“Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it.”—David Lee Roth

At YachtieWorld, we are proud to be ambassadors to this incredible, multi-billion-dollar sector that never seems to sleep. With all the wealthy, eccentric people that are magnetized to these marvelous vessels comes the continual pushing of boundaries; a force that inexorably induces constant and exponential growth.

To start, here are some mad stats that highlight the ever-burgeoning world of superyachting:

There are now 5,000+ luxury yachts 24 meters or longer sailing the world’s oceans.
In 2020, the superyacht market was worth $7.4 billion and is projected to reach $10.8 billion by 2026.
Certain manufacturers, such as Feadship, are trying to build the first emission-free yachts by 2025; others, like Lürssen, are crafting a hydrogen-powered ship also set to launch this year.
148,000 to 163,000 is the number of people luxury yachts employ, with regular deckhands earning $42,000–$54,000 and captains between $84,000–$156,000 per year.

Alright, now that you’ve been primed, let’s take a look at some of the most outlandish, awesome, and – to be frank – plain ridiculous facts from an industry known for its opulence and larger-than-life nature.

Totally Knots – 10 Mind-Blowing Superyachting Facts!

Fact #1 – The Biggest Beast on the Water

Photo Credit: theyachtphoto.com/G. Romero

The world’s largest superyacht is currently M/Y AZZAM, which comes in at a tsunami-sized 180 meters (590 feet) in length. Owned by the Emir of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, AZZAM showcases cutting-edge technology with a graceful yet strong design.

Fact #2 – The Real Heavyweight of the Ocean

The bigger they are, the harder they… float?
Weight is a metric that matters in the superyachting universe and M/Y DILBAR holds the record for being the heaviest, weighing in at approximately 1,230 tons (or more than 150 elephants). This 156-meter vessel requires a huge crew to keep its many luxurious features smooth sailing.

Fact #3 – The Need for Speed on the Seas

Some superyachts are designed for easy cruising; some are designed to go FAST. The 24.9-meter M/Y BOLIDE 80 finally superseded the record for the highest speed achieved and held by M/Y FONERS for over a quarter of a century. No other yacht has come close to achieving its breathtaking top speed of 73 knots or roughly 84 mph!

Fact #4 – The Oldest Superyachts Still Sailing

The Egyptian presidential yacht, M/Y EL MAHROUSA, is considered the oldest active superyacht in the world and was built in 1863 by the Samuda Brothers. Don’t let her age fool you; she is still one of the largest vessels ever built, coming in at a staggering 145 meters.

Fact #5 – Money Sounds Like a Symphony at Sea

Owned by the Sultan of Oman, the 155-meter M/Y AL SAID took luxury and grandeur one step further by housing an on-board concert hall large enough to accommodate a 50-piece orchestra. A royal superyacht with its own orchestra? Now that’s what we call a classic pairing!

Fact #6 – Superyachts Equipped with Submarines

Some superyachts, like M/Y OCTOPUS, formerly owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, come with crazy extra features – how does your own submarine to play around with sound? Owners and guests can easily check out enchanting deep-sea locations (usually only seen by researchers and divers) in these personal submersibles.

Fact #7 – Floating Fort Knox

For the anomalously affluent (read: mega rich), security is a real concern and so some superyachts are equipped with military-grade defense systems. M/Y RADIANT, for example, features a high-powered sonic weapon that can emit sound waves powerful enough to burst eardrums! Coupled with high-pressure water cannons, this is a vessel that pirates and vagabonds need to think about twice before attacking.

Fact #8 – Sustainability-Focused Sailing Ahead

As much as money is thrown around, the superyachting industry is eco-conscious and has made amazing strides to go green. On M/Y BLUE, you can drink your own wastewater (yummy). As one of the world’s largest yachts, it has been fitted with new membrane technology, turning treated grey water into drinking water. Talk about really giving a shit!

Fact #9 – Superyacht Elites from West to East

There are a smattering of nationalities that dominate superyacht ownership, with Americans topping the list by owning 23% of the world’s yachts over 40 meters in length. Russians follow with a 9% global stake, with the United Kingdom and Greece tied at 6% holdings. The growing wealth in China and the Middle East will soon reshape this distribution.

Fact #10 – The True Costs of Superyacht Ownership

If you thought you were doing well for yourself, here is a loving reality check: purchasing a superyacht is just the first expense. Annually, the cost of maintaining and operating a superyacht is around 10% of the yacht’s purchase price. Think about fuel, maintenance, dockage fees, insurance, and crew salaries and it becomes easier to understand why.

Ultimate Fact: YachtieWorld is the #1 Agency for Superyachts

We hope this article inspired a healthy amount of awe in you at the sheer magnitude of what superyachts are and contain.

From their rich – excuse the pun – history to the feats of design and science that they’ve resulted in, we want our readers to feel as stoked about superyachting as we are!

If you’d like to read more content like this while staying abreast of the latest yachting trends, follow us at YachtieWorld for more exclusive insights into an industry that never sleeps!

What the Fact: The Superyachting World’s 10 Most Surprising Tidbits