Whilst not fitting the term “Luxury real estate,” in the traditional sense of the word, i.e. on land, the current crop of giga-yachts or mega-yachts certainly fall under my definition of the word. Massive, spectacularly-outfitted floating mansions in fact.
Conspicuous over consumption? Absolutely. Insanely expensive? Oh yes. Most of the final prices are carefully kept secret. Either that, or no one actually knows how much they cost.
Introducing “A” – the most recent member of the giga-yacht club, and to put things in perspective, the fuel tank is 757,000 liters. Diesel fuel costs around €1.40 per liter currently, so it would cost just over €1 million to fill the fuel tank. $1.4 million US just to fill the tank. That amount of fuel will last 15.5 days at cruising speed. So the cost of building the ship becomes a little academic when the running costs are taken into consideration. I am exaggerating slightly as I have no doubt they are not paying retail for the fuel, but you get the idea. Seeing as the owner also owns one of the largest coal companies in the world, I very much doubt the cost of fuel is an issue.
"A"
I was lucky enough to see “A” up close and personal recently and she is spectacular. I won’t say I like the design because it is so odd, but spectacular aptly describes her and it certainly grows on you.
You could hear the sound of penises shrinking from as far away as San Remo when “A” dropped anchor in the bay of Cannes recently. You could hear the sound of Billionaire’s accountants calculating the cost of building a more spectacular boat about thirty seconds later.
These photos were taken from a small tender and give an idea of the size of her. Click on any of the photos to see a full size image.
To give an idea of the scale, this is the author (yours truly) doing a little “showboating.”
“A” is 118 meters long, and from whichever angle you see her is perfect, not a poor line in sight. I understand there are three swimming pools aboard, an owner’s suite, 6 guest suites and accommodations for 42 staff, which includes 5 guest’s staff.
I was not fortunate to be invited aboard, so this is from the spec sheet.
Viewed from the stern.
Even these pictures do not really show the scale, and while there are larger mega-yachts around, none quite like this one. She was surrounded by smaller boats come to get a closer look, and all the other mega-yachts in the bay were strangely quiet, or quietly pulling up anchor to move to a less conspicuous part of the coast line – out of sight.
It is difficult to estimate the final cost of “A” but conservatively – 150 million Euros? The owner is Andrey Melnichenko, a Russian energy billionaire and financier. Mr. Melnichenko owns some pretty luxurious real estate on the Cote D’Azur, but I am also hearing a rumour that he is in fact the mystery buyer of La Leapolda. Unconfirmed as yet. She certainly is a beautiful piece of design and engineering, and here are some more photos from all sides.
All of the above photos are copyright – Mark Knowles. If you want to take one and add it to your own website, please just take one and add a link back to this post for the rest.
“A” was built by Blohm & Voss, in Germany, and was previously designated SF-99, then “Sigma,” when the design went over 99 meters. The design was by Phillipe Starck, and has come in for some considerable criticism. You either love her, or hate her. The absence of any protuberances was one of his goals, and as you see from the photos, everything blends perfectly. In Mr. Starck’s words,
We worked for five years to avoid any small details like that which are common in boats… to finally have a boat which looks like the computer rendering. Such a boat is the vision, the dream.
As you can see from the original computer design, he certainly achieved his goal. Hard to tell which is real and which is the rendering.
The technical specifications are certainly impressive, and if you are interested, this is a link to download them:
ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Data and Facts on Motor Yacht “A” – PDF Download
Mr. Starck himself has an “eclectic” design philosophy, and this video makes interesting viewing.
No one has yet been allowed to take any photographs of the interior, but I understand it is as unusual as the exterior design, and includes some very special teak paneling.
The design detailing includes the tenders. (For those of you without a nautical bent, tenders are the small boats used to ferry the owners from ship to shore, fetch booze and cigars, or whatever else may be needed from the main land etc). In fact the tenders are works of art in their own right. Also designed by Phillipe Starck, there are two aboard, along with a high speed RIB by Pascoe. 11 meters long and built specifically for “A” by Vaudrey Miller in New Zealand. One is an open design, the other with a cabin, or “Limo-style.”
