lachlan murdoch new yacht

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Billionaire Lachlan Murdoch Buys 68-Year-Old Superyacht

When your superyacht's also your tinnie...

Image Credit: Boat International/Guillaume Plisson

Lachlan Murdoch, heir to the Murdoch media empire, has reportedly purchased a fully refurbished, 43-metre long yacht for a cool $30 million ($22.5 million USD). 

The freshly re-done 1954 motor yacht, Istros , was sold over a month ago. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that their sources say Istros will be motoring into Sydney Harbour in the near future, where it will be docked nearby the Murdoch’s $100 million ($75 million USD) Bellevue Hill Estate called Le Manoir. 

News of the sale comes as Murdoch awaits the delivery of his 60-metre, $150 million sailing yacht which is still under construction at the Royal Huisman Shipyard in Amsterdam — which means that the Istros is essentially the Murdoch family’s very, very expensive ‘tinnie.’ 

The delicately refurbished 68-year-old ‘tinnie’ comes with 5 staterooms that can accommodate up to 10 guests, state of the art satellite TV technology as well as a fully stocked private bar and lounge area on the top deck. That’s quite the cruise-about.

The two new ships will pair extremely well with the family’s new Point Piper ‘boat shed,’ which Lachlan and his wife Sarah Murdoch reportedly paid a staggering $37 million for, granting it the official title of “ Australia’s most expensive boat shed .”

When the family relocated from Los Angeles to Sydney over a year ago, there was no certainty around how long they would be living in Australia, however The Sydney Morning Herald has now officially confirmed that the Murdochs have officially settled down in Australia, claiming that the election of Democratic President Joe Biden was a major factor behind the move. 

Lachlan Murdoch will maintain his position as the Executive Chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation, a conservative media outlet in the United States. The move probably won’t bother Lachlan too much, as he continues to jet back and forth between the US on his $90 million private jet.  

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Murdoch's superyacht 'Sarissa' arrives

Dutch carbon-fibre performance sloop with cockpit swimming pool.

Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch’s stunning new carbon-fibre superyacht Sarissa has arrived in Sydney in time for summer. Designed by Bill Tripp and built by Dutch yard Vitters, the cutting-edge yacht was two years in the making and is the largest carbon-fibre sloop built to date in the Netherlands.

Vitters Shipyard's website describes  Sarissa as a spectacular 42.6 m carbon globetrotter and performance sloop with a fully modern hull shape, sail plan, and foils. 

Hydraulic sailing and deck systems are said to provide improved reaction speed, load and stiffness to safely facilitate the sailing performance this modern and technical yacht was designed for.

Other custom technical features are an in-house developed hydraulic steering system with rudder feedback, as well as a unique system of back stays and running stays to operate both her cruising and racing sail configurations. The yacht has a lifting keel.

The mainsheet has been placed on an arch spanning the cockpit to keep the deck clear, while the aft cockpit can be transformed into a swimming pool for the kids.

Sarissa's design was guided by close client input and involvement, says Vitters, adding that the yacht will be used to sail all over the world with the family in tow and will take part in the established superyacht regattas.

The layout and deck plan emphasise a clean and modern look, while the family friendly layout below decks boasts a full-beam after stateroom, three guests cabins and three crew cabins.

The stunning interior is by Rhoades Young Design Ltd using a combination of limed oak, dark Italian walnut, Indian rosewood, carbon, dark leather and brushed stainless steel.

Finished in swordfish blue Alexseal paint, with a Ribling 555 tender in the 'garage', the 163 tonne Sarissa has a 56m carbon mast and will be hard to miss moored at Wooloomooloo in Sydney’s CBD.

Meantime, father Rupert reportedly listed his 184ft yacht Rosehearty , built by Perini Navi in Italy in 2006, for sale in September this year for $29.7 million. This followed his divorce from wife Wendi Deng.

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Lachlan Murdoch’s new superyacht docks in Sydney | Photos

Lachlan Murdoch’s $30 million superyacht has arrived in Australia for the first time as he and the family drop anchor in Sydney and await the completion of their far pricier cruiser.

The News Corp co-chairman bought the classic fixer-upper earlier this year but has only just docked the vessel in Australian waters, keeping it at Rozelle Bay in the city, where Mr Murdoch, his wife Sarah and three children now live. 

He bought the 42-metre Feadship yacht for the huge sum while he waits for his secretive latest purchase to be built, a 59.7m Royal Huisman sloop, believed to be worth £100million (A$175million).

Dropping anchor: the travelling tycoon’s yacht arrived in Sydney as he and his family settle into cosmopolitan Sydney life

As they settle into Sydney life, Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch added a $30 million classic yacht to their fleet while they waited the arrival of their secretive $175million superyacht. The couple here pictured at the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscars Party

Splashing cash: The yacht is docked in Rozelle Bay, but the couple have spent millions on a boat shed for the next addition to their fleet

Sun-deck: The Scandinavian style boat has an emphasis on light interiors, windows and outdoor living spaces, including the covered al fresco dining area and massive couch on top deck 

The 1954 refurbished motor yacht, Istros, has accomodation for nine guests in five different cabins.

The boat also features crew quarters for up to ten staff. 

On deck, the boat boasts a sofa and deck chairs, while further along the vessel is a dining table that caters to alfresco eating. 

