Gentleman spy James Bond may be known for his love of fast cars and fancy gadgets, but agent 007 has also spent a fair share of time at sea on board a number of sailing yachts, superyachts and speedboats. To celebrate the highly anticipated release of the 25th Bond film, No Time To Die, we take a look at the best boats to be featured in the movie franchise.
No Time To Die: Spirit 46
In the latest James Bond instalment, No Time To Die (2021), James Bond is seen enjoying his (temporary) retirement in Jamaica on board a 14 metre Spirit 46 sailing yacht. As well as using the yacht for a day of fishing out on the water, 007 sails her to Cuba for an undercover mission in partnership with new agent Paloma.
Built in Ipswich by British yard and official James Bond partner Spirit Yachts, the boat is a custom-made modern classic characterised by long overhangs and flush decks. She can reach 18 knots underway and acquired her “well-loved” look by forfeiting her scheduled winter refit prior to shooting, revealed Spirit Yachts CEO Sean McMillan.
Casino Royale: Soufrière
In 2006 film Casino Royale, which introduced new James Bond actor Daniel Craig, a 16.4 metre Spirit 54’ named Soufrière was used to host 007 and Bond girl Vesper Lynd (played by Eva Green) as the couple cruised through the waters of Venice in Italy. Filming took a total of six months and involved shipping and cruising the modern classic sailing yacht to various locations around the world. The yacht even made history as the first sailing yacht to go up the Venetian Grand Canal in 300 years, a process that involved removing and replacing the rig as many as 10 times to ensure the yacht could fit under multiple canal bridges in Venice.
Casino Royale: Sunseeker predator 108
In contrast to the traditional-looking Spirit 54’ used in scenes with Vesper Lynd, a speedy Sunseeker Predator 108 motor yacht is also used in the 2006 Bond film Casino Royale. The 32.92 metre motor yacht was used in the movie as the boat of Bond villain Le Chiffre. Featuring a distinctive monochromatic hull, the Sunseeker superyacht can hit top speeds of 40 knots and can accommodate up to eight guests and four crew on board.
GoldenEye: Northern Cross
In the 1995 Bond film GoldenEye, which was the first in the franchise to feature actor Pierce Brosnan as the main character, a 43.25 metre superyacht named Manticore plays a starring role. In the film, the yacht is owned by the Janus crime syndicate and is used by Bond girl Xenia Onatopp, played by actress Famke Janssen. In reality, the yacht used for the role of Manticore was actually named Northern Cross. Constructed in aluminium by Swedish shipyard Marinteknik Verkstads AB, she was delivered in 1991.
Her exterior and naval architecture were designed by Per Kavli. Her 330 GT interiors, styled by Tor Hinders, can accommodate up to 10 guests and eight crew. Under the power of two Caterpillar diesel engines, Northern Cross can reach a top speed is 24 knots and boats a cruising range of 1,800 nautical miles at a speed of 15 knots. She features a pale grey hull and and a flybridge with an al fresco lounge.
Never Say Never Again: Kingdom 5KR
In the final film to star Sean Connery as James Bond, a superyacht named Flying Saucer is used as a base for Bond villain and SPECTRE agent Maximillian Largo. In actuality, the superyacht the starred in the 1983 film Never Say Never Again was Benetti superyacht Kingdom 5KR. Measuring 85.9 metres with an interior volume of 1,768 GT, Kingdom 5KR was designed by Jon Bannenberg and delivered in 1983. Her interiors, penned by Luigi Sturchio, can accommodate up to 22 guests waited on by 31 members of crew. Once owned by former US president Donald Trump, the yacht features a distinctive turquoise stripe along her hull and boat.