retail magnate Chris Dawson

UNBRIDLED (191 feet)

Owned by chewing gum billionaire William Wrigley

W (190 feet)

Owned by WeatherTech founder David Macneil

*Yacht owners note: If you would like listing removed please email me directly at: theluxeworld(at)gmail.com

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Photos: A look at Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s yacht Kismet through the years

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It’s a big week for Shad Khan’s Jacksonville Jaguars.

The team has the top pick in the NFL Draft once again, giving them a chance to get some help for Trevor Lawrence, who was picked No. 1 overall by the Jags last year.

RELATED: Jacksonville Jaguars fielding no offers for top pick, narrow choice to 4

In honor of the Jags’ upcoming moment in the spotlight, let’s take a trip down memory lane with another one of Khan’s assets: The Kismet, his nearly $200M yacht.

‘I WANT TO LIVE ON IT’

Action Sports Jax’s Brent Martineau first gave you a look at the mega yacht when it was brand-new and anchored in the Thames River ahead of the Jags’ London game against the Dallas Cowboys in 2014.

Khan sold his previous yacht in 2013, replacing it with the 300-foot Kismet, which took two years to build. Back then, the Kismet had a statue of a Jaguar on the front.

One of the Kismet’s onlookers in London declared “I want to live on it!”

‘MY FEET WOULD NEVER TOUCH LAND’

The yacht made it to the River City in 2015, docking in the St. Johns River next to the CSX building.

Deborah Kaczorowski of Jacksonville told Action News Jax then she was impressed with the Kismet.

“My feet would never touch land — maybe once a week —- if I had something like that,” Kaczorowski said. “I’d enjoy that bad boy.”

Shad Khan's Yacht in Town Earlier today Jaguar's owner Shad Khan's yacht sailed into town.

KISMET FOR SALE

In October 2020, the Kismet was listed for sale .

At that time, the asking price was $199,039,663. Now, the Kismet’s listing says “POA” under the asking price.

“POA” means “price on application” or “price on asking,” which means the seller must be contacted to get the price.

‘I CAN MOVE THE NEEDLE’

In December 2021, the Kismet was the site of an informal question-and-answer session with the media as Khan reflected on his 10-year anniversary as the owner of the Jaguars.

He reiterated his hope to help elevate the city to new heights and bring a Super Bowl to Jags fans.

“There’s a vacuum here, there’s a football team here and as an owner I can move the needle,” Khan said. “How many times do you get a chance to move a needle in a good way in a great American city, very rarely. That’s the power here.”

PHOTOS: The Kismet, a look inside Shad Khan’s almost $200M yacht

On the Kismet On Dec. 13, 2021, the eve of Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan's 10-year anniversary of owning the team, he reflected on the last decade in Jacksonville. Khan met with a group of local media aboard his almost $200 million yacht, The Kismet, in an informal question and answer session. These photos show an inside look of the yacht located in downtown Jacksonville.

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Practical Boat Owner

• Digital edition

Jaguar 27 review and test sail

• Peter Poland
• August 11, 2020

The American designed Jaguar 27 became one of the most popular UK-built cruisers of its size, as Peter Poland reports

Boat testing is fun. But testing in the Ionian under an October sun is even better. Quite a few years ago I was invited to join a flotilla as part of an assignment to test the Jaguar 27. I jumped at the chance, despite never having been on a flotilla holiday and, in my ignorance, dismissing the whole notion as being ‘for beginners’.

Put simply, flotillas are great fun, totally stress-free sailing for crews of greater or lesser experience alike; and the Jaguar 27 (originally built in the US as the Catalina 27) is one of the most successful early GRP cruisers of its size.

A well maintained example can offer great value for money.

The company we sailed with in Greece, Sailing Holidays , started life in the 1970s as the Flotilla Sailing Club offering flotilla holidays aboard a fleet of Jaguar 27s and UFO27s. It was a great success. One of the company’s engineers, Barrie Neilson, became a flotilla leader and then eventually took over the company, changing its name to Sailing Holidays in 1987.

Unlike most charter operators who use OPBs (other peoples’ boats) – paying owners a cut of the takings – Neilson believes in owning his 165-boat fleet. This way he controls a rigorous maintenance schedule.

