Every year, SuperYachts.com compiles a list of the largest yachts currently on the water. A yacht is a recreational boat. It was originally defined as a light, fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries.
Yachts are different from working ships mainly by their leisure purpose, and it was not until the rise of the steamboat and other types of powerboat that sailing vessels in general came to be perceived as luxury, or recreational vessels. Later the term came to encompass motor boats for primarily private pleasure purposes as well.
Motor yachts typically have one or two internal combustion engines that burn diesel fuel. Depending on engine size, fuel costs may make motor yachts more expensive to operate than sailing yachts.
Motor yachts generally fit into the following categories:
-- Day cruiser yacht (no cabin, sparse amenities such as refrigerator and plumbing)
-- Weekender yacht (one or two basic cabins, basic galley appliances and plumbing)
-- Cruising yacht (sufficient amenities to allow for living aboard for extended periods)
-- Sport fishing yacht (yacht with living amenities and sporting fishing equipment)
-- Luxury yacht (similar to the last three types of yachts, with more luxurious finishings/amenities)
Here is the countdown list of world’s top ten largest yachts. These great yachts are some of the most expensive toys with unique and luxury features.
At approximately 437 feet in length, the Al Miqab, is the 10th largest yacht in the world. This diesel-electric powered yacht was constructed as a successor to the owner’s 95 metre Oceanco yacht.The yacht belongs to Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister -- Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. The yacht was built at Peters Schiffbau Wewelsfleth yard in Germany. The yacht was launched in 2008 and is estimated to value between $250 and $300 million.Launched in 2008, Al Mirqab was once known as Project May, and while little technical information is known, the yacht has the incredible combined power output of 140,000kw.The yacht offers great comfort for all guests, which can accommodate 10 guests in 5 guest apartments with one VIP suite for the yacht owner. The apartments are large; each with their own bathroom, living room and double bedroom.The yacht has a crew of 60, who have their own small rooms. Some of the amenities on board include: a cinema, outside bars, inside and outside jacuzzi, sunbathing places and a helicopter pad. The yacht also has all the usual equipment for watersport entertainment.SuperYachtsBuilt by Fincantieri Yachts and designed by Monaco’s Espen Oeino designers, the Serene is the largest yacht ever to be built in Italy.The yacht began construction in 2007 and is considered to be one of the most technologically advanced super yachts currently being built. It features seven decks, two helicopter landing platforms, storage for a large submarine and a large internal seawater pool.SuperYachtsSavarona is a luxury motor yacht, which is available for charter. It is owned by the Republic of Turkey and is currently leased by Turkish businessman Kahraman Sadikoglu from the Turkish State. The ship was built by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg, Germany.In 1938, the Turkish government bought the yacht for ailing leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who spent only six weeks aboard before dying a few months later.Savarona features a swimming pool, a turkish bath, a 282-foot (86 meters) gold-trimmed grand staircase that survived from her original construction, a movie theater, and a library suite dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, which is furnished with many of his personal artifacts. Under its charter operator the yacht was available for charter for $200,000 to $400,000 per week, which included the crew but not provisions.SuperYachtsA motor yacht designed by the late Jon Bannenberg, and built by Germany's Lürssen. It was originally purchased by Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle Corporation, and is currently co-owned by Ellison and David Geffen. It reportedly cost over $200 million to build.It is equipped with 82 rooms on five stories with a total living area said to be in excess of 8,000 square meters, Jacuzzi bathrooms, a gymnasium/spa and sauna, an extensive wine cellar, a private cinema with a giant plasma screen and a basketball court on the main deck (can be used as a helicopter pad if necessary).SuperYachtsThe motor yacht is the property of the Saudi Arabian defense minister, Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz. At the time of its construction, it was the second largest motor yacht in the world, according to CNN. In 2009 it was 5th largest in the world but has moved to number 7 in 2011.Al Salamah is a private vessel, and is not available for public hire. It is estimated to be worth upwards of $200 million. Among the ship's amenities are a cinema, a library, a business center, a fully-equipped on-board hospital, two full-time beauticians, a gymnasium, and a spa, according to CNN.During its construction it was code named “Mipos,” standing for “Mission Impossible” because it was built after only 2 years and cost in excess of $200 million. She can accommodate up to 40 guests and 96 crewmembers and was last refitted in 2009, a decade after her first launch.SuperYachtsIt was a a Royal Yacht built for Isma'il Pasha, the Khedive of Egypt in 1865. It was built by the Samuda Brothers on the River Thames and designed along the same lines as HMY Victoria and Albert II, and remained in service with the Egyptian royal family until 1951.Presently, the ship is cared for by the Egyptian Navy, and is occasionally used as a Presidential Yacht. The ship goes to sea about three times a year, usually for just a day. The yacht is berthed out of Alexandria and is listed as a training ship by the Egyptian Navy, but it still has the capacity for carrying up to 160 crewmembers.SuperYachtsIt is one of the Royal Yachts of the Saudi Royal family and is one of the largest motor yachts in the world. The yacht was built in the 20th century, first setting sail in 1984.At its widest point, the Prince Abdulaziz measures 60 feet and has a superstructure and hull composed of steel. She can accommodate up to 64 guests and 65 crew members, carrying a gross tonnage of 5092 tons.SuperYachtsIt is a luxury yacht owned by the Sultan Qaboos of Oman. The yacht was ordered to be made in 2006, by Lürssen. The ship was code named Project Sunflower during its construction. It is currently the world's third largest super-yacht.Al Said was launched by the Lürssen shipyard in September 2007 and at the time of her launch she was the world's second largest yacht. The yacht was completed in the following months and delivered to her owners in 2008.The vessel features 6 decks and a concert room capable of accommodating a 50 piece orchestra. At its widest point, the ship measures nearly 79 feet across. The yacht can accommodate as many as 70 guests and up to 154 professional crew members.SuperYachtsDubai is the current name of a yacht currently owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai and the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. Although currently owned by the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, the yacht was originally commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei.This vessel is 531 feet, 10 inches (162 meters) long, is the second largest yacht in the world after Eclipse. Formerly known under the project names "Panhandle" and "Platinum", the yacht was built by Blohm + Voss and Lürssen.The vessel includes luxurious interior designs, including fine fabrics and handmade mosaics, a dramatic spiral staircase with color-changing glass steps, numerous VIP and guest suites and 7 decks. She also has a mosaic swimming pool, several Jacuzzis and the helicopter pad can service a helicopter in excess of 10 tons. The Dubai has room for 115 people including crew and guest staff and boasts a range of 8,500 miles.Sheik Mohammed has also been reportedly considering an extension to the Dubai yacht, adding up to 8 feet in order to reclaim the title of world’s largest. For now, however, it remains at the number 2 spot.SuperYachtsWith a reported price tag of nearly $1.2 billion, the Eclipse is not only the largest yacht, but also the most expensive. Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich's yacht Eclipse has received a huge amount of industry attetion, not just for its size but for the celebrity of its owner.Eclipse is a luxury motor yacht constructed by Blohm + Voss in Hamburg, Germany. Its exterior and interior are designed by Terence Disdale Design and its naval architect is Francis design. The vessel is also equipped with intruder detection systems and a German-built missile defense system, while bullet-proof glass and armor plating in the master suite and bridge.Eclipse has two helicopter pads, 24 guest cabins, two swimming pools, several hot tubs and a disco hall, according to the Sunday Times. It also comes equipped with three launch boats, and a mini-submarine that is capable of submerging to 50 metres. About 70 crew members are needed to operate the yacht.SuperYachts
