1. Rising Sun (above)
Size 453 feet
Owner(s) & Notoriety Larry Ellison (Oracle) and David Geffen (Geffen Records, DreamWorks SKG). The yacht was commissioned by Ellison specifically to be larger than Paul Allen’s Octopus. Geffen allegedly paid Ellison for the privilege of being able to use the yacht (rather than to appease Ellison’s financial advisors, as was the rumor).
Builder, Year Built Lürssen, 2004
Notable Features 82 rooms on 5 levels, 8,000 square feet of living space, Jacuzzi bathrooms, spa and sauna, onyx countertops, a wine cellar, and a cinema.
Original Purchase Price $200 million
Lürssen-built
It’s hard not to notice that our Top 3 all emerged from the same shipbuilders, namely Lürssen of Bremen-Vegesack, Germany. The family-run company dates back to 1875 and is now in its fourth generation of private ownership, crediting much of its success to its independence from shareholders and investors thus allowing it to deliver exactly what its customers want.
In its 136 years of business it has built a reputation for high-quality design, cutting-edge technology and discretion. It is also credited with building the very first motor yacht in 1886 and 13,000 vessels since then, ranging from navy frigates and fast patrol boats to fast ferries and, of course, superyachts including the first gas turbine mega-yacht in 1983.
In the rarified air of yachting, one finds the super yacht, floating palaces that house small communities of professional crew members, not to mention the latest technology and comforts for those prone to the water. Before launch, many are shrouded in secrecy, their breathtaking debut a long awaited cause for international celebration.
The American-owned yachts we spotlight are the 7th, 10th, and 24th largest in the world and are equipped with amenities that range from heliports to submarine docks and wine cellars to basketball courts; one’s imagination sets the limits.
After all, if you’re going to enjoy the beauty of the sea, you might as well voyage in the
lap of luxury.
2. Octopus
Size 413 feet
Owner & Notoriety Paul Allen (Microsoft) is known for throwing lavish parties on board Octopus during events such as the Cannes Film Festival, Monaco Grand Prix, and New Year’s in St. Barth, where he’s been known to entertain guests with his band. The underwater footage is donated for scientific research and the yacht has traveled to Antarctica – not the usual super yacht destination.
Builder, Year Built Lürssen, 2003
Notable Features 2 helicopters, a 10-person submarine, remote-controlled submersible that’s used to survey the ocean floor, music recording studio, swimming pool, screening room, and glass-bottomed floor for sea life viewing.
Original Purchase Price $250-300 million
3. Limitless
Size 315 feet
Owner & Notoriety Leslie “Les” Wexner (Limited Brands, parent company of Victoria’s Secret). The yacht’s mahogany tenders are by Serenella of Venice. There are allegedly no interior photos of the yacht because Mr. Wexner will not allow anyone on board to photograph it. However, its exterior design was one of the poorest-kept secrets in yacht building, not least because the former captain walked around with a sketch of the yacht on his t-shirt while it was being built!
Builder, Year Built Lürssen, 1997
Notable Features 25 knot top speed, F-16 fighter joystick control at the helm, dolphin camera in the bow, first yacht to feature diesel and diesel-electric propulsion and one of the first to feature Dynamic Positioning technology
Original Purchase Price $100 million (in 1997)