Jaguar 27s were the smallest yachts in the fleet until they were sold off in about 2015, which made the Beneteau 311s and 323s the smallest. Neilson said he moved up a size because couples now want a proper shower and double cabins. The fleet goes up to Beneteau 50s.

Our flotilla of 11 Jag 27s set sail from Corfu to roam the Ionian under the skilled but unobtrusive guidance of a team of three – all under 30 years old – who lived aboard their slightly larger lead boat. What then followed was a relaxing succession of trips – some as long as 20 miles, others as short as ten – from port (after breakfast) to bay (for lunch at anchor) to port (for sundowners and tavernas).

And while getting to know the fascinating cast of characters on the flotilla, I was also able to get a real feel for the boat and its abilities.

Jaguar 27 design and variations

The Jaguar 27 has proved to be ideal for short-handed or leisurely family cruising. Designed by Frank Butler as the US-built Catalina 27, large numbers went on to be built and sold by various companies around the world.

Jaguar 22. Photo: David Harding Catalina Yachts has been one of the leading American builders for many decades. Its current range includes the 315, 355 and 385. Early Frank Butler-designed models – the Catalina 22, 25 and 27 – were built in the UK under the names of the Jaguar 22 (right), 25 and 27, and all sold in large numbers. The 22 has a pivoting lifting keel while the 25 was offered with swing, fin or twin keels and 27 with a choice of twin or fin keels. The UK builder was Eric Birch and the boats were successfully marketed under the Jaguar banner from the mid-1970s to the mid-80s.

The UK Jaguar Yacht Owners’ Association says that British Jaguar 27s were built in Essex by Eric Birch from the early 1970s. To this day, buyers of old Jags get excellent back-up and information from this association. And because cruisers of this vintage tend to be of heavier displacement and solid construction, well-maintained Jaguars do as good a job today as they did when first launched.

When it hit the market, the Jaguar 27’s sleek lines, elegant sheer, swept fin keel and balanced spade rudder gave it a sporty image. A version with a transom-hung rudder was also made. We sailed fin keel versions drawing 1.32m/4ft 4in while a twin keel version (drawing just 0.2m/8in less) was later introduced in the UK.

Not surprisingly, these ‘twins’ soon gained a reputation for good sailing performance. Unlike many twin keelers of the mid-1970s, the Jaguar 27’s deeper draught makes it surprisingly efficient and owners speak highly of its windward performance. One owner wrote on a Forum: ‘I have sailed my Jaguar 27 [a twin keeler] with a family of five for several seasons. She points well, has a balanced rig, feels very safe and is easy to handle. [She has] decent keels so sails well but can also ghost up the creeks. there’s a good internal layout [and] a decent sized cockpit.’

Unlike many British-built yachts of the 1970s the Jaguar 27 made extensive use of internal GRP mouldings for both its furniture modules and the hull side and deck-head linings. These may look a little clinical, but they do away with the cost and hassle of renewing droopy ageing headlining panels or stripping and re-varnishing tired and water damaged plywood bunk sides.

Layout down below

With a couple of rolls in the main and the genoa, the Jaguar sails very comfortably with little heel.

The internal layout is largely dictated by these internal mouldings. The boat I sailed had the MkI layout that features a dinette (convertible to a wide berth) and quarter berth to starboard with a linear galley to port opposite the dinette. The owners’ association points out that the later MkII version has an L-shaped galley aft to port beside the companionway, which leaves space for a saloon settee/berth opposite the dinette.

Both versions feature the same functional heads compartment amidships that my co-skipper on the flotilla – a leading barrister who cooked me breakfast everyday – and I found perfectly adequate for basic requirements. The heads compartment on the flotilla Jags also had a washbasin with pressurised water.

Ahead of this, there’s a V-berth in the forecabin. Despite being 1.88m (6ft 2in) tall, I passed out comfortably in this berth each night. But it might have been a tight squeeze if there had been two of me there. The barrister chose the quarter berth and slept well. For a UK boat, I’d consider the ‘aft galley’ version because the extra saloon settee could be useful in less clement weather.

