The newest super-yacht dubbed a 'moving island'
by Lisa Mylchreest on 6 Mar 2010
Why so wide SW
When does 'so much' become 'too much'? Mega-yachts for the super-wealthy have long been labelled ludicrously lavish and preposterously pretentious, but just how far can you go?
A Monaco-based boat designer in collaboration with a famous French ship building company debuted a yacht so large at the recent Dubai Yacht Show, that it has been dubbed a “moving island.”
The luxury craft — called WHY 58x38 — will be made by yacht brand Wally in collaboration with luxury purveyors Hermes. When finished, it will measure 58 metres long by 38 metres wide, and resemble a floating grand piano - that's a total of 3,400 square metres.
On the positive side, Wally and Hermès have used green energy to save 20 to 30% fuel and 40 to 50% electricity consumption on board. There are 900 sq. meters equipped with solar panels, producing a daily output of 500 kW.
It’s built to accommodate 12 guests (plus 20 crew). It can reach speeds of 14 knots.
WHY’s sleek, low profile still houses three storeys: a ‘master’ space; ‘guest’ spaces; and ‘common’ areas. The back end of the boat contains its own pool and a 30 metre “beach” front.
It consists of three decks, and as well as the pool there is a spa, helicopter pad, sauna, gym and massage room, a promenade of 130 meters, a music room, a dining room, a cinema,more sun decks, suites, terraces, a lounge, and a bibi. The decks are connected by stairs but there is also an elevator.
Construction has yet to begin. It will cost an estimated $160 million (U.S.). By the standards of super-elite yachting, though, that price is relatively modest.
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s 557-ft (168 metre) Eclipse has its own anti-paparazzi lasers, missile jamming system, a pair of helipads and a 5,000 sq. ft. master bedroom. It cost $350 million to build.
Plus, it’s an all-important six feet longer than Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s boat, which also came with a $350 million (U.S.) sticker price. The leader of Dubai creatively dubbed his yacht, Dubai.
It's designed, and supposedly there's an owner in view, but there are no announcements about that yet! Watch this space.
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