Not to be outdone by the Middle Eastern billionaire who’s building the largest motor boat in the world, Russia’s billionaire businessman Andrey Melnichenko is bringing fierce competition to the ultra-rich mega-yacht contest by building what will be the world’s largest sailing yacht.
Already known for his radically designed 396-foot motor yacht “A”, Melnichenko is planning to construct an approximately 400-foot sailing yacht. To compare, the current holder of “world’s largest sailing yacht” is the 305-foot Eos, formerly owned by Barry Diller. However if the bowsprit of the Eos isn’t included in the measurements, then the title holder would be the Maltese Falcon which was built for Tom Perkins.
Details are few and far between as Melnichenko, in keeping with his famous demeanor as a tight-lipped person, has surrounded the project with a high degree of secrecy. However, some experts in the industry are saying that the yacht will be sail-assisted with motors as well as sails. Rumor also has it that some design elements will be similar to those of “A” such as a low-slung hull. Further adding to the ultra-modern look will be raked sails to give the craft a sleek appearance.
Making the project unusual is the fact that Melnichenko’s own team will be seeing to the yacht’s construction which will be built in Germany at the Nobiskrug Shipyard. Estimated costs are expected to exceed $100 million, and the ships official unveiling is expected to occur late in 2015 or early 2016.
