yachting capital of the world

What Is The Sailing Capital of the World?

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

There’s a lot of debate over what is the sailing capital of the world. Waterside towns with ports and yacht clubs all claim to be sailing hubs.

Towns like Newport, Annapolis, and San Diego all have qualities that make them contenders for the sailing capital of the world. Each city offers different experiences that make sailors gravitate toward them.

Maybe there’s no one single sailing capital of the world, but rather multiple sailing capitals throughout the world. Here, we’ll look at each sailing hub and see what it has to offer for experienced and novice sailors alike.

Table of contents

Sailing Capitals in the US

Newport, rhode island.

Newport is located on the coast of Narragansett Bay. It has a sailing history that dates back to the 18th century. The Navy still uses Newport as a training center. There’s no shortage of building from the Colonial era, and sailing has remained an integral part of Newport culture ever since then.

In Newport, sailing and society go together. It’s not uncommon to see high society people flocking to the coastal town during the summer to stay in their Newport “cottages” for the sailing season . Being part of a sailing club in Newport is the surest way to get to know your neighbors and fellow socialites.

Newport is a major contender for the sailing capital of the world—it even hosted the American Cup for over a decade. Sailors and tourists love venturing out along the coast and enjoying views of the lighthouse and massive estates.

Even non-sailors enjoy taking sight-seeing boat tours to admire the sunset from Newport’s famous coastline. No matter why you’re visiting Newport, you’re almost guaranteed to end up on the water.

Annapolis, Maryland

This sailing capital is nestled in the perfect location right on the Chesapeake Bay. As a prominent port city along the east coast, it’s no surprise it made the list of sailing capitals.

Annapolis at one time used the slogan “sailing capital” for their city. As the capital city of Maryland and a prominent port, it was an easy claim to make.

Sailing and racing is a big deal in Annapolis. In fact, on Wednesdays, many local shops and restaurants close for weekly races. On the weekends, serious sailors from all over the country join the races. More than 3,000 boats occupy the town’s harbors and marinas.

The Naval Academy is located in Annapolis, and their sailing team is one of the top racing teams in the country. Many Navy veterans end up retiring back in Annapolis so they can continue enjoying sailing in the area.

Annapolis also hosts the National Sailing Hall of Fame and the Annapolis Maritime Museum. The port city is home to many sailing clubs.

Racing isn’t the only kind of sailing in Annapolis. Cruising is just as popular in the Chesapeake Bay. When the warm, racing season ends, you’ll find people bundled up and boarding their cruising boats.

Sailors all around the world visit Annapolis for their boat shows and navel culture display.

San Diego, California

On the other side of the continent, San Diego leads the way in west coast sailing. Boating on the pacific has always been a part of San Diego’s history, either for fishing or military purposes.

It wasn’t until 1852 that San Diego welcomed its first sailing club. Even though not as established as Newport or Annapolis in the sailing world, San Diego makes a name for itself by always having perfect sailing weather and plenty of open sea.

By the 1900s San Diego had established itself as a sailing destination. The city and yacht clubs began hosting races and several regattas were created. Like in Newport, sailing became just as much a social activity as it was a recreational one.

Today, sailors from all over the world end up in San Diego, either on their way to cross the pacific and visit the many islands there, or to South America, and across the Panama Canal into the Caribbean.

Sailing in San Diego is less of a class distinction and more of an activity for anyone who wants to be on the water. Many San Diego colleges have sailing clubs and races. The city is rated 5th in the country for how many recreational vessels are registered there.

Yachting in particular has become a huge part of San Diego’s economy. Boatbuilding and sail manufacturing employs a large part of the city’s population. Recreational boaters passing through marinas creates a lively tourist business as marina restaurants and shops keep busy with customers.

As a relatively new sailing hub, San Diego is working hard to make itself the next sailing capital of the world.

What About the International Sailing Capital?

Of course, North America is one of the most popular sailing destinations . After all, it’s bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico. You can get to pretty much any destination from any North American port.

But, sailing didn’t originate in North America, and many foreign cities would argue their claim to the sailing capital of the world, particularly The Netherlands.

The Hague, The Netherlands

The Netherlands has long been home to many sailboats and old salts. Dutch ships have been coveted for centuries, and their naval forces are one of the best in the world.

The Netherlands is home to over half a million boats (about one boat per 32 people). The country's sophisticated waterway infrastructure makes it so that sailing is possible inland as well. The country has some 600 marinas throughout.

It’s not just the coastal cities of The Netherlands that value sailing. The inland city of Amsterdam hosts “SAIL Amsterdam” every year. Sailors bring tall ships from different eras through the city’s infamous waterways for people to visit and admire. Even the country’s landlocked cities aren’t truly landlocked.

The World Sailing Association announced that in 2023, The Hague will host the World Sailing Championships, making The Hague the official sailing capital of the world.

After being rescheduled to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Hague will also host the 2022 Youth Sailing World Championships.

With such a vibrant sailing history , and the World Sailing Association’s endorsement, The Hague, The Netherlands might be the real sailing capital of the world.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is known as the "yachting capital of the world."

Everything to Know About Fort Lauderdale

Here's how to plan the best possible trip to the Venice of America.

Fort Lauderdale’s spring break reputation dates back to the 1930s, but over the past few years, the city has traded in Solo cups for sleeker stemware. Swanky rooftop bars and speakeasy-inspired lounges are sprouting up downtown, with the railroad tracks shielding some of the hottest pieces of real estate. Mimicking Miami , Fort Lauderdale is transforming concrete-heavy warehouse districts into street art-lined neighborhoods catering to the Florida city’s creative community.

Fort Lauderdale is considered a year-round beach destination (you can comfortably dip your toes in the water in winter), but high season kicks off in December once hurricane threats subside. Plan your trip for early spring when the sun isn’t too sweltering, or time your travel around sea turtle nesting season (between March and October) to watch hatchlings crawl their way to the water.

