yacht boat launch

Following in the footsteps of Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg is said to have bought a $300 million superyacht and a $30 million support vessel in one go. Apt for the adventurous Facebook founder, the shadow vessel has a helipad, dive center & even a decompression chamber.

Meet the world’s $300 million superyacht Launchpad:

After much speculation, the 387-foot Feadship motor yacht Launchpad emerged as Zuckerberg’s launchpad into the world of shipowners. She can accommodate 24 guests who are serviced by a crew of 48. The exterior was designed by ace designer Espen Øino, while the interiors were brought to life by the French studio Zuretti. Launchpad’s most discerning feature is its stark blue hull and a red line across the waterline.

Ranking at number 45 among the largest yachts worldwide in terms of length, it is safe to presume the vessel would boast world-class amenities. There is an ample main deck, a swimming pool, and top-notch facilities worthy of Zuckerberg and his family. Images reveal a large helipad with a hangar on the upper deck. The yacht flaunts a glass observation lounge and a spacious beach club. On closer inspection of the photos, one notices the decks are flanked by circular seating pods, an alfresco dining area, and a bar. Maintaining the $300 million Launchpad Yacht would set Zuckerberg back by at least $30 million annually.

Support Vessel Wingman is truly superlative:

If a support vessel could receive a report card, the aptly named Wingman would earn an A+. The 220-foot vessel, with a volume of 1,143 GT, boasts interiors by Mark Berryman and provides accommodation for up to 6 guests in 3 cabins.

Will this duo beat Jeff Bezos’s Koru and Abeona superyachts?

Mark Zuckerberg and other centibillionaire Jeff Bezos have more in common than just their wealth; they both own a pair of stunning superyachts and their impressive support vessels. While Zuckerberg’s latest purchases are expensive, they still cannot match Koru, a $500 million schooner, with its $75 million support vessel, Abeona, trailing behind. Not only are these boats much larger (Koru is 416 feet, while Abeona is 246 feet), but they also cost nearly double that of Zuckerberg’s vessels.

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The US authorities will go full steam ahead to seize more superyachts from sanctioned Russian billionaires – Arresting these floating palaces is the easy part but proving their ownership and paying millions of dollars to take care of them is extremely difficult.

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Did Mark Zuckerberg fly to Miami in his private jet to inspect his superyacht and support ship? The Meta CEO’s $300 million vessel is so big that it cannot fit next to other yachts, and it has been docked next to massive cargo ships in Fort Lauderdale for over two weeks now.

Bill Gates would have painstakingly customized his $645 million superyacht to be an extension of his mammoth mansion. A multi-level townhouse in the vessel makes the Gates family feel at home. Multiple libraries feed their inner bookworms, and hydrogen power lets them explore with zero emissions.”

Lurssen, the world’s most prominent luxury yacht maker is now sending questionnaires to its customers for ownership details. They have built four superyachts that have been detained by authorities.

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From Epic Sailing Vessels to Rugged Explorers: The 10 Best Superyachts That Will Launch This Year

Beyond size, this year's launches are unusually diverse, including motoryachts, sailing vessels, explorers and even a giant sportsfisherman., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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With a combined length of 2,929 feet, the world’s top 10 superyachts scheduled for delivery this year are moving away from the idea that yachting is about whose boat is bigger. The trend is now more about mission than size. This year’s launches will be wide ranging, from motoryachts to sailing vessels, explorers and even a giant sportfish.

The list includes offerings from German shipyard Lürssen , which has two 400-foot-plus yachts ready to splash this year, with noteworthy deliveries from other shipyards in Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands showcasing different definitions of design, power and performance.

Here are the yachts we can’t wait to see.

‘Koru’ (564 feet) Oceanco

Jeff Bezos’ first yacht, Koru , was spotted last week on sea trials. The Amazon founder chose to make a bold design statement by commissioning the world’s largest sailing yacht, not to mention the longest pleasure vessel, motor or sail, ever from The Netherlands. Built by Oceanco, the titanic sailing machine is an incredible 3300 GT, powered by kinetic energy generated by the sails. Besides its massive length, its classic canoe stern, a double-deck wooden coach house and navy hull with a red stripe differentiate Koru from any other vessel on the water. The project remains hush-hush. Even the designers remain a secret.

‘Liva’ (387 feet, 1 inch) Abeking & Rasmussen

Launched late last year and scheduled to be delivered in early 2023, Liva is the largest yacht built by Abeking to date, overtaking the German shipyard’s previous flagship Aviva by 65 feet. The French studio Joseph Dirand Architecture was commissioned to pen both the exterior and interior, which is reported to include a semi-submerged underwater observation room on the lower deck, a supersized pool, helipad, spa with sauna and beauty salon, and a lower-deck beach club.

‘Alchemy’ (216 feet, 5 inches) Rossinavi

Commissioned by a private American client, the 216-foot multi-deck motoryacht Alchemy is one of three yachts to be launched by Italian shipyard Rossinavi in 2023. Exterior design is by Philippe Briand, with interior styling by Enrico Gobbi’s Team for Design. Little information has yet to be revealed, though it’s visible from images that the custom yacht features an axe bow, drop-down side terraces at the stern and large floor-to-ceiling windows that afford views from all levels.

Project Jag (400 feet) Lürssen

The 400-foot displacement motoryacht known only as “Project Jag” is reported to be the owner’s third Lürssen. His most recent is Kismet . It is set for delivery in late 2023. Capable of sleeping 20 guests and 40 crew, the gigayacht is equipped with a helipad, spa, swimming pool, two cinemas, gym and storage for a sub. Italian design firm Nuvolari Lenard designed the steel yacht’s exterior, while UK studio Reymond Langton has crafted what is rumored to be a “bespoke homage to the owner’s lifestyle”—whatever that means.

Project Luminance (426 feet, 5 inches) Lürssen

Project Luminance is a 426.5-foot motor yacht that Lürssen claims will be one of the largest and most technologically advanced boats in the world. It’s also the largest yacht due to deliver in 2023. Construction began in 2018, yet few details have been revealed. What we do know is that the seventh-largest project to ever come out of the German shipyard to date features state-of-the-art propulsion systems, advanced navigation and communication systems, as well as next-generation entertainment.

‘T52’ (170 feet) Baglietto

The first model in Baglietto’s T52 line, which splashed in February 2023, features sleek lines and aerodynamic grills penned by Francesco Paszkowski Design. Power comes from a diesel-electric-hybrid propulsion system. The yacht celebrates outdoor space, including a large multi-level beach club at the stern with a fold-down transom, oversized sunbeds and a swimming pool with a floor that rises flush with the deck. Sliding windows on the upper deck convert space into an open-air sky lounge and a 78-foot sundeck with a glass-encased hot tub.