My friend John Goode (contributor of PBO’s seamanship and navigation articles for many years) and his wife, Rosie, were allocated the prototype of the revamped Jaguar 27. This featured a far bigger forecabin with large double berth, a spacious separate heads with a proper shower and a quarter berth aft. The galley was still a good size but the saloon was smaller and there was no dinette.

This new prototype is an eminently suitable model for warm weather cruising – those who cruise in the Ionian spend most of their time in the cockpit. Where the sun shines (invariably), the breeze blows (occasionally) and the cabin is only used for stowage, sleep, cooking and occasional forays into the heads/shower compartment, Sailing Holidays’ bold experiment in small boat accommodation won a lot of friends.

John Goode said: “If any of these modified boats ever come onto the market they would be a great buy.” Several more Jags were converted to this popular layout before the fleet was finally sold in around 2015.

Sailing Holidays’s clients get a thorough initial briefing on every aspect of the Jaguar 27

Back to the standard layout: being in the Ionian, we spent almost all our time in the cockpit – with or without the bimini deployed. The cockpit is around 2.44m/8ft long and an ideal width to brace yourself comfortably when the boat is heeled. The coamings are also nicely angled and comfortable to perch on. Cockpit stowage is good with a voluminous lazarette aft, a deep locker to port and a shallow locker to starboard to take ropes etc.

The companionway is worthy of mention because the sliding hatch is unusually wide and the aft bulkhead is not vertical but angled forward. In sunny climes this gives excellent ventilation down below and a comfortable backrest when lounging in the cockpit. But on a wet and windy day a sprayhood becomes a necessity if you want to sail with the washboards out and the hatch open and still keep the interior dry.

The masthead rig features a large headsail and relatively small mainsail, both roller reefing. Our Jaguar had a split mainsheet system spanning the aft end of the hatch, which worked well. However many standard Jags have the mainsheet anchored at the rear of the cockpit.

The mast is held up by cap shrouds and fore and aft lowers that are anchored well inboard. This gives a tight sheeting angle for upwind sailing.

And unlike many modern boats with aft swept spreaders, the Jaguar’s cap shrouds are in line with the mast; so the mainsail can be set much squarer on a dead run. Which can be very useful.

On deck, these flotilla Jag 27s differ in some details from the standard production models. They have robust stainless steel bow platforms for stowing the anchor and boarding when moored bow-on to a quay. On their transoms are bolted equally robust stern platforms that also accommodate a fold down swimming ladder. Both these bow and stern additions double up as beefy bumpers, protecting the hull from the occasional excess of enthusiasm over technique when mooring bow- or stern-on to a concrete quay.

Performance under sail

Despite a fairly shapeless in-mast reefing mainsail, the Jaguar 27 slips along at a respectable speed in a good breeze

I greatly enjoyed sailing the Jaguar 27. On the one day when the wind blew strongly, it was a delight to be reacquainted with the easy and steady motion of a heavier boat – as opposed to the less forgiving and more bouncy motion of a fat modern lightweight.

Thanks to the hull’s easy lines, moderate ends (compared to modern wide-sterned boats) and healthy ballast ratio, helming in these conditions was never demanding. A DLR of 297, ballast ratio of 40% and Brewer Comfort Ratio of 25 suggest a stable yacht with better than average performance.

Even though our in-mast reefing mainsail was shapeless and roach-less and the well-used reefing genoa did not set flat enough, the boat sailed satisfactorily to windward. And when we bore away on a reach to see what she would do in these conditions, the Jag took off at around 6 knots.

All in all, this day with a stiff breeze showed the Jaguar to be a comfortable and capable performer. As a crew of just two elderly sailors we found sail handling simple and steering a pleasure. What’s more even the least experienced crews in the flotilla coped with this boisterous upwind blast and made port with tales to tell and satisfied smiles on their faces.

In lighter airs, our Jaguar performed easily if unspectacularly. The batten-less and roach-less mainsail would never win regattas. But the recently fitted 17hp Volvo 2002s was always on hand if we needed to get a move on, giving ample punch. Handling under power was straightforward so long as the helmsman kept a firm hand on the tiller when going astern.