Jumping ship: The media mogul will use the $30 million yacht but will likely favour his next vessel, a $175 million superyacht

Down in the doldrums: The boat was at one stage completely rusted and lying abandoned in a shipyard, before a massive overhaul saw the boat win awards and fetch a huge price on market

Theseus’ ship: The 42.1m classic had its interior, exterior, and engine rooms completely gutted in the 2010s and is unrecognisable from the 1950s boat that was once left in disrepair

The sloop has been entirely remodelled, including a full overhaul of its interior, upgrades to the external fittings and gutting of the engine room.

It was little more than a rusting hulk when it was rescued from a Maltese port in 2015, before it was salvaged and rebuilt. 

Dutch shipyard De Vries Lentsch delivered the yacht in the 1950s but Van Geest design made the interior upgrades in ‘family oriented, sunny Scandinavian style’.

However, it was not all smooth sailing with financial difficulties stopping progress on the yacht until 2018.

The upgrades were then completed by Feadship in 2020.

Istros has won awards for its remodelling and rebuilding with many leasing the ship while she was on the charter market.

That was until Mr Murdoch snapped her up in 2021. 

The boat joins an extensive Murdoch flotilla including the Sarissa, which they paid $30million for, but is now believed to be available for charter.

Lachlan Murdoch is an enthusiastic sailor, having raced his 24-metre sail yacht Swan 82, Ipixuna, at Hamilton Island in early 2021.

He also entered the Sydney to Hobart back in 1997. 

Mooring up: The ship sits between other multi million dollar yachts in the Sydney Harbour near where he now lives

Won’t go down with his ship: Lachlan Murdoch left America for Sydney in 2021 after republicans lost power in America

Last year, the couple paid $38 million for a boat shed at Point Piper after relocating to Sydney to live at their Bellevue Hill compound, Le Manoir.

It was believed they would host a delayed 90th birthday celebration for family mogul Rupert Murdoch this year, however the News Corp chairman and CEO has now turned 91.

Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch now own properties in Sydney, Los Angeles and Colorado, as well as a $90 million Gulfstream G650 private jet.

Lachlan uses the private jet to regularly fly between the US and Australia for work. 

Rupert Murdoch (centre) is pictured with his son Lachlan (right) and daughter-in-law Sarah in Sun Valley, Idaho, USA

Rupert Murdoch (left) is pictured speaking with his eldest son Lachlan in Sun Valley, Idaho, USA in 2018

The Murdochs have three children – sons Kalan Alexander, 17, Aidan Patrick, 15, and daughter Aerin Elisabeth, 11 – who all attend private schools across Sydney.

Previous reports have suggested it’s not always been smooth sailing for the family of five. 

Last year, sources claimed the family moved to Australia when the US political climate shifted after Joe Biden was elected the US president. 

The pro-Republican family’s children apparently experienced ‘a rough’ time, Nine newspapers reported. 

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Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch watch the sunset on their new $30million yacht as they cruise around Sydney Harbour with family and friends

By Mary Mrad For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:06 EDT, 11 June 2022 | Updated: 03:23 EDT, 11 June 2022

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Lachlan Murdoch and his wife Sarah enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on their $30million superyacht, Istros, on Wednesday.

The couple, who have been married for 23 years, watched the sunset on the vessel as they cruised around Sydney Harbour with family and friends.

Sarah, 49, kept warm in a blue jumper and white puffer jacket as she chatted to pals after boarding the yacht.

Setting sail: Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch watched the sunset on their new $30million yacht in Sydney on Wednesday

Out and about: The couple, who have been married for 23 years, cruised around Sydney Harbour with family and friends

Lachlan, 50, wore dark pants, a white shirt and black jacket.

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The Murdochs sat on the deck and chatted to their guests while watching the sunset in the distance.

Lachlan and Sarah are parents to sons Kalan Alexander, 17, and Aidan Patrick, 16, and daughter Aerin Elisabeth, 12.

Casual: Sarah, 49, kept warm in a blue jumper and white puffer jacket as she chatted to pals after boarding the yacht

Keeping it casual: Lachlan, 50, wore dark pants, a white shirt and a black jacket

Catch-up: The Murdochs sat on the deck and chatted to their guests while watching the sunset

In April last year, the Sydney Morning Herald reported the Murdochs could be staying in Australia 'for years, not months, as initially believed'.

The couple, who own a home in Bellevue Hill, known as Le Manoir, married in 1999.

Lachlan purchased the superyacht Istros earlier this year.

The vessel is likely to be moored where the family recently purchased a $38million 'boat shed' at Wunulla Road, Point Piper.

Moving? In April last year, the Sydney Morning Herald reported the Murdochs could be staying in Australia 'for years, not months, as initially believed'

New purchase: Lachlan purchased the superyacht Istros earlier this year

Safe place: The vessel is likely to be moored where the family recently purchased a $38million 'boat shed' at Wunulla Road, Point Piper

The 42-metre Istros, which was built in 1954 and subsequently refurbished, was once owned by the Pappadakis shipping dynasty.

It won the grand prize for the best restored vessel at the Monaco Yacht Club Prada Classic Yacht Show in 2001.

But it fell into disrepair and was little more than a rusting hulk when it was rescued from a Maltese port in 2015, salvaged and rebuilt.

The interiors were redesigned in chic Scandinavian style by Van Geest Design.

History: The 42-metre Istros, which was built in 1954 and subsequently refurbished, was once owned by the Pappadakis shipping dynasty

Award: It won the grand prize for the best restored vessel at the Monaco Yacht Club Prada Classic Yacht Show in 2001

Share or comment on this article: Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch watch the sunset on $30million yacht in Sydney

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