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The World’s Largest Full-Rigged Sailing Ship (21 Photos)

by twistedsifter

At 439 feet in length, the five-masted, 42-sail Royal Clipper is the largest full-rigged sailing ship in the world.

With 19,000 square feet of open deck and accommodations for up to 227 guests, the Royal Clipper is a sight to behold.

Inspired by the legendary tall ship Preussen , Royal Clipper has the proud distinction of being the largest and only five-masted full-rigged sailing ship built, since her predecessor was launched at the beginning of the 20th century.

Technical Data

  Tonnage: 5,000 Length: 439 feet Beam: 54 feet Draft: 18.5 feet Sail Area: 56,000 Square feet Mast Height: 197 feet Total Staff: 106 Passenger Capacity: 227 Masts: 5 Masts, 42 Sails

Royal Clipper Interiors

Royal Clipper Cabins

Royal Clipper Dining

For more information visit the Star Clippers official website

Categories: BEST OF , DESIGN , TRAVEL Tags: · boats , cruise ship , largest , sailing , top , world record

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5 Biggest and Magnificent Sailing Ships of All Time

Ships with sails were the vogue in the bygone days. Technology in the form of engines surpassed these marine marvels, with better speed and thereby higher efficiency.

However, even though their utility value diminished their novelty and uniqueness still continues to linger. Over the years, many replicas of sailing ships have been created.

Some of these replicas are used as cruise vessels while some just provide a feel of the years-long gone by.

Detailed below is a compilation of five of the biggest ships with sails of all time which would help in providing a better insight into these unparallel vessels:

1.    Barque Sedov

Originally known as the Magdalene Vinnen II, the sailing ship was built in Germany in 1921 and was mainly used as a cargo ship until the year 1936 in which she was converted into a naval training vessel.

After the Second World War, she was handed over to the Soviet navy and her name was changed to Sedov after the famous Soviet explorer Georgy Sedov. The most unique aspect about the Sedov is that at the time of construction, in addition to the four sailing steel masts, it had an ancillary engine built.  

At present after nearly 90 years past her construction, the Sedov is still in operation and is used as a training vessel for cadets from the Russian universities of St. Petersburg and Murmansk. The biggest sailing ship is also a participant in many of the tall sailing ships’ races held across the world.

2.    Royal Clipper

The Royal Clipper is a cruise ship that is built on the lines of the Preussen – a five mast sail ship that was built in the year 1902. At present, the Royal Clipper is regarded to be the world’s largest sailing ship with five masts that are rigged fully.

The cruise ship offers a Mediterranean cruise during the summer while offering a Caribbean cruise during the winter. As one of the tall sailing ships, the Royal Clipper finds a place in the esteemed Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest sailing ship with squarely rigged masts.

3.  Preussen

The German ship Preussen was the largest sailing ship wonder at the time of its launch at the start of the 20 th century. Artistically ingenious, the ship’s hull was made of steel and was powered by five fully rigged masts. At that time, the sailing ship boasted of being the only vessel to have five masts with fully rigged sails.

Used as a cargo ship to transport nitrate in the South American continent, the Preussen with an untimely end when a Brighton – a steamer ran it down.

4.  Juan Sebastian Elcano

Also known as the Juan Sebastian de Elcano, the schooner was built in the year 1927 and is third among the world’s tall sailing ships.

Named after Juan Sebastian Elcano, the man who commandeered the fleet during Ferdinand Magellan’s last expedition, the ship sail is presently used as a training vessel for the Spanish Royal naval forces. A steel-hulled four-mast sail ship, the Juan Sebastian Elcano is a very popular ship with sails.

5.  Thomas W. Lawson

Built by the Fore River Ship and Engine Co. based in Massachusetts in the year 1901, the Thomas W. Lawson was a seven-mast schooner used mainly for the purpose of hauling coal and oil by the Eastern Coast of the United States.

However on account of the huge size and bulk of the ship, in her later years, she was used only for the purpose of oil cargo transportation and was regarded as the first sailing tanker vessel in the world.

Thomas W. Lawson formed a very important role in the sail ships of its era because of the fact that it was operated without the support of any ancillary engines.

A storm on the island of Scilly caused the ship to be destroyed beyond repair and 16 crew members from the original total of 18 lost their lives in the accident.

These ships with sails are an important part of the world’s marine heritage. Over the years, many further developments will take place which will carve many innovations to the existing marine pool of vessels but it would be difficult to pinpoint how much these developments will affect the inheritance passed on by these biggest sailing vessels.

You may also like to read- The History of Ships: Ancient Maritime World

12 Sailing Books For Beginners 

Disclaimer:  The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine Insight.  Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendations on any course of action to be followed by the reader.

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One Comment

I have this 10 x 13 signed photograph of the ‘2nd’ Preussen (there was 2), with a handwritten copyright dated 1929, in mint condition. It would be interesting to find out its value.

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Boat of the Week: Inside the 7-Year Quest to Build ‘Dream Symphony,’ the World’s Largest Sailboat

Dream symphony may be the most amazing boat we'll never see. years after its owner dropped the project, it sits idle in a turkish shipyard., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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Size matters: If Dream Symphony is ever completed, it would dwarf the 289-foot Maltese Falcon, currently the world’s fourth-largest sailing yacht.

When Dream Symphony was first announced in 2014, the yachting world was all aflutter. At 462 feet in length, it promised to be not only the largest yacht produced in Turkey, but the largest sailing yacht ever built (except for the sail-assisted motoryacht Sailing Yacht A, which is technically more motorsailer than sailboat).

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Even more incredible is that Dream Symphony was to be constructed entirely out of wood. The use of epoxy laminated iroko (African teak) forms an integral part of boatbuilder Dream Ship Victory’s vision to successfully bring laminated wood into modern shipbuilding. The yard has a successful track record. In 2013, it delivered the 212-foot Mikhail S. Vorontsov , built entirely out of laminated mahogany.