Project 406 (170 feet, 6 inches) Royal Huisman

The Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman made its name building some of the world’s largest sailing yachts, including 296-foot Athena , but now it’s hitting the record books again with the impending launch of Project 406 , the world’s largest sportsfisherman. Naval architecture, exterior and interior are by Dutch studio Vripack. The firm gave the six-decked aluminum yacht a towering profile promising spectacular front-row views of the big game fishing action. The team balanced its height by a long bow, high bulwarks and uncluttered fishing cockpit.

‘Black Shark’ (252 feet, 6 inches) Nobiskrug

Black Shark first began construction in 2019, but all work ceased when Nobiskrug later filed for insolvency. In March 2022, following the German shipyard’s acquisition by entrepreneur Lars Windhorst, work on Black Shark recommenced, with delivery set for 2023. The 252-foot boat, designed by Winch Design, gets its name from its predatory profile and mast shaped like a dorsal fin. A reverse bow, black matte hull and metallic silver superstructure will also help to enhance the marine connection.

‘Ultra G’ (196 feet, 8 inches) Heesen

Heesen is renowned for building fast boats, so it’s no surprise that Ultra G , equipped with a propulsion package totaling 22,000 horsepower, with four water jets and a top speed of 37 knots. The Dutch yard hailed this as its most powerful project to date. The motoryacht was commissioned by an avid sportfisherman, with a fighting chair and storage for 40 rods. Entertainment was also a big mandate for the design, stretching from Samsung’s “The Wall” screen, an infinity pool, and a dedicated self-cleaning “dog park” for furry guests.

‘Maverick’ (145 feet, 3 inches) Cantiere delle Marche

Maverick is the first Flexplorer 142 to soon be delivered by Cantiere delle Marche (CdM), bought by a young German who is a keen sailor and serial owner of both sailing boats and motoryachts. The owner’s itinerary will see him cruising the Mediterranean, before heading to the Northern latitudes to cross the Northwest Passage and put Hydro Tec’s bold exterior design and running surface to the test. Key features include a custom-built A-frame crane that sits flush on the deck when not in use, collapsible bulwarks that fold-down to reveal a 1,450-square-foot beach club, and an infinity pool at the transom.

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Best yachts of 2022: launches and announcements

• Sam Fortescue
• May 13, 2022

While COVID-19 might have cancelled boat shows, there are plenty of new launches to desire. Sam Fortescue rounds up the best yachts of 2022 so far

The Contest 49CS is billed as an aft cockpit boat. Credit: Contest Yachts

The best yachts of 2022 so far.

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that for two years, new boat launches have been few and far between.

But now boat builders are back in force and have recently announced a range of new launches from 30ft yachts for coastal and offshore sailing to fast cruisers and catamarans which are being billed as sustainable.

Sam Fortescue picks his favourites.

Garcia Exploration 60

True to brand, the 60 is a real expedition yacht

Nearing the end of a long build in Normandy, the flagship of Garcia’s Exploration range should be in the water late in the spring.

Built in gleaming aluminium, this is a profoundly capable centreboard explorer, with a price tag to match.

Jimmy Cornell provided input and profile for the first in this range, a 45-footer.

The go-anywhere yacht is luxurious below

A raised saloon with 270º views, well protected doghouse cockpit, aft gantry and cutter rig were integral features of this go-anywhere yacht.

The Exploration 60 takes the concept to a more luxurious conclusion. Isabelle Racoupeau’s interior makes the most of the vast full-beam cabin aft, with elegant cabinetry and neutral upholstery.

There’s also an option for a forward owner cabin with walk-in dressing room. Either way, there is room for a dedicated technical space – a workshop or office, perhaps.

Specifications

Price: TBC LOA: 18.27m (59ft 11in) LWL: 16.77m (55ft) Cabins: 2-3 Beam: 5.40m (17ft 9in) Draught: 1.50-3.65m (4ft 11in-12ft) Displacement: 35,000kg (77,161Lb) Contact: Garcia Yachts Tel: +33 2 33 43 22 20 Website: www.garciaychts.com

X-Yachts X56

A reaching sail can be set from the integral bowsprit

Though first launched in 2021, we haven’t had a chance to see much of the latest design from X-Yachts.

The X56 is the brand’s flagship, designed for serious cruising.

Layup is with glass and epoxy resin, vacuum-infused and cured for 24 hours at high temperatures for optimum stiffness and minimum weight.

A light and powerful hull and rig

Rod rigging is standard, and there’s the option of a carbon mast as well as a roller-furling boom.

A fixed bowsprit provides room for a reaching sail on a second headstay and a gennaker.

The interior is all delightfully clean Scandi lines in a choice of oak or teak, as you’d hope, although there are lots of other options here for the finish.

Choose from an open or closed galley and enjoy the large chart table and flexible aft cabins.

Price: £1,063,900 ex-VAT LOA: 16.58m (54ft 5in) LWL: 14.94m (49ft) Cabins: 4 Beam: 4.89m (16 ft1in) Draught: 2.50-3.30m (8ft 2in-10ft 10in) Displacement: 18,800kg (41,446Lbs) Contact: X-Yachts GB Tel: +44 (0)23 8045 3377 Website: www.x-yachts.com

Contest 49CS

The high-quality build uses one-shot vacuum infusion. Credit: Contest Yachts

The new 49CS is only the second in the range to depart from Contest’s tried-and-tested centre cockpit design – following its entry-level 42-footer.

Billed as an aft cockpit boat, the 49CS is really more of a hybrid design, with a long aft deck but sheltered helm stations well in board and amazing height in the aft cabins below.

Contest yachts are known for their high-quality build, and the 49CS is no exception, using one-shot vacuum infusion.

At more than 20 tonnes it is not a light boat, but it would make an excellent base for a round-the-world trip, with its forward cockpit and tender garage in the transom.

There is exception headroom below deck. Credit: Contest Yachts

Being a Dutch-built yacht, headroom is generous, and the interior styling by Wetzel Brown has a sophisticated feel to it, with lots of textures, light coloured woods and neutral upholstery.

The saloon is semi-raised under the deckhouse, giving exterior views from the dining table.

A master cabin fills the forward third of the boat, and there are two double or twin cabins aft.

The galley lies down some steps on the port side.

Contest is unique in that its boats are certified by Lloyd’s Register.

Price: €1,198,000 ex-VAT LOA: 15.20m (49ft 10in) Cabins: 3 Beam: 4.90m (16 ft1in) Draught: 2.35m (7ft 9in) Displacement: 21,500kg (47,399Lbs) Contact: Contest Yachts Tel: +31 227 543 644 Website: www.contestyachts.com

Best new yachts under £500,000

The Pointer 30 has a large sailplan totalling 46m2. Credit: Pointer Yachts

Niche Dutch shipyard Jachtwerf Heeg is expanding its successful Pointer range with the launch of a new 30-footer.

It is the largest Pointer to date, and the largest for the yard, which has specialised for more than 60 years in building small open boats and race boats for local conditions in GRP . The Pointer brand launched in 2014.

The boat has modern hull lines with a plumb bow, a bowsprit and decent interior space.

It has been designed for coastal and offshore sailing, with a large sailplan totalling 46m2 upwind and a shallow draught.

