All that glitters is gold, and sometimes it’s a 136-foot sleek Palmer Johnson painted entirely in 24-karat gold dust. Superyachts are inherently things of beauty, but with this Midas touch, the AK ROYALTY Yacht has become a guaranteed head-turner. After a stunning summer 2023 refit using specialist paint containing real 24-carat gold dust, the sports yacht has amped up her appeal as an undeniably regal motor yacht. The same shimmering treatment extends to the Jet Skis and SeaBobs, ensuring that nothing looks out of place.
Yacht owner Aaron Fidler, the multi-millionaire founder and CEO of tech company Furrion, is not a fan of subtlety and has commissioned equally attention-grabbing elements inside, with stark contrasts in interior colors, luxury materials, and unique decorations like wildlife silver sculptures.
The nautical themes have been ditched for a more monochromatic milieu with stark blacks and whites. There’s plenty of glamour inside, with chrome and diamanté accents, endless mirrors, exquisite marbles, and attractive silver tigers in the formal dining room.
‘It took time, money, and energy getting the mix of 24-karat gold dust and marine paint just right so that it glints under the sun’s reflection,’ Fidler shared. The fun under the sun aboard the golden boat doesn’t cease, as the party vibe continues with a DJ booth and new speakers in pride of place on the main deck.
State-of-the-art iPad-controlled AV systems are installed throughout the interior. The sun deck houses a well-equipped gym and massage section, along with a six-person Jacuzzi, while the foredeck features leisurely activities on sun pad cushions coupled with an open-air movie theater setup.
AK Royalty accommodates 12 guests in five cabins, while the owner revels in a full-beam master suite, complete with marble bathrooms and Fendi carpets. Interestingly, Fidler, a computer electronics engineer who once worked as a deckhand aboard the yacht Solemates in South Florida and later as chief engineer aboard an 180-footer, has a long-standing connection with the yachting industry.
His journey continued as a circuit supplier, improving phone connections between yachts and docks, before co-founding Furrion with his brother. Today, he owns a stellar gold ship that he rents out for $122,000 a week.