At more than double the length, Dream Symphony is a much larger technical challenge. Of course, the biggest challenge since its announcement seven years ago has been finding an owner—or rather a second owner. After the initial brouhaha about the world’s largest sailboat, Dream Symphony went dark.

The sleek, minimalist hull works well with the yacht’s 462-foot length.  Courtesy Ken Freivokh

“The original owner pulled out when the Ukrainian crisis came about,” Dream Symphony ’s designer Ken Freivokh told Robb Report . “The project went on up to a point, a bit slower, but now we’re looking for a new owner.”

Actually, the project has been stalled. Freivokh shared images of a partially built hull inside the shipyard, and he says it has since progressed, but not to the point where it’s anything resembling his majestic renderings. While gigayachts in the motoryacht segment are being ordered and delivered with regularity, the world’s-largest sailing yacht will require a very special owner.

When—or if —the yacht is completed, it will be worth the wait. Dream Symphony reunites the same A-team that conceived the iconic sailing superyachts, the 350-foot Black Pearl and 289-foot Maltese Falcon . The hull design and engineering were completed by Dykstra Naval Architects, while Freivokh was responsible for the interior and exterior.

“Building the largest sailing yacht is what the shipyard owner has always wanted to achieve,” says Freivokh. The shipyard’s preference for wood is based on the material’s renewable and recyclable properties. But the yard’s principals take it a step farther by asserting that wood produces a vessel of “equal or even greater strength” than steel and aluminum.

An early image of Dream Symphony under construction. The build has progressed, but is still waiting for an owner to see it to completion.  Courtesy Ken Freivokh

It has not been smooth sailing, though. When Dream Ship Victory approached RINA to certify construction, the Italian marine agency balked. It had never certified any wooden vessel over 98.4-feet in length. There followed an exacting process managed by Dykstra Naval Architects, involving composite experts Gurit, and exhaustive testing by laboratories at the Delft University of Technology in Holland and Italy’s University of Messina. The results satisfied RINA to certify construction and the build began.

“It’s almost the equivalent of a huge composite build,” said Freivokh. “The epoxy lamination is quite a complex system, but it preserves the wood, which means it should last a long time and behave very predictably.”

The original owner called for elegant use of wood across the interior. “The idea was to express the beauty of wood, so the owner was keen to have a fairly classic interior, and even the exterior is a modern interpretation of a classic,” says Freivokh. “At one point, we considered a contemporary style like Black Pearl , but the owner resisted that in favor of something more traditional, so it stands as a four-masted schooner.”

The four masts tower 229.7 feet above the water, carrying furling staysails on Hoyt booms with a total sail area 54,680 square feet. If built, the boat will also have a diesel-electric propulsion system for a maximum range under power of 5,900 nautical miles. A two-deck atrium with a spiral staircase is twinned with an owner’s duplex apartment spread across two decks. The “convertible conservatory” links the owner’s living quarters with the main lobby via an glass winter garden that opens to the elements. More glass features in the double-height glass swimming pool on the aft deck, with a bottom that rises to serve as a dance floor or helipad. Like motoryachts its size, Dream Symphony was designed with a spa, treatment rooms and gym.

The interior is designed to be classic, rather than contemporary, using mahogany throughout.  Courtesy Ken Freivokh

Freivokh is now working on two other wooden superyachts currently in build at Dream Ship Victory, and is finalizing a 243-foot yacht for Turquoise, another Turkish yard. “Owners who want to build in wood still remain in the minority, but it’s highly personal and some just love the passion of associated with beautiful old classics,” says the designer.

Perhaps. But the new owner has to be willing to take on a much larger technical challenge to claim the title of world’s largest sailboat.

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Sea Eagle II: The inside story of the world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht

• June 17, 2020

Rupert Holmes talks to the build and design teams behind the 81m Royal Huisman flagship Sea Eagle II, which recently completed her sea trials off the coast of the Netherlands

Royal Huisman has an enviable track record of producing superlative sailing superyachts , with hundreds of projects completed to date. Yet the latest vessel to leave the shipyard is extraordinary even by these standards. She is the world’s largest aluminium yacht and is one of the top ten biggest sailing yachts ever built. 

Sea Eagle II is a magnificent 81m/266ft three-masted Panamax schooner, created by the same Dykstra and Mark Whiteley Design collaboration that produced the stunning 56m/186ft Royal Huisman ketch Aquarius just over a year ago. 

Her very experienced owner has sailed all his life and spent a lot of time at sea. “ Sailing around the world in the weekends is a phrase often used to outline his days on board,” says Royal Huisman project manager Arjo Spans. He is also a repeat client – the original Sea Eagle is a 43m/143ft Frers/Rhoades Young design launched by the Dutch yard in 2015. 

Sea Eagle II is due to be delivered to her owner in July 2020. Photo: Tom Van Oossanen

Initially the brief for the new boat was for a more classical yacht, similar to the 79m/259ft three-masted gaff schooner Athena , which Royal Huisman built for Silicon Valley mogul Jim Clark in 2004. However, the owner quickly realised he would prefer a more modern yacht: a fast-looking hull shape with straight lines, long waterline and plumb bow. The concept of Sea Eagle II was born. 

“Having worked with him to build the original Sea Eagle , we understood the owner’s priorities from the start,” says Spans. “These are: low maintenance, functionality, and safety, including ease of moving around the yacht, even when heeled at sea.

“For each of the key aspects of the boat he asked for three proposals, he would then choose one of them and leave us to implement it,” Spans adds. “He put a huge amount of trust in the shipyard and in our craftsmanship.”