For three days in April, Fort Lauderdale Beach Park’s white sands sport stages drawing some of the biggest names in country, rock, and rap (think everyone from Keith Urban to Snoop Dogg and Sister Hazel) at Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival , which has raised over a million dollars for ocean conservation.

What to Eat

Le Tub Saloon , a former Sunoco gas station sitting on the Intracoastal, has developed a cult following for its superthick, 13-ounce sirloin hamburgers (which GQ rated no. 1 in the nation), while One Door East is redefining the city’s taco scene with spicy, tuna-stuffed tempura shells. At Coconuts , the appetizer bowl of crab “scoobies” (snow or blue crab pincher claws sautéed in olive oil, crushed red pepper, and garlic) are so popular, they’re not even listed on the menu.

Souvenir to Take Home

Snag a piece of the city’s street art with a portrait by graffiti artist Herbert Galarza (known for the Hive’s kaleidoscope-colored Marilyn Monroe mural) or a print by Australian-born pop artist Sharon Lee Swift , available at her gallery in the craft café Bean to Brew .

Sustainable Travel Tip

Hop on a bright yellow bike at one of the B-cycle stands conveniently placed along Fort Lauderdale Beach for an eco-chic way to cruise the coast.

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Instagram-Worthy View

Pose under the neon “Adventure Is Calling” sign above the doorway at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park’s bistro, Park & Ocean , where you can sip a Florida fruit-based beer brewed in-house before heading out on a paddling tour through mangrove trails. For an iconic shot of the water, head to Fort Lauderdale Beach at sunrise to snap a pic of A1A’s three-mile-long white Wave Wall.

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Newport, Rhode Island: The Sailing Capital of the World

Table of Contents

Open waters, near-constant breezes, centuries of nautical history, a hotbed of international racing (America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race), and a scenic and accessible waterfront — you can’t deny that Newport, Rhode Island is the sailing capital of the world.

Post Summary

• Where to go sailing in Newport
• Best time of year to go sailing in Newport
• Things to do in Newport

You’re next sailing adventure is in Newport . Continue reading for an in-depth scope of this destination.

View Top 18 Newport, RI Boat Rentals

Where to Go Sailing in Newport

Newport is on Aquidneck Island near the mouth of Narragansett Bay, a sprawling body of water that has hundreds of nooks and crannies to explore. Seafarers have been plying the waters of Narragansett Bay since before the 1600s, and Newport has hung onto much of its nautical history, so it has a vibe sailors love.

This natural deep-water harbor provides plenty of protected sailing but also quick and direct access to the ocean past Castle Hill Lighthouse. For over six months of the year, Newport is the place to be for sailors and landlubbers alike, and it’s close to both Boston and New York, so it’s perfect for a weekend getaway and some time under sail.

You can’t miss sailing under the Newport Bridge along with many local classic vessels that make the Bay seem like a floating museum. You can have a tacking duel up to Portsmouth and Bristol or circumnavigate Conanicut or Prudence Islands. Whether racing or leisurely cruising, there are many ways to experience the waters around Newport.

Best Time of Year to Go Sailing in Newport

Newport has a relatively mild climate for a northeastern destination due to its proximity to the Gulf Stream that comes from Florida. This helps make the sailing season fairly long, from April until October, when you can wear a light jacket or fleece.

Balmy weather greets sailors with 70+ degree water throughout most of the summer, but only “frostbiters” raise sail in early spring or winter.

Things to Do in Newport

Newport is a year-round land and sea destination.

• Newport Bermuda Race takes place in June every other year, a serious 600+ mile regatta that tests offshore skills. It’s the oldest, regularly scheduled international race that takes crews out of sight of land for the better part of a week, so it requires experience. Other yachting events include the Candy Store Cup, the J Class Championships, and the Newport Yacht Show.
• Work up a good appetite after a morning of tacking and visit one of the many waterfront restaurants, including the casual Deck at Waite’s Wharf or the local favorite Black Pearl on Bannister’s Wharf. For a fun meal in a working boatyard, try Belle’s Café at the Newport Shipyard or tuck into a lobster roll at Newport Lobster Shack. Finally, don’t miss the historic White Horse Tavern serving customers for over 350 years, or plan your visit to coincide with the Newport Oyster and Chowder Festival in May.
• Newport has a healthy amount of dockage options at small private docks, large marinas with guest facilities, and even on mooring balls throughout the harbor so you can park and enjoy the town’s many shoreside attractions like the awesome Newport Mansions that were “summer cottages” of the extremely wealthy a century ago. Most mansions are open as museums and are managed by the Preservation Society of Newport.
• For history as well as great views, check out Fort Adams State Park or have a cocktail on the lawn of the Ocean Cliff Hotel and survey where all you have or could still sail. Don’t forget the Sailing Museum, which is home to the National Sailing Hall of Fame that honors legends of the sport.

If you plan to rent a self-sail boat, check out Rhode Island’s boating safety certification requirements .

It’s not unusual to see Newport’s population turn out in the streets in their foul weather gear during inclement weather. That’s how you know you’re in a sailor’s town. If you like to raise sails, don’t miss this magical place.

Boatsetter is a unique boat-sharing platform that gives everyone — whether you own a boat or you’re just renting — the chance to experience life on the water. You can list a boat , book a boat , or make money as a captain .

List. Rent. Earn— Only at Boatsetter

Zuzana Prochazka is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer with regular contributions to more than a dozen sailing and powerboating magazines and online publications including Southern Boating, SEA, Latitudes & Attitudes and SAIL. She is SAIL magazines Charter Editor and the Executive Director of Boating Writers International. Zuzana serves as judge for SAIL’s Best Boats awards and for Europe’s Best of Boats in Berlin. 

