The World’s Largest Yachts—2012 

81. Anastasia • 247’7″

Year Launched: 2008
Builder: Oceanco, Holland
Naval Architect: builder/Sam Sorgiovanni
Hull Material: steel
Engines: 2/3,648-hp MTUs

Fancy a few hands of poker? There’s a game room aboard Anastasia with a felt-topped card table. Guests seated in the saloon and adjacent dining room can gaze at fish, given an aquarium separating the two. Should the fish seem too sedate, the saloon can become a disco when the furnishings are pushed to the outskirts of the room, the lights come down, and the music pumps through the hidden speakers.

82. Reborn • 247’7″

Year Launched: 1998/2010
Builder: Amels, Holland
Naval Architect: builder
Hull Material: steel
Engines: 2/2,590-hp Caterpillars

Sure, Reborn’s master suite provides great views, thanks to being on an upper deck and having a private terrace. But how many yachts do you know of that have a lush garden aboard? Tropical plants adorn the aft section of the same deck as the owner’s cabin. Then there’s the atrium-like saloon, with a balcony ringing it and an overhead height exceeding 16 feet. And did we mention the pool and spa? Reborn is available for charter for €570,000 per week (about $725,000).

83. Northern Star • 247’4″

Year Launched: 2009
Builder: Lürssen, Germany
Naval Architect: builder
Hull Material: steel
Engines: 2/2,682-hp Caterpillars

Northern Star has an English country interior décor, similar to the owner’s previous yacht, which was also named Northern Star and built by Lürssen. Workout buffs can exercise in the dedicated gym aft of the wheelhouse, on the second-highest deck aboard…though we can’t help but wonder: Isn’t riding the elevator up there the equivalent of taking the easy way out? 

84. Leander G • 245’3″

Year Launched: 1992/2005
Builder: Peenewerft Shipyard, Germany
Naval Architect: builder
Hull Material: steel
Engines: 2/2,360-hp Deutz-MWMs

Last year, Leander G’s owner, Sir Donald Gosling, offered to let the Queen of England use his yacht this year to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee. Gosling, who founded the UK’s most successful operator of parking lots (“car parks” to the Brits), has owned Leander G since launch and has previously loaned her for Royal Family excursions. The Queen took him up on the offer and was aboard in northern England in mid-May. Earlier this year, Leander G toured the Caribbean with the Earl and Countess of Wessex (better known as Prince Edward and his wife Sophie) as part of her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.

85. Giant I • 241’1″

Year Launched: 1974/2007
Builder: IHC Holland, Holland/refit at various yards
Naval Architect: Amels, ME Consulting
Hull Material: steel
Engines: 2/3,400-hp Smith Bolnes

Flying the flag of Panama, Giant I is a bit of a mystery. She was available for charter for a few years but was withdrawn from the market. Hopefully she still totes her mini-armada of toys, which included two sportfishermen with red hulls painted to match the mothership. 

86. Enigma • 244’4″

Year Launched: 1991/2009
Builder: Blohm & Voss, Germany
Naval Architect: Martin Francis
Hull Material: steel
Engines: 2/5,720-hp Caterpillars

Aidan Barclay, chairman of The Telegraph Media Group in the UK, has enjoyed life aboard Enigma for several years. If you sail to Sardinia, you might just spot Enigma there, as it’s a favorite spot. 

87. Cocoa Bean • 242’1″

Year Launched: 2012
Builder: Trinity Yachts, USA
Naval Architect: builder
Hull Material: steel
Engines: 2/2,682-hp Caterpillars

Code-named New Horizon while under construction, Cocoa Bean is owned by an American couple whose previous yacht was far smaller, about 150 feet. Evan Marshall was tapped for the interior of this fully private yacht—Cocoa Bean is not available for charter. Even with her LOA and 40-foot beam, some spaces are smaller than you might expect. It’s particularly true of the skylounge, which would fit easily inside the skylounge of pretty much any other megayacht in her size range. But, Cocoa Bean’s owners saw no reason to make it any larger than needed to accommodate their family.

88. Ilona • 241’8″

Year Launched: 2003
Builder: Amels, Holland
Naval Architect: builder/ Redman Whiteley Dixon
Hull Material: steel
Engines: 2/2,635-hp Caterpillars

Do a quick Google search for Ilona, and you’ll come across a terrific YouTube video showcasing a table specially designed for her. Sounds boring? Not at all, and not even to the general public, given that about 200,000 people have viewed the video to date. Made by DB Fletcher Furniture Design, it’s a round table that starts out as a six-seater and becomes a 12-seater with a simple rotation of its top. Expansion leaves emerge from the center when the tabletop is rotated. Words don’t do it justice, so trust us, look it up on www.pmymag.com.

89. Pegaso • 241’5″

Year Launched: 2011
Builder: Freire Shipyard, Spain
Naval Architect: BMT Nigel Gee and Associates
Hull Material: steel
Engines: 2/3,100-hp Caterpillars

Pegaso is actually classed as a research vessel, but she’s outfitted and intended for use as a luxury yacht. Her owner wanted to explore a variety of remote regions, including those with ice-laden waters. So, Pegaso can remain self-sufficient for days on end away from land, and she’s even outfitted with a hospital room should a medical emergency arise. But, on a lighter note, a 120-inch screen in the bridge-deck lounge can show the latest sports matches to keep everyone aboard in touch with civilization. A five-person sub can take them to check out sea life, too.

90. Salem • 241’5″

Year Launched: 1963/1998/2008
Builder: Scheepswerf Gebr. van der Werf, Holland/Devonport Yachts, England (conversion)
Naval Architect: Devonport (conversion)
Hull Material: steel
Engines: 1/3,996-hp MAN B&W Alpha

Salem started life as an ocean weather vessel, aptly christened Cumulus. Despite being converted into a luxury yacht, she is still powered by just one engine. She has a nearly one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio, accommodating 48 in the owner’s party and 43 crew. Salem was undergoing sea trials in May in Gibraltar, though we do not have information as to why.