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The scale of this yacht is nothing short of astounding. The sleek hull lines belie the 4m/13ft freeboard and the two-tier deckhouse, including a half-raised bridge, looks entirely in proportion. The main deck-level accommodation has a huge expanse of glass, with the 360º view interrupted only by minimal mullions. There are also acres of cockpit space, with room left over for a long sweep of uncluttered aft deck.

Mark Whiteley was responsible for developing the interior and refining the exterior styling. He created a simple and modern style for the interior, with straight lines. Lacquered Alpi walnut wall panels, brushed natural oak floors and dark stained wenge trims are complemented by light colour leather handrails and upholstered wall panels.

Part of the brief was for the yacht to be able to host business meetings – the forward part of the superstructure therefore includes a large saloon with expansive seating, plus a 16-seat table for formal dining.

The largest winches are capable of a tremendous 18-tonne pulling load. Photo: Rondal

A technical challenge 

Dykstra Naval Architects drew a narrow and efficient hull shape with a maximum beam of only 12.4m/40ft, while displacement has been kept down to a relatively light 1,050 tonnes at full load. The final shape was achieved following extensive computational flow dynamics (CFD) calculations, velocity prediction programming (VPP), and testing in both tow tanks and wind tunnels. These all helped to determine sail balance, keel position and predicted rudder angles.

The plumb bow is balanced by a modest, but graceful, stern overhang, with a contemporary, relatively wide transom at deck level. Twin knuckle lines extend aft from near the bow, merging into one amidships and then forming a chine aft. Right aft the hull has negative curvature on the flare below the chine, which gives interesting reflections in the gleaming paintwork.

The lead naval architect, Dykstra’s Erik Wassen, told me he introduced the knuckle lines to give the hull “a bolder and more interesting shape.” The owner liked the concept and Mark Whiteley helped to refine the detail. Wassen describes the underwater shape as being: “a very modern round bilge shape, with a nice slender hull that gives good sailing capabilities.” Appendages are a conventional fin keel and balanced rudder.

Photo: Priska van der Meulen

The latter presented an interesting technical challenge, according to Wassen. Initially they looked at fabricating the rudder stock in steel, but that alone would weigh three tonnes. Screening a number of alternatives led to a decision to use carbon for the stock, with a foam core section clad in a relatively thin composite skin for the blade. 

The result is what it’s producer, Royal Huisman’s sister company Rondal, believes to be the biggest ever carbon rudder, weighing only 1,250kg, which helps to keep weight out of the ends of the boat. The weight saving here also enabled the intended fore and aft trim to be achieved with the ballast in its optimal location.

The rudder includes load sensors to record and verify torque, side forces and bending moment while sailing. “There is not much load data available for rudders of this size of sailing yacht, so it’s very conservatively engineered,” says Spans. Fibre-optic sensors are incorporated to enable a database to be created that will help with designing future composite rudders for very large yachts.

Due to the distance of the helm stations from the rudder, the steering is via an electric-hydraulic system, which means there’s no feedback from the helm. The plan is to investigate whether data from the sensors can be used in a feedback system to give a more natural feel to steering the boat under sail. 

Structural engineering

This is one of the most interesting elements of yacht design, yet is all too often under appreciated. Extensive modelling showed a couple of unexpected problems that needed clever solutions during Sea Eagle II ’s design and engineering. 

Instead of the hull flexing smoothly under load, like an I-beam, the presence of a forward intermediate deck introduced hard spots in this area, resulting in stress concentrations at the forward end of the superstructure. This required a lot of design work to create a smooth transition of stress from the lower deck to the intermediate one and then on to the upper deck.

Structural engineering was extensively modelled for Sea Eagle II

The roof of the superstructure also posed a challenge, in that the inside surface of a beam needs to become shorter as it flexes. But the original plan for the aluminium roof wasn’t able to accommodate this, with the result the modelling showed stresses concentrating in the corners of the mullions and in the glass itself. 

The solution was to avoid welding the top of the mullions to the roof, opting instead for a flexible joint that allows for movement when necessary. Wassen likens it to the joints in large buildings that need to be included to allow for thermal expansion and contraction.

Whiteley also helped to refine the exterior styling. In addition to the detail of the knuckles, his input helped to refine the shapes – particularly curves and softening corners – in the superstructure.

COVID-19 restrictions meant her delivery date had to be pushed back by 3 months. Photo: Crea Fragma / Rondal

Panamax rig

The requirement to be able to clear the Bridge of the Americas at the Pacific end of the Panama canal called for the schooner rig with three equal masts. All are of carbon and are made by Rondal, with integrated sail handling systems and Carbo-Link carbon standing rigging.

Each mast has in-boom furling, while the aft two have staysails for use when reaching. The tank and wind tunnel testing was used to verify different headsail options, particularly to determine the differences between a large blade jib versus a large staysail or yankee.

“Obviously you have better windward performance with a large blade,” says Wassen, “but as soon as you bear away the yankee is much more forgiving in trimming, so we decided that made more sense.” A further advantage is that when the yankee is part furled the sheeting point remains the same. 

Rondal’s Integrated Sailing System consists of the three carbon Panamax masts with furling booms, hydraulic boomvangs, headsail furling systems, deck winches and equipment, captive winches and continuous solid carbon standing rigging by Carbo-Link, all equipped with load sensing capabilities. Photo: Rondal

In addition, a blade jib requires much higher sheet loads to maintain leech tension. Even though Sea Eagle II is a three-masted yacht, the yankee sheet loads are still predicted to reach 18 tonnes – but this still allows standard-size captive winches to be used, rather than larger custom-made units.

The Panamax limitation obviously poses the question as to whether sail area needed to be compromised to fulfil this criteria. However, this is clearly not the case for Sea Eagle II . Hull speed is close to 20 knots and the yacht is clearly capable of surfing at much higher speeds, despite being designed as a pure cruiser. This role, of course, suggests keeping heel angles to a maximum of 10-15°. 