The options list includes all the usual cruising kit. Credit: Pointer Yachts

There is room for eight in the cockpit, but the boat is also designed for singlehanded sailing . Choose between a tiller or a wheel on a tilting pedestal.

There is a bathing platform aft, a comfy saloon, a long bench and a ‘coffee bar’.

It has a fresh-water system, a fridge and a gas hob.

There is a separate heads and a V-berth in the focsle, plus two quarter berths off the saloon.

Price: from €150,000 inc VAT and sails LOA: 9.20m (30ft 2in) Cabins: 1 (4 berths) Beam: 2.90m (9ft 6in) Draught: 1.25m/1.75m (4ft 1in/5ft 9in) Displacement: 2,400kg (5,291Lb) Contact: Jachtwerf Heeg Tel: +31 (0) 515 44 22 37 Website: www.jachtwerf-heeg.nl

With a low displacement for her size, the E6 will be very interactive when sailing. Credit: Elan

Hull one of this new 50ft model has just been launched in the yard’s home waters of the Slovenian Adriatic.

She is the largest of the performance cruising E-line, with a new hull designed by Rob Humphreys.

His design includes an aft chine for extra volume and stability.

‘She will have a real turn of speed in comparison to the GT6, even though they share some similar initial characteristics,’ says UK dealer Tim Norris at Boatpoint.

‘The E6 will have a low displacement for her size, so will be interactive when sailing. She has been set up like all Elans for relatively easy shorthanded sailing .’

Twin rudders aft contribute to her excellent directional stability. Credit: Elan

The lay-up uses e-Glass and vinylester, vacuum-infused for strength and light weight.

There is a fixed bowsprit for launching big sails and twin rudders aft for optimum efficiency on the heel.

It all combines to reduce the tendency to broach and pitch while giving excellent directional stability.

Below deck, Pininfarina has tried to create an enticing but practical interior, which Norris describes as ‘a little more minimalist compared the GT6, with a fairly traditional layout’.

The styling is in natural oak veneer with neutral grey upholstery.

There is the choice of three or four cabins – two doubles aft and a master cabin with a semi-island bed in the focsle, or a V-berth forward and bunks instead of storage space.

There is a decent L-shaped galley amidships.

Price: £460,000 inc VAT LOA: 15.30m (50 ft 2in) LWL: 13.68m (44ft 11in) Cabins: 3-4 Beam: 4.49m (14ft 9in) Draught: 2.80m (9ft 2in) Displacement: 11,250kg (24,802Lb) Contact: Boatpoint Hamble Tel: +44 2382 120 000 Website: www.boatpoint.co.uk

The 1380 will be RM’s largest cruiser. Credit: RM

France’s RM famously builds its yachts in plywood and epoxy, and claims that the new 1380 will be the largest such cruiser ever built.

The hull is designed by Marc Lombard, with racy lines and blue-water capabilities.

She should be a fast yacht when she hits the water, with a rig that allows a downwind sail and a second headstay, thanks to the long bowsprit.

The boat has twin rudders and underwater choices including bilge keels and a high-performance lifting keel.

The transom conceals a bathing platform. Credit: RM

Below, the interior is a matter of choice, but typically minimal.

Various configurations are possible, but the Owner’s version puts a large cabin in the forepeak.

There are two heads/shower rooms and a semi-horseshoe galley to port.

The first hull is due to be built in April 2022.

Price: €357,000 ex-VAT LOA: 13.30m (43ft 8in) LWL: 12.44m (40ft 10in) Cabins: 2-4 Beam: 4.53m (14ft 10in) Draught: 1.45m-3.35m (4ft 9in/11ft) Displacement: 9,800kg (21,605Lb) Contact: Parkstone Bay Yachts Tel: +44 (0)1202 724917 Website: www.parkstonebayyachts.co.uk

Stiff, light and fast, but built for offshore rather than round the cans

J/Boats are renowned as the staple of many club racing circuits, but the latest launch is a different beast altogether – a 45ft blue-water cruiser with all the trimmings.

Built in e-Glass and vinylester sandwich construction, it is a staggeringly light hull with a high ballast ratio that promises stiff handling in heavy seas.

With a decent spread of canvas, the J/45 is reported to sail well in as little as 6 knots of breeze.

J Boats is keen to underline how the rig is set up for easy tuning and reefing , so that the same sail combination is also perfectly manageable in 20 knots, with no sail change required.

More comfort than other J-Boats

I suspect this is something most blue-water sailors would expect.

However, there is no doubt this is a capable boat, with lots of handy options, including a bathing platform.

The elegant interior is designed by Isabelle Racoupeau with three choices of joinery: white oak, teak or walnut.

You can choose to convert the third cabin aft into a technical storage space accessed through the heads and from on deck.

Price: £414,888 ex-VAT LOA: 13.85m (45ft 5in) LWL: 12.56m (41ft 2in) Cabins: 2-3 Beam: 4.25m (13ft 11in) Draught: 2.30m (7ft 7in) Displacement: 9,900kg (21,825Lb) Contact: Key Yachting Tel: +44 (0)23 8045 5669 Website: www.keyyachting.com

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Best new catamarans in 2022

The XCS 14 displays the brand’s key features such as a low boom and a forward-stepped mast. Credit: Excess Catamarans

Groupe Beneteau continues to expand its Excess catamaran venture, aimed at younger owners who want a fun connection to the water, without a sky-high price tag.

VPLP has drawn on its ocean racing experience, designing asymmetric hulls, foam-sandwich hull layup and higher bridgedeck clearance to reduce slamming.

A towering square-topped main and an overlapping genoa round out a fairly generous 118m2 of upwind sail area, although bear in mind this is a heavy boat.

Helm stations are pushed out to the quarters at deck level. Credit: Excess Catamarans

Semi-island double berths at the aft end of each hull give a touch of luxury, and the whole starboard hull can be devoted to the owner, with a walk-in dressing room in the bow.

Simple but attractive interior styling has been well executed by Nauta.

Price: TBC LOA: 13.34m (43ft 9in) Cabins: 3-4 Beam: 7.87m (25ft 10in) Draught: 1.48m (4ft 10in) Displacement: Max 18,300kg (40,344Lb) Contact: Ancasta Tel: +44 (0)2380 450 000 Website: www.ancasta.com

Lagoon’s sustainable technology uses hemp fibre instead of glass and biosourced polyester resins. Credit: Lagoon

Due to be unveiled at the Grande Motte Multihull show from 20-24 April 2022, the Lagoon 51 is still partly shrouded in secrecy.

The shipyard has billed it as a more sustainable yacht, with better on-board circulation and ‘great fluidity’, which sounds like a byword for more open spaces.

Like all recent Lagoons, it has been designed by the multihull experts at VPLP, who had this to say about the boat: ‘We designed the Lagoon 51 as a perfect synthesis of the modernity of the shapes and the sail plan, with living space on deck and inside that is unequalled on a boat this size.’

