Super, Mega, and now Giga??

We have touched this subject before as you can find here; http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2099

Recently, the term "Giga-Yacht" has been the subject of some feature articles in some yachting magazines. I thought this was interesting because their articles were published within 2-3 months following our discussions here at YachtForums. The term Giga-Yacht is not new, nor are we the first to coin the phrase. The word Gigayacht was reserved as a domain name many years ago.

On a related subject... and another example of the internet's influence on traditional media, there is a certain magazine that started a section called... the "************" last month. Most of us know who the REAL ************ is, but the readers of this magazine may never know the truth. Sadly, these magazines use the knowledge of forum members to further their publishing expertise (read: increase their profits!!!), yet the members of the forum don't get any credit. Basically, the members get a pat on the back by the magazine editor!

Having worked in the media, I was surprised that some of these editors DON'T own yachts and have NEVER worked on a yacht. Thanks, but no thanks! I prefer to get my information from owners and enthusiasts.

The reason I'm bringing this up? Giga-Yachts are NOT something that many (if any) of us will ever own, or have the good fortune to go onboard. Frankly, they are NOT yachts. They are SHIPS... and you need the income of a 3rd world country to afford them. Far too much time is spent on the internet talking about these colossal giants that are nearly an "anomoly" by definition.

Let's get REAL and let's talk about REAL-istic yachts... the kind of boats that we can all aspire to, get informed about... and work toward.

BLOG-off.

Bravo Carl!!! The voice of reason prevails.

To the new guy - you might want to consider you just challenged the administrator of this site, who by all counts is one of the most informed people in the business.

"Realistic" is a subjective term, of course... How many hulls over a certain length have to be built before that length is decided to be realistic? I dunno. Trinity just expanded and is now set to put out 8-10 complete yachts per year. Like you said, they don't even produce under 100', yet if a single complany is gearing up to produce 8-10 unique yachts per year, who's to say that 140-180' isnt a "realistic" size?

Ever read through the yearly order book? I was dumb-struck when I saw the figures for the first time... The total amount of linear feet under construction or on order is astounding, and the average hull length is pretty amazing too. "Realistic" seems a lot larger than one might imagine.

Guys...

I made no parameters in my remarks, just observations. We've always covered yachts that are are new, interesting, unique... and large! But, I think it's important to stay grounded too.

There is no definitive yacht size and I certainly don't want to inhibit discussion, but... we have a large number of people coming to this site and many of them will NOT become members because they can't relate to Giga-Yachts. It simply remains a curiosity for most.

I am not suggesting any parameters on the size or stature of the yachts we discuss, but I would like to see more people become members and participate on YachtForums. Discussions about 300-500 foot yachts is NOT the way to do this.

Topics that are more mainstream will result in more participation. Ultimately, the more active people we have, the more we will ALL learn. While I agree that "realistic" is subjective, most people can't relate to GigaYachts and frankly... I can't either.

With this being said... I'm "putting my money where my mouth is". Starting next month, we have several reviews, ranging in size from 55 feet to 80 feet. Here's the line-up we're working on...

1. 58' Ocean Alexander
2. 75' Symbol
3. 80' Alaskan
4. 57' Marlow Explorer
5. 58' Westbay
6. 55' Nordhavn

Ah, finally the truth comes out. There is actually passion here. The odd little difference of opinion can't hide it. For the most part we're all diseased. And the only cure is to get out on the water, no matter if the cure is 10 metres or 100 metres. With very few exceptions they are all beautiful things to at least one of those with the disease.
Right now I'd settle for a raft with a few poles and enough canvas to make it move. It's been more than a month....
Cheers!

Well said Codger

Kelly Cook

Mega GiGa Yachts

Hi all, i know that we already discussed this thread a little earlier.
In the discussion i miss that we also should think about the Charter yachts/ships

More and more yachts coming with the small cruise ship classification on the market
Christina O, RM Elegant, Annaliesse, Turama, Constellation, Celia, Seadream I+II
etc etc.
So we will see how many of this Gigas will be for Charter. Also we have many Mega
Yacht Owners who also have big Companys behind and always meetings etc also on board. A swimming office with excellent accomodation and relaxing areas is always a benefit. For example Rising Sun accomodates the Oracle Crew during the races.
I am also sure that we will not get any problems with moorings in the future In my opinion the Harbour Companys will be able to react on many new build projects
and if not the owners will. For example in Mallorca at the Club de Mar 4-5 Mega yacht Owners build the pier 6 and increase it for 70- 100 meters on their own costs. Where is the problem when you have enough money ?
But i also think that these Shadow yachts will also something owners have to think about. It will be much easier to book two 60-80m moorings instead of a 120m.
Thats all for today and now i will go to the Monaco yacht Show and will put some pictures here next week.

A mad, mad world..?

You can look upon the growing number of large yachts from many angles.

What first comes to mind is the money spent and what could or should they be used for as an alternative?

The wealth distribution is an increasing problem and a foundation for many, if not most of the problems our world are facing today.

I may be ignorant, but the money spent on superyachts is pocket money compared to what is spent on warfare. If we are pragmatic we can say that both create jobs, but we rather see the result of yachts being built than bombs.

It is to our politicians to collect taxes and redistribute them wherever they are needed. Many yachtowners are also philanthropists and contribute to both wellfare and preserving nature.

What I would like to say is that few of the crazy things we are spending money on, creates more jobs and will last longer than crewed superyachts.

If they are built with money that is declared and taxed for, I think we should all enjoy what we see.

Then it is another question whether it is wise to build yachts bigger than cruise ships, but this can only be answered by the owners...

Good points Lars. A fortune that was earned is hardly a bad thing. I don't think the vast amount of $$ is so distrubing as the means by which some fortunes were acquired. Hardly the case for all of the wealthy, but there are a few rogues out there. Of course the same could be said for some governments

Kelly

Thread revival ...

The is a nice article on this topic in the November 2007 issue of Boat International. They interviewed a bunch of people in the industry, on both sides of the Atlantic. Seems that in the US it's common practice to put megayachts smaller than superyachts. But that is vice versa in Europe. Who's going to win this one?

Kelly

I have convinced my wife that Giga is a 60'.

We are looking to trade our 2007 48' Sea Ray for a 2006 56' Carver.

The change is to get us into bridge style boats, more room ....

Can anyone recommend an alternative boat to the Carver in the 60' range between $800k and $900K? (Used is fine just not older than 2005)

We are weekend boater and summer travelers, this summer we made Florida and Corpus Christi.

Need lots of room, stairs from inside (small children), pilot house for rainy days and decent fuel consumption.