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Jeff Bezos Yacht Koru, The Largest Sailing Yacht

Jeff Bezos Yacht Koru A Controversial Start and a Symbolic Name

Jeff Bezos, the billionaire behind Amazon, is set to become the owner of the world's largest sailing vessel, S/Y Koru. The yacht, which measures 417 feet long, is currently undergoing open-seas testing before being delivered to its owner. The vessel has had a controversial start to its life, with a petition to dismantle a historic bridge in Rotterdam causing anger among the Dutch people. However, the boat was eventually moved to a different shipyard, and now it is almost ready to sail. In this editorial, we will look at S/Y Koru's design, its controversial start, and what the future holds for this massive sailing yacht.

The Largest Sailing Vessel in the World

Once S/Y Koru is delivered to Jeff Bezos, it will become the largest sailing vessel in the world. The yacht's sheer size is impressive, but its sailing capabilities are just as noteworthy. S/Y Koru has a hybrid propulsion system, which allows it to sail using wind power or a diesel engine. Crafted from cutting-edge materials, the yacht's sails are built to endure various weather conditions while delivering peak performance.

S/Y Koru's massive size and advanced technology come with a hefty price tag. It's been reported that constructing the yacht amounted to roughly $500 million, positioning it as one of the priciest vessels in existence. However, for Jeff Bezos, this is a drop in the bucket. The billionaire has a net worth of over $100 billion, making him one of the richest people in the world.

Symbolism and Design

The Jeff Bezos' Yacht Koru, which is not just a massive sailing yacht, but also a symbol of perpetual movement and the cycle of life, has a name inspired by the Māori symbol of the same name. The koru symbolizes the spiral of an unfurling fern frond and embodies the concept of how life both changes and remains constant, according to the New Zealand government's definition. Representing perpetual motion, the Koru's circular form with its inward coil signifies a return to the starting point.

The yacht's design is just as impressive as its symbolism. S/Y Koru was built by Oceanco, a Dutch yacht builder known for its high-end luxury vessels. The yacht has a sleek, modern design, with clean lines and a metallic grey finish. It features three masts and can accommodate up to 36 guests and 56 crew members. The yacht's interior is just as impressive, with a spa, gym, and even a climbing wall.

The Koru is not just a yacht; it's a statement. Its sheer size, advanced technology, and sleek design make it a testament to human innovation and engineering. It's the largest sailing vessel in the world, and it's a marvel to behold.

A Controversial Start

S/Y Koru's development process was not without controversy. In 2017, Oceanco petitioned the Rotterdam government to dismantle the Koningshavenbrug bridge so that the yacht could be moved to open water. The bridge, known locally as De Hef, is a symbol of local resistance against the invading forces during World War II. It was heavily damaged by Nazi shelling but managed to survive, becoming a testament to the city's resilience.

The Rotterdam city council refused the petition, causing anger