Nevertheless, the VPP figures suggest potential boat speeds of 17-18 knots in 16 knots of true breeze with a true wind angle of 70°. “As soon as you can ease the sheets a little bit, we have a lot of sail area,” says Wassen, “so on a beam reach, I wouldn’t be surprised if a steady 20 knots is possible.” 

Specification

LOA: 81m (266ft) Air draught: 62m (205ft) Hull: Aluminium Guest accommodation: 11 Crew accommodation: 14 Exterior styling: Dykstra Naval Architects and Mark Whiteley Design Naval Architecture: Dykstra Naval Architects Interior design: Mark Whiteley Design Classification: Lloyd’s MCA (LY-3)

First published in the April 2020 edition of Supersail World.

10 largest sailing ships in the world

The world's largest sailing ships have captivated mankind for centuries, being symbols of elegance, adventure and freedom on the high seas. As engineering and technology have advanced, sailing ships have grown in size and magnificence, reaching new dimensions in the world of sailing. In this list we present the great sailing ships that sail the planet today.

Sailing Yacht A

This impressive sailing yacht has a length of 142.81 meters. As such, it holds the title of the largest sailing yacht in the world. This one was built in Germany in 2015 and features an innovative and luxurious design. It has three masts in which the tallest mast reaches 100 meters.

It is a sailing yacht, and the sails unfurl from the masts at the push of a button.

It is worth between 400 and 500 million euros.

Jeff Bezos' 500 million superyacht is 127 meters long. It has three masts that reach up to 70 meters in height, making it the largest sailing vessel in the world.

It is one of the newest, having been delivered to the CEO of Amazon earlier this year.

It has a capacity of 18 guests and 40 crew members.

Sea Cloud Spirit

Its 125.7 meters in length and 17.20 meters in beam make it the second largest sailing yacht on the planet. Sea Cloud was designed by Cox & Stevens and built many years ago in Kiel, Germany. The sails (over 4,000 square meters) can be seen on any of her three masts, the tallest of which is 60m high. The yacht was rebuilt in 1978 by new German owners.

On board there is room for more than fifty passengers, in addition to the 85 crew members.

The ship is owned by a German luxury cruising company that owns the 1931 Sea Cloud and the 1999 Sea Cloud II.

Black Pearl

With a length of 106.7 meters, the Black Pearl is one of the largest sailing yachts in the world and technologically is among the most advanced in the world. It was built in 2016 and stands out for its elegant design and hybrid propulsion system. Regarding the masts, like the other two sailboats it has three.

These masts are self-rotating to adjust the sails that reach 75 meters in height, with 2,877 square meters of sail area.

As a curiosity, it is said that this sailboat can cross the Atlantic with only 20 liters of fuel, a sailing milestone. Another differential feature would be the material of the sails, the fabric is made of dracon and flexible solar panels have been added to generate energy on board to feed the electrical system.

This sailing yacht, which until 2017 was the second largest in the world, is 93 meters lon g. It was launched in 2006 and is characterized by its elegant design and extensive on-board amenities. The Eos, like all these large sailing yachts, has three masts in addition to an engine that allows it to sail at a maximum speed of 16 knots.

This 90-meter-long sailing yacht is known for its impressive three-masted rig (the largest mast reaches about 60m in height) and its classic styling. It was built in 2004 and acquired for a price of around 100 million euros. IT offers a high level of comfort and luxury and its beautiful design has won several awards , such as best sailing yacht (over 40 meters) in 2004 and best sailing yacht interiors in 2005.

Maltese Falcon

With a length of 88 meters, the Maltese Falcon is famous for its innovative system of rotating masts , which house fifteen sails for a total sail area of 2,400 square meters. It was launched in 2006 and is one of the world's largest, most recognizable and distinctive sailing yachts in existence. This sailing yacht was subsequently acquired for an approximate amount in excess of 85 million euros.

This 85.9 meter long, 14.50 beam sailing yacht combines elegance and luxury with high performance. It was built in 2016 and stands out for its modern design and spacious entertainment areas. With capacity for 12 guests and 17 crew , this is a sailboat that you can currently rent with an approximate price of five hundred thousand euros per week.

At 70 meters in length, the Sybaris is one of the great luxury sailing yachts that combines elegant design with exceptional performance. It was launched in 2016 and boasts a wide variety of high-end features and amenities.

A year later, in 2017, it was awarded as the best sailboat of the year at the World Superyacht Awards.

It has a 72m carbon Rondal main deck and a 62m mine setting a total of 3,000 square meters of sail.

This 67.2-meter sailing yacht stands out for its contemporary design and focus on sustainability. It was built in 2011 by New Zealand shipyard Alloy Yachts in a record 29 months. Unlike many luxury sailing yachts on this list, Vertigo has two masts, but can sail faster than many in its class , specifically 20 knots. It has a luxurious interior and offers an exceptional sailing experience.

In conclusion, the 10 largest sailing ships in the world represent a perfect combination of engineering, beauty and maritime prowess . These impressive vessels have taken sailing to a new level, defying expectations and leaving an indelible mark on maritime history.

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Largest Sailboats in the World

Nowadays, the production of enormous and luxurious sailboats and yachts is more and more increased and never ceases to impress. International shipyards build these vessels, from the Netherlands to the United Arab Emirates, the US, Greece, Italy, and the United Kingdom, among others. And, new launches and refits are distributed each year, at the request of owners on an international level. In this article, I will list the world’s largest sailboats and yachts in case you want to get informed on that topic or charter one with your crew for cruising around the world. However, this list is updated every year but some of these vessels are timeless. Follow me!

