Lürssen mega yacht OCTOPUS, which belonged to the late Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, has been put up for sale at an estimated €295,000,000 (approximately $332,000,000 USD).
Allen, who passed away from cancer in 2018, owned a number of vessels but at a length of 126m/413ft M/Y OCTOPUS was his flagship and remains one of the world’s largest motor yachts, currently sitting at no. 22 in the overall rankings.
M/Y OCTOPUS was built in 2003 and from November 2018 to July 2019 she underwent an eight-month refurbishment at the Blohm + Voss facilities, including her 15-year surveys, to prepare her for sale. Her exteriors come from renowned designer Espen Oeino and the interiors from Seattle-based Jonathan Quinn Barnett, who had an impressive interior volume of 9,932 GT to furnish.
Although Paul Allen used the vessel as a recording studio and for private parties with the likes of U2, Sharon Stone and Mick Jagger, he is most well-known for his philanthropic endeavours and M/Y OCTOPUS was used as a research vessel along with several other motor yachts in his fleet, and was critical to the retrieval of the bell from HMS HOOD, which was sunk by the German battleship BISMARCK, as well as discovering the wrecks of the WWII Japanese warship MUSASHI.
The accommodation is designed for up to 26 guests over 13 spacious en-suite cabins, and in addition to the Master suite there is a VIP stateroom and a children’s cabin. The experienced crew of 63 is ready to pull off a glamorous party or to navigate to the farthest corners of the world for research purposes.
The private Owner’s deck (also the bridge deck) comes with the aforementioned recording studio with a floor designed with sound dampening properties, a Master suite with a walk-in-wardrobe and an alfresco dining area that has its own bar and whirlpool tub. The other guests are not left wanting as M/Y OCTOPUS is replete with entertainment options such as a cinema, spa with hammam and sauna, gym, basketball court, an observation lounge and a heated freshwater swimming pool with a glass retractable floor to become a flush entertaining space. The selection of water toys is also impressive and created as much for family fun as exploration of the environment, and among the collection is a 10-pax submarine.
In terms of her technical specifications, there are eight MTU 16V 4000 M70 engines that provide a top speed of 19 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots, however most notable is her impressive cruising range of 14,250 nautical miles.
She is built to ICE-Class 1A standards and is equipped with a helipad forward and aft, both of which have access to a hangar for storage.
Luxury yacht OCTOPUS can currently be seen moored at the Antibes marina as she awaits a buyer.