What we can already tell from early renderings is that the flybridge uses much more space on the coachroof than the previous Lagoon 50.

This includes a C-shaped lounge with a drop-down table as well as twin sunpads.

The helm station is positioned centrally behind the mast. Credit: Lagoon

A dedicated forward cockpit gives great lounging up front, with deep sofas, a table and the option of teak underfoot.

Renderings appear to show an opening saloon window for passing supplies out to those using this space.

A new-generation interior dispenses with the mast beam down the middle of the saloon, by positioning it further forward.

Acres of glass makes this a luminous space, with an L-shaped galley to port and a raised dining area forward which benefits from the views.

Lagoon is driving for sustainability, using hemp fibre, Alpi wood and offering 3.4kW of solar panels.

She is even delivered with biodegradable cleaning products!

Price: TBC LOA: 15.35m (50ft 4in) Cabins: 3-6 Beam: 8.1m (26ft 7in) Draught: 1.38m (4ft 6in) Contact: Ancasta Tel: +44 2380 450 000 Website: www.ancasta.com

60% of the aluminium for the hull comes from recycled material. Credit: Vaan

One of a crop of new catamaran brands coming through at the moment, Vaan is distinguished by its obsessive focus on combining performance with sustainability.

Its first model, the R4, was launched before Christmas and will be on show at La Grande Motte in April 2022.

The hull is made from aluminium, up to 60% of which is sourced from recycled metal obtained from old window frames and road signs.

Vaan founder Igor Kluin is absolutely clear that this is a more sustainable option than building in non-recyclable GRP.

Decking is crafted from cork, while the modern, uncluttered interior makes use of plant-based Lyocell fabric and a leather alternative made from pineapple leaves.

Plant-based materials are used in the interior. Credit: Vaan

The exterior design is different to other cats, too. Kluin calls it a ‘cabriolet’ because there is only a narrow band of solid coachroof over the cockpit, leaving the rest open.

A fabric bimini can be quickly installed if further protection is needed, but the principle is to make this space as open as possible.

Helm stations are moved to the two well-protected quarters.

Propulsion comes from two 10kW Torqeedo electric pod drives, hooked up to either 20kWh or 40kWh of lithium-ion batteries .

Vaan claims that this is equivalent to 40hp combustion engines.

Under sail, the drives regenerate power to recharge the batteries.

Price: €429,000 ex-VAT LOA: 12.80m (42ft) LWL: 12.80m (42ft) Cabins: 2-4 Beam: 7.06m (23ft 2in) Draught: 1.35m (4ft 5in) Displacement: 10,900kg (26,235Lb) Contact: Vaan Yachts Tel: +31 (0)85 071 9999 Website: www.vaanyachts.nlv

Fountaine-Pajot 51

A larger-than-average flybridge houses the helmstation. Credit: Fountaine-Pajot

A capable, well-designed catamaran from the La Rochelle-based builder, the new 51 features a deck design that makes the interior saloon and exterior cockpit work together.

The glass panels of the rear wall of the saloon slide completely to either side, while the deck is flush, connecting the galley directly with the eight-person saloon table.

The helmstation is bulkhead-mounted, with a larger-than-ever flybridge set around it.

All the control lines return to the three winches here, for easy handling.

And the coachroof is inlaid with a generous 2kW of solar panels.

The interior saloon and exterior cockpit are designed to join seamlessly. Credit: Fountaine-Pajot

There’s also a foredeck lounge, private cabin exits and a lowering aft platform.

Configuration below is flexible, with the possibility of four to six double cabins with ensuite heads.

In the Maestro version, the entire port hull can be dedicated to the owner’s accommodation, while the double Maestro puts twin VIP cabins aft in each hull.

The navigation area lies right by the aft doors of the saloon, where it’s within easy reach of the helm.

Price: €865,311 ex-VAT LOA: 15.54m (51ft) Cabins: 4-6 Beam: 8.08m (26ft 7in) Draught: 1.3m (4ft 3in) Displacement: 18,100kg (39,903Lb) Contact: MiCats Tel: +44 (0)1489 573 059 Website: www.multihull.co.uk

Privilege Signature 650

Serious multihull luxury, for serious money

Replacing the old Series 640 catamaran, Privilege’s new Signature 650 features an all-new deck moulding and interior on a tried and tested hull shape from Marc Lombard.

The boat offers greater interior volumes, with two or three guest cabins as well as a skipper’s berth and a cavernous owner’s suite filling the space in the rostrum and the port bow.

Headroom is excellent, thanks to a higher deck moulding, which also now offers forward-facing windows in the owner’s cabin.

On the outside, this also creates a teak-decked lounge area forward of the enlarged saloon windows that is sheltered and private from the outside world.

There’s a gigantic flybridge with an enlarged C-lounge and an optional second helm station to port.

A hydraulic platform can lift a large tender

The cockpit beneath offers dining, sun beds and the option of a barbecue and fridge.

A redesigned hydraulic platform aft can raise an 800kg tender.

Affording the boat with a few extra centimetres on the rig has added 6m2 to the sail area, which now accounts for 232m2.

All the control lines are led back to the helm.

Price: €2.49m ex-VAT LOA: 21.25m (69ft 9in) Cabins: 4-5 Beam: 9.20m (30ft 2in) Draught: 1.85m (6ft 1in) Displacement: 37,000kg (81,157Lb) Contact: Inspiration Marine Tel: +44 (0)2380 457 008 Website: www.inspirationmarine.co.uk

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The Largest Top 100 Superyachts Due for Delivery in 2024

By Emily Dawkins

Following a barrage of magnificent Top 100 superyacht launches last year, 2024 is expected to welcome several exciting new deliveries to the yachting industry. We take a look at some of the largest superyachts expected to be completed and delivered to their owners this year.

145m LUMINANCE -  Lürssen

The first yacht (by length) due to be delivered to her owner this year is the jaw-dropping 145m LUMINANCE. Launched in early 2023, LUMINANCE has been a highly anticipated vessel: marking Lürssen’s 8th largest build since its inception and the 12th largest yacht in the world. 

After a two-year hiatus, LUMINANCE was unveiled to the industry in February 2023, and has since undertaken two sea trials, one in July and one later in September of the same year. 

The specifications and details of the 145m vessel, as with most Top 100 builds, have continued to remain sparse throughout her construction, but with a stunning navy and gold exterior from renowned designer Espen Øino, we can only expect equally of a marvel inside. 

140m+ Project ALI BABA  - Lürssen

Unintentionally launched by Lürssen at the end of December last year due to a technical fault at her dock, the staggering 140m+ Project ALI BABA is also expected to be delivered to her owner this year. 

Revealed to the industry with an almost complete exterior revealing a strong, yet low, grey profile and elongated sweeping bow, the mammoth German yacht has since been moved to Lürssen’s Hamburg facilities for completion. ALI BABA was first seen in May 2022 during transport in sections from her construction shed. 