A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana founded and manages a flotilla charter organization called Zescapes that takes guests adventure sailing at destinations worldwide. 

Zuzana has lived in Europe, Africa and the United States and has traveled extensively in South America, the islands of the South Pacific and Mexico. 

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The Best Yachting Towns & Global Yacht Capitals

The best yachting destinations & towns around the world.

Owning a yacht, or even chartering one, gives you a portal to some of the most beautiful paradises in the world. Plenty of sun, wide stretches of soft white sand beaches, historic architecture, first-class cuisine, and a plethora of unique cultural experiences – there’s nothing like traveling the world on your own personal yacht!

Are you an owner looking for the best yachting towns to base your yacht from? Consider the following yacht capitals of the world. Compiled by our South Florida yacht maintenance and yacht management experts, here are some of the best yachting towns around the world.

Yacht Capitals of the World

If you are looking to experience yachting culture year-round, basing your boat in one of the yachting capitals is ideal. You’ll have easy access to outstanding marinas, yacht restoration companies, charter brokerages, and boatyards – like our conveniently-located Fort Lauderdale marina and full-service boatyard.

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is often dubbed the “Yacht Capital of the World.” Also dubbed the “Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale has hundreds of miles of inland waterways, world-class marinas, and over 50,000 registered yachts.2

Home to the largest in-water boat show in the world – Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the city’s main port is also a hub for the world’s largest cruise ships and superyachts. With its year-round sunny weather, strong yachting industry presence, and proximity to the Caribbean, Fort Lauderdale truly earns its title.

When the winter months come to an end, the jet-setting and yacht-owning crowd typically skip cross the pond. That’s when the European yachting season starts. With Malta being a hub for superyachts, there is more contention regarding which city is actually the yacht capital of Europe.

However, the resort town of Antibes in France continues to bear that crown. Between Cannes and Nice, this coastal village sits on the French Rivera. Characterized by stunning red-roofed historic architecture, white-sand beaches, and beachfront mansions, it’s no wonder yachters flock to Antibes.

However, the crowning glory of Antibes is its harbor where the world-famous Port Vauban Antibes and International Yacht Club d’Antibes are located. With hundreds of yachts and mega yachts docked in this marina every year – it’s the heart of the city’s yachting scene.

1.       The Affluent Lifestyle Guide, HuffPost ­­– Luxury In The Yachting Capital of the World

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Annapolis Maritime History: How Naptown Became World’s Sailing Capital

A NNAPOLIS, MD — Boaters flock to Annapolis every summer. Vessels docked downtown last week included a superyacht from Jamaica and a lengthy sailboat from Miami..

Mariners love the nautical traditions in Annapolis, from the Wednesday night sailboat races to the annual Blue Angels air show over the Severn River.

Annapolis wasn't always the sailing capital of the world, however. The city's history is inseparable from the water, but timely changes forced the town to reinvent itself repeatedly.

Annapolis started as a small colonial port and was overshadowed by a larger neighbor. The city transitioned into a seafood hub before a global war ushered in an era of modern shipbuilding. Local development and boat mass production made the town the nautical destination it is today. The focus now turns toward environmental conservation and the future of boating.

This is the story of Annapolis through the years.

Colonial Annapolis

It's easy to imagine Annapolis as a colonial port thanks to its narrow cobblestone streets.

The city still has more original 18th-century structures than any other American town. Construction on the Maryland State House started in 1772 , making it the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use. It's also the only statehouse to serve as the nation's capitol building.

With a heritage like this, City Dock must have a storied shipping history. Right?

That's partially true, but there's more to the story.

Colonial Maryland was a tobacco giant with plantations flanking both sides of the Chesapeake Bay. That assured plenty of exports, but harvest collection ships usually went straight to the plantations and bypassed centralized ports.

Large trading ships rarely visited City Dock, Annapolis historian Jane McWilliams said. McWilliams, author of " Annapolis, City on the Severn: A History ," noted that the Chesapeake did not have any bustling ports at the time.

"I don't think you can call Annapolis a major port at any time," McWilliams told Patch. "There were not major ports on the Chesapeake during the colonial period at all. If you had one, it would probably be Annapolis, but it was so easily eclipsed by Baltimore."

While writing her book, the Annapolis resident found that port activity didn't take off until the French and Indian War ended in 1763. Lawmakers, like Declaration signer William Paca , started building luxurious estates in Annapolis when the economy picked up. This led to more consumer goods flowing into the city.

The trade of enslaved people and indentured servants is also a part of this era. Kunte Kinte, the African sold into slavery — his descendant, author Alex Haley made him famous in the novel "Roots" — arrived at the port of Annapolis on a slave ship in 1767.

Products like knives, clothing and fabrics showed up at City Dock. The town had three tanneries that cured hides along College Creek, so leather products flowed through the port, as well.

McWilliams said 48 vessels entered Annapolis waters to sell enslaved people between 1756 and 1776. Another 317 ships brought white indentured servants during that window.

About 18,000 laborers were sold in Annapolis during that span. Ten percent of them were enslaved, McWilliams said. Most of the imported workers were indentured servants who were owned for a predetermined timeframe and then granted their freedom.

Slave trade did happen in Annapolis, but it was not the predominant use of the port.

Shipbuilding, on the other hand, boomed into a major industry during the 18th century. A ship carpenter's lot opened at City Dock in 1718. In the 1770s, a 200-ton shop was built on College Creek.

A nautical economy was budding in Annapolis, but Baltimore was becoming the preferred trading port.

"As Baltimore rises, Annapolis kind of stays quiet," Annapolis historian David Gendell told Patch.

