Billionaires don’t give up on their dreams; they simply trade up for a better one.
For Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank, the same applies to his superyacht Dreamboat. The vessel, a head-turner at New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX, was perhaps making one of its final grand appearances with its owner.
Now that the big game is over, it’s time for something bigger; hence, the 295-foot-long motor yacht has hit the market with Edmiston for a staggering $195 million.
That price tag seems rather ambitious, but it could very well be a strategic move to ensure Blank isn’t left yachtless before his under-construction, 364-foot Oceanco superyacht takes shape.
Arthur Blank’s under construction superyacht at the Oceanco facility.Known as Project Y726, the vessel is currently in the final stages of outfitting at Oceanco’s facilities in Alblasserdam and is slated for delivery later this year. Pricing Dreamboat so high buys Blank some extra time with the yacht until, just as we’d expect, an “irresistible discount” is suddenly offered. That’s exactly what The Yacht Report, a popular YouTube channel, speculates might happen.
Interestingly, the portal suggests that the order for Blank’s new Oceanco behemoth was likely placed shortly after Dreamboat was delivered in 2019. But why would he replace this masterpiece from naval architect Espen Øino?
After all, Dreamboat boasts 11 opulent cabins, a swimming pool, a sun deck jacuzzi, a sauna, a steam room, a massage room, a plunge pool, and even a rain shower. Add to that a beach club and an impressive arsenal of tenders and toys, and she’s still every bit the dreamboat.
But to think like a billionaire, one must be one. For Blank, whose net worth stands at $9.5 billion, the reasons may be unfathomable to us. Perhaps the answer lies in his humble beginnings, the son of a pharmaceutical company executive, he shared a one-bedroom apartment with his older brother, Michael, before amassing his fortune. If that journey led him to commission a 364-footer while still enjoying a slightly smaller superyacht, then so be it.
Dreamboat 2.0: Bigger, Bolder, Blank-er
This Oceanco masterpiece seems special even before completion, with no glimpse yet of her interiors, amenities, or luxurious touches. She has already made a mark thanks to graffiti artist “I AM EELCO,” who was invited to paint Oceanco Y726, celebrating her transition from early-stage construction to her final outfitting shed in the Netherlands. The 4,550 GT vessel, with Espen Øino International handling the styling and Mark Berryman Design crafting the interiors, promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
Though there are no official images, details are not wrapped in secrecy. Large windows stretch across multiple decks, allowing sweeping ocean views, while a winter garden brings a touch of nature indoors. With a cinema ready for Super Bowl screenings under the stars, a gym, and a spa with a steam room and sauna, the yacht is built for both relaxation and entertainment. A beach club with a bar connects directly to the swim platform, ensuring that indulgence is always just a step away.
For Blank, now an octogenarian, the private hot tub will no doubt be his retreat, offering the perfect spot to reflect on his days as a senior accountant at Arthur Young and Company or the moment when his career took a turn at Handy Dan Home Improvement Centers. Compared to Dreamboat, this new marvel offers even more space for guests and crew alike, accommodating 28 guests and 34 crew members, an upgrade from the 23 guests and 33 crew aboard his previous vessel.