Following her forthcoming completion and official launch, ALI BABA will undertake the rigorous Lürssen sea trials before her expected delivery later this year. 

Her official length, alongside her designer and other specifications, remains unknown. 

122m JAG -  Lürssen

August 2023 welcomed the launch of yet another Lürssen superyacht. The stunning 122m JAG hit the water for the first time last year, previously only spotted in 2021 when her separate hull and superstructure were revealed. She was sold in 2019 at the Monaco Yacht Show, as one of seven construction projects inbuild with Moran Yacht & Ship.

JAG’s beautiful exteriors of a dark hull, white superstructure and an unmissable long stretching bow are thanks to Nuvolari Lenard, and Reymond Langton has penned her secretive interiors. She can accommodate up to 20 guests across 11 staterooms, cared for by a crew of 40, and her beam of 17.8m is said to harbour the most exceptional space onboard for the utmost comfort.

At the Fort Lauderdale Int. Boat Show in October last year, Lürssen announced that JAG was undertaking sea trials, and she was soon spotted leaving the safety of the German rivers heading out to the North Sea. It is expected that she will be delivered to her owner in the coming months. 

118m Project 1010  - Feadship  

Feadship launched its largest superyacht to date, the 118m Project 1010, in August 2022, shaking the industry with yet another remarkable Top 100 build. 

With distinctive dark blue exteriors from Espen Øino, naval architecture by De Voogt Naval Architects and interiors from Zuretti Interior Design, Feadship’s flagship vessel certainly has a worthy title in the yard’s fleet. 

Project 1010 was last seen in October 2022 on her first series of sea trials in the North Sea, and there has since been little news about her delivery, as the industry eagerly awaits more details from the Dutch yard.  

107m SHACKLETON ex. Project Icecap  - Lürssen 

Lürssen’s monumental explorer yacht SHACKLETON, more commonly known by her previous codename of Project Icecap, is due to be delivered to her owner this year. Aptly named after the great Irish explorer Earnest Shackleton, this 107m vessel appears to be an extremely capable adventure yacht, adorned with a unique axe-style, ice-class steel bow.

She was sold in 2018 to her owner by Moran Yacht & Ship, with exteriors designed by Salt Ship Design, which were first revealed to the industry in 2022 at the time of her launch. Whilst details remain relatively sparse, the broker has revealed that she can accommodate 20 guests across 10 cabins, with a 17.5m beam, a 4.5m draft and a gross tonnage of 5885. 

103m ULYSSES  - Feadship 

Another remarkable Feadship build due for delivery this year is the 103m ULYSSES (ex Project 1011). Launched and beginning sea trials in October last year, ULYSSES is a magnificent yacht from the Dutch yard, designed inside and out by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. Her naval architecture was completed by Azure Yacht Design, who began with a challenging brief that demanded the amenities and space of a 6,000GT yacht but in a design of half the volume. 

According to Feadship, the 103m has been built for a highly experienced, repeat Feadship owner who was closely involved in the build from the start. 

Notable features include the 6m glass expanses in the main deck guest suites, a 15m long tender garage door, four outdoor hot tubs and one swimming pool the full height of the main deck. 

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NOT FOR CHARTER *

This Yacht is not for Charter*

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LAUNCHPAD yacht NOT for charter*

118m  /  387'2 | feadship | 2024.

Owner & Guests

Cabin Configuration

• Previous Yacht

Special Features:

• Elevator for easy access between floors
• Master cabin with dressing room, his/her en suite and study
• Impressive 6,000nm range
• Extensive health and beauty center, including beach club and beauty salon
• Brand new for 2024

The 118m/387'2" motor yacht 'Launchpad' (ex. Katyusha) was built by Feadship in the Netherlands at their Makkum shipyard. Her interior is styled by French designer design house Zuretti and she was delivered to her owner in February 2024. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Espen Oeino.

Guest Accommodation

Launchpad has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 26 guests in 13 suites. The master suite incorporates its own study and dressing room as well as a his and her bathroom. Additionally, there is a staff cabin on board. She is also capable of carrying up to 49 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Her features include a beauty salon, movie theatre, beauty salon, elevator, underwater lights, beach club, gym, deck jacuzzi, WiFi and air conditioning.

Range & Performance

Launchpad is built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. Powered by 4 x diesel MTU (20V 4000 M93) 20-cylinder 5,230hp engines running at 2100rpm, she comfortably cruises at 16 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 24 knots with a range of up to 6,000 nautical miles from her 423,000 litre fuel tanks at 14 knots. Launchpad features at-anchor stabilizers providing exceptional comfort levels. Her water tanks store around 130,000 Litres of fresh water. She was built to Lloyds Register ✠ 100A1 SSC Passenger Yacht, Mono, G6, ECO classification society rules.

*Charter Launchpad Motor Yacht

Motor yacht Launchpad is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

Launchpad Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company

'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records.

Launchpad Photos

NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Specification

M/Y Launchpad

SIMILAR LUXURY YACHTS FOR CHARTER

Here are a selection of superyachts which are similar to Launchpad yacht which are believed to be available for charter. To view all similar luxury charter yachts click on the button below.

95m | Lurssen

from $1,715,000 p/week ♦︎

107m | Olympic Yacht Services

from $2,144,000 p/week ♦︎

97m | Feadship

108m | Benetti

from $1,930,000 p/week ♦︎

O'Pari

95m | Golden Yachts

from $1,179,000 p/week ♦︎

from $1,286,000 p/week ♦︎

115m | Lurssen

from $2,831,000 p/week ♦︎

Carinthia VII

97m | Lurssen

from $1,524,000 p/week ♦︎

136m | Lurssen

from $4,368,000 p/week ♦︎

122m | Lurssen

from $3,000,000 p/week

Renaissance

112m | Freire Shipyard

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Duffy 26′ Launch

The  Duffy 26  hull is molded in solid Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic with a vinylester skin layer and full length longitudinal foam cored stringers; the hull is white gelcoat. The solid fiberglass skeg and full keel protect the propeller. PVC spray rails are through-bolted and glassed on the interior.

The interior deck and seating are a single mold in FRP with foam coring. All deck, step, and seating areas are molded; the surfaces are white gelcoat and the non-skid painted a light gray.

Engine mounting brackets are throughbolted to the stringers. The engine, transmission, shaft coupling, battery/battery box, and high water alarm are installed under a FRP, sound-proofed engine cover vented with a closable fitting. The fixed fire system is also located in this space. The cover tilts forward for maintenance and inspection access. A fiberglass drip pan is installed under the engine. The wet exhaust and muffler exit through the stern.

DISPLACEMENT

Is built to United States Coast Guard specifications

Includes all uscg required construction inspection certifications, is highly maneuverable and low wake, includes all uscg required stability certifications for 24 passengers and 1 crew at the current 185lb weight requirement, is designed and built for heavy duty, continuous service, has easily serviceable systems.

A deck hatch is provided for maintenance and inspection of the shaft tube, drip-less packing, and primary bilge pumps. This hatch is exposed by tilting the deck box, containing the life vests, aft.

