The exciting part of following the megayacht world is taking hints and facts and assembling them to identify the owner or at least make a reasonably educated guess. Many owners go to extraordinary lengths to avoid being associated with their yachts.

There’s Feadship’s most recent launch from the De Vries Makkum yard, Musashi (read our educated guess on the next pages). De Vries is notorious for their tight lips when it comes to owners. (The builder went so far as to disguise the hull form of Predator before her launch to throw yacht spotters off the scent.) Or Oceanco’s launch of project Y706, below. Based on rumblings in the industry, her owner is likely the winner of multiple Oscar awards and a well-known director and producer. Though the yacht’s name is still secret, she features a pool that transforms into a helipad, similar to on Alfa Nero.

There are also yachts that could have been. Trinity’s 195-foot Bacarella was scheduled to be delivered to an American owner and could have come in at No. 36 had problems not struck both owner and yard. (Unfortunately Hurricane Katrina caused extensive delays at Trinity’s Gulf Coast facilities.) Bacarella is now happily with an Eastern European owner.

So until next year, here are the largest yachts owned by Americans based on the facts as we hear them. I’ll be keeping my ears open for more hints and clues.

  1. Rising Sun        Length: 452’8″ Year launched: 2004; Builder: Lrssen, Germany; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 4/12,000-hp MTUs
  2. Octopus        Length: 414’0″ Year launched: 2003; Builder: Lrssen, Germany; Naval Architect: Espen ino Naval Architects; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 8/2,400-hp NO Mercedes Benzes
  3. Le Grand Bleu        Length: 370’0″ Year launched: 2000; Builder: Vulkan, Germany; Naval Architect: Kusch Yachtagentur; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/4,570-hp Deutz-MWMs
  4. Limitless        Length: 315’8″ Year launched: 1997; Builder: Lrssen, Germany; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/7,268-hp CATs
  5. Attessa        Length: 302’4″ Year launched: 1997; Builder: Hayashikane, Japan; Naval Architect: Diana Yacht Design; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/6,598-hp Wartsilas
  6. Tatoosh        Length: 301’8″ Year launched: 2000; Builder: Nobiskrug, Germany; Naval Architect: Studio Acht/Kusch Yachtagentur; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/3,360-hp Deutz-MWMs
  7. Musashi        Length: 288’0″Year launched: 2010; Builder: Feadship/De Vries, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 4/3,650-hp MTUs
  8. Y706        Length: 282’2″Year launched: 2010; Builder: Oceanco, Holland; Naval Architect: Builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/4,680-hp MTUs
  9. Cakewalk        Length: 281’0″ Year launched: 2010; Builder: Derecktor, United States; Naval Architect: Tim Heywood; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/3,300-hp MTUs
  10. Madsummer        Length: 257’2″ Year launched: 2008; Builder: Lrssen, Germany; Naval Architect: Espen ino Naval Architects; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,717-hp CATs
  11. C2        Length: 255’11” Year launched: 2008; Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen, Germany; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,000-hp CATs
  12. Talitha G        Length: 247’4″ Year launched: 1929/1994; Builder: Krupps Kiel, Germany; Naval Architect: Cox & Stevens; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,400-hp CATs
  13. Laurel        Length: 240’0″ Year launched: 2006; Builder: Delta Marine, USA; Naval Architect: Delta Design Group; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,500-hp CATs
  14. Utopia        Length: 234’9″ Year launched: 2004; Builder: Feadship/De Vries, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,000-hp CATs
  15. Skat        Length: 233’0″ Year launched: 2002; Builder: Lrssen, Germany; Naval Architect: builder/Espen ino Naval Architects; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,680-hp MTUs
  16. Reverie        Length: 229’7″ Year launched: 2000; Builder: Benetti, Italy; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,000-hp CATs
  17. Martha Ann        Length: 229’6″ Year launched: 2007; Builder: Lrssen, Germany; Naval Architect: builder/Espen ino Naval Architects; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,850-hp CATs
  18. Attessa        Length: 225’0″ Year launched: 1998/2005; Builder: Feadship/Royal Van Lent, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,200-hp CATs
  19. Lady Anne        Length: 224’7″ Year launched: 2006; Builder: Amels, Holland; Naval Architect: Walter Franchini Design; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,374-hp CATs
  20. Sycara V        Length: 223’6″Year launched: 2010; Builder: Nobiskrug, Germany; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,200-hp CATs
