The 5 Most Expensive Yachts In The World

In this article, we discuss some of the world’s most expensive Yachts. As you already know, a luxury yacht is not only a means of transportation but also a sign of wealth and status that is only accessible to the world’s richest billionaires.

According to SailingeEurope, the word “Yacht” is derived from the Dutch term “Jaght”, meaning “hunter,” and refers to a quick, light sailing ship that was once utilized by the Dutch navy to chase pirates and other rogues. The term “jacht” quickly evolved to denote a vessel in which important people were conveyed, not just any old boat.

Over the years, yachts have been a symbol of luxury and extravagance. These sprawling vessels, which can be used for sports or leisurely cruising, come in a variety of sizes and designs. But why do yachts cost such a lot of money?

Yachts cost a lot of money for many reasons, which include the cost of design, construction, maintenance, customization, and insurance, to name a few. However, many owners feel that the luxury and prestige that come with owning a yacht outweigh the high cost of maintenance and purchase.

So let’s take a deep dive into the world’s most expensive yachts, their features, and their owners. 

The World’s Most Expensive Yachts

1. History Supreme – $4.8 Billion

The History Supreme, the most expensive yacht in the world, is made entirely of solid gold and is reportedly owned by Robert Knok, the richest man in Malaysia. The 100-foot-long yacht was built over the course of three years by renowned British luxury designer Stuart Hughes using 10,000 kg of genuine gold and platinum.

Gold and platinum are used to decorate the yacht’s base, dining area, deck, railings, stairway, and anchor. The most opulent area of the luxury yacht is the master suite, which has a statue made from Tyrannosaurus Rex bones and a meteorite rock feature on the wall. The master bedroom is embellished with a rare 18.5-carat diamond-encrusted liquor bottle and a 68-kg, 24-carat gold Aquavista Panoramic Wall Aquarium. 

2. Eclipse – $1.5 Billion

The second most expensive yacht in the world, Eclipse, is owned by Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich. Besides having an intruder detection system and a missile detection system, the yacht features two helipads, 36 guest cabins, a disco hall, two swimming pools, and hot tubs. It was built by Blohm and Voss of Germany and designed by Terence Disdale.

The Eclipse has 36 guest accommodations, two swimming pools, many hot tubs, three launch boats, and a mini-submarine, among other noteworthy amenities. For those on board who wish to dance and let loose, there is also a disco hall. Shells, bronze metal panels, mosaics, and fossilized wood were employed in the yacht’s design and sumptuous finish.

3. Azzam – $600 Million

The superyacht Azzam, which was ranked among the most expensive yachts in the world by 2023, was owned by the former ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, until his death in May 2022. It dethroned Eclipse as the largest superyacht when it was unveiled in April 2013. The company’s founder and designer, Mario Pedol, came up with its 180-meter length. The yacht has space for 80 crew members and 36 passengers in the boat’s large main saloon, which is open-concept.

The 590-foot-long yacht is reportedly one of the fastest, travelling at 35 mph. French interior decorator, Christophe Leoni created the opulent interiors, while Nauta Yacht designed the exterior. It is capable of making quick progress through warm, shallow water, thanks to a combined 35048 KW of power from two gas turbines and two diesel engines.

4. AL Said – $600 Million

The Sultan of Oman is the proud owner of the magnificent luxury yacht Al Said, which was created by none other than world-famous architect Espen Oeino. The yacht was given the name Project Sunflower while it was being constructed. Al Said, one of the most expensive yachts in the world, has room for 70 passengers in addition to its 174 crew members.

Along with the captain, AL Said can accommodate 174 other crew members and is also ranked seventh among the biggest yachts in the world. It was constructed by Lurssen Yachts and has an aluminium superstructure and a steel hull. Her two MTU engines enable her to reach a top speed of 22 km/h with 1,420,00 litres of fuel stored onboard the yacht.

5. M/Y A+, formally known as Topaz – $527 Million

The M/Y A+ is owned by Mansour Al Nahyan, a billionaire and the vice president of the United Arab Emirates. It is the fifth-most expensive yacht on our list. 147 meters in length and 21.5 meters in beam, M/Y A+ is one of the largest yachts and was launched in May 2012. However, there is a Yacht named  “Street of Monaco,” designed by Yacht Island Design in association with UK-based naval architectural firm BMT Nigel Gee, which is still in the design phase, would cost $1.1 Billion to build and may outrank M/Y A+ when it finally gets launched. 

The exterior of M/Y A+ was designed by Tim Heywood, while the interior was designed by Terence Disdale. Powered by engines specially designed by Lurssen 7,990 hp each, M/Y A+ is a displacement yacht capable of reaching a maximum speed of 25 knots and a cruising speed of 23 knots

The most expensive yachts in the world are a testament to the creativity and luxurious lifestyle of human beings and also a reminder of the vast disparities in wealth that exist in our world, as the yachts are symbols of wealth and power for their owners.