Gendell, an Eastport resident, wrote " Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse: A Chesapeake Bay Icon ." Many associate the 1875 lighthouse with Annapolis because it's located between the South River and Kent Island. Gendell said the lighthouse was actually built to guide ships to the more convenient Baltimore port.

Baltimore offered deeper waters, more room for storage on land and eventually better rail connections when trains debuted. The city also had moving water at Jones Falls to power mills, a luxury that Annapolis lacked. Baltimore was additionally closer to the wheat fields of Western Maryland, notching another advantage for the northern neighbor.

To protect its expanding port, Baltimore built Fort Whetstone out of soil in 1776. The federal government took over the property and erected Fort McHenry there in 1794. Fort McHenry replaced Whetstone's earthen walls with stronger bricks and added more cannons, which proved vital to Baltimore's defense in the War of 1812.

Annapolis was such an insignificant shipping port by the war that the British bypassed it in hopes of capturing the more valuable Baltimore.

Annapolis was at a crossroads, forcing it to turn the page.

Watermen Take Over, Naval Academy Opens

After a slower period, the seafood industry rose to new heights. Work and fishing boats filled the harbor.

Watermen dominated the Chesapeake from the late 19th century through the early 20th century. Fishers hauled in crabs and striped bass and piled them at City Dock. Skipjacks, which are now the state boat, harvested oysters.

The building that's now Annapolis Market House opened in the 1890s as a seafood plant. Catches were processed, cooked and sold on-site. The scraps were thrown back into what's now Ego Alley across the street.

McNasby Seafood & Oyster Company moved from Baltimore to downtown Annapolis and then to Eastport in the early 1900s. Located on Back Creek, this former seafood packing facility is now home to the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park.

"The seafood industry is always an important part of the Chesapeake," McWilliams said.

Just like seafood, the U.S. Naval Academy is another Annapolis symbol born during this period.

Naval officers previously had no standardized training regimen. The Philadelphia Naval Asylum School was the Navy's largest at the time. There were also naval schools in New York City, Norfolk and Boston in the nation's early days.

Leaders for decades had pitched a centralized on-shore naval school. The Navy picked Annapolis for its "healthy and secluded" location to rescue midshipmen from "the temptations and distractions that necessarily connect with a large and populous city," the Naval Academy said .

Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft commissioned the Naval Academy on the Severn River in 1845. The Navy took over the Army's 10-acre Fort Severn and built the current Naval Academy Yard atop the old base.

This sparked an influx of Navy officers who were professors and administrators at the academy. These well-educated leaders came from posts around the nation, bringing a worldly culture to the growing city.

"It makes Annapolis a more cosmopolitan town," McWilliams said, noting that Navy wives in 1902 helped start what's now the Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Post-colonial waters were largely characterized by seafood and naval uses. There wasn't much recreational boating, however. It would be decades before manufacturing changes made boating the sport Annapolis knows today.

Gendell, who co-founded SpinSheet and PropTalk Magazines, said any leisurely boating in the 1800s was done in "very small, humble vessels" like homemade canoes and skiffs.

"Even the Annapolis Yacht Club started as a canoe club in the late 19th century," Gendell said. "The members would launch their canoes into Spa Creek and row them to spots up the river for swimming."

Recreational Boating

World War II was a catalyst for the town's recreational boating.

The Annapolis Yacht Yard, which built wooden boats in Eastport, won a contract to build naval vessels for the Allied powers in the 1940s. The shipyard built over 100 of these warships, including torpedo boats and minesweepers.

Around 400 people worked at the yacht yard, leaving an abundance of skilled boat manufacturers after the war. These workers then applied their skills to build leisure yachts at the property, which became Trumpy Boatyard , until it closed in 1974.

"That was the beginning of our marine industry," Gendell said. "We went from a sleepy town patching holes in your crabbing skiff to being able to build wooden boats of high quality at speed."

Residential development around the city picked up in the 1960s and 70s. The most desirable neighborhoods had a community pier along the water.

Fiberglass boats outpaced wooden vessels. Fiberglass is a cheaper material that was easier to mass produce and maintain.

These factors made boating more accessible to the masses.

"You don't have to be extraordinarily wealthy or born into it," Gendell said. "It opened up yachting now to a bigger community ... It was suddenly more affordable."

The Annapolis Sailing School was founded in 1959 , making it the nation's first adult sailing school.

The school designed its own training vessel, the Rainbow 24, to simplify sailing for beginners. Gendell said the school opened branches in California, Florida and Missouri. It even set up shop in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The school has taught thousands to sail, and Annapolis was an ideal place to learn.

The current isn't overly strong. The wind isn't overpowering. And the shores aren't rocky.

A growing population of experienced boaters made Annapolis a nautical hub.

The U.S. Sailboat Show recognized this blossoming culture and held its first exhibition in the city in 1970. This was the country's first in-water sailboat show.

The Annapolis Boat Shows eventually expanded to have four annual events, with two each year for sailboats and powerboats.

"Now, people come from all over the world to go to those boat shows," Gendell said. "The marine industry all turns up in Annapolis to exhibit at those shows. And those shows also did a lot to advance the popularity of recreational boating and Annapolis' spot within it."

Future Of Boating

Gendell, McWilliams and Marylanders all agree that boating is not going anywhere.

Gendell, a sailor and a powerboater, has noticed a shift toward motorboats in recent years. He attributes that trend to consumer preferences for turn-key vessels ready for quick trips and dock bar visits.

"I always believe Annapolis will deeply be a sailing town .... but what I'm seeing in terms of trends is COVID really accelerated small boats," Gendell said, pointing to pandemic spikes in canoeing and kayaking as well.

Personal vessels like these require public water access. Gendell thinks there is a demand for more launch points where anybody can park their car for a day and paddleboard around local waterways.