  21. Kismet        Length: 223’1″ Year launched: 2007; Builder: Lrssen, Germany; Naval Architect: builder/Espen ino Naval Architects; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,850-hp CATs
  22. Archimedes        Length: 222’3″ Year launched: 2008; Builder: Feadship/Royal Van Lent, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,000-hp CATs
  23. White Cloud        Length: 220’10” Year launched: 1983/2004; Builder: Feadship/Royal Van Lent, Holland; Naval Architect: Jon Bannenberg/De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/3,000-hp MTUs
  24. Allure Shadow        Length: 220’0″ Year launched: 1982/2007; Builder: Bender Shipbuilding, USA/Shadow Marine, USA; Naval Architect: builder/Shadow Marine; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,225-hp MTUs
  25. Baton Rouge        Length: 219’9″ Year launched: 2010; Builder: Icon, USA; Naval Architect: Jouke van der Baan; Hull Material: steel; Engines: unknown
  26. Turmoil        Length: 209’0″ Year launched: 2006; Builder: Royal Denship, Denmark; Naval Architect: Ole Steen Knudsen; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,250-hp CATs
  27. Apogee        Length: 205’0″ Year launched: 2003; Builder: Codecasa, Italy; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,260-hp CATs
  28. Fortunato        Length: 204’5″ Year launched: 2000; Builder: Feadship/Royal Van Lent, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,000-hp CATs
  29. Rasselas        Length: 203’4″Year launched: 2005; Builder: Feadship/De Vries, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,000-hp CATs
  30. Mylin IVy        Length: …200’0″ Year launched: 1992; Builder: Feadship/Royal Van Lent, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/3,300-hp CATs
  31. April Fool        Length: 199’10” Year launched: 2006; Builder: Feadship/Royal Van Lent, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,000-hp CATs
  32. Meduse        Length: 198’10” Year launched: 1996; Builder: Feadship/De Vries, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,700-hp CATs
  33. Blue Moon        Length: 198’0″ Year launched: 2005; Builder: Feadship/Royal Van Lent, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt/Donald Starkey; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,650-hp CATs
  34. Solemates        Length: 196’10” Year launched: 2010; Builder: Lrssen, Germany; Naval Architect: Espen nio; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,979-hp CATs
  35. Pegasus        Length: 196’9″ Year launched: 2004; Builder: Oceanco, Holland; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,650-hp CATs
  36. Jamaica Bay        Length: 195’2″ Year launched: 2010; Builder: Nobiskrug, Germany; Naval Architect: Felix Buytendijk; Hull Material: steel; Engines: unknown
  37. Oasis        Length: 194’9″ Year launched: 2006; Builder: Lrssen, Germany; Naval Architect: Glade Johnson Designs/builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,957-hp CATs
  38. Intuition II        Length: 193’7″ Year launched: 1974/1999; Builder: Amels, Holland/Vosper Thornycroft (UK), England; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 1/1,330-hp Smit Slikkerveer electric motor and 3/650-hp Deutz-MWMs
  39. Calixe        Length: 193’0″    Year launched: 1986; Builder: Feadship/De Vries, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,605-hp Deutz-MWMs
  40. Linda Lou        Length: 191’10” (tie)    Year launched: 2006; Builder: Lrssen, Germany; Naval Architect: Espen ino Naval Architects; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,950-hp CATs
  41. Unbridled        Length: 191’0″ (tie)     Year launched: 2009; Builder: Trinity Yachts, USA; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,000-hp CATs
  42. Seawolf        Length: 190’8″Year launched: 1957/2002; Builder: Smit Kinderdijk, Holland; Naval Architect: Dhr Huisman; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,500-hp Smit-MANs
  43. Mi Sueo        Length: 190’0″ Year launched: 2010; Builder: Trinity Yachts, USA; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: aluminum; Engines: 2/3,384-hp CATs
  44. Helios        Length: 189’3″Year launched: 2001; Builder: Oceanco, Holland; Naval Architect: The “A” Group-Monte Carlo SAM; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,650-hp CATs
  45. Excellence III        Length: 187’10” Year launched: 2001; Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen, Germany; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,000-hp CATs
  46. Ultima III        Length: 187’9″Year launched: 1998; Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen, Germany; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,877-hp CATs
  47. Bad Girl        Length: 186’0″Year launched: 1992; Builder: Brooke Yachts, England; Naval Architect: Luigi Sturchio/Don Shead; Hull Material: aluminum; Engines: 2/3,480-hp MTUs