John Goode summed up his Jag 27 experience well: “While there are many online reviews available that detail the finer sailing performance of a standard Jag 27 (pointing ability, tacking angles, speed on different points of sail, etc) this wasn’t a priority for those of us who chose to join this particular flotilla. The iconic Jaguar 27, with its safe sea keeping qualities and ease of handling under sail, fitted the bill perfectly.”

Having sailed Jaguar 27s since the 1970s, Barrie Neilson told me: “I suppose the Jags are the story of my life! We have kept Emerald Girl for old time’s sake. The main feature of the Jag [era] was that we were all young! In a sense it was a bit like a floating Woodstock with Greek music and dancing. We didn’t need electronics or even VHF. We were totally self-contained and everything was repaired if we didn’t have a spare.

“All but one of the Jaguars (once there were 80) were sold off as we all grew a bit older and felt that an inside shower might be nice now and again. The little plastic shower bags on deck had had their day. I have no doubt that they are still popular with the younger generation.”

And I have little doubt that for those looking for a tough, elegant little cruiser at a modest price, the same popularity would apply to a well-maintained Jaguar 27.

SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 8.18m (26ft 10in) LWL: 6.63m (21ft 9in) Beam: 2.69m (8ft 11in) Draught (fin keel): 1.32m (4ft 4in) Draught (twin keel): 1.11m (3ft 8in) Typical displacement: 3,113kg (6,850lb)

Other American yacht designs that made the jump to UK builders

Legend 36 (photo by David harding)

Luhrs Marine, a subsidiary of the American Hunter Marine, set up a factory in Portland, Dorset, to build a selection of its Legend cruisers for the European market. Most of these comfortable cruisers offered well-ballasted bulbed twin keels as an option and the Legend 33, Legend 36 (pictured) and Legend 356 proved particularly popular. Luhrs was finally hit by stiff competition from French and German yacht builders so in 2006 decided to re-consolidate its production back in the USA.

Blue Jay, J109 (photo David harding)

J boats have dominated sectors of the yacht racing scene since the 1970s and are still going strong. The first J – the J24 – was also built in the UK by Westerly, and large numbers were sold. Even its greatest fans would not call the J24 a family cruiser, but a reasonably priced second-hand example can make a splendid day-sailer and occasional club racer. The J109 (pictured) is a very different type of boat and many were also built outside the USA – this time in France. It was one of the earliest yachts to offer an asymmetric spinnaker on a retractable bowsprit and makes a splendid fast cruiser. It also has a habit of burning off the opposition on a race course. Not cheap – but a fantastic boat for the keen cruiser-racing fraternity.

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Exclusive: Lurssen launches 122m Project JAG with Jaguar Emblem under bowsprit

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By Editorial Team   10 August 2023

Earlier today Lurssen flooded their floating dock at their Rendsburg facility to launch Project JAG , shrouded in secrecy throughout her build this is the first glimpse of the  newly finished 122m (400ft) superyacht being built for an experienced owner.  

At the time of her technical launch back in June 2021, we believed that her extended bowsprit would be used as an area to display the owner's American football team mascot from the Jacksonville Jaguars as seen on his last yacht. However, looking at these exclusive first sneak photos it appears that her designers have come up with a new approach and that a Jaguar mascot has been designed under the bowsprit instead.

As can be seen in the photos above - it appears that there is a stylized pouncing Jaguar under the bowsprit, reminiscent of Jaguar motor car's famous Leaping Jaguar logo hood ornaments which were first introduced in 1945. This is another example of how Italian design powerhouse Nuvolari & Lenard likes to push the boundaries of yacht design to the next level and break the norm.

In 2014 the owner's 95m/312ft  superyacht KISMET caused quite a stir after turning up in London, as the yacht crew attached a beautiful silver Jaguar mascot to her bow. Positioned with one paw in the air and the other resting on an American football helmet, the majestic cat is a striking addition to the spectacular Espen Oeino-designed motor yacht.

Traditionally, bowsprits were only found on sailing yachts where the stays of the foremast are fastened. However, over the last decade, bowsprits are increasingly seen on  motor yachts , used by designers to add extra LOA and a creative extension of the aesthetic design. The 90m/295  luxury charter yacht 'Phoenix 2’ , also built by Lürssen was one of the first, featuring a stunning silver Phoenix on her bowsprit which appears to be about to take flight. 