Black Pearl by Oceanco – 350 ft

Black Pearl is the world’s biggest sailing yacht, standing at 350 feet and costing more than $200 million. Long before her first voyage, the ship drew international attention for its innovative architecture. Also, for her eco-credentials, and technical advances, all of which have set a new industry and earned her multiple awards for innovation.

Keep in mind that this vessel isn’t manufactured only by one designer but forms a result of an ambitious cross-industry collaboration. Some of the best international sailing professionals and creative minds have cooperated to manufacture this incredible vessel. And, it isn’t just her aesthetics that makes her distinguish, but also her utilization of the very latest green technology. According to Oceanco, they have made her capable of crossing the Atlantic without using any fuel. But how?

Firstly, her three powerful 230ft DynaRig carbon masts are a design of Dykstra Naval Architects. This innovative structure subdivides her sails into smaller sections. And, the best thing is that sails are set or furled just by touching a button. On top of that, and to maximize effectiveness the Black Pearl doesn’t rely on propulsion from fossil fuels. Meaning that with a single person that is able to set 2,900 sq meters of sail area in just a few minutes, she offers the possibility to turn off the main engines and harness the power of the wind. As a result, the costs are significantly minimized and it is also much better for the environment. So, under sail, the boat can reach an incredible 30 knots and regenerate enough energy to power the whole load. And, also without the need of running the generators. 

We don’t know a lot about her interior, but we know that she has six cabins with accommodation for up to 12 guests. These include a master suite and two VIP cabins. She also has immense recreational spaces spread across her three decks, but because of her secretive nature, there’s not too much information disclosed. Some photographs show that there is a pool aft of the main deck and a hot tub aft of the upper deck. Moreover, there’s a fold-down platform at the aft of the boat that is probably transformed into a full-beam beach club. And, imagine that we aren’t fully aware of what her commodities and interior spaces offer. A true masterpiece!

EOS by Lurssen – 305 ft

At 305ft, the three-masted schooner EOS is the world’s second-largest boat. The first launch was in 2006 by Lürssen Yachts, and the vessel is one of the world’s most exclusive yachts. The Eos is a Bermuda rigged three-masted schooner and one of the world’s largest private sailing yachts. EOS, a superyacht of significant proportions has impressed many since it was first launched. In 2006, Lurssen Yachts completed this 305-foot luxury yacht.

The superyacht EOS is a luxurious vessel that can accommodate up to 16 guests in 8 cabins and can be handled by a crew of approximately 15 professionals. Lurssen was the naval architect who brought this yacht design to life. The interior decoration of this boat was also done by Bill Langton and Francois Catroux. EOS, one of the world’s largest private sailing yacht, uses twin MTU diesel engines and can reach a top limit continuous speed of about 16 knots. The ship’s engine produces 2332 horsepower. Her total horsepower is 4663, and her total wattage is 3480.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 100k

Athena by Royal Huisman – 295 ft

The Dutch Royal Huisman Shipyard designed the 295-foot super sailing yacht, Athena, in 2004. Pieter Beeldsnijder Design created the superyacht’s exterior lines, while Dykstra Naval Architects and Pieter Beeldsnijder Design collaborated on the naval architecture, and Rebecca Bradley Interior Design created the interior. Athena is one of the largest sailing yachts since the 1930s, and she can outrun any other sailing superyachts with speeds of up to 19 knots.

The Royal Huisman Shipyard in Holland designed Athena for US software developer Jim Clark. Because of Athena’s advanced engineering, she can sail in light winds while still providing the interior space usually reserved for motor yachts. Athena has been credited with reaching 19 knots under sail in stronger winds. A large owner’s suite, four guest quarters, a saloon and dining room on the main deck, and a sky lounge on the upper deck are some of the areas among the yacht’s three decks.

Maltese Falcon by Perini Navi – 289 ft

The pioneering 289 ft Maltese Falcon is popular for her automated square-rigged DynaRig sail plan. This makes her one of the most famous yachts of all time and definitely one of the most photographed in recent years. Three free-standing rotating carbon-fiber masts carry a total of 25,800 square feet of canvas on 15 square sails, resulting in exceptional performance, speed, and maneuverability. The yacht was sold in August 2009 to her current owner, who regularly participates in superyacht regattas, demonstrating the yacht’s capabilities. It was constructed by Perini Navi and designed in partnership with her first owner, Tom Perkins.

Elena Ambrosiadou currently owns the Maltese Falcon, but the American venture capitalist Tom Perkins was the first to own her. The three-masted schooner is the world’s fifth-largest sailing yacht. The rig of the Maltese Falcon consists of three unstayed, “weapons-grade” carbon fiber masts, as well as a completely computerized sail and rotating mast system. The whole boat benefits from exceptional design, development, and engineering. She is also capable of reaching speeds of up to 24 knots while sailing. The interior design by Ken Freivokh is a mix of modern chic and hi-tech development. The construction design uses leather, glass, wood, and steel, and it houses a modern art collection. Lastly, the yacht can accommodate 12 people and is available for charter.

Aquijo by Vitters Shipyard and Oceanco – 282 ft

Vitters and Oceanco collaborated on the widely awaited Aquijo. Both Dutch yards collaborated closely with the owner’s representative to design a highly complex and of ultimate performance sailing vessel that, when launched, was the world’s third-largest sailing superyacht. Aquijo is a ketch-rigged aluminum yacht with a custom steering mechanism. Her interior layout provides clear sightlines because of her exceptional superstructure. This Dutch sailing yacht firstly came up in 2015 and was the largest ketch-rigged sailing yacht in the world. Her mainmast rises 280ft above sea level. Her naval architecture and exterior design are a creation of Tripp Design Naval Architects.

