Sailing Yacht A
Owen Murphy
| 26-03-2024
· Information Team
Compared to top-tier luxury cars and limited-edition supercars, luxury yachts are indeed the epitome of dreams.
Only the ultra-rich with bottomless pockets can afford this unparalleled mode of transportation.
Customizing a sea-going yacht entails more than just having a swimming pool; it might also require accommodating speedboats and helicopters for convenience. Moreover, fuel, maintenance, and repair costs demand substantial wealth. Thus, yachts are typically the domain of Middle Eastern royalty, American tycoons, and billionaires worldwide, symbolizing status and wealth that are hard to surpass.
Currently, the global fleet of super yachts continues to grow.
The world's elite spare no expense in flaunting their wealth. Tycoon Andrey Melnichenko, for instance, spent $465 million to create the world's largest superyacht, "Sailing Yacht A," a dream realized. Its length spans approximately two standard football fields if placed on land.
According to available information, this sailing yacht was transformed from a previously named yacht, "Motor Yacht A," after its upgrade. Upon completion, it measures 143 meters in length, weighs 12,000 tons, boasts eight decks, and features a helicopter pad and an underwater observatory, accommodating 20 guests and 54 crew members.
Besides its peculiar shoe-like shape, the yacht's most notable feature is its three masts, each towering over 100 meters high, surpassing even Big Ben by 4 meters!
The technological prowess of this super yacht is remarkable. Its masts are made of carbon fiber, making them among the tallest and strongest composite independent structures globally.
Moreover, it employs a high-tech CNC system operated via black glass touch panels for control, representing cutting-edge navigation technology. With this system, crew members can adjust sails or drop anchors with a simple touch, making it one of the most technologically advanced sailing yachts globally.
Designed by French designer Philippe Starck and constructed by German shipyard German Naval Yards, Nobiskrug, it utilizes a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system alongside controllable pitch propellers to deliver power. The yacht can reach a maximum speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 15.6.
Named "Sailing Yacht A," the "A" is derived from the initials of the wealthy couple's names. Additionally, there's an interesting reason behind the name: in superyachts, rankings sometimes prioritize names over length or volume. To ensure their yacht ranked first, Melnichenko cleverly chose "A" to secure the top spot on the leaderboard, displaying meticulous planning!
Of course, why did Andrey Melnichenko build such an extravagant yacht? Because he had the capital. According to Forbes rankings, Melnichenko is 97th on the global billionaire list, with an estimated net worth of around £6 billion, stemming from investments in banking, oil, and fertilizers.
Currently, Sailing Yacht A is undergoing sea trials in Kiel, Germany, allowing the German populace another glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the wealthy.