The beautiful 73m (239.6ft) superyacht TITANIA also features a captivating bowsprit, adorned with a silver mascot of a woman leaning out towards the ocean.

What we know about Project Jag

Commissioned by an owner who has bought two Lurssen superyachts in the past, Project Jag boasts an elongated appearance with a contrasting monochrome hull and superstructure plus abundant exterior deck space, ideal for multiple alfresco dining and lounge options. Creating a unique visual effect, Project Jag has an elegant curve along each side of her superstructure, merging her black and white monotones towards the stern.

Interiors that can accommodate up to 20 guests in an 11-cabin layout have been penned by Reymond Langton, and are described as a "beautiful, bespoke homage to the owner’s lifestyle", by the shipyard.

Set to be a trendsetter in multiple ways, standout features of the striking four-deck superyacht look to include a helipad, an indulgent health and wellness area plus a swimming pool, indoor and outdoor cinemas, and a state-of-the-art gym.

At this time it is not clear if Project Jag will be available as a yacht charter upon delivery. However, to discover Lürssen vessels that are currently for rental, take a look at the range of  Lürssen yachts available to charter .

Photo credits: Steffen Mayer

LURSSEN YACHTS WITH YACHT BOW MASCOTS

95m Lurssen 2014

90m Lurssen 2010 / 2024

73m Lurssen 2006 / 2020

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The superyacht world is speculating that Mark Zuckerberg just bought this 118-meter boat

• The 118-meter superyacht Launchpad made her maiden voyage last week.
• The yacht world is speculating that her owner is Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
• Here's what we know about the luxury vessel.

In the world of superyachts , privacy is the most valuable asset. It can be next to impossible to discern the details of a superyacht transaction — and that's particularly true if the vessel in question is worth nine figures.

Yet some in the boat blogging world are speculating that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is the new owner of Launchpad, a megayacht currently moored in Fort Lauderdale, Florida after she made her maiden voyage from Gibraltar to St Maarten last week. Launchpad clocks in at 118 meters long, about nine meters shorter than Jeff Bezos' superyacht Koru .

The transaction could not be confirmed, with yacht world insiders declining to share what they know and representatives for Zuckerberg not responding to a request for comment from Business Insider. In the past, reports about Zuckerberg owning superyacht Ulysses have proven false.

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"It is Feadship's standard policy to never divulge any information about our yachts with reference to ownership, costs, or delivery, etc," Feadship, the ship's builder, wrote to BI. "Whether it is an 18-meter Feadship from the 1960s or a 118-meter Feadship from the 21st century, we do not share private information."

But Zuckerberg's name has been connected to Launchpad for a few months now, beginning in December when reports swirled that he visited Feadship's shipyard in the Netherlands.

Then, earlier in March, yachting bloggers like eSysman SuperYachts and Autoevolution started speculating that he officially snagged the boat, originally built for a sanctioned Russian businessman, at a $300 million price tag. (While that's a seemingly huge amount, it's still less than 0.2% of Zuckerberg's $177 billion net worth.)

Another clue that might point to US ownership is that the yacht bears the flag of the Marshall Islands, a US territory and commonplace for American buyers to register their ships, according to public marine tracking.

If Zuckerberg were to have bought Launchpad, he would join a cohort of superyacht-owning tech billionaires . Along with Bezos, the likes of Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison and Google cofounders Sergey Brin and Larry Page have purchased impressive boats with even more impressive amenities.

SuperYacht Times , an industry publication and intelligence platform, has some of the best images of the yacht. Photos show a swimming pool on her main deck and a large helipad.

While less is known of the interior, a vessel of her size can likely sleep dozens of guests and crew and may have amenities like an expansive gym where Zuckerberg could practice his jiu-jitsu or a spa with a massage area. We suspect there's also space for plenty of toys — which could include his viral hydrofoil foil .

Do you have any details about Launchpad or any other superyachts? Email reporter Madeline Berg at [email protected].