  48. Sirona III        Length: 185’4″Year launched: 2003; Builder: Oceanfast, Australia; Naval Architect: Jon Bannenberg/Phil Curran; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,600-hp CATs
  49. Lady J        Length: 185’0″Year launched: 1976/1989; Builder: Quality Shipyard, USA; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,760-hp Wartsila Nohab Polars
  50. Pangaea        Length: 184’0″Year launched: 1999; Builder: Halter Marine, USA; Naval Architect: Trinity Yachts; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,000-hp CATs
  51. Allegro        Length: 183’7″Year launched: 2005; Builder: Benetti, Italy; Naval Architect: Stefano Natucci; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,850-hp CATs
  52. Huntress        Length: 180’5″Year launched: 1997; Builder: Feadship/De Vries , Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,280-hp CATs
  53. Altitude        Length: 180’4″Year launched: 2003; Builder: Benetti, Italy; Naval Architect: Stefano Natucci; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,850-hp CATs
  54. Platinum        Length: 179’4″Year launched: 1962; Builder: Lrssen, Germany; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,130-hp MTUs
  55. Starfire        Length: 178’0″Year launched: 1997; Builder: Benetti, Italy; Naval Architect: Stefano Natucci; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,573-hp Deutz-MWMs
  56. Fortunate Sun        Length: 177’0″ (tie) Year launched: 2003; Builder: Oceanfast, Australia; Naval Architect: builder/Tim Heywood Designs; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,330-hp MTUs
  57. Katharine        Length: 177’0″ (tie) Year launched: 2001; Builder: Trinity Yachts, USA; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: aluminum; Engines: 2/2,000-hp MTU-DDCs
  58. Kisses        Length: 175’0″ Year launched: 2000; Builder: Feadship/De Vries, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,360-hp CATs
  59. Noble House        Length: 173’9″ (tie)Year launched: 2003; Builder: Sensation Yachts, New Zealand; Naval Architect: Overing Yacht Designs; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,200-hp CATs
  60. Sea Bowld        Length: 173’9″ (tie)Year launched: 2004; Builder: Oceanfast, Australia; Naval Architect: Sam Sorgiovanni Designs; Hull Material: aluminum; Engines: 2/3,650-hp MTUs
  61. Silver Shalis        Length: 173’10” (tie) Year launched: 2010; Builder: Delta Marine, USA; Naval Architect: Delta Design Group; Hull Material: aluminum; Engines: 3/3,489-hp MTUs
  62. Ice Bear        Length: 173’0″ (tie) Year launched: 1988; Builder: Feadship/De Vries, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,000-hp CATs
  63. Passion        Length: 173’0″ (tie) Year launched: 1986/2003; Builder: Swedeship, Sweden/Astilleros de Mallorca, Spain; Naval Architect: Diana Yacht Design; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,710-hp CATs
  64. SuRi        Length: 173’0″ (tie) Year launched: 1978/2007; Builder: Halter Marine, USA/Yacht Escort Ships, USA (conversion); Naval Architect: Kirilloff & Associates (conversion); Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,800-hp Detroit Diesels
  65. Big Eagle        Length: 172’0″ (tie) Year launched: 1980; Builder: Mei Shipyard, Japan; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/900-hp Detroit Diesels
  66. Gallant Lady        Length: 172’0″ (tie)Year launched: 1995; Builder: Feadship/De Vries, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/960-hp CATs
  67. Taipan        Length: 172’0″ (tie)Year launched: 1981/1998; Builder: CRN, Italy/Rybovich Spencer, USA (refit); Naval Architect: Builder/Calhoun & Co.; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,220-hp Mirlees Blackstones
  68. Battered Bull        Length: 170’9″ Year launched: 1995; Builder: Feadship/Royal Van Lent, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,430-hp CATs
  69. Rasselas        Length: 170’7″ Year launched: 1994; Builder: Feadship/De Vries, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,280-hp CATs
  70. Dream        Length: 169’9″ Year launched: 2003; Builder: Feadship/Royal Van Lent, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,500-hp CATs
  71. Beauport        Length: 168’11” Year launched: 1960/1993; Builder: Davie & Sons, Canada; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/640-hp Fairbanks Morses
  72. Chantal Me Vie        Length: 168’0″ (tie)Year launched: 1992; Builder: Feadship/Royal Van Lent, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,175-hp CATs
  73. Gallant Lady        Length: 168’0″ (tie)Year launched: 2007; Builder: Feadship/De Vries, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,000-hpCATs
  74. Haida        Length: 168’0″ (tie)Year launched: 1929/1947; Builder: Bath Iron Works, USA; Naval Architect: John H. Wells; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,000-hp Enterprise diesels
