Private yachts are one of the greatest forms of modern luxury, and the largest private yachts in 2014 are spectacles unto themselves, opulent expressions of what wealth and perhaps a little vanity can buy you when you have the funds. Unlike exotic sports cars or even homes, yachts are exceedingly expensive, and the largest private yachts in 2014 can run into the hundreds of millions of dollars, rivaling a private jet in terms of costs.
To see what we mean by the costs of some of the largest and most outlandish modern boats, take a look at our previous feature on the Most Expensive Boats In the World. As you’ll see, the prices are quite incredible. Unlike a private plane however, which is used more as a private means of travel, a yacht is used not so much as a means of travel, but rather as one of relaxation and partying. There’s nothing quite like hoisting anchor and sailing out into the sea with 20 or 30 people aboard,, and partying until the sun comes streaking up out of the distant waves.
If that sounds like a dream experience, read on to find out the ten largest private yachts in 2014 that such dreams could be made on. These breathtaking and humongous ships will make you lament not being stinking, filthy rich.
10. Al Salamah
Length: 139.30m (457.02ft)
Launched: 1999
Builder: Lürssen Ship Yachts, Germany
Owner: Sultan bin Abdul Aziz (former Saudi Arabian crown prince)
Capacity & Performance: This ship is one of the largest private yachts in the world, capable of providing luxurious accommodations for up to 40 guests, while also carrying about 96 crew members on board. The maximum speed it can reach is 21.5 knots, which is 24.7 mph, and the cruising speed is 17 knots or 19.6 mph, with 840,000-liter fuel tanks.
9. Ocean Victory
Length: 140m (459.32ft)
Launched: 2014
Builder: Fincantieri Yachts, Italy
Capacity & Performance: This luxurious ship will be delivered at the end of 2014. It has recently started sea trials. Designed and engineered by Espen Oeino, this seven-deck super yacht possesses six pools and is capable of carrying a 14m tender in a tender garage.
8. Yas
Length: 141m (463ft)
Launched: 2011
Builder: ADMShipyards, UAE
Owner: UAE (United Arab Emirates) Navy
Capacity & Perfomance: This remarkably large ship was designed by Pierrejean Design in Paris, with an elegant exterior view of fluid curves and a brilliant structural casing of glass, along with a capacity of about 60 guests. Heavy and strong hulled, with a lightweight superstructure assuring a maximum speed of 26 knots, a cruising speed of 20 knots, and environment-friendly fuel economy. Because of its high speed and 141m length, it was initially named ‘Swift141’.
7. El Horria
Length: 146m (478ft)
Launched: 1865
Builder: Samuda Brothers, London, UK
Owner: Egyptian Navy
Capacity & Performance: This luxurious yacht has a steel-made hull, with a capacity of carrying up to 160 crew members on board at a maximum speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 13 knots. It is ranked seventh among the 10 largest private yachts of 2014.
6. Prince Abdulaziz
Length: 147m (482ft)
Launched: 1984
Builder: Helsingor Vaerft, Denmark
Owner: Abdullah ibn Abd al-Aziz (King of Saudi Arabia)
Capacity & Performance: Maierform Maritime Technology was the designer of this adorable yacht. Having a strong steel hull, with an 18.30m (60ft) beam and a 4.88m (16ft) draft, it is capable of 22 knots maximum speed with a cruising speed of 18 knots. It offers luxurious accommodation for 64 guests, while also carrying up to 65 crew on board.
5. Topaz
Length: 147m (482ft)
Launched: 2012
Builder: Lürssen Ship Yachts, Germany
Owner: Sheikh Mansour (deputy prime minister of UAE)
Capacity & Performance: This 147m long ship was designed by Terence Disdale and Tim Heywood Design, with a 21.50m (70.6ft) aluminium beam. The maximum speed it can reach is over 25.5 knots, and it provides a massive accommodation capacity.
4. Al Said
Length: 155m
Launched: 2008
Builder: Lürssen Ship Yachts, Germany
Owner: Sultan Qaboos, Oman
Capacity & Performance: This magnificently long and sophisticated yacht is designed by Espen Oeino and Redman Whitely Dixon, with a capability of 25 knots maximum speed, and a cruising speed of 22 knots. It has a strong steel hull and aluminium structure with a 24m beam and a 5.2m draft, offering luxurious accommodation for around 70 guests and 154 crew on board.
3. Dubai
Length: 162m
Launched: 2006
Builder: Platinum Yachts, UAE
Owner: Sheik Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum (Prime Minister of UAE)
Capacity & Performance: Dubai is the world’s third largest yacht of 2014. Designed by Andrew Winch, it has outstanding capabilities with a range of 8,500 miles at 25 knots and a maximum speed of 26 knots. It can accommodate more than 115 people in total, including guests and crew staff.
2. Eclipse
Length: 164m (533ft)
Launched: 2010
Builder: Blohm + Voss Hamburg Shipyards, Germany
Owner: Roman Abramovich (Russian Businessman)
Capacity & Performance: Though detailed features of this luxurious yacht are being kept a secret, it is believed to possess 24 guest cabins, with carrying of up to 70 crew on board. This giant yacht also has two helicopter pads, two swimming pools with numerous hot tubs, and a huge disco hall. It also carries a mini-submarine and three landing boats.
1. Azzam
Length: 180m (590ft)
Launched: 2013
Builder: Lürssen Ship Yachts, Germany
Owner: Khalifa Al Nahyan (president of UAE)
Capacity & Performance: Azzam is in first position among the ten largest private yachts in 2014. It was designed by Eng. Mubarak Saad al Ahbabi, is capable of attaining top speeds of over 32 knots powered by an arrangement of two diesel engines and two gas turbines. Having a beam of 20.8m and a shallow draft of 4.3m, it can achieve that high speed in both warm and shallow water, while also providing luxurious, comfortable and sophisticated accommodation facilities for a huge number of people.