Gendell is proud of the Chesapeake Bay conservation efforts in Maryland, but he thinks there is room for improvement in the more distant states of the watershed.

"As a community, that awareness leads to action on the individual level," Gendell said. "Now, we need to work on upstream things."

Annapolis is a waterfront town through and through.

The city is narrated boat tours from Watermark Journeys. It's cruises from nonprofits like Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating and the Valhalla Sailing Project. It's nautical restaurants like the Severn Inn, water taxi rides to Eastport, tugs-of-war over Spa Creek and fireworks in the harbor.

Annapolis is the water, and the water is Annapolis.

"Will it change?" McWilliams wondered. "No, I don't think so. As long as people are willing to buy the boat for enormous amounts of money and go out and sail, ... they're going to do it."

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The article Annapolis Maritime History: How Naptown Became World’s Sailing Capital appeared first on Anne Arundel Patch .

5 Reasons Why Fort Lauderdale Is The Yachting Capital of the World

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If you’re a yacht owner or a boat owner, you may be aware of Fort Lauderdale’s status as the Yachting Capital of the World – and if you’ve ever been curious about why Fort Lauderdale is such as destination for yacht and boat owners, you’re in the right place. In this post, the team at Chi Yacht Refinishing will look at just a few reasons why Fort Lauderdale has become the world’s foremost destination for yachts.

• It’s Convenient To Find Every Yacht-Related Service You May Need!

It may seem like circular logic, but one of the reasons that Fort Lauderdale is so popular with yacht owners is because… it’s popular with yacht owners!

In other words, the yacht industry has always been big in Fort Lauderdale. Because of this, the city started attracting more yacht owners – and more yacht-related businesses. Over time, this has resulted in a huge concentration of yacht services being available in Fort Lauderdale.

From yacht refinishing to boat building, yacht management services, crew hiring, financial services, repairs and maintenance, dry docking and more, Fort Lauderdale has everything that a yacht owner could need. Because of this, it attracts plenty of yacht owners – and, in turn, this means more yacht-related businesses open up, and the cycle continues.

• It’s Beautiful All-Year-Round

Plenty of yacht owners take their vessels to the open sea, or on tours around America. But during the “off-season,” most yacht owners will return to Fort Lauderdale, because the weather is always great year-round. This means that it’s a great place to escape the chill during the fall and winter.

• The City Is Dedicated To Maintaining Its Status As The Yachting Capital

The city of Fort Lauderdale has made efforts to attract even more “megayachts,” by increasing the number of slips available for these vessels, Naturally this is not just out of the goodness of their hearts – yachts contribute a significant amount of money to the city’s economy, so it’s only natural that the city would take steps to keep attracting these vessels.

• There Are Plenty Of People Yacht Owners Can Show Off To

Part of owning a luxury yacht is showing off – even the most seasoned yacht owner will admit that it’s thrilling to have someone gawking at your vessel, or take photos. Fort Lauderdale has around 13 million tourists per year – and a favorite pastime of tourists is to walk the marinas, and view the multi-million dollar vessels moored at the slips.

• The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is one of the biggest boating and yachting events in the world, and attracts visitors from all around the globe – making Fort Lauderdale a haven for yachting enthusiasts who want to keep up on all of the latest developments in the industry.

Fort Lauderdale Is The Best Place For Yacht Enthusiasts!

Whether you own a yacht or a smaller vessel, or you just love boats and yachts, Fort Lauderdale is a great destination – for all of the above reasons.

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Registration, is fort lauderdale the boating capital of the world, fort lauderdale – putting florida on the map.

Fort Lauderdale is located in South Florida and best known for its beaches, miles of boating canals and logging more than 3,000 hours of sunny weather a year. The city, which is just a short drive from other popular boating towns like Palm Beach, the Florida Keys and Miami, attracts boaters, tourists and fisherman from all over the world.

Florida is nicknamed, “the Sunshine State.” The sun is, indeed, the best of what Florida – especially Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas – has to offer visitors. The state welcomed 87.3 million tourists in 2011, which was a record at the time. Since then, it continues to be a top travel destination of the world, as tourism is one of the most profitable industries.

Located just outside Fort Lauderdale is Port Everglades, one of the busiest cruise terminals in the world, which brings in tourists by the boatloads year-round. The warm climate and prime location have helped the city earn a title of “boating capital of the world,” but is it?

What the Sources Say

One of the events that put Fort Lauderdale on the map is the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS). In 2016, the show will celebrate its 56 th anniversary. Every year, the event welcomes yacht builders, designers, brokers and captains from all over the world who gather to discuss Florida yacht charters and boating in general. According to the website , it is “the number one boat show on the planet,” which seems pretty fitting for a town that boasts the title of “boating capital of the world.”

The FLIBS references Fort Lauderdale as “The Yachting Capital of the World.” The Huffington Post does the same. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission claims the state is “the fishing capital of the world,” and Wikipedia refers to the city as the “Venice of America,” a nod to the countless canals and channels that welcome boaters. In addition, Discover Boating , a public awareness effort managed by the National Marine Manufactures Association, refers to Fort Lauderdale as, “the mega yacht capital of the world.”

Although arbitrary, the title seems to apply to Fort Lauderdale most often and for good reason. Home of one of the largest cruise ports and boat shows in the world, we’d say it’s pretty accurate to call Fort Lauderdale, “the boating capital of the world.”

In terms of fishing and boating, Fort Lauderdale’s biggest rival is the Bahamas, which is only 50 miles from South Florida. The official tourism website lists the 700+ island nation as one of the top boating and sailing destinations since the colonial times.

We Plan Florida Yacht Charters in the “Boating Capital of the World”

Neptune Group Yachting is proud to be headquartered in the boating capital of the world. Our geographic location makes us all the more equipped to plan and execute your Florida yacht charter. For more information about planning your luxurious dream vacation, contact Neptune Group Yachting.

