The man behind more than $1 billion in annual jeans sales is now selling his superyacht. American Eagle Outfitters billionaire Jay Schottenstein has parted ways with his 200-foot Royal Hakvoort motor yacht Just J’s after a decade of owning the family-oriented vessel. Now rechristened Jubilee, the five-decker, with a volume of 1,150 GT, is moving into its next chapter. There is something fitting about the yacht’s story coming full circle.
The ship began life as Project Golden Age, commissioned for another owner. But the original project stalled, and the unfinished vessel was effectively rescued when a new American buyer stepped in. Schottenstein was not interested in simply carrying forward someone else’s vision. Instead, he reshaped the yacht with the help of Sinot Design, which reworked the interiors and atmosphere without gutting the entire build.
The pleasure craft accommodates 16 guests across eight cabins, including a massive master suite that occupies pride of place on board, reported Boat International. The owner’s space comes with a private forward terrace and a Jacuzzi, while a skylight directly above floods the room with natural light.
For the well-heeled owners, the private deck was designed to feel more like a secluded apartment at sea, complete with two individual dressing rooms, separate bathrooms, and a private lounge opening out to a large alfresco dining area for up to 14 guests. Interestingly, the space also featured a hidden, cocooned breakfast nook and a Jacuzzi that could not be seen from above or below. It sounds like the sort of sanctuary one would never want to leave.
Still, Jubilee offers plenty of reasons to step away from the comfort of the owner’s deck and explore the rest of the yacht. A central glass lift carries guests to a large sundeck pool, which replaced a smaller one with a larger countercurrent version finished in custom mosaic tiles and a sea-themed border. Charming details, like a small crab motif clutching a “J,” made time aboard the motoryacht all the more memorable.
For fitness enthusiasts, there is also a gym and a beach club with integrated swimming access. The full-beam garage is equipped with a 7.8-meter tender and four Sea-Doo jet skis for easy ocean enjoyment. The $83 million ship also comes with a cinema and several lounging spaces, making multigenerational living onboard feel both easy and indulgent.
Jubilee has always been a private yacht and remained family-focused throughout, perhaps reflecting the fact that Jay Schottenstein’s own fortune is rooted in the Schottenstein family business. Yet for all its warmth and comfort, Jubilee is also a serious performer, powered by twin Caterpillar diesel engines that propel her to a top speed of 15.5 knots and give her a range of 4,000 nautical miles.
American Eagle’s CEO Jay Schottenstein-
Not a tech tycoon or a shipping magnate, 72-year-old Schottenstein is one of the most influential figures in American retail, best known for transforming American Eagle Outfitters from a regional multi-brand retailer into a global apparel powerhouse. Born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1954, he represents the third generation of a retail dynasty. Jay began his career on the ground floor, managing operations and store setups within the Value City Furniture division. He may have inherited a business, but he built his fortune over decades by expanding and modernizing that foundation. Today, American Eagle Outfitters, Designer Brands, American Signature, Schottenstein Stores, and SB360 Capital Partners together shape both his wealth and the way he lives his life on land and at sea.
