Yacht Pelorus for Sale: 7 Decks for 24 Guests and 46 Crew

One of the largest private vessels in the world, the yacht Pelorus is seeking new owners. It’s an opportunity to step aboard not just a large yacht, but also one that was a game changer for her era.

With a volume upwards of 5,400 gross tons, this 377-footer (115-meter) was the biggest launch from Lürssen upon delivery in 2003. Furthermore, she was among the top 10 largest yachts from any shipyard globally at that time. A Saudi national commissioned her, selling her after about a year to Roman Abramovich, the then-owner of the Chelsea Football Club soccer team in the UK. Equally high-profile owners followed, including David Geffen, the American media executive. Since she was strictly for private use through all of their hands, the features aboard the yacht Pelorus were largely outside the public eye. That didn’t stop persistent rumors—debunked—from circulating, though, like having an anti-missile system and a submarine for detecting mines.

Given her dimensions, including a beam of 56 feet (17 meters), the yacht Pelorus offers extraordinary spaces for owners and guests to enjoy. Unusually for a build from the early 2000s, she incorporates several deploying balconies. For instance, two complement the main saloon and dining area. More significantly, another fold-down platform benefits one of the lower-deck guest staterooms. On the same deck, the gym becomes partially open air thanks to an opening balcony, too.

Speaking of the guest staterooms, the configuration aboard differs from what you’d expect of a 12-cabin yacht. Just three staterooms are below decks. Two sit on the main deck, with the majority on the upper deck. Yet a further notable difference, the staterooms can adapt for up to 36 passengers.

Naturally, among all the staterooms, the master suite is the pièce de resistance. Spanning the full beam, and with a butler’s cabin, it has direct access from one of the two helipads. Serenity awaits in the sleeping area (will forward-facing views nearly all around), private lounge, and office. Similar to the rest of the yacht Pelorus, the décor is island casual, replete with woods, leathers, and more.

Amid her seven decks (with elevator service), Pelorus promises cruises as active or as laid-back as you wish. For example, she has sizable stowage for watertoys and gear, from limo tenders to PWCs, kayaks, slides, and dive equipment. Skip the on-land dance clubs for your own private club, since the upper-deck lounge and bar transforms, complete with a lit dance floor and great sound. Kick back with popcorn in the cinema, or seek soothing treatments in the spa below deck. Besides the already mentioned gym, a massage room and a beauty room, along with a steam room and plunge pool beckon. While a handful of pools are aboard, the sundeck’s pool has contraflow jets. The sundeck additionally includes a hot tub with an ample sunbed all around it. Both are in proximity to a bar and a dining table ideal for enjoying lunch or happy hour straight to dinner.

Finally, the cabins for 46 crewmembers include accommodations for up to five personal staff. Even if you opt for 36 guests, the crew-to-guest ratio is strong.

Well-maintained especially through refits, Pelorus was valued among the most expensive megayachts in the world even a decade after delivery. With a DNV special survey coming up in April, the yacht has an asking price of €160 million (about $167.7 million at press time). She’s a joint central agency of Burgess, Merle Wood & Associates, and SuperYachtsMonaco.

Burgess burgessyachts.com

Merle Wood & Associates merlewood.com

SuperYachtsMonaco superyachtsmonaco.com