Supersonic superyachts, better known as superyachts, don’t do well in ports. They don’t have docking bays. They can’t cruise on open water. They’re built to travel like a spaceship.
Even if built to last, they’re by design disposable. When their owners decide to sell them, the buyers don’t even bother to seek out anything resembling a traditional mooring.
To prepare for their nautical debuts, owners take lessons in heli-skimming, wind-resistance, and gas compressors. They wait until the next generation of vessels hits the market before they invest.
What sets the biggest superyachts apart from others is that they’re built almost entirely of carbon fiber; most are rated so light that they can pass through tunnels and under bridges. The extreme, order-to-build speed helps them travel twice as fast as their competitors. Plus, a superyacht built in the same mold as the Silver Cloud can cost as much as $1 billion.
This month, the Silver Cloud sold to what is estimated to be the third-richest man in the world, the Italian trader Flavio Briatore. While nothing concrete has been announced yet, there’s one thing already certain: The next generation of superyachts will be smaller.
Featured in Forbes for 20 consecutive years, here’s a look at the 10 biggest megayachts ever made.