The world's largest yachts 2012

Going into a new year it's interesting to take a new look at the list of the biggest and most luxurious yacht (alot) of money can buy you.

This is the list of the world's top 5 largest yachts:

Eclipse 165 m
Dubai 162 m
Al Said 155 m
Prince Abdulaziz 147 m
El Horriya 146 m

Eclipse yacht

The largest private yacht launched in 2010 was the Blom+Voss Eclipse. A late delivery but probably worth waiting for, this is a spectacular private yacht. 

The eclipse is a remarkable yacht in many regards. It's size, 163 meters, 535 feet, is out of this world which the name also suggests. It was the largest private yacht launched in 2010 eclipsing the competition. The second largest the Katara was a "mere" 124,4 meters or 408 feet. The vessel belonging to russian billionaire Roman Abramovich also features bullet proof glass and armour plated areas. It has two helicopter pads

foto by frankartculinary licenced under cc

Wallypower 118

The Wallypower 118 is an amazing study of design and function.

This is the first of ten yachts that we will feature as examples of good yacht design. The Yacht was built in 2002 to an exceptional standard, and price.

A fast 36 meter motor yacht blending with its environment, floating gently but vigilant, always reflecting the weather and light in it's fiberglass side. It is a beautiful display of cutting edge technology and architecture.

The Wallypower 118 does not come cheap, it will set you back a handsome 33 million US. If that strains the liquidity there is also a more affordable version at 22 million available for those who can sacrifice on performance.

The construction required advanced water tank and wind tunnel testing, the latter at Ferrari's facility in Maranello. Composite fiber glass make up the hull while the superstructure is light weight carbon fiber. A material used extensively on board. Every inch of the yacht has been examined for possible weight saving opportunities. (The toilets are supposedly made out of carbon fiber)

The result is a super yacht capable of cruising at 60 knots with a maximum speed in the seventies. A truly amazing performance for a yacht this size. But it takes some power to reach this spine tickling speed. Three gas turbines at 5,600 HP each are the main motors. Two diesel engines at 370 HP each are extra engines for range extending. Under the waterline two KaMeWa waterjets propels the vessel forward. As a result the boat uses fuel faster than you can pour it, about a liter of fuel per second at top speed.

Under the deck there are two luxurious guest bedrooms and one master bedroom with two en-suites. Three crew cabins accommodates up to six crew members.

The minimalist design on the yacht is taken to the extreme. There is a total absence of visible antennas, winches or anchors. Everything is cleverly hidden away making the deck a flush carpet of teak. The tender garage is situated in the bow and concealed by the teak floor.

The Wallypower 118 is a yacht destined for a place among the classics. It is exceptionally cutting edge, while at the same time transcending current trends.

More pictures to come.

More information and video:
http://www.wally.com
http://www.youtube.com

Photo by Vikars flickr

SKAT Yacht

Photo 1 by Jeff83180 flickr, Photo 2 by pixelcollector flickr 

The construction on SKAT began in in 1999 and it was launched in 2002. It cruises at 15 knots with a max speed of 17 knots. SKAT is 70.70 meter (233 ft) long. The controversial design, sometimes described as militaristic, is by Espen Øino. The style is truly different from most other private yachts but works very well in our opinion. It is anything but traditional, turning heads like few other yachts out there. For the untrained yachtspotter this boat can easily be mistaken for a millitary ship, because of it's angular design and gray color. The straight lines and symmetry suggests a precision fittingly for a man working in the computer business. The owner is Charles Simonyi who made his fortune as a software engineer working on Microsoft's Office programs. He is also a two time space tourist to the international space station.



Features included are a gym, two tenders, and motorcycles. The helicopter accompanying SKAT is fittingly painted in matching gray color. It is A McDonnell Douglas model with a NOTAR system, meaning it does not have a traditional rear rotor but a system of wings. It is described as safer and quieter than a traditional rotor based helicopter. The benefits of a more silent helicopter are increased comfort, but also less noise for your surroundings.

The name SKAT is danish for treasure or tax and can be used as term of affection. The yacht can take 10 guests and 16 crew members.

Yachts and Helicopters

Here is a collection of Yachts carrying helicopters

Pelorus in St. Tropez

Photo by Rockies flickr
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Princess Mariana
Photo by theadrian flickr
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Ice with an EC-135

Photo by garyhymes flickr

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Meduse in Antibes with a McDonnell Douglas NOTAR (no tail rotor) helicopter

Photo by Rock n Soul flickr

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Le Grand Bleu

Photo by Petrafjord flickr

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Lady Christine
Photo by Sebastien.b flickr

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Skat in the Grenadines with a MD 520 NOTAR (no tail rotor)
Photo by jeff83180 flickr

Top Ten Yachts by Length

This is a list of luxury yachts by length. The total for the list is 1,414 kilometers or about 0.878 miles of floating luxury. To put the list in perspective the Eiffel tower is 324 m tall, antenna and all, while a tennis court is 36 m long.

• Eclipse 167.6 (2009)
• Dubai 160 (2006)
• Al Said 156.2 (2007)
• Prince Abdulaziz 147 (1984)
• Al Salamah 139.2 (1999)
• Rising Sun 138 (2004)
• Al Mirqab 133 (2008)
• Octopus 126 (2003)
• Savarona 124 (1931/1992)
• 8th wonder 123 (2009)

Yacht by Philippe Starck

The Design of Philippe Starck's motor yacht A is dividing yacht aficionados worldwide. It seems that either you love this submarine-looking vessel or you love it less, to put it politely. We admit that we are leaning to the second option.

 A in Oslo, Norway, in front of the Akershus Festning.

Photo 1 by stigkk flickr, Photo by Floden flickr

Our skepticism regarding the design is not because of the creative front part or the overall lines. They are great in our opinion. The bow is actually very efficient making the yacht capable of higher speeds in higher waves. It is the little things, like the windows, that seems a bit odd. The theme of the boat is a minimalist one with straight windows along the superstructure, but on the hull there are oval windows. These windows look too traditional because of the dominant straight lines and minimalist design. There is also something about the superstructure. The first row of windows are vertical while the next two rows lean backwards exactly on top of each other. Maybe choosing one style would have worked better visually on this yacht. The effect is that the yacht looks like a mixture of several parts, good by themselves, that in the end do not blend well.

We think that the shape presented in this yacht is very good, and understand that many may disagree about the small things pointed out above. However, the good thing is that this yacht has challenged stereotypes and conventions creating a debate in the design community which brings yacht design forward.

Facts 
Launched 2008 by Blohm + Voss, Germany
Naval Architect: Martin Francis and Design: Philippe Starck
Length: 119 m / 387 ft
14 guests
42 staff
Cruising speed 19,5 knots
Max speed  23 knots
12,070 HP
Range 6500 nm
4 quantum zero speed stabilizers
Helipad on the forward deck
3 tenders 

 Photo by Pedro da Silva flickr

Yacht A in a Norwegian fjord

Photo by margit86 flickr