A new Lürssen giant has quietly slipped into open water. The 384-foot (117-meter) superyacht Boardwalk has departed the German shipbuilder’s Lemwerder yard and entered the North Sea for sea trials, marking one of the final steps before delivery expected in the second quarter of 2026. After more than three years of design and construction, the vessel is now undergoing the rigorous testing program that every large yacht must complete before it is handed over to its owner.
That owner is American billionaire Tilman Fertitta, the Houston-based entrepreneur whose business empire stretches across restaurants, casinos, and professional sports. Fertitta is estimated to have a net worth of about $11.7 billion and currently serves as the United States ambassador to Italy. The yacht also continues a long-standing tradition. Fertitta has repeatedly used the name Boardwalk for successive yachts, turning the title into a recognizable personal signature within the superyacht world.
The new Boardwalk is a custom build created by Lürssen at its Lemwerder facility for the experienced American owner. Unlike many superyachts in the 100-meter class that are designed with charter operations in mind, this vessel was conceived as a private family retreat. Lürssen describes a layout built around expansive decks and multiple entertainment areas spread across several tiers, creating the atmosphere of a floating resort rather than a traditional yacht.
One of the yacht’s most striking features is the two helicopter pads, as pointed out by Boat International. A certified helipad sits forward on the guest deck, while a second landing area positioned higher on the yacht is expected to serve as a touch-and-go platform. Even among yachts of this size, a dual helicopter arrangement remains relatively rare.
The yacht’s aft decks have been designed around water and leisure. A large beach club anchors the stern, while a main deck pool paired with a separate spa pool creates a second aquatic zone above it. Higher up, two adjoining pools recessed into the upper deck add another layer to the experience, giving the vessel a multi-level waterfront feel that resembles a private seaside resort.
Beyond the pools, the yacht carries a long list of amenities including a fully equipped gym, spa facilities, a putting green, a large tender garage, cinema-grade audiovisual systems, an elevator connecting the decks, and stabilisers designed to work both underway and at anchor. A generous bathing platform and outdoor showers extend the beach club into the water itself.
Technically, Boardwalk is built as a steel displacement yacht with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure finished with teak decks. She is powered by twin diesel engines driving twin screw propellers and measures roughly 5,350 gross tons. With a beam of about 17.2 meters, the yacht offers enormous interior volume compared with Fertitta’s previous Feadship yacht of the same name.
Exterior design comes from Frank Woll, who has given the vessel a classic profile defined by long bands of glazing and smooth, tiered decks that step back as the yacht rises. The interior is designed by Amy Halffman, who also worked on the owner’s previous Boardwalk and is known for warm, hospitality-driven spaces influenced by luxury hotel design.
Sea trials in the North Sea will now test the yacht’s speed, maneuverability, stabilizers, and onboard systems under real conditions before final delivery. When she is handed over later this year, the 384-foot vessel will rank among the largest yachts in Lürssen’s fleet and will stand slightly longer than the famed superyacht Ahpo.