Sea Eagle II by Royal Huisman – 266 ft

With hundreds of projects completed to date, Royal Huisman has an enviable track record of delivering exceptional sailing superyachts. Even by these criteria, the most recent vessel to leave the shipyard is more than we expected. She is one of the top ten largest sailing yachts and the world’s largest aluminum yacht. Sea Eagle II is a spectacular 266-foot with three masts and a Panamax schooner. Her design is a creation of the Dykstra and Mark Whiteley Design team that built the stunning 186 ft Royal Huisman ketch Aquarius just over a year ago.

The sheer size of this yacht is mind-boggling. The 13-foot freeboard has sleek hull lines, and the two-tier deckhouse, which includes a half-raised bridge, is remarkably in proportion. The main deck-level accommodation has a large expanse of glass, with just a few mullions interrupting the 360o view. Furthermore, there’s immense cockpit space, with enough room left over in the aft deck.

Mark Whiteley was in charge of the interior design as well as the exterior styling. He designed the interior in a plain, modern style with straight lines. Soft color leather handrails and upholstered wall panels enhance the lacquered Alpi walnut panels, polished natural oak floors, and dark stained wenge trims. As for the rigging, each mast has in-boom furling, and the two aft have staysails for use when reaching. Lastly, the tank and wind tunnel tests help to verify various headsail options, particularly the differences between a large blade jib and a large staysail or yankee.

M5 by Vosper Thornycroft – 254 ft

This superyacht is a creation of Ron Holland Design and construction of Vosper Thornycroft in the United Kingdom. The yacht received a refit in 2014 at Pendennis Shipyard. As a result, they redesigned and extended the stern portion of the vessel by three meters, among other changes. Her keel, however, was slightly unbalanced because of the refit. Another big refit, completed in 2020 at the NCA shipyard, aimed to rebalance the keel by halving it and pushing the ram housing 300 mm forward. They used a three-tone of grey livery with a metallic palladium hull, anthracite silver superstructure, and crystal silver mast and boom for the repainting procedure. And, all these, in addition to her technical improvements.

M5 is the legendary yacht Mirabella V; a creation made in Southampton, England. To this day, she is the world’s largest sloop. M5 was built for Joe Vittoria, an American yachtsman who sailed her for seven years. Her new owner renamed her M5, and when she was refitted at Pendennis she was extended by 3.2 meters until her relaunch in 2014. She also has a new RWD-designed interior. Let’s note that M5 has a 780-tonne displacement, i.e. 165 tonnes of which is the keel. Lastly, the carbon fiber mast stands at an incredible 88.3 meters tall and has a sail area of approximately 3,700 square meters.

Enigma (Phocea) by DCAN – 246 ft

Enigma (formerly Phocea) was a sailing yacht designed by DCAN in 1976 in Toulon, France. She’s 246 feet long, with a top speed of 12 knots. Also, she was refitted, like many yachts, and the most recent one was in Germany in 2000. She can accommodate 12 guests and has a crew of 16 sailors. In addition, Enigma is a four-masted schooner. She was primarily built for speed performance, and she crossed the Atlantic in 8 days. During this voyage, she achieved speeds of 30 knots under sail.

Mouna Ayoub bought Phocea in July 1997 and made her some refits in Lürssen. As a result, the British naval architect Dalrymple-Smith has significantly improved the interior as well as her exterior design. Her interiors feature modern wood paneling and furniture. The main suite is on the main deck, while the VIP guest cabin and 4 other double cabins are on the lower deck. Just before Royal Huisman launched Athena in 2004, the Phocea was the world’s largest sailing yacht. Unfortunately, in 2021, the Enigma was partly destroyed by fire and therefore sunk the next day.

Badis I by Perini Navi – 229 ft

Badis, the second-largest Perini Navi sailing yacht to date, was launched in 2016 for Bill Duker, a multi-superyacht owner. The name comes from an ancient Greek city in Italy known for its hedonism and rich feasts. She is the second-largest boat built by the yard since the Maltese Falcon. So, Badis I, or Sybaris, was made for the American businessman Bill Duker in 2016. She went for sale in April 2017 for €88 million and sold in October 2018.

Perini Navi’s team as well as the French designer Philippe Briand were in charge of the naval architecture on this vessel. The yacht was constructed of alloy with a variable draught keel so as to allow access to shallow areas while maintaining good sailing performance. It’s important to note that Badis I’ sails stretch over a surface of 2,300 sq m and they can be handled with consoles in the cockpit. Lastly, under power, Badis diesel engines generate a total of 3,860hp. This results in a top speed of 17.5 knots and a maximum cruising range of 5,000 nautical miles at 12.5 knots.

Vertigo by Alloy Yachts – 220 ft

And, let’s get to the top 10; the 220 ft Vertigo. A creation of Alloy Yachts in New Zealand (2011), with more than one million hours spent for her construction. The all-aluminum sailing yacht has an iconic sporty exterior from Philippe Brand of France, as well as naval architecture from Alloy Yachts. Her distinctive ketch-rig, streamline hull, and 3,330 sq m of sails all add to her overall performance capabilities. However, keep in mind that she wasn’t built as a racing yacht. Her interior design is a creation of Liaigre and, like all other boats in this list, offers the commodity of enormous interior areas. Lastly, Vertigo is able to sleep up to 12 guests and host a crew of 11.

The Bottom Line

So, this is it! This is the list of the biggest yachts in the world. I know that many of us might not even get aboard a boat of this size but we can still dream about it. On the other hand, there are people that can’t stand this kind of luxury for their sailing voyage. In any case, these vessels are mostly destined for wealthy people that can afford this kind of budget. Keep in mind that you can always charter a boat of these dimensions in order to live the luxurious way of sailing for a while. I hope that you enjoyed this article and wish you all safe and happy voyages!