Decks are drained into the stern sump area through two 2″ x 6″ drains connected by 1 1/2″ hoses. An automatic primary bilge pump and a secondary automatic bilge pump in the keel area discharge overboard through the starboard side.

The Standard Package

• Bottom paint
• Standard Horizon RAM+ Mic VHF radio
• Telescoping boat hook
• Full fender system (x9, 8″, white, horizontal)
• Name and hail
• Stainless steel burgee mounting hardware
• (3) 5/8″ x 15′ dock lines

The Yacht Package

Includes [the standard package and] these additional features, quoted on request ….

• Varnished mahogany handrails
• A varnished mahogany door on the console
• Varnished mahogany coaming
• A varnished mahogany door on the rope locker
• Varnished mahogany burgee flagpole
• Teak sole on engine and life jacket boxes

The Option List

Available for the standard package and yacht package, quoted on request ….

• Boot stripe
• Canvas dodger
• Awlgrip hull color
• Non-skid color
• Full canopy and side curtains
• 75 HP Yanmar diesel – Model 4JH4-TE with a continuous SHP output rating of 68 HP @ 3100 RPM (118 ft-lbs of torque)
• Yanmar Power Plant, 80HP, 4JH480
• Wheel steering

MACHINERY INSTALLATION

• Electrical System
• Fire Protection
• Lifesaving and Safety

The DUFFY-26 Launch   is offered in   a  Standard Package   Yanmar Power Plant, 80HP, 4JH480 ,  mounted to the longitudinal stringers on aluminum beds. This is coupled with a Zf 25A hydraulic transmission with a 1.93:1 gear ratio. The gearbox is joined to a 1 1/4″ diameter Aquamet driveshaft through a DriveSaver coupling. The fuel filter is Racor, USCG approved.

The driveshaft is carried to the stern bearing in a 5′ x 3 1/4″ O.D. shaft tube sealed with a standard speed P.Y.I. pack-less shaft seal to turn a 16″, 3-blade, bronze propeller.

Control of the engine and gearbox is through cables from a single lever control mounted on the top of the operator console. 

Raw cooling water is supplied by a single 1″ bronze thru hull with screen, a UL Listed bronze seacock, connected to a bronze strainer with a stainless steel basket.

Interested in a DUFFY LAUNCH?

Email us at [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deck height or freeboard of a duffy-26 launch, what stability tests have been done to the duffy-26 launch regarding the uscg weight requirement, what type of transmission is in a duffy-26 launch, can i get wheel steering or tiller steering, how is access for daily maintenance on the duffy-26 launch, what about sea-keeping in rough conditions.

Crosby Launch

The 26′ Crosby Yacht Club Launch is the ultimate ship-to-shore and yacht club launch solution. Coast Guard certified for carrying 20 passengers plus operator, its heavy-duty displacement hull is stable, maneuverable and virtually unaffected performance-wise when fully loaded.

The large, open cockpit is self-bailing and will comfortably accommodate the crew and gear. Permanent molded-in fiberglass seating follows the aft contour of the boat, while the center is left open for sails and gear. The high freeboard and use of double handrails make boarding safe and easy. Additionally, its high bow offers protection against spray and the non-skid deck ensures safe footing. The heavily laid fiberglass hull is fire retardant and built to last.

The boat is heavily ballasted for additional stability and is steady and maneuverable even in adverse weather conditions. The full keel and heavy bronze skeg combine to give full protection to the underwater gear in the event of “bottoming out”. Powered by an economical diesel engine, the boat is dependable and safe.

Built by time-honored craftsmen of Crosby Yacht Yard, the launch displays the simplicity and timelessness of classic lines and demonstrates the unmatched quality of workmanship. Using the very best materials, quality has not been sacrificed for price and the launch is an investment into the future.

Specifications:

LOA 21’6″ 26’2″ LWL 20’0″ 25’0″ BEAM 10’0″ 10’4″ DRAFT 2’9″ 3’0″

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How to Charter a Boat

If you want to sail off into the sunset, at least temporarily, you need to understand how to get aboard first.

By Lauren Sloss

This time of year, it’s an inevitable thought: Life would be that much better out on the water. Specifically, on a boat.

Even if you have neither a boat nor boating experience, it’s never been easier to make your nautical dreams come true — whether you want a day trip on your local lake or a fully staffed multiday voyage in a far-flung locale. Here are the initial questions that will help you plan an adventure on the water.

Whom are you traveling with?

Thinking about the size and dynamic of your group is an important first step, even if you are simply going on a day trip. Will children be on board? How old? What about elderly parents?

Dan Lockyer, the chief commercial officer of Dream Yacht Worldwide , strongly encourages travelers to determine group size — and, ideally, get people committed — before booking.

“The location that you want to go to, the time of year that you want to go, the type of boat that you want will entirely depend on the makeup of the group that you’re sailing with,” Mr. Lockyer said.

Do you want to captain, or do you want a captain?

Different charter companies specialize in certain locations, types of boats, itineraries and services. Some companies offer the opportunity for a “bareboat” charter, in which you rent the boat and take on the navigation and provisioning yourself, while others exclusively offer fully staffed options, including a captain and a cook.

If you want to captain the boat yourself, almost all outfits require some kind of proof of sailing or boating experience, often in line with local regulations.

Edward King, 45, an executive at a streaming company based in San Francisco, is experienced in sailing the city’s waterways. But on vacation, he said he would prefer to let a captain and crew take the lead.

Mr. King said he appreciates a captain who is familiar with both the local waters — “they’ll know how to avoid sailing into a certain sandbar,” he said, — as well as the local attractions.

In contrast, Matt Blake, 38, a software engineer based in Oakland, Calif., was eager to grow his sailing experience during a recent trip to La Paz, Mexico, with his fiancée. He hired a captain but made clear that the captain was there to help and teach.

Where do you want to go?

“Do you want something that’s more culturally oriented? Nature oriented? An adventure trip?” asked Mary Curry, the voyage product director of Adventure Life , which offers small group tours and private trips on land and on water around the world.

That answer can determine your destination. Popular cruising grounds include the Caribbean, Croatia, Alaska and French Polynesia, but the sky — or the sea — is really the limit. For help narrowing your focus, travel advisers often have relationships with charter companies or outfits around the world, and sailing publications offer recommendations.

Kyla Malkani, who has had experience with charters working as a destination wedding planner, recommends consulting the concierge of waterfront hotels, particularly for short-term or day rentals.

“A lot of times they will have either their own fleet or they will have some sort of connection at a dock,” said Ms. Malkani, 37, who is based in Washington, D.C., and is currently working as a content creator and freelance event planner.

What kind of boat?

Where you want to travel and for how long will likely determine the kinds of boats that are available to you. Crucial at this point, too, is an understanding of the boat’s layout and amenities.

“You definitely want to choose the right kind of boat,” said Ms. Malkani. “If you want more adventure, a sailboat is nice. If you’re looking for a luxury party environment, a yacht is best. And if you’re looking for something smooth, for older people or with kids, a catamaran is great.”

