I don’t think I’m that old, but…I have been writing about yachts since, um…1996. As a result, I’ve been lucky enough to have a front seat to watch how yacht owners, charterers, and especially manufacturers around the world have changed over the years.
And better still, I’m comforted by the fact that even in our constantly changing world, some things like the simple, almost primal attraction to the ocean that many people feel, the unique escape that only a yacht can really provide, and the pure fun and beauty of spending time on the water haven’t changed at all. In fact, I believe our need for boats and yachts has only increased as the stress of global unrest, pandemics, economic uncertainty, and environmental destruction has become chronic.
And since all the recent data shows more and more Americans are getting involved with all forms of boating (from 10-foot-long SUPs up to ahem…KORU, the 417-foot-long sailing superyacht owned by Jeff Bezos that also comes with a 246-foot-long Damen Yacht support vessel to carry the “toys”), I was still excited to get a glimpse of the interior of AHPO–which has recently been sold and renamed LADY JORGIA.
Well, I’m totally cool with the fact that a humble writer like me will probably never be wealthy enough to buy a less-than-nearly brand-new superyacht that was priced at roughly at $353 million when it was sold. But, I am connected…sort of. At least connected enough to get on board so I could really get a feel for just what makes a yacht like this so special.
And, better still, share my thoughts and these amazing photos, taken by legendary yachting photographer Guillaume Plisson, showing what this massive yacht designed by Nuvolari Lenard and built by Lurssen is really like–inside and out.
Pretty amazing, right?