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Luxury In The Yachting Capital Of The World

The Affluent Lifestyle Guide

With 300+ miles of inland waterways and 50,000 registered yachts, Fort Lauderdale is often dubbed "the Yachting Capital of the World."

It's home port to the two largest cruise ships in the world and home to the largest boat show in the world (Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show). The famed Intracoastal Waterway offers close -- and scenic -- proximity from the inland waterways to the Atlantic.

Factor in 3,000 hours of sun annually, and it's obvious why this South Florida town would be the ultimate Stateside haven for a boat-up luxury lifestyle

-- Lena Katz

Boat-Up Luxury in the Yachting Capital of the World

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The Yachting Capital of the World

Posted by on Tuesday, October 11th, 2016 at 4:31pm.

Photo by: Fort Lauderdale Boat Show

It is no secret why Florida has the nickname “The Sunshine State”. Each year South Florida sees about 3,000 hours of sun making it the perfect place for boating. The City of Fort Lauderdale, which has over 300 miles of inland waterways and is home to about 50,000 yachts, is known as “The Yachting Capital of the World”.

The city is as much afloat as it is grounded and the whole city is boat oriented. The boating industry in itself employs about 130,000 people in Fort Lauderdale. With the great tropical weather and easy access to the Caribbean, Fort Lauderdale is the perfect place to own a boat. Fort Lauderdale is also home to the two largest cruise ships and the largest international boat show on the planet.

The city attracts boaters, tourists, and fisherman from all over the world on a regular basis. The Gulf Stream runs just a few miles offshore making it an awesome fishing area and the nearby coral reefs are a huge attraction for lots of scuba divers. No matter the size of your boat, Fort Lauderdale has something to offer for everyone.

The fact that Fort Lauderdale has offices for almost every boat manufacturer and charter company in the world, shows why it is called “The Yachting Capital of the World”. Not to mention, Lauderdale’s biggest rival in terms of fishing and boating is easily accessible only about 50 miles off the coast in the Bahamas.

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How Genoa is becoming the yachting capital of the world

Each year thousands of boats, both big and small, flock to the Italian Riviera seeking a taste of la dolce vita. And right at the heart of the action is the colourful city of Genoa. With a historic port and marinas accommodating yachts up to 130 metres, it's a hub of yachting activity and a portal to Italy’s romantic coastline. Not only is Genoa home to a flourishing number of shipbuilders, the city also hosts one of the world’s premier boat shows – and it's growing year on year.

This year marks the 59th edition of the Genoa International Boat Show and aims to be bigger and better than ever. From September 19-24 the city will be open for business as the world’s biggest boat show takes over its historic harbour.

This year will showcase an even more expansive display of Italian excellence. Inspired by the global success of Milan’s Salone del Mobile, organisers want to push the Genoa International Boat Show beyond the confines of the marina and host a number of events throughout the year, transforming Genoa into the true capital of yachting.

Last year’s edition of the Genoa International Boat Show welcomed over 174,000 visitors, and 951 exhibitors from 27 countries, breaking its own record as the biggest event in the Mediterranean for the industry. With 100,000 square metres of land and 100,000 square metres of water already fully booked, it looks like this year certainly won’t disappoint.

And the good news doesn't stop there. The Italian boating industry is on the rise for the fourth year running - a growth that is reflected in the success of the Genoa International Boat Show each year.

This is a city that lives and breathes yachting. Showcasing Italy’s world-class excellence and unmatched maritime history, it's no wonder Genoa is well on its way to becoming the capital of yachting.

salonenautico.com

Yachting capital of the world: meet the organisations putting Monaco on the map

Situated on the Mediterranean coast with three ports to its name, Monaco is the perfect location for yachting. Recognising this, several organisations have united to promote the Principality’s yachting prowess and encourage greater communication and engagement in the yachting community worldwide.

According to Prince Albert II, Monaco is not only the capital of luxury yachting, but most importantly, the capital of sustainable yachting. In order to promote the Principality on the world’s stage, ambitious projects have been launched by the following organisations: The International University of Monaco (IUM), Young Professionals in Yachting Monaco (YPY Monaco), Cluster Yachting Monaco and Onboard with Marcela.

Education and industry based activities and events, as well as top-down initiatives from government policy makers will highlight the excellence and sustainable values present in Monaco’s yachting. It is hoped that more people will get involved with the activity, connect with one another and succeed in the industry.

What are some of the projects?

There is something for everyone. Students can enrol in Luxury Management and Marketing degrees at the IUM and anyone aged under 40 can take part in networking events hosted by Young professionals in Yachting. For those with something new to add to the industry, the Mark Challenge is a business plan competition, which rewards the best innovative projects in Yachting. As well as this, Cluster Yachting Monaco works closely with the Monégasque government to implement change at a higher level.

>> READ ALSO: The world’s first book on superyachts published in Monaco

A Brief History of Superyachts

And how they explain the world..

Tim Murphy January+February 2024 Issue

James Clapham

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When the US targeted Russia’s oligarchs after the invasion of Ukraine, the trail of assets kept leading to our own backyard. Not only had our nation become a haven for shady foreign money, but we were also incubating a familiar class of yacht-owning, industry-dominating, resource-extracting billionaires. In the  January + February 2024  issue of our magazine, we investigate the rise of American Oligarchy—and what it means for the rest of us. You can read all the pieces  here .