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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Russian billionaire builds largest sailing yacht in world

Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko is building what is believed to be the largest sailing yacht ever built, at a length of more than 480 feet.

The boat has been shrouded in secrecy ever since work began in 2012. Yet new photos of the ship, called "Sailing Yacht A," have started to emerge on TheYachtPhoto.com and on SuperYachtTimes.com .

According to yacht workers in Germany familiar with the project, the ship will be around 147 meters, or 482 feet. That would easily surpass the 96-meter "Sea Cloud"— built in the 1930s—and the 289-foot "Maltese Falcon," built by Silicon Valley venture-capitalist Tom Perkins and launched in 2006.

Melnichenko, a Russian billionaire who made his fortune from banking, steel and fertilizer, couldn't be reached for comment.

Read More Celebrity skinflints stiffing kids

"Sailing Yacht A" would be his second ground-breaking megayacht. Melnichenko also built the motor-yacht named "A" —a sleek, modernist 394-feet ship that has become one of the most photographed and popular in the world. Along with its widely copied knife-like hull, "A" has an interior filled with advanced technology and security systems, Baccarat crystal and gleaming white finishes.

Yet the yacht, being built by Nobiskrug shipyard in Kiel, Germany, is expected to be even more jaw-dropping. According to workers familiar with the project, the ship will have a soaring, open atrium that will rise to three stories. It will also have a massive swimming pool.

The combined mass of the sails will be larger than a football field and the mast system, which appears to be made up of three masts, will be made of super lightweight, high-strength carbon fiber, these people said. It will have a crew of 66 people.

Read More Florida tax cut benefits yacht owners

" '[The new yacht]' will make 'A' look like a dinghy," one yacht worker said.

It's unclear how much the ship will cost. But since "A" cost more than $300 million, it's safe to say the new ship will also be nine figures.

"Sailing Yacht A" is still being fitted out, and it's expected to launch in July 2016, according to one yacht worker.

Melnichenko is expected to keep "A" after the new ship is finished, so he'll be able to use his sailing or motoryacht, depending on his mood.

"He wanted to do something unique and eco-friendly with '[Sailing Yacht A],' " one worker said. "And this is certainly unique."

Update: This story has been updated to reflect the yacht's new name and design features.

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Lyttelton 8841

Te Ūaka recognises Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke as Mana Whenua and Mana Moana for Te Whakaraupō / Lyttelton Harbour.

The Largest Sailing Ship Ever Built, the Barque "France"

The France was a huge five-masted barque built in 1911 in Bordeaux by Chantiers et Ateliers de la Girionde for Messers Prentout and Leblond. A smaller vessel of the same name, built in 1890 in Glasgow by D & W Henderson and Son, resulted in the later French ship often being referred to as France II or La France to distinguish her from the original France .

Chief designer Gustave Leverne planned a substantial steel hulled vessel with a length of 146.5 m, a beam of 16.96 m and a draft of 8.5 m. There was one other ship of the era which just surpassed the France in hull length, overall size and sail area; the German built Preussen . However the French vessel held the record for the greatest cargo capacity at 5,633 gross tonnage and hence the claim to being the world's largest merchant sailing ship.

The France’s design also featured water ballast tanks, unusual for that time, and she was equipped with two Schneider diesel engines of 950 hp each, which were removed in 1919. Some would comment that she had a ‘depressed’ appearance; with masts which were relatively short in relation to her length she had a cumbersome persona, especially when compared to other smaller, more elegant windjammers of the era .

With a massive steel hull, and masts, yards, and booms of steel tubing, the France's fitout was softened with timber-lined decks and interior – including a gracious lounge, seven luxury passenger cabins, a library, darkroom, and even a seawater therapy facility. Such generous amenities doubtless suited the five officers responsible for her (including a 'second captaine', unique to French sailing tradition), alongside the four mates and 40-45 able seamen taken on to keep her sails in order and the crew fed and cared for.

Initially intended for the nickel ore trade, when the France arrived in Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour on 25 June 1921, after a journey of 111 days from Newport in Wales, she was fully laden with 6,924 tonnes of coal for the local Railway Department. Lyttelton Harbour Board pilot, Captain Crawford, assisted Captain Laport to bring her into port. After unloading coal and reloading with wool, she sailed for Wellington in August, where tallow and pelts were added to her cargo. Departing for England on 5 September 1921, her return journey to London took just 95 days.

The huge vessel's sailing days ended in July 1922 when, laden with chrome ore from the French territory of New Caledonia, she grounded on a reef after becoming becalmed. There was no loss of life as she was just 60 nautical miles from Noumea. However, owing to economic pressures of low cargo returns, her owners refused to pay for tug assistance and the big ship was left to the embrace of the sea. In WWII she was used for target practice by American military aircraft.

In 2017, a luxury cruise ship designed by Polish naval architect Zygmunt Choreń, following closely on the design of the France , was built in the Brodosplit Shipyard in Croatia as the Flying Clipper . Renamed Golden Horizon , she was chartered by Tradewind Voyages for a time from 2021. However, complicated financial disputes – between owners Star Clippers Ltd of Sweden, the shipyard, and UK authorities – mean the vessel intended to mimic the largest sailing ship ever built, is instead permanently laid up in the shipyard at Split where she was built.

