Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest man, has a new $500 million superyacht. The billionaire was spotted vacationing along the coast of Spain at Mallorca with his girlfriend and former FOX News media personality Lauren Sanchez. Commissioned for the Amazon founder in 2018, the yacht was built by Oceanco, a Dutch yacht builder.
The 127-metre Oceanco Koru (a Māori word meaning “new beginnings”), formerly known as Y721, is the largest yacht ever built in the Netherlands, as reported by BOAT International. In fact, it is also the world’s largest sailing yacht. The sailing superyacht first hit the water in August 2022 at Oceanco’s Alblasserdam shipyard and was transported to Rotterdam where her trio of masts was stepped. Unlike power boats, sailing yachts are propelled by the wind and are usually more eco-friendly. But what truly sets Koru apart and perhaps reaffirms ‘Succession’-fueled ‘quiet luxury’ phenomenon is the fact that it follows a rather traditional approach to its design. In a world of outrageously designed yachts, relying heavily on contemporary embellishments like helipads, the Koru opts for a minimal design language with classic lines, a black hull, white superstructure, and an overall retro silhouette. But, just like in the case of quiet luxury, don’t be fooled by its appearance.
Y721 is equipped with all the latest amenities, including a swimming pool, a helipad, and a gym. It also has a large main salon with a fireplace and a dining room that can seat up to 12 guests. The yacht has a crew of 40 sailors and can accommodate up to 18 guests. To put things into perspective, its 230-feet high masts are almost as tall as the Qutub Minar. Eagle eyed fans also spotted a mermaid sculpture on the bow, that bears a resemblance to Sanchez. The sculpture bears the symbol for Koru, which signifies new life, growth, strength, and peace.
The construction of Y721 encountered a controversy in 2021, when the Dutch government was accused of bending the rules to allow the yacht to be built. The yacht was too tall to pass under the Koningshavenbrug, a historic bridge in Rotterdam, and the government was accused of allowing the bridge to be temporarily dismantled so that the yacht could pass under it. The Dutch government denied the allegations and said that the bridge was only dismantled for safety reasons. It was later repaired and reopened to the public.
Y721 is the latest in a long line of luxury yachts owned by Bezos. In 2016, he purchased a $200 million yacht named the Flying Fox. The Flying Fox is 136 meters long and has a beam of 22 meters. It is powered by two diesel engines and can reach a top speed of 17 knots. Bezos’ new superyacht may not exactly be what you call a head turner, but in an age where the rich are being stealthier about their riches, it truly is a testament to quiet luxury.
Feature Image Credit: Joan Llado