The luxury yacht may be the world’s most exclusive form of transportation. But there are only a hundred-some that meet the definition of a gigayacht—a pleasure craft 295 feet or longer. Their opaque ownership records offer a glimpse of modern wealth and power: Over two dozen are linked to Gulf royals, businessmen, or states, and 20 to citizens (past or current) of the former Soviet Union. At least 23 have reportedly belonged to Americans, including founders of Microsoft, Netscape, Amazon, WhatsApp, and Snapchat. The widow of a German retailer who thrived under Hitler owned one; a UK tax exile and a Formula 1 dad still do. Yugoslav strongman Tito’s old yacht makes the list; Dominican dictator Trujillo’s does too. Take a cruise through the history of the vessels and their—somewhat—more modest sister ships.

1895: Nineteen years before World War I, the future King Edward VII of England punches his nephew, Kaiser Wilhelm II, in the face, after the German’s 121-foot yacht, Meteor II , defeats the royal Britannia in a race off the Isle of Wight.

1954: Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis ushers in an era of postwar one-upmanship with his 325-foot Christina O . It features a pool that converts into a dance floor, furniture made from whale foreskin, and pornographic carvings.

1963: During his final birthday party aboard the presidential yacht Sequoia , JFK chases future Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee’s wife, Antoinette, into the bathroom and gropes her. “I guess I was pretty surprised, but I was kind of flattered, and appalled, too,” she says later. The ship’s visitor logs are destroyed after Kennedy’s assassination.

1984: King Fahd of Saudi Arabia builds the record-breaking 482-foot Prince Abdulaziz .

1987: Sen. Gary Hart (D-Colo.) drops out of the presidential race just before photos emerge of him with model Donna Rice aboard the yacht Monkey Business .

1988: Donald Trump acquires Nabila , which previously belonged to the Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi and was featured in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again . He renames it Trump Princess , adds a disco, and changes the helipad’s “H” to a “T.”

1991: After one of Trump’s casinos files for bankruptcy, he sells Trump Princess to his bank—which flips it to a Saudi prince. A new yacht, the Trump Princess II , which he boasted would be “something in excess of 400 feet long, closer to 500 feet,” is never built.

British publisher Robert Maxwell’s body is found in the Atlantic Ocean, where he had been cruising on a 180-footer named for his daughter—the Lady Ghislaine . The vessel is eventually resold to Anna Murdoch, Rupert’s second wife.

1994: At a cocktail party on the oligarch Petr Aven’s yacht in the Caribbean, Boris Berezovsky meets Roman Abramovich, calling him a “nice boy who wanted to discuss commercial projects.” He and Abramovich begin working together to acquire Sibneft, a Russian state oil company.

1997: Construction ends on The Limited and Victoria’s Secret owner Les Wexner’s ­316-foot Limitless . The project was overseen by his good friend Jeffrey Epstein.

1999: Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison buys the 191-foot Izanami from a Japanese seller. He changes the name to Ronin , he said later , after “the local newspapers started pointing out that Izanami was ‘I’m a Nazi’ spelled backwards.”

2001: Months before Enron files for bankruptcy, former CEO Jeffrey Skilling asks a company executive for advice on finding a yacht broker. “This industry is known for crooks and thieves,” he warns Skilling.

2002: House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas) promises to strip “corporate kingpins of their ill-gotten gains,” after scandals rock Enron and WorldCom. “We’re coming after the yacht.”

2003: DeLay charges donors $500,000 a pop for tickets to a yacht cruise.

2005: Ellison shoots down rumors he issued orders midconstruction to have his newest yacht, the 454-foot Rising Sun , extended to outdo Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s recently launched 414-foot Octopus .

Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-Calif.) pleads guilty to federal bribery charges after being caught living rent-free on a yacht, called the Duke-Stir , that was moored in Washington, DC, and owned by a defense contractor.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s 531-foot Dubai surpasses Prince Abdulaziz as the world’s longest yacht.

2006: Media mogul Barry Diller reveals the world’s longest sailing yacht, the 305-foot Eos , whose prow features a 9-foot-tall sculpture of his wife, Diane von Furstenberg.

2007: Diller opens a Manhattan corporate headquarters­­ at a Frank Gehry­–designed building that itself has been likened to a sailboat . It’s across the street from where Eos ties up.

2008: George Osborne, the No. 2 official in the UK’s Conservative Party, relaxes on Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska’s yacht while vacationing with his family in Greece. He denies an accusation that he solicited funds, explaining in a statement that they discussed “Russian history” and drank tea.

2009: As his marriage falls apart, Tiger Woods retreats to a 155-foot yacht called Privacy .

2010: Abramovich’s new ship, Eclipse , surpasses Dubai as the world’s longest yacht. The 533-foot vessel features a submarine, anti-missile systems, and lasers to thwart paparazzi .

2011: During an unsuccessful suit seeking $5 billion he believed Abramovich owed him from the sale of Sibneft, an exiled Berezovsky claims that his former partner helped purchase the yacht Olympia for Vladimir Putin. When the BBC publishes a supporting account from another Russian businessman five years later, Abramovich’s lawyers dismiss the allegation as “a rehash of speculation and rumours.”

2012: As GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney faces criticism for holding investment funds in the Cayman Islands, his campaign invites donors to party on Cracker Bay . The ship, owned by the founder of The Villages retirement community, flies the Cayman Islands’ flag.

2013: UAE leader Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan launches the 593-foot Azzam , surpassing the Eclipse .

2014: The Wall Street Journal reports that Ellison has basketball hoops on “at least two of his yachts” and had someone follow in a smaller boat “to retrieve balls that go overboard.”

2016: Allen’s Tatoosh drags its anchor through a protected zone in the Cayman Islands, destroying 14,000 square feet of coral.

2017: After leaving office, Barack and Michelle Obama retreat to the South Pacific aboard David Geffen’s yacht, where they’re joined by Oprah, Tom Hanks, and Bruce Springsteen.

Abramovich’s business partner, Eugene Shvidler, blocks views of the Statue of Liberty while anchoring his 370-foot Le Grand Bleu in New York Harbor for a month.