David Barclay is a luxury travel adviser who has also chartered boats for his own vacations.

“You want to match what the travelers want to what the boat offers,” he said.

Perhaps a group of friends might not mind a catamaran with functional but not luxurious marine bathrooms, but a multigenerational group might prefer more high-touch amenities.

When should I book?

Often, charter trips are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that require a great deal of advanced planning.

“You may have a specific place you want to go, or a specific time of year you want to travel,” said Mr. Barclay. “And some places just aren’t good at certain times of year.”

Naturally, you don’t want to be at sea in the Caribbean during hurricane season, or in the Mediterranean during winter storms. But you also might want to avoid peak cruising seasons, too.

The first three weeks of August are quite popular, said Mr. Lockyer. “If you have some flexibility and can travel in early July, you’ll get the same sort of great weather, a greater selection of boats and the anchorages won’t be as crowded.”

How much does it cost?

Charter costs are incredibly variable, dependent on all of the factors coming into play: your boat type and size, your destination, your group size, the amount of crew you’d like and the amenities on board. That said, costs could range anywhere from $2,000 for a day on a sailboat to hundreds of thousands of dollars for a multiday mega-yacht charter. Have a budget in mind when beginning your research process.

What if I didn’t plan far in advance?

While advanced planning is encouraged, and often necessary for bigger boat trips, it’s possible to book a boat last-minute.

Boatsetter , an Airbnb-like platform for boats, is a good resource for last-minute bookings, especially for day trips, and even has an Instant Book option for down-to-the-wire bookings.

“If it’s for a special event, or around major holidays, you may want to book a month or two in advance. But for general bookings, you can find options within a week or two,” said Kim Koditek, Boatsetter’s head of brand strategy and communications, of the company’s overnight offerings, which appear on their platform under the luxury yacht charters category .

Ms. Malkani has used Boatsetter for some of her charters, most of which have been booked with a specific goal in mind.

“I’m a sunset chaser,” she said. “My husband and I just really love being on the water, and we always try to squeeze in some sort of boat day activity when we’re traveling.”

For more travel advice, visit our collection of Travel 101 tips and hacks.

Come Sail Away

Love them or hate them, cruises can provide a unique perspective on travel..

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Th ree-Year Cruise, Unraveled:  The Life at Sea cruise was supposed to be the ultimate bucket-list experience : 382 port calls over 1,095 days. Here’s why  those who signed up are seeking fraud charges  instead.

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Home » Uber launches more water services around Europe

Uber launches more water services around Europe

Uber will soon be introducing its new water services this European summer season, with a boat, cruise and yacht offering.

More Uber products hit the waters

Uber recently announced even more water offerings which will feature at some of Europe’s popular tourist destinations this year. Uber Boat, which has already been established in London, Uber Cruise and Uber Yacht will be hitting the water this nothern summer season, in response to rising demand for Uber’s services in tourist hotspots around Europe.

According to the transport company , data from summer 2023 showed that a demand from international customers for Uber’s mobility services increased last year by up to 55% in places like Greece and Spain.

A boat, a cruise and a yacht

Uber Boat, which arrived in Mykonos earlier this month, will now expand to Athens, Corfu and Santorini. The boat is available to book on the app, with the company noting that the product will allow visitors to travel in style to beach clubs, visit scenic coves and reach remote locales. Minimum fares start from around €200 (R3 973).

Uber Cruise will launch in Paris this summer, allowing visitors to jump onboard an all-electric boat to enjoy a free one-hour private tour down the river Seine. Priced from €120 (around R2 360) per trip, the boat service can accommodate up to six people per trip.

Their final offering, Yacht, will then arrive in Ibiza in August and will offer groups of up to eight people cruises around the island in a Sunseeker Yacht for €1 600 (around R31 480).

Each eight-hour trip comes with a personal skipper, a complimentary bottle of champagne and locally sourced artisanal snacks.

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Clarence Thomas accepted a free yacht trip to Russia and got flown out on a complimentary helicopter ride to Putin's hometown, 2 Democratic senators say

• Democratic senators have accused Justice Clarence Thomas of accepting undisclosed gifts and trips.
• They say he accepted gifts such as a yacht trip to Russia and a chopper ride to Vladimir Putin's hometown.
• The senators want an investigation into potential tax fraud and ties between Thomas and Harlan Crow.

Two Democratic senators have accused Justice Clarence Thomas of accepting a free trip to Russian President Vladimir Putin's hometown.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon filed a letter to US Attorney General Merrick Garland on July 3, asking to open an investigation into the Supreme Court judge.

The letter said there was a "serious possibility of tax fraud" and accused Thomas of having "secretly accepted gifts and income potentially worth millions of dollars."

The letter's appendix , which lists 35 undisclosed gifts, shows a "yacht trip to Russia and the Baltics" and a "helicopter ride to Yusupov Palace, St. Petersburg," both listed under the year 2003.

St. Petersburg, Russia, is Putin's birthplace and where he grew up. The president now resides in Moscow.

The appendix list is titled "Likely Undisclosed Gifts and Income from Harlan Crow and Affiliated Companies." Harlan Crow is a real-estate developer and the former chairman and CEO of the Trammell Crow Company.

The senators cited a ProPublica report from May last year detailing Thomas' hushed-up financial ties to Crow.

The report said that apart from the Russia trip, Crow also funded Thomas' grandnephew Mark Martin 's boarding-school fees, which cost "more than $6,000 a month."

In their letter, the senators wrote that other gifts from Crow included "multiple instances of free private jet travel, yacht travel, and lodging," as well as "gifts of tuition for Justice Thomas's grandnephew," "real estate transactions," "home renovations," and "free rent for Justice Thomas's mother."

In September, Thomas said he'd accepted three trips on a private plane owned by Crow . He didn't mention any other gifts.

Related stories

Whitehouse and Wyden aren't the only Democrats who've voiced concerns over Thomas' sketchy financial ties.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of New York filed articles of impeachment against Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito on Wednesday.

"Justice Thomas and Alito's repeated failure over decades to disclose that they received millions of dollars in gifts from individuals with business before the court is explicitly against the law," her statement reads.

Representatives for Thomas, Whitehouse, Wyden and Crow didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Watch: Why Clarence Thomas' lavish vacations with a GOP donor are in the spotlight

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Bare hull of 103m Project Jassj technically launched at Lürssen

The bare hull of Lürssen 's 103-metre Project Jassj has emerged from the shed at Lürssen's Rendsburg facility and been technically launched into the waters of the Kiel Canal. Still shrouded in secrecy, the full-displacement motor yacht features an interior and exterior design by RWD and she is expected to have a traditional flared bow, side-opening tender garage and a deep superyacht pool on the main deck aft. 

The 3,420GT yacht was sold in 2021 by Moran Yacht & Ship and is on track for delivery in 2025.