All in all a beautiful boat. Radically different design certainly, and it is rather entertaining to listen to the gossip about the various billionaires who have been planning a competing boat since this one was first announced. No matter what Mr. Starck might say about not caring about the size, it is all about out-doing your peers. Nothing says “I have a bigger one than you do,” like actually having a bigger one, although, in this case, it is just a “better,” one.










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I just had drinks on this lovely yacht in San Diego. I think the owner rufied my drink so I left. Millionaires…
We sailed around her within a few feet off Sausalito this afternoon.
Her fittings and finish are without equal. Why didn’t she make into
The Power & Motor Yacht August issue of the “100 Largest Yachts”?
This beautiful boat is in Monterey Bay today. Certainly not your typical “purse seiner” that was used to haul in sardines back in the day! John Steinbeck would probably comment “That’s not a working mans boat!”
This big lady is anchored in Santa Barbara, CA today, August 29th, 2010
Took our 32′ tugboat out to see her. What a beautiful ship.
The tender came through the harbor going about 15 knots though, just like it owned the place which was VERY rude and unsafe. Too bad those with ao much money think they rule the world and can do as they please.
I hope
I saw her last Monday, moored in Santa Monica bay, off Marina del Rey. To far out for me to note details. Sure gets around though.
She passed outside Angeles Gate (Port of Los Angeles) at 1700 yesterday …
As a volunteer at the TopSail Youth Program sailing the offical TallShips of Los Angeles I thought we were big stuff ….. actually we are, we change the lives of the “at-risk” kids we sail with
This guys operating costs for one month could keep us going for more that a year ….. What’s his phone number?
Saw this beaut in Los Cabos last weekend (9/25) — any idea why it was flying an Aussie flag?
This yacht is beautiful any clue as to where I could order one
The flag isn’t Aussie it’s Bermuda. She is registered in Hamilton. Most megas are registered in Caymans, Bahamas or Bermuda
Ashton Kutcher and Demi were cruising aboard “A” this Holiday / Christmas season in the Caribbean. According to … http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/jXvZ6kPoHkh/Stars+Hanging+Out+Russian+Billionaire+Roman
“A” – An INCREDIBLE piece of Art!
Should bring it down to Los Suenos marina here in Costa Rica. I think the design is absolutely stunning! I would suggest the owner buy one of those private submarines, if he hasn’t already, so he could rule both above and beneath the waves.
Its sitting outside of window at the Viceroy Anguilla right now. The view of it from our terrace is spectacular. Stunning!
the A YACHT is the most beautiful yacht that every came to the island where i live when the A YACHT is in like it is now i dose spend alot of time on the beach looking at it.if u seen the A YATCH in the day and u think you see the beauty of it you must see it at night.its like a viller on the sea all light up.
She’s was in Road Harbor Tortola BVI yesterday and is off of Peter Island this afternoon. Her awesomeness is simply stunning close up, from a distance, day or night. I hope to get some shots of her later.
the ICON was in here a few weeks ago but pales next to A
I had the great pleasure of seen this mega yacht in Marina at Casa de Campo ,Romana Dominican Republic.
Megayacht A was in the British Virgin Islands the week of January 18th, 2010. We saw her anchored off of “the Baths” on Virgin Gorda. Pretty strange yet impressive looking yacht. Must be nice to be able to piss money away like that.
Correction – meant to say week of January 18th , 2011 not 2010 – sorry
This beauty has been outside the Viceroy for the past 2 days. It is stunning at all times of the day with the light reflecting off of it.
I had the opportunity to see A very close in Malta, awsome, just beautiful, a unique yacht. It was very nice to watch in Malta’s grand harbour to be honest as it was a massive contrast to the natural 1500 grand harbour backdrop! We have often visits from all these ultra sized yachts but this is a one of a kind.
Cheers from Sunny Malta!
Ditto, we saw this beauty in front of the Carimar in Meads Bay in Anguilla the last week of January. Stunning ship.
Saw her anchored 2 miles off Anegada in the BVI’s on valentines day. didnt get close enough for a good look but highly recognizable.
This beautiful and very unique looking yacht is docked in the Perry Berry area of St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda in the West Indies (Caribbean)….when I came down the hill and first laid eyes on it….I was shocked at how “stealthy” it looks….and it was amazing to see the difference from the many other yachts that sail to the island yearly….what a sight! February 24, 2011
I wish i could see that boat,hope he does nt go past Somalia,or Lybia.Keep trak of it guys!