Addressing the national Boy Scout Jamboree, Trump tells an anecdote widely assumed to allude to sex parties on a yacht belonging to the developer of the Levittown suburbs. “You’re Boy Scouts, so I’m not going to tell you what he did,” he said. “But you know life.”

Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) buys a yacht and on the same day votes to cut taxes on yachts.

2018: Rupert Murdoch is airlifted to UCLA after collapsing on a yacht trip with his fourth wife, Jerry Hall. “He kept almost dying,” a source tells Vanity Fair .

Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott designates a billionaire donor’s marina as a special anti-­poverty opportunity zone.

Someone unties Seaquest , a superyacht belonging to Trump administration Secretary of Education (and billionaire) Betsy DeVos, causing it to crash into a dock on Lake Erie.

Businessman Jho Low, who financed The Wolf of Wall Street , is accused of taking part in a $4.5 billion scheme to siphon Malaysian state development funds and using some to purchase a $250 million yacht.

2019: Actress Lori Loughlin is arrested in a college admissions bribery scheme . Her daughter, USC student Olivia Jade, is vacationing in the Bahamas— on a yacht belonging to USC board of trustees chair Rick Caruso.

Following an investigation into corruption in the Nigerian oil industry, the US government auctions off businessman Kolawole Aluko’s Galactica Star , six years after Jay-Z rented out the vessel for Beyoncé’s 32nd birthday. A former Enron unit attempts to claim a portion of the proceeds.

Clarence Thomas visits an Indonesian preserve for Komodo dragons with billionaire Harlan Crow on the conservative megadonor’s Michaela Rose .

ArtNet reports that a $450 million (reputed) da Vinci that was supposed to be in an Abu Dhabi museum has been spotted hanging in Mohammed bin Salman’s personal yacht, Serene .

Kylie Jenner holds her 22nd birthday party on Low’s yacht, now under new ownership.

2020: “[I]solated in the Grenadines avoiding the virus,” Geffen writes on Instagram from Rising Sun , which he purchased in 2010. “I’m hoping everybody is staying safe.”

Steve Bannon is arrested off the coast of Connecticut by US Postal Police while aboard the fugitive Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui’s 150-foot Lady May .

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. dresses up as a character from the TV show Trailer Park Boys for a costume party aboard a NASCAR mogul’s yacht. He later posts a photo of himself to Instagram with his fly unzipped and his arms around his wife’s assistant.

2021: NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre testifies that he took refuge on Illusions , a Hollywood producer’s yacht, after the Newtown and Parkland mass shootings. “I remember getting there going, ‘Thank God I’m safe, nobody can get me here.’”

During a bitter divorce, the Daily Mail reports that Tatiana Akhmedova, wife of the Russian Azerbaijani billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov, hired a team of British special forces veterans to seize his yacht, Luna , in an effort to enforce a Marshall Islands court ruling. They settle instead, and he keeps the boat.

Port Azure , dubbed the world’s first harbor designed exclusively for megayachts, opens in Gocek, Turkey. It bills itself as a place where “problems big and small go away.”

2022: Amid reports a historic bridge will be dismantled so Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ newly built Koru can leave Rotterdam’s shipyards, residents threaten to pelt the sailboat with eggs . The city changes plans.

A Ukrainian mechanic is arrested in Mallorca for attempting to sink a vessel owned by his boss, a Russian arms dealer.

Biden promises oligarchs he’s going to “take their ill-begotten gains” after the invasion of Ukraine. “We’re going to seize their yachts.”

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder avoids a congressional subpoena on the team’s misogynistic culture while cruising the Mediterranean on his yacht, Lady S .

Missing Russian superyachts are spotted waiting out sanctions at Port Azure.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) criticizes Joe Biden for vacationing in Delaware while vacationing on a luxury yacht in Italy.

After sailing through Fiji on his yacht Aquarius , briefly retired Disney CEO Bob Iger tells friends he misses his wife and is bored with life.

New York Republican congressional candidate George Santos brokers a $19 million deal to sell a superyacht called Namaste to a Long Island car dealer.

Bankrupt crypto exchange FTX reveals in court filings that founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s hedge fund once spent $2.5 million on a yacht, which a top executive named Soak My Deck .

2023: Bezos takes possession of Koru . The $500 million, 417-foot sailboat comes with a bust that resembles his fiancée Lauren Sánchez—and its own second, 246-foot “shadow” support yacht with crew quarters and a hangar for the helicopter she pilots.

After divorcing Jerry Hall, Rupert Murdoch vacations on the Christina O with Abramovich’s ex-mother-in-law.

As TV and movie writers and actors strike, the Wall Street Journal reports that Iger, now back at work, has been regaling visitors to his Burbank office about the new, longer yacht he’s building.

Measuring Contest

Iconic gigayachts through the years

1931: Sea Cloud , Marjorie Post: 359 ft.

1981: Atlantis II , Stavros Niarchos: 380 ft.

2003: Octopus , Paul Allen: 414 ft.

2005: Rising Sun , Larry Ellison: 454 ft.

2010: Eclipse , Roman Abramovich: 533 ft.

2013: Azzam , Sheikh Khalifa: 593 ft.

Illustrations by Anthony Calvert

The Few, The Loud

Some famous faces aboard gigayachts

Steven Spielberg reeled out his anchor off Cannes.

A part of Katy Perry got stuck exiting a dinghy on her way to Barry Diller’s yacht.

Mohammed bin Salman purchased his yacht, Serene , just hours after he saw it.

Jerry Jones made a draft pick aboard his Bravo Eugenia to deepen the Cowboys’ bench.

Mariah Carey was engaged to a gigayacht owner, before the fantasy ended.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related stories

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch: Walmart heiress' superyacht vandalized by activists in Ibiza

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