Some unions, though short-lived, are the stuff of romance, largesse, and immense joy. Then the story moves on with another protagonist. That’s what happened with one of the world’s most stunning superyachts named Pelorus that was commissioned by Saudi Arabian businessman Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Abdulmalik Al-Sheikh. The tycoon enjoyed his tryst with the terrific ship by Lurssen (their largest at the time) in 2003 on a long glorious cruise before deciding to part with it.
He perhaps decided to bid adieu to the motoryacht owing to the increasing list of potential buyers, each offering acquiescent amounts of money for a stunner of a ship. It probably seemed just as exciting to the Saudi magnate as enjoying Pelorus’s umpteen luxuries.
It was former Chelsea FC boss Roman Abramovich who ultimately bagged Pelorus, which became the benchmark of his ever-expanding fleet of giant yachts (what followed were epical yachts like Eclipse and Solaris). Going by the sheer size of Pelorus, a 377-footer with five massive decks and several luxurious amenities, it would have sold for at least $350 million—an enticing offer indeed for a billionaire sheikh to refuse. Let’s take a look at what made Pelorus the talk of the town when billionaires and superyachts were fewer.
Pelorus, the mighty—
With two 3,900kW Wärtsilä V12 engines and four 465kVA alternators, Pelorus is a powerful beast, and that’s an understatement. Adding the pretty to the powerful is the indomitable team of Tim Heywood on exteriors and beachside villa interiors by Terence Disdale.
Under Abramovich’s ownership, the 377-footer gained a second helicopter pad and came with an impressive sun deck featuring a large pool outfitted with counter-current jets and a jacuzzi bar; Pelorus boasts four swimming pools in all. The space included alfresco dining to make the most of the surrounding vistas.
A noteworthy design element of the ship was the presence of several terraces and balconies. The owner’s deck came with a private terrace, dressing room, lounge, study, and a butler’s cabin. Guests were accommodated in nine well-appointed cabins.
Luxe amenities like a 538 sqft cinema, a panoramic sky lounge with a huge bar that could convert into a nightclub with striking lighting, sound systems, and an illuminated dance floor made Pelorus quite the party place.
The many owners of superyacht Pelorus—
After Abramovich, the luxury vessel went to his now ex-wife, Irina Abramovich, as part of her divorce settlement, who sold the Lurssen beauty in 2011 for $300 million to tycoon David Geffen. Pelorus was then sold to Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates) for $215 million and finally went to Chinese billionaire Samuel Tak Lee in 2016.
The majestic motor yacht, despite all its grandeur, was looking for another owner, according to Superyacht Times. The 5,403GT ship is lying in Germany at the Kusch shipyard and can be bought for $200 million through Burgess Yachts.
