Ten superyachts to buy in time for Christmas
It’s the ultimate gift — just don’t try to fit it under the tree. By Stewart Campbell
When you own a superyacht, you can forget about Christmas in the British drizzle because the place to be is St Barts — last year more than 130 superyachts packed into the anchorage off Gustavia. If your dream is to be invited for lunch on David Geffen’s mammoth 138m Rising Sun, or knock back grappa at the bar on Aristotle Onassis’s Christina O, then choose between the boats below for your chance to open your presents in the Caribbean hotspot.
Santa Maria
Commissioned by Henry Ford II in 1961, Santa Maria evokes a golden age of gentleman yachting. This 33m classic was built by Feadship and has been maintained impeccably ever since. Channel your inner David Niven and don a cravat when cruising on this one.
Listed with Edmiston, asking €5.95 million
Phoenix 2
Arguably the apotheosis of art deco styling at sea, the 90m Phoenix 2 was built by Lürssen in Germany and is on sale for the first time since its delivery in 2010. With an interior inspired by the New York skyline, you won’t find a better way to live out your Gatsby fantasies.
For sale with Burgess and Cecil Wright, asking €124.95 million
El Caran
David Bowie megafans with €4.5 million to spare should be queueing up for this 39m yacht delivered in 1977 because it was once owned by the Thin White Duke himself. It was built in Italy by Benetti, and a look inside reveals a comfortable interior featuring pops of colour, perfect for living out your golden years.
For sale with Fraser, asking €4.5 million
Khalilah
If your ambition is to be Insta-famous, don’t miss this chance to buy the most papped superyacht on the planet, 50m Khalilah. Built in 2015 by Palmer Johnson, this golden trimaran will turn heads from St Tropez to St Vincent.
For sale with Fraser, asking €24.9 million
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Blush
Owned by former Formula One boss Eddie Jordan, Blush won’t be taking too many line honours on the regatta circuit, but for stately, stable cruising — and tons of space for friends and family — you won’t find much better than this Perini built in 2007.
For sale with Camper & Nicholsons, asking €12.495 million
Mousetrap
Anyone that has ever owned a Logitech computer mouse helped to build this 33m sailing catamaran. Commissioned by Daniel Borel, co-founder of the tech firm, Mousetrap has been well proven over the years, criss-crossing the Pacific from Alaska to Auckland. Will you click with this French-built yacht?
For sale with Y.CO, asking €24 million
Flag
Tommy Hilfiger has always loved the “look and feel of yachting”, designing his fashion brand around an aspirational sailing lifestyle. He bought Flag in 2017 and decked it out in his classic reds, whites and blues — but now this 62m Feadship is for sale because Tommy needs a bigger boat for all the grandkids.
For sale with Burgess and Merle Wood & Associates, asking €39.5 million
Hanuman
This is your chance to own one of only nine J Class yachts in the world. Hanuman is a modern interpretation of the America’s Cup yachts of the 1920s and 1930s, built in 2009 for the tech pioneer Jim Clark, founder of Netscape. A sailing machine with a classic interior, Hanuman is also the name of the son of the Hindu wind god Vayu, so you can forget getting becalmed.
For sale with Burgess, asking $14.9 million
Lady Lara
The most expensive superyacht (publicly) available for sale is 91m Lady Lara, built by Lürssen and delivered in 2015. This is the ultimate pampering platform, with a dedicated spa area complete with hammam, beauty salon, treatment rooms and a fully equipped gym.
For sale with Y.CO, asking €230 million
Savannah
You can watch Santa scuba into the anchorage on board Savannah, which comes complete with a “Nemo lounge” — a saloon offering a view beneath the water. This 83.5m Feadship is for sale for the first time, and comes with a novel engine set-up, making it one of the most efficient yachts in its class.
For sale with Edmiston, POA