Watch: Walmart heiress' superyacht vandalized by activists in Ibiza

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Who is Ajay Thakore? San Diego Lamborghini Yacht owner threatens dock worker in viral video

A n Indian-origin California business owner Ajay Thakore recently made headlines when he reportedly threatened a dockyard worker at San Diego's Marriott Marina after the latter refused to let the former park his $4.5 million Lamborghini Yacht, as per Times Now News.

The video of the incident has now gone viral online. While the face of the man threatening the dock employee saying "I will kill you!" multiple times remains unclear in the footage, many media outlets, including the New York Post confirmed it was Ajay Thakore, who has previously been part of similar confrontations.

Apart from threatening to kill the dock worker, the man in the video also flashed at the latter, as the yacht moved away from the marina. In the wake of this incident, here's looking at who Ajay Thakore is.

Ajay Thakore also goes by the name Ace Rogers

According to Daily Mail, Ajay Thakore also goes by the name Ace Rogers and he is a wealthy businessman and philanthropist based in San Diego, California. He is the CEO of Doctor Multimedia, a local medical marketing agency, and Gopher Media LLC.

He has previously faced similar controversy in 2021 when he was accused of harassing the employees of a La Jolla pizza joint called American Pizza Manufacturing. Its founder Andrew Melone alleged back then that it all started with Thakore defaming the take-and-bake pizza establishment on social media.

However, things escalated when the Indian-origin business owner reportedly parked two of his cars directly in front of the eatery, blocking its entrance, with texts, "Take N Bake Pizza Sucks" glaring on top of it.

Melone also claimed that an airplane flew over the locality with the banner reading, "Just Say No to Take N Bake Pizza." Not only that but Ajay Thakore reportedly involved another pizzeria in the area Carino's, with planes displaying messages like "Carino's Pizza is Better than Take N Bake."

Additionally, Thakore and his companies filed a $10 million lawsuit against Andrew Melone and his public accusations, claiming that they were "exercising their First Amendment Rights" and protesting against discrimination. The owner of the pizzeria countersued, alleging Thakore had persistently harassed him and his company. The two civil lawsuits are still underway.

Exploring the recent controversy surrounding Ajay Thakore

On the afternoon of March 10, 2024, Ajay Thakore's multimillion-dollar Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 yacht was not allowed to park in the Seaforth Boat Rental lot in San Diego's Marriott Marina. He was reportedly there to pick up an employee. The video of the incident has now gone viral.

It shows a man standing on the edge of the yacht threatening to "kill" the worker identified as Joseph Holt, as per CBS 8. Later, as the boat moved away from the dock, the former dropped his pants and made inappropriate gestures toward the 21-year-old employee. The harasser even threw $100 bills at the guy which fell into the water.

Holt told reporters that he "respectfully" told the driver not to park in the private space and was hoping to have a "conversation" with him about his "cool boat," when "it completely went the other way."

"I really didn't know how to process it. I really was trying to restrain myself from getting fired from my job or stepping out of line. The only thing I did was give him the bird," Holt stated.

The employee also mentioned how Thakore berated him for his minimum wage labor and called him a nobody who did nothing on a "silly job." The expensive boat owner allegedly threatened to have him fired using his "connections" and ruin his life.

The dock worker further continued,

"He had dropped his pants and started to make gestures to everybody watching and me. You can't act that way in public. It's just not okay. Especially threatening my life, at the very least. There were women and children there. That's the most important part."

In contrast, Ajay Thakore's public relations team told CBS 8 that the "interaction" was "regrettable."

"What started as a minor misunderstanding escalated into an argument, and I apologize for my actions and to those who witnessed the unfortunate exchange," the statement added.

Later, Ajay Thakore's employee Jason, whom the former was supposed to pick up during the fiasco, also issued a clarification via his boss' Instagram (@acerogersceo). He said that he was not allowed to get aboard, and was asked to "stand back" and even "forearmed" which is when Thakore allegedly "flipped" as he was protective of him, his fiancé, and his other employees, tagging it as a long-drawn misunderstanding.

In the caption of the post, it was Ajay Thakore who seemed to issue a statement:

"As a leader, I defend my own fiercely with everything I have, and I will never apologize for that. You can choose to believe that I just pulled up to the dock and started yelling, or you can realize that a lot happened before the cameras were rolling and that it takes two sides to escalate a situation."

