In a quiet transaction that flew under the radar of most aviation enthusiasts, aerospace giant Boeing parted ways with a luxury asset many didn’t even know existed: a 151-foot superyacht named “Daedalus.” The vessel, which served as the company’s floating corporate entertainment venue for over two decades, was sold for approximately $13 million to an unnamed California property developer in late 2020 amid Boeing’s financial difficulties.
Built by Seattle’s renowned Delta Marine and delivered in 1999, Daedalus represented a unique aspect of Boeing’s business operations that remained largely out of public view. The yacht featured an elegant blue and white exterior designed by Ron Holland, complemented by a luxurious interior from Jonathan Quinn Barnett.
With twin Caterpillar engines generating 1000 hp each, the vessel could reach maximum speeds of 16.5 knots and cruised comfortably at 12 knots. Its accommodations were designed for 10 guests in luxury cabins, with a crew of 7 to ensure impeccable service.
Far from being merely a corporate indulgence, Daedalus served a strategic business purpose. The yacht functioned as a floating hotel and entertainment venue, primarily used to host Boeing’s airline executives, potential customers, and other VIPs in a private, exclusive setting. During summer months, the vessel was frequently based at Vancouver Island, where Boeing sales teams would invite airline customers for fishing trips and private discussions away from the corporate environment. Winter seasons saw Daedalus hosting formal dinners, often purchased by high bidders at charity auctions, combining corporate entertainment with philanthropic efforts.
In an industry where multibillion-dollar deals for commercial aircraft are common, the yacht provided Boeing with a unique venue to strengthen business relationships in a relaxed, private setting—away from competitors and industry observers. This approach to client relationships represented a distinctive aspect of Boeing’s sales strategy, allowing executives to build connections with customers in an intimate environment that a traditional office setting couldn’t provide.
The sale of Daedalus in 2020 was notably swift, reportedly bypassing the usual inspection protocols that accompany such transactions. According to sources familiar with the deal, the new owner planned to undertake a comprehensive refit at Delta Marine before relocating the vessel to San Diego. Interestingly, the buyer reportedly purchased an 80-foot sportfishing yacht to accompany Daedalus on voyages to productive fishing grounds, suggesting the vessel would maintain its entertainment purpose, albeit in a private rather than corporate capacity.
While Boeing never publicly advertised its ownership of the luxury yacht, Daedalus represented an interesting chapter in the aerospace giant’s corporate history. Its sale marked the end of a distinctive approach to client entertainment that spanned more than two decades.
For an aircraft manufacturer whose products dominate the skies, it’s perhaps fitting that one of its less-known assets ruled the waves, albeit out of the public spotlight. As Daedalus sails toward its new future under private ownership, it leaves behind a unique legacy as the corporate superyacht that Boeing owned—that most people never knew existed.