  75. Helios 2        Length: 168’0″ (tie)Year launched: 2002; Builder: Palmer Johnson, USA; Naval Architect: Sparkman & Stephens; Hull Material: aluminum; Engines: 2/2,000-hp CATs
  76. Legend        Length: 168’0″ (tie)Year launched: 1986; Builder: Schweers, Germany; Naval Architect: Diana Yacht Design; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,445-hp CATs
  77. Alibi        Length: 167’3″Year launched: 2003; Builder: CBI Navi, Italy; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,200-hp CATs
  78. Illusion        Length: 166’3″ Year launched: 1983; Builder: Feadship/Royal Van Lent, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,125-hp CATs
  79. Lazy Z        Length: 165’8″Year launched: 1998; Builder: Oceanco, South Africa; Naval Architect: Richard Hein/The “A” Group Monte Carlo SAM; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,714-hp MTUs
  80. Potomac        Length: 165’0″ (tie)Year launched: 1934/1995; Builder: Manitowoc Shipbuilding, USA; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: unknown
  81. Sweet Pea        Length: 165’0″ (tie)Year launched: 2000; Builder: Feadship/Royal Van Lent, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: aluminum; Engines: 2/1,500-hp CATs
  82. JeMaSa        Length: 164’5″Year launched: 2005; Builder: Hakvoort, Holland; Naval Architect: Diana Yacht Design; Hull Material: steel; Engines:2/1,014-hp CATs
  83. Blind Date II        Length: 164’0″ (tie)Year launched: 2009; Builder: Trinity Yachts, USA; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: aluminum; Engines: 2/2,200-hp CATs
  84. Inevitable        Length: 164’0″ (tie)Year launched: 1990/2008; Builder: Feadship/DeVries, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/900-hp CATs
  85. Aurora B        Length: 164’0″ (tie)Year launched: 1992; Builder: Feadship/De Vries, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,450-hp CATs
  86. Grace E        Length: 164’0″ (tie)Year launched: 2004; Builder: Codecasa, Italy; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,260-hp CATs
  87. Happy Days        Length: 164’0″ (tie)Year launched: 2006; Builder: Delta Marine, USA; Naval Architect: Delta Design Group; Hull Material: fiberglass; Engines: 2/1,300-hp CATs
  88. Iroquois        Length: 164’0″ (tie)Year launched: 1998; Builder: Feadship/DeVries, Holland; Naval Architect: De Voogt; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,370-hp CATs
  89. Man of Steel        Length: 164’0″ (tie)Year launched: 2009; Builder: Heesen Yachts, Holland; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/1,550-MTUs
  90. Mine Games        Length: 164’0″ (tie)Year launched: 2007; Builder: Trinity Yachts, USA; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: aluminum; Engines: 2/3,384-hp CATs
  91. Norwegian Queen        Length: 164’0″ (tie)Year launched: 2008; Builder: Trinity Yachts, USA; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: aluminum; Engines: 2/2,250-hp CATs
  92. Wheels        Length: 164’0″ (tie)Year launched: 2009; Builder: Trinity Yachts, USA; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: aluminum; Engines: 2/2,250-hp CATs
  93. Evviva        Length: 163’10” (tie)Year launched: 2007; Builder: Westport Shipyard, USA; Naval Architect: William Garden/Donald Starkey Designs; Hull Material: fiberglass; Engines: 2/3,650-hp MTUs
  94. My Girl        Length: 163’10” (tie)Year launched: 2007; Builder: Westport Shipyard, USA; Naval Architect: William Garden/Donald Starkey Designs; Hull Material: fiberglass; Engines: 2/3,650-hp MTUs
  95. Seaquest        Length: 163’10” (tie)Year launched: 2008; Builder: Westport Shipyard, USA; Naval Architect: William Garden/Donald Starkey Designs; Hull Material: fiberglass; Engines: 2/3,650-hp MTUs
  96. Vango        Length: 163’10” (tie)Year launched: 2006; Builder: Westport Shipyard, USA; Naval Architect: William Garden/Donald Starkey Designs; Hull Material: fiberglass; Engines: 2/3,650-hp MTUs
  97. Invader        Length: 163’7″ tie Year launched: 1999; Builder: Codecasa, Italy; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 2/2,200-hp CATs
  98. Casino Royale        Length: 163’7″Year launched: 2008; Builder: Christensen Shipyards, USA; Naval Architect: builder; Hull Material: fiberglass; Engines: 2/1,770-hpMTUs
  99. Triton        Length: 163’4″ Year launched: 2004; Builder: Delta Marine, USA; Naval Architect: Delta Design; Hull Material: fiberglass; Engines: 2/1,000-hp CATs
  100. Shandor        Length: 162’10” Year launched: 1986/1994; Builder: Fr. Schweers, Germany; Naval Architect: Gerhard Gilgenast; Hull Material: steel; Engines: 1/2,300-hp Krupp MAK
  101. *Mystique (Honorable mention )        Length: 162’4″ Year launched: 1989; Builder: Oceanfast, Australia; Naval Architect: Jon Bannenberg/Phil Curran; Hull Material: aluminum; Engines: 1/1,960-hp & 2/3,480-hp MTUs

This article originally appeared in the November 2010 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.