Project Jassj is one of 10 superyachts in build at Lürssen, according to BOATPro . The launch comes at a busy time for the German shipyard, with 142-metre Project Alibaba also emerging from the shed this week. 

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Ranked: 5 Best Attack Submarines on Planet Earth in 2024

Summary and Key Points: Despite the notion that all military submarines are designed for offensive operations, "attack submarines" specifically target other vessels, including enemy subs and warships.

-Among the world's elite attack submarines are the Russian Project 945A Kondor Class (Sierra II) and Project 885 Yasen (Severodvinsk), the British Astute-class, and the American Virginia and Seawolf-classes.

-These submarines boast advanced stealth, speed, and weaponry, making them formidable assets in naval warfare.

Top 5 Attack Submarines in the World: The Best of the Best

To the uninformed, it would seem that all military submarines are designed to "attack" an enemy. However, even before the advent of ballistic missile submarines – whose purpose is essentially nuclear deterrence – an "attack submarine" specializes in combat with other vessels, including enemy subs and warships, as well as merchant shipping.

Where the confusion lies is that some attack submarines can be armed with cruise missiles, which increase the scope of their potential to strike land targets. Moreover, the Soviet and Russian navies employed the term "multi-purpose submarines."

Today, more than two dozen nations operate attack submarines, but these five classes stand out as the absolute best of the best.

Project 945A Kondor Class – Sierra II

The Sierra II Class, also known as Project 945A Kondor Class, remains among the Russian Navy's most expensive and deep-diving submarines. The boats were specifically developed for search and destroy missions against U.S. nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines.

A follow-up to the Sierra I, the class was unique due to its light and strong titanium twin-pressure hulls, which featured space in between. That enabled the boats to dive to greater depths, while it reduced the level of radiated noise and increased resistance to torpedo attacks. The boats were also powered by a single OK-650 pressurized water reactor, rated at 190 MW.

It had greater speed and diving depth than its American counterparts at the time it was designed and would have been a serious threat if the Cold War turned hot. Two of the submarines were completed – the Pskov (ex-Zubatka) and Nizhny Novgorod (ex-Okun) – and both remain operational with the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet. A third of the class, Mars, was laid down in 1990. That boat was built to an improved Project 945B (NATO designation Sierra III class), but it was scrapped before completion in 1992.

Project 885 Yasen – Severodvinsk

Even as many of Russia's military platforms have appeared to be overly hyped – and its surface navy is in a truly sorry state, its Yasen-class submarines (NATO reporting name "Severodvinsk") are still considered to be among the best in the world.

Along with the Russian Navy's Borei-class ballistic missile submarines, the Yasen-class boats are reported to play a central role in Russia's defense and deterrence. The cruise missile subs were developed in the late 1980s by the St. Petersburg-based Malakhit Design Bureau of Machine-Building. It was initially intended to replace the aging Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarines. However, the program progressed slowly following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. While the lead vessel, Severodvinsk, was laid down in 1993, due to funding issues as a result of Russia’s financial crisis, the project sputtered in the following decade.

Only in the late 2000s, did Moscow return to the project, but by that point, it was seen as being on the verge of obsolescence. Instead of starting from scratch, however, the Kremlin opted to relaunch the Yasen-class under the Yasen-M designation, which saw a slew of design tweaks and performance upgrades to address the roughly to-decade gap between Severodvinsk and the next Yasen-class submarine, Kazan.

Unlike older attack submarines built in the late Soviet period, the Yasen-M class boats were developed as multi-purpose vessels that could carry different weapons, including the most advanced new long-range Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missiles. There are ten silos for vertically launched cruise missiles, and according to reports, the submarines can also be equipped with Kalibr-PL and Oniks cruise missiles as their basic strike weapons. The Kazan is also equipped with the UKSK (3P-14B) vertical launch system comprised of 8SM-346 modules.

Astute-class

The Royal Navy's Astute-class were the first nuclear submarines in the world to be designed in a 3D computer-aided environment. While not as well known as their American or Russian counterparts, they are considered among some of the best on Earth.

The boats have been outfitted with many technological firsts, including not having an optical periscope. Instead, high-specification video technology has been employed, which enables the crew to scan the horizon and get a 360-degree view to address any potential threat.

In addition, unlike other nuclear-powered submarines, the Astute-class was developed to utilize state-of-the-art anti-acoustic tiles. Each hull is fitted with more than 39,000 acoustic tiles that mask the vessel’s sonar signature and allow the submarines to glide through the water almost silently.

The Astute-class submarines have stowage for 38 weapons and typically carry a mix of Spearfish heavy torpedoes and Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles, which are capable of hitting a target within a few meters, to a range of 1,000 miles (1,600 km). The submarines' countermeasures suite includes decoys and electronic support measures (ESM).

Virginia-class

At the end of the Cold War, the U.S. Navy shifted its focus from preparing for open-ocean conflict to dominating littoral areas. As a result, it developed its Virginia class to operate in the world's coastal and deep waters alike.

This has resulted in a flexible, multi-mission platform that can carry out anti-submarine, anti-surface, strike and irregular warfare, as well as operate in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The Virginia-class submarine can be used to deliver special operations forces support and also participate in mine warfare roles.

The Virginia class also offered several other innovations that have significantly enhanced its warfighting capabilities including an emphasis on its ability to conduct littoral operations. The subs feature a fly-by-wire ship control system, which improved the shallow-water ship handling, while the boats also have been outfitted to support forces operations. The submarines' torpedo rooms can also be reconfigured to house a small unit of special operations forces such as Navy SEALs and their equipment. The class also features a large lock-in-lock chamber for divers.

Eight of the Block V boats that are now being built will be equipped with the Virginia Payload Module (VPM) – a mid-body section that will increase the overall length of the boats. This will add four additional Virginia Payload Tubes, which have been replacing the submarines' single-purpose cruise missile launch tubes. This will increase the number of Tomahawk missiles that the vessels carry – and thus replace some of the Navy's missile strike capabilities that would be been lost when the Ohio-class submarines are retired from the fleet.

Seawolf-class

Designed to address the threat of Soviet ballistic missile submarines, and to replace the aging Los Angeles class of submarines, the Seawolf-­class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines (SSN) has been described as the best of the best.

It featured a modular design that allowed for later upgrades including weapons development and better sonar systems, and was thus very much "future-proof." It had a maximum speed of 35k dived and a 'silent' speed of 20k.

While the Seawolf-class does not have any external weapons, it was designed with eight torpedo tubes twice as many as the Los Angeles class, along with a double-deck torpedo room to allow for simultaneous engagement of multiple threats.

A total of 29 boats were to be constructed over a 10-year period – a number that was then reduced to 12 – but only three were launched. But then the Cold War ended, and the Seawolf-class may have been the best of the best.

Still, at approximately $3 to $3.5 billion per vessel, the program was simply too expensive, especially in the wake of changing global geopolitics.

Author Experience and Expertise

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs . You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu .

All images are Creative Commons and/or Shutterstock.