Russian billionaire Oleg Tinkov’s explorer superyacht La Datcha does not treat its toys and tenders as secondary equipment. Instead, it turns them into a coordinated extension of the mothership, finished in the same gold-and-white palette that defines the vessel’s commanding profile.
The limo tender, jet skis, and even the deep-diving Triton 1650/3 LP submersible follow the exact color scheme, creating a visual fleet that feels deliberate and orchestrated rather than assembled. In an industry where tenders are often utilitarian afterthoughts, La Datcha presents them as part of a unified design language.
Delivered in 2020 by Dutch shipbuilder Damen Yachting, the 253-foot (77-meter) steel-hulled explorer was engineered for extreme latitudes. With a range of 6,000 nautical miles, a cruising speed of 12 knots, and a top speed of 15 knots powered by twin MTU engines, the yacht was conceived for Arctic and Antarctic missions that demand endurance and autonomy.
Enhanced fuel capacity and advanced waste management systems allow up to 40 days at sea without resupply, reinforcing its expedition credentials. At 2,517 gross tons with a 14-meter beam and a draft of 3.8 meters, the vessel offers the internal volume necessary to support serious exploration while maintaining refined comfort.
The tenders and toys underscore that philosophy. The limo tender mirrors the mothership’s gold-and-white finish, delivering guests ashore with the same visual authority as the main deck. The jet skis carry identical detailing, ensuring that even high-speed recreation aligns with the yacht’s aesthetic.
Most striking is the Triton 1650/3 LP submersible, capable of diving to depths of 500 meters, which also wears the signature colors. Submersibles are usually defined by function alone, yet here the engineering marvel becomes part of a curated identity that links surface luxury with underwater ambition.
There is one notable exception to the coordinated palette. La Datcha carries two Airbus H125 helicopters finished in a subdued dark grey. The restrained exterior gives them a purposeful, almost tactical presence, contrasting with the yacht’s gilded confidence.
The choice suggests that while the tenders and submersible are styled as extensions of the brand, the helicopters are positioned as serious tools for heli-skiing operations, reconnaissance flights, and remote transfers in harsh environments.
Inside, the yacht balances expedition hardware with warmth. Six staterooms accommodate up to 12 guests, including two Master Suites and a VIP, supported by a crew of 25. The Observation Lounge offers panoramic views suited for watching ice fields or tropical horizons, while the wellness center includes a Turkish Hammam, ice fountain, massage room, indoor spa pool, and a fully equipped gym with sea views. After a day exploring by helicopter or submersible, guests return to interiors that feel closer to a private alpine retreat than a rugged research vessel.
Son of a miner turned billionaire
Behind this floating expedition platform stands Oleg Tinkov, a self-made billionaire born in the mining settlement of Polysayevo in the Kemerovo region to a coal miner father and a seamstress mother. In the early 1990s, he formalized his electronics trading into Technoshock, a retail chain in St Petersburg that emphasized American-style service inspired by the US chain Good Guys and generated up to $50,000 a day at its flagship store. La Datcha reflects that same instinct for scale and presentation, pairing operational capability with a carefully controlled image that extends from hull to helicopter.