Is this boat designed as a submarine also… able to withstand large tidal waves caused from earth’s December 2012 pole shift ???
I go to Maine every summer to spend time at my summer home in jefferson and go to Mere Point were my cousin live a lot and always see these huge yachts….not quite the mega ones but the are still huge. So jealous of those rich guys and gals that can afford these things, I wish I had that money!
I wonder how many A-list Hollywood celebrities have come to embrace the magic of coal-powered energy upon being entertained on the A. No doubt we will soon see several PSA’s featuring Hollywood actors describing coal as a gift from Mother Nature to her children – straight from her loving womb!
Heart Botinger & Roi helped building this Luxury yacht!
Is it true?
Wow I would like to see this boat too, very breath taking!
Nisha recently posted..Golf Holidays in Portugal
I was lucky to see this yacht in dry dock in a spanish shipyard and I have to say that the render drawings don’t have anything to see with realty. The underwater part of the ship is completely different and also is the some areas of the rising part.
She is moored off the coast of Ibiza outside my villa in Cala Jondal – no doubt whoever is lucky enough to be aboard is probably enjoying the Blue Marlin tonight !!!! Beautiful yacht
Seen anchored off Ibiza today 14th july 2011. Looks like a warrior.
I seen this docked in Palmanova Majorca this July when on Hols WOW!! It was there for a few days couldnt take me eyes off it… amazing.. it reminded me of a submarine tho!!
Ho incrociato questo magnifico e strepitoso yacht l’ultima settimana di luglio 2009 in Italia, precisamente a Lipari (isole Eolie della Sicilia). UNICO! Ho scattato alcune foto e volevo scoprire da queli cantieri fosse stato costruito un gioiello di stile, eleganza, perfezione come questo yacht di lusso. Veramente sorprendente!
wow that is one outstanding peace of art clap clap clap all we can say KaSo Boys
deze jacht ligt momenteel in de baai van saint tropez
Today the yacht is anchored in front of my house in Ostia ( Roma).
mamma mia !!
Saw this amazing yacht 2009 and again july 8th 2011 son caliu majorca from our apartment thats what you call gavin money
Absolutely gorgeus design, i been in one of those in Palmanova Majorca is just crazy.
I’ve seen this yacht in Costa Smeralda Sardegna today. Probably in Cala di Volpe bay. I was in Cala Sabina, too far from her to locate correctly. I hope to see her tomorrow and to go closer.
N
What a great post! I am imagining my self in that wonderful yacht and how I wish to have that kind of luxurious property someday. But for now maybe it was just a dream. I will badly need to work hard for this. Big thanks and keep sharing.
Charles A
Anchored off Capri today
Saw her anchored outside the Marina Grande in Capri today (of the coast of Sorrento)
Was moored in Formentor Bay, Mallorca on Saturday 3rd September. Stunning
We saw the stunning mega yacht in Palma Nova heading towards Portals Nous, Mallorca on Friday 9th September 2011.
I saw this special yacht design in the harbour of Palma de Malorca the 08.sept.11.
I was sitting on the beach watching “A”.
As a ship designer from Norway , it was a interesting view.
Saw her on 14 September 2011 in Cartagena marina. Have some fab pics . Would love to have a peek on board and a glass of something!. If you are reading this Mr Owner I am happy to reply to any invite sent.
Made In Heaven
x
Spotted “A” in Palma, Majora on 20th October. Wow!!! Stood out from all the other yachts, cars were stopping for a “second take” and passers by couldn’t believe their eyes, it really is some piece of work!!!
I have just returned from a family holiday in Majorca. We were lucky enough to see this magnificent super yacht – up close & personal. Alas, we were not invited on board but we did notice that violinists were playing at the entrance to welcome the guests. We feel lucky to have seen it and admire it close up.
What a yacht! That was a fantastic shoot. I wonder if it’ll come here in the Philippines? And you guys were lucky to see it face to face. We should have a close-up and inside photo of this amazing yacht!
spotted the A of Patong beach, Phuket on the 09/01/12. I got to do a few laps around her on a jet ski I hired. Its some peice of art.
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