It's that time of year when we reflect on what has happened over the last 12 months. Yesterday we looked at the largest yachts launched in 2011. Today we review the top 10 largest yachts that were delivered to their owners this year.
Before we do, a quick observation: there was speculation a few years ago that the demand for really big yachts would disappear for a variety of reasons, one of them being the fact that they are too big to access the world's most desirable harbours. Yet if anything the opposite seems to be true. Last year saw three 100m+ deliveries, and this year has seen the launch and delivery of two yachts exceeding 130 metres. And there are several other major projects under construction, so expect to see lots of changes in our list of the largest yachts in the world over the next few years.
In terms of deliveries in 2011, the year definitely belongs to Feadship which has no less than four yachts in the top 10, with a combined total length of 334 metres. However, in first place is the largest yacht ever built by an Italian yard...
Serene | 133.9m | Fincantieri
Serene is one of the most impressive superyachts ever launched. Styled by Espen Oeino and Reymond Langton Design, her seven decks and 4,500 square metres of interior space accommodate a hangar and two helicopter landing pads, a large seawater swimming pool and a submarine with a diving depth of up to 100 metres. There was an exclusive feature about her in the December issue of Boat International magazine. Read more about the delivery of Serene
Musashi
87.78m | Feadship - De Vries
Yachts owned by Oracle-founder Larry Ellison invariably bear a Japanese inspired name and Musashi, his latest yacht built by Feadship’s de Vries’ yard in Makkum, is no exception. She's the sister ship of Fountainhead (see below).
Fountainhead
87.78m | Feadship - De Vries
Launched in May, Fountainhead is the third Feadship XL. But she’s also the sister ship of Larry Ellison’s Musashi, launched in 2010 but delivered in 2011. Both yachts share the same design from De Voogt and Sinot Design, and they are the flagships of the Dutch yard.
Valerie
84m | Lürssen
Previously known by the project name of Firebird, all we know about Valerie at this point in time is that she was designed by Espen Oeino and Reymond Langton.
Air
81m | Feadship - De Vries
Although 81 metre Air is slightly smaller than the vessel she replaces – the 90.1m Lürssen Ice – she retains the look and returned her owner to the yard that built his previous vessels, Feadship-De Vries. Available for charter, she made a brief appearance at the Antigua Show earlier this month.
Amaryllis
78.43m | Abeking & Rasmussen
Amaryllis was launched in August and delivered in November. She is a sister ship of Eminence, C2 and Titan. According to a number of sightings, it seems she is currently moored in Edinburgh, which is a pretty good place to see in the New Year!
Tango
77.7m | Feadship - Van Lent
Tango is a departure from typical Feadships. For example, the interior layout by Eidsgaard Design has six guest cabins situated on the main deck and an owner’s suite on a dedicated private deck above them.
Pegaso
73.61m | Freire
Pegaso was built to Lloyd’s commercial research vessel standards, and features an ice-class hull, commercially certified helipad, and 5 person submarine. She has a range of 10,000 miles at 14 knots.
Sapphire
73.55m | Nobiskrug
Sapphire is an updated version of the 73.15m Siren, which was initially built for the same owner. She was also designed by the Newcruise Yacht Projects + Design team and built by Nobiskrug. Sapphire was sold to a new owner in April.
Talisman C
70.54m | Proteksan-Turquoise
Talisman C is the largest yacht ever built by Proteksan-Turquoise. H2 Yacht Design is responsible for her beautiful lines. Her predecessor, also called Talisman C, was sold in January.