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Unlike other industries, yachting does not seem at all affected by the current health crisis and various shortages. On the contrary, at the end of last year, sales were expected to exceed 1,100 units. SuperYacht Times internal intelligence system SYT iQ has shown that more than 1,000 new and used yachts were sold in 2021.
Of these, used ones were the most popular, with 738 sold, compared to 334 new ones. In terms of density of buyers, the United States has once again established itself as the main market for the yachting industry.
The most spectacular sale of the year was that of the iconic Octopus, one of the greatest explorers ever built. It made its market debut in 2019, a year after its famous owner, Paul Allen, passed away. Even after significant price drops, the gigantic Explorer still had a whopping asking price of almost $ 266 million, at the time of sale, in August 2021, making it the most expensive yacht sold last year.
Experts consider her to be one of the most spectacular ships of all time. At the time of its launch in 2003, there was no other boat comparable to the 414 feet (126 meters) that could literally go anywhere, anytime. It was impressive not only for its size but also for its capabilities. At this time, the trend from luxury private explorers to millionaires was only just beginning.
Octopus was born out of the Microsoft co-founder’s passion for wreck diving. Here is a man who could have created the ultimate floating palace for “self-centeredâ€Indulgence, but he chose to make his mega-yacht as useful as it is luxurious. How often do you hear about a private luxury yacht helping the Royal Navy? Well, that’s what Octopus did, on a trip to retrieve the bell from historic HMS Hood, at a depth of 1.7 miles (2.8 km). And that was just one of his lofty salvage missions.
Another of Allen’s greatest loves was music, so his bespoke Explorer had to integrate that as well. A large cinema and recording studio that would have hosted some of the biggest pop stars of the 90s made this a truly unique yacht.
Compared to these “unusual”treatyTypical luxurious features, such as a giant swimming pool, gym, library, and even a basketball court, seem unremarkable. Granted, it’s a pool with a rising bottom that turns into a dance floor, but it’s still not better to have a music studio on board.
Building Octopus was a phenomenal process in itself. It was a grandiose project for the German shipyard Lurssen, and the biggest project to date for Espen Oeino, who would go on to become one of the most famous designers in the world of yachting. He recalled that one of the biggest challenges was to create a hidden space not only for the typical range of water toys that a yacht would have, but also for two helicopters and a large submarine.
Yes, this gigantic explorer includes not one, but two helipads, and has enough room in its huge bespoke garage, for two helicopters, seven tenders, two life rafts, several jetskis, an autonomous robotic boat (ROV) and a large submarine. The Pagoo submarine, with enough room for eight passengers and two crew members, was custom built for the Octopus and can dive for up to eight hours, while the ROV can also run for hours, with remote control, looking for wrecks. .
In addition to its superb fleet of nautical vehicles, the Octopus also seduces its guests with numerous lounges, including one for observation, with a glass bottom. Another of its unique amenities is the fully equipped dive center, complete with a hyperbaric therapy chamber.
The classic and elegant interiors created by Jonathan Quinn Barnett are fit for a king, with sophisticated touches, like an antique bronze door from the 1930s. Up to 26 guests can be accommodated in 13 magnificent cabins, with an enormous crew of nearly 50 people.
The late Paul Allen described his yacht as more of a Land Rover than a Bentley. Built for exploration around the world, this sturdy vessel features a tough ice-friendly hull and diesel-electric propulsion system, with eight generators, making her a pioneer in cruising too. hybrid. Hybrid propulsion gives the Octopus increased range, allowing it to travel in the most remote areas, with a remarkable range of 12,500 nautical miles (23,150 km). When not on a transatlantic journey, the Giant Explorer can also reach speeds of 19 knots (21.8 mph / 35 km / h).
This spectacular sale also marks the first time that Paul Allen’s bespoke explorer will be available for hire. But this exclusive offer comes at a mind-boggling cost – while the most luxurious charter yachts typically cost $ 500,000 per week, the one and only Octopus costs $ 2.2 million per week. But a week aboard this yacht would undoubtedly be one of the most incredible experiences of a lifetime.
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