PHOTO: ANDREA FRANCOLINI
On March 30, Apoise will be sold to the highest bidder at auction – but not for the reason you might assume.
The 220-footer’s owner, Dave Ritchie, bought the megayacht in 2006 upon retiring from the company he cofounded, Canada-based Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. The intention was to sell her after two years, but a funny thing happened along the way: “I enjoyed the yacht so much that we ended up cruising for four years,” Ritchie says in a statement. He adds, “I always planned to sell the yacht with Ritchie Bros.; I really believe in the auction system.” Ritchie Bros., founded in 1958, only holds unreserved auctions, believing it’s the fairest method to all parties.
Apoise is certainly one of the most well traveled Lürssen launches in recent years. The photo at top was taken during a visit to Australia, for example – but the shot below is perhaps the most famous of all, taken by an amateur shutterbug while Apoise was making her way along the Kiel Canal just prior to delivery. Other stops over the years include Alaska, the Caribbean, and the Med.
Besides enjoying the superyacht for personal cruises, Ritchie often entertained Ritchie Bros. customers onboard. There are accommodations for 12 throughout the six decks, including the 1,399-square-foot owner’s suite on the main deck and a VIP suite on the bridge deck. Apoise also has a gym and bar on the upper deck.
Bids will be accepted in person at the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, online in real time, or by proxy.
UPDATE, MARCH 30: The yacht sold for 34,750,000 euros, or about $46.6 million.
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