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Maritime History Notes: The world’s largest schooner

Converted to an oil tanker in 1906, the Thomas W. Lawson became the first pure sailing tankship; it also created the first major oil spill.    The Thomas W. Lawson was an extraordinary ship. It was the world’s largest pure sailing ship, the only seven-master ever built, and garnered notoriety by creating the world’s first major oil spill.    In 1901, a group of Boston investors decided to build the world’s largest sailing ship and rig it as a schooner, without even having an auxiliary engine. The ship was to be based in San Francisco and employed in the Pacific. However, during its construction, the economics of the U.S. East Coast coal trades had changed due to the railroads cutting their rates. Not wanting to be held hostage to the railroads, the investors contracted the naval architect B.B. Crowninshield to design their ship and the Fore River Shipyard at Quincy, Mass. undertook its construction.      Boston-based Coastwise Transportation Co., which was headed by John Crowley, became the ship’s owner and named it the Thomas W. Lawson , who was president of the Bay State Gas Co. and one of the financial backers of the venture. Costing $248,000, the ship began its maiden voyage in 1902.     Each of the Thomas W. Lawson ’s seven masts were the same height, 125 feet. The logic of the schooner rigging was not without reason. The prevailing offshore winds along the East Coast meant that both the north and south bound voyages could be accomplished on a broad reach.  This is the best point of sailing for a schooner. A schooner is easy to recognize as all the sails are set in a fore and aft direction and the upper edge of the main sails are supported by a spar, called a gaff. A majority of coastal sailing fleets on the East and West coasts at the time were comprised of two-, three- and four-mast schooners. (The Thomas W. Lawson carried 25 sails, seven gaff main sails, seven top sails, six top mast stay sails and five jib sails encompassing 43,000 square feet of canvas.) A major advantage of the schooner was the reduced number of crew required to operate the ship, especially on the larger schooners where a “donkey” boiler supplied steam for power to steer, raise the sails and handle the anchors. The crew of the Thomas W. Lawson numbered 16 to 18, whereas a square rigger or barque required twice that number.

When the Thomas W. Lawson entered the coal trades, the shipowner painted the hull black. This illustration shows the schooner laden with about 8,000 tons of coal.

This ship model of the Thomas W. Lawson illustrates the deck arrangement of its hatches.

   In 1906, the Thomas W. Lawson entered the Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Shipyard for conversion to an oil tanker. Cross bunkers, cofferdams and bulkheads were installed to conform with regulation. Upon completion, it became the world’s first pure sailing tankship, with a capacity of 60,000 barrels. Interestingly, the lower steel masts were used to vent the gases from the cargo of oil.    After a number of successful coastal voyages, the Thomas W. Lawson was chartered to the Anglo-American Oil Co. (an affiliate of Standard Oil) for a trip from Marcus Hook to London.  In late November 1907, the ship loaded 58,000 barrels of lubricating oil. Fierce winter storms followed the entire crossing, making life on board for the crew and navigation nearly impossible.  The ship lost most of its canvas and all three lifeboats. The winds and currents set the Thomas W. Lawson far north of its intended course. Recognizing the situation while rapidly approaching a lee shore, the crew put both anchors out awaiting the storms to abate. It was not long before the unrelenting westerly winds broke both anchor chains and the ship grounded on Heleweather Reef off Annet Island in the Scillies. Shortly thereafter, the rigging sagged, the masts swayed and the ship broke just aft of its no. 6 mast. Sixteen crewmen were swept overboard as the cargo of oil poured from the ruptured tanks. There were only two survivors from the wreck.    Thus, the Thomas W. Lawson became the first ship to experience a major oil spill. Ironically, 60 years later on March 18, 1967, the world’s attention was drawn to another tanker disaster quite near the sunken remains of the schooner. The giant tanker Torrey Canyon , which was carrying 119,328 tons of crude oil, ran aground and broke up on the same rocky islands, becoming the world’s then largest shipwreck and causing enormous damage to the environment. Today, the bones of these two exceptional ships lay almost together after each experienced their moments of fame.

FreightWaves Staff

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The World’s 2nd Largest Sailing Yacht, Built by Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, is Currently Here

You know you live in an amazing place when the world’s 2nd largest, newly-built sailing yacht chooses your backyard as its first vacation destination in the United States.

Koru is a 416-foot sailing yacht that was commissioned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. It reportedly cost $500 million to build and is accompanied by Abeona, its 246-foot support vessel. Both boats are currently anchored near Mingo Cay, which is roughly a five-minute boat ride from Cruz Bay. This is the same area where The Rising Sun, David Geffen’s 453-foot mega yacht, spent time last month. (Click here to read that story.)

Koru, a Maori word meaning “new beginnings”, is the largest boat ever built in the Netherlands. It was delivered in April and spent time in the Mediterranean before making the 4,400-mile crossing to the United States. It arrived in Ft. Lauderdale on November 22nd where it was forced to dock in a seaport beside oil tankers and a cruise ship due to its massive size. It arrived in St. Thomas on December 5th and spent five days in Charlotte Amalie before sailing over to us.

Koru is reportedly one of the most ecological megayachts in the world due to its sails and technology on board.

Abeona, its “dinghy”, will serve as a support boat, essentially a toy hauler. It will carry luxury cars, smaller boats, a helicopter, and additional crew.

Is this boat excessive? Yes. Did many of us shop way too often on Amazon, which in a way contributed to its creation? Yes. However it is a beautifully-designed sailboat, and it’s pretty darn cool that they chose to come here for their first vacation on this side of the world. Those of us who call St. John home are pretty darn lucky, and those of you who are able to visit this beautiful island are pretty darn lucky too.

Have a beautiful day everyone, and a big thanks to Palm Tree Charters for these great pics.

Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with us!

Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour   Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.

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February 17, 2023

Oppenheimer: His Life in St. John

Something very cool just happened, huge event happening at the windmill bar.

Thank you for all the informative information you provide. We just got back home from 12 beautiful days on island. (First 3 rained ALL day) I have read your e mails for 1/ 1/2 years and learned so much. We have been to STJ 8 times and always learn something new! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

We’re in St Thomas this week (Jan 27-Feb 3, 2024) The yacht is docked in Charlotte Amalie. We have a view of the beautiful boat, and his support ship (with all the toys) from our balcony

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