Notably, in the aftermath of the incident, Port of San Diego Harbor Police were called in, who arrived 10 minutes after Ajay Thakore's boat left the marina. Joseph Holt told the news outlet that the officers didn't take his complaints seriously and were even laughing at him.

The department responded by telling CBS 8 that they were called in to deal with a "possible intoxicated vessel operator" who had departed the area before they got there and that they were unable to do anything with. The statement went on to say that a report had been made and that the police had spoken with the complainant and witnesses.

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California yacht owner threatens to kill dock worker in vicious showdown, cali yacht owner threatens to kill dock worker drops pants for rude salute, 95 3/13/2024 8:09 am pt.

A California yacht owner's vicious beef with a dock worker has reached death-threat levels -- and their exchange was caught on camera and included a nude, and very rude, gesture!

Check out the clip ... it all unfolds when San Diego entrepreneur Ajay Thakore swings by the swanky Marriott Marquis Marina in his rare $4.5M Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 yacht to pick up one of his employees -- but things boil over when dock worker Joseph Holt tells him he can't be there.

Thakore, the CEO of medical advertising firm Doctor Multimedia, flips out on Holt big time ... and starts spewing threats like, "I will kill you, you know I will kill you, I will kill."

And it doesn't stop there -- as Thakore's pulling out of the harbor, he drops trou to make a full frontal salute in Holt's direction. Stay classy, San Diego!

Holt's only retaliation was flipping the bird, and he later told CBS8 that was all he could do to keep his cool and avoid escalating the situation.

Holt says parts of the altercation were not captured on camera, and he adds ... Thakore not only threatened to kill him, but also claimed to have connections who could totally mess up his life.

Holt also says Thakore pulled out $100 bills and tossed them at him, even chucking some in the water.

BTW, Thakore's done some backpedaling since the ugly exchange -- he now says, "The interaction that occurred yesterday was regrettable. What started as a minor misunderstanding escalated into an argument, and I apologize for my actions and to those who witnessed the unfortunate exchange."

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

FWIW ... One of Thakore’s employees claims the whole thing began because other dock workers blocked him from boarding the yacht.

Oh, and if that fancy Lambo yacht looks familiar -- it's the same one Chuck Liddell recently tumbled off just last month. Now it's famous AND infamous!

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UFI approval for Moscow Boat Show

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Written by Zuzana Bednarova

September 17 was marked by meeting of the UFI Executive Committee. During the event, the Committe approved the admission of Crocus Expo IEC as a full member of UFI in categories of “Exhibition Organizers” and “Exhibition Centres. Moscow Boat Show has been granted the status of “UFI Approved Event”.

Moscow Boat Show

UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry is the association of trade show organizers, fairground owners, national and international associations of the exhibition industry, and its partners. As of 2012, it has 608 members in 224 cities from 86 countries covering 6 continents. The association members are responsible for the management and operation of over 4 500 profile events. The association represents more than 1 000 000 of exhibitors and more than 150 000 000 visitors.

The Crocus Expo Exhibition Centre is a listed member of the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC), the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs, the Guild of Exhibition and Fair Operators by the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Donald Tramp fund has awarded Crocus Expo IEC Diamond Excellence Award.

Crocus Expo IEC is an ideal venue for running of large international and national exhibitions of different profile including congress events, conferences and scientific symposiums.About 50% of all exhibition events of Moscow take place in Crocus Expo and average exposition space load comprises 85%.

Moscow Boat Show provides the perfect platform from which to preview new products, evaluate market trends, and establish long-lasting and commercially profitable partnerships. Despite the dynamic changes taking place in Russia and the rapid growth of the yachting sector, the show continues to complement and reflect the industry’s demand and is a promotional opportunity not to be missed!

The exposition space will increase up to 45 000 sq m in 2013. More than 350 Russian and foreign companies will participate in the show. The scale of the project confirms confident positions of its positive development.

Moscow Boat Show is the largest project in Russia presenting all the best in the world of yachting. The exhibition annually shows high level of attendance and has already proved as significant and noteworthy event in the world of yachts and boats.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "UFI approval for Moscow Boat Show".

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