Yacht Elysium Auction Taking Place This Month

Gibraltar-based Howe Robinson Partners is handling the a-is-where-is auction of the yacht Elysium. Not just another superyacht, she’s arguably one of the most customized Sunseekers ever delivered.

From 2018, Elysium is a Sunseeker 131 Yacht (the same series as the yacht Take 5, from 2016). The owner who commissioned this particular project, a repeat customer, took abundant advantage of the UK builder’s Bespoke service. Exclusive to Sunseekers exceeding 100 feet (30.5 meters), it affords buyers broad ways to tailor layouts and décor. For example, although the series from the start accommodated 12 passengers, this owner relocated the master suite. Specifically, it’s aft on the upper deck, replacing the skylounge. Full-height windows and sliding-glass doors to the outside make it look and feel more open and brighter. Therefore, what’s traditionally the master suite, on the main deck, is instead a larger-than-usual VIP.

Further owner-requested features include creating a gym near the master and moving and redesigning internal stairways because of the above-mentioned room changes. Outside, meanwhile, the yacht Elysium has even more custom touches. The owner relocated the sundeck’s hot tub to sit fully aft rather than fully forward. Notably, he wanted a full second helm forward instead, with a longer hardtop overhead providing full shade, too. Speaking of relocating, Elysium stows her primary tender on the swim platform instead of in a garage. Finally, for his and his guests’ enjoyment, the owner added a second hot tub in the bow.

Even with all of the alterations, the buyer of the yacht Elysium won’t have to do much structurally if he or she wants a more typical Sunseeker 131. For instance, the shipyard pre-installed supporting under-deck hardware for a bow davit to handle a RIB.

Overall, the yacht Elysium has a neutral décor, with pale oak paneling throughout. Flair comes through a stone sole at the entry to the saloon from the aft deck and complementary stone topping counters.

All bids for the 345-gross-ton megayacht, an Admiralty Marshal’s auction, are due by January 28. Bidders can arrange onboard visits prior to the auction, by contacting Howe Robinson Partners. Although the Marshal has declined to reveal the reserve, the yacht was for sale for €13.95 million in 2019. The auction is part of an effort to recoup funds for a Saudi princess who, court records show, provided money to the yacht’s owner, Ron Gibbs, to invest. Court records further show that despite requesting her investment funds back, she did not receive them. The yacht is among multiple assets of Gibbs that are frozen and in receivership, to prevent him from selling them and therefore provide the princess with the money owed.

Howe Robinson Partners hrpauctions.com

LOA: 131’4” (40.05 meters)

Beam: 26’5” (8.09 meters)

Draft: 8’9” (2.7 meters)

Guests: 12 in 6 staterooms

Engines: 2/3,140-hp MTUs

Range: 1,500 nautical miles at 10 knots

Builder: Sunseeker

Stylist: Sunseeker

Naval Architect: Sunseeker

Interior Designer: Sunseeker