Megayachts attract attention no matter their size. Even the most jaded yacht-watcher, however, is impressed when something significant in size hits the water. Here are the top 10 biggest megayachts to make—or about to make—their way into their owners’ hands this year.
1. Ocean Victory: 459 feet (140 meters). Fincantieri delivered Ocean Victory just a few weeks ago, so she’s also the “youngest” member of this list. More significant, however, she’s the largest yacht ever constructed in Italy. An underwater observation room, a spa, a drive-in tender garage, and a stow-away helicopter are among the few features that Fincantieri has been permitted to reveal. Espen Øino penned her external lines, while Alberto Pinto fashioned the interiors.
2. Maryah: 393’7” (120 meters). Judging from AIS data, delivery of Maryah was imminent at press time. She left the Elefsis Shipyard in Elefsis, Greece in mid-December for the port of Piraeus. Sea trials were completed in October. Once referred to as Project Czar, Maryah bears exterior and interior design by H2 Yacht Design. Little is known about her, though rumor has it a private cinema and business conference room are aboard.
3. Quantum Blue: 341’2” (104 meters). Still at Lürssen at press time, Quantum Blue should also be delivered before 2015 starts. Tim Heywood penned her lines, and Alberto Pinto fashioned the interior. The build and design teams have been kept to strict confidentiality clauses, so no details on accommodations or decor are known.
4. Kismet: 312’3” (95.2 meters). Another Lürssen, Kismet thankfully has been publicized, in large part due to being a charter yacht. She commands quite the rate: €1.2 million (about $1.5 million) per week, plus expenses. A spa and sauna are aboard, and rich decor details abound. Another fact about Kismet has been publicized widely, too: Her owner is Shahid Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars football team. He brought Kismet to London in November, when his team was playing the Dallas Cowboys there. She replaces a smaller megayacht (which he also christened Kismet) from Lürssen in 2007.
5. Equanimity: 300’2” (91.5 meters). Oceanco delivered Equanimity (see top of page) to a Chinese customer over the summer. Twenty-six people in the owner’s party are accommodated, with the VIP stateroom doubling as a library when not needed for sleeping. A 215-square-foot (20-square-meter) swimming pool is on deck. The owner has a private hot tub just outside of the master suite.
6. Infinity: 290’4” (88.5 meters). Publicly known simply as Y710 until about a week ago, when her name broadcast via AIS was changed, Infinity is another imminent delivery from Oceanco. She has been in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, since just prior to Christmas. Infinity launched in August and conducted sea trials in October. Few details are known about her, though she’s voluminous, to say the least, coming in at 2,200 gross tons. Oceanco has been able to reveal that Infinity features a private alfresco area outside the master suite, complete with a hot tub, along with two VIP suites and four additional guest staterooms. Espen Øino is responsible for styling.
7. Graceful: 269’0” (82 meters). Blohm+Voss completed this yacht, initially begun in Russia in 2011 and arriving at their yard as a hull, in 23 months. Styling is by H2 Yacht Design. Graceful (above) has an indoor pool that becomes a dance floor when not in use. Also impressive: The owner’s suite spreads over two decks. Five staterooms are set aside for guests.
8. Kibo: 268’4” (81.8 meters). This summer, Abeking & Rasmussen delivered Kibo (above), which has spent the past month in Barcelona. Styling and interior design is by Terence Disdale Design. Her layout is unusual: All guest accommodations and entertaining areas are on the main and upper decks. Kibo carries three custom Pascoe tenders, too. The yacht is strictly for private use.
9. Cocoa Bean: 242’1” (73.8 meters). Spending her first full winter season in the Caribbean, Cocoa Bean was built under the code name New Horizon by Trinity Yachts. She’s Trinity’s largest project to date. Cocoa Bean is a family-oriented yacht, with interior design by Evan K. Marshall. She succeeds a smaller, same-named project built in 1998 by the now-defunct Broward Marine. Unlike most megayachts these days, Cocoa Bean stows her tenders up along the sides of her superstructure.
10. Grace E: 239’5” (73 meters). The third and largest Vitruvius yacht launched by Picchiotti, part of the Perini Navi Group, Grace E wowed crowds during her debut at the Monaco Yacht Show in September. The entire upper deck is a “wellness deck,” including a sauna, hydrotherapy area, and gym. The five-deck-high Grace E features interior design by Remi Tessier Design. We’ll have a Megayacht News Onboard feature about Grace E in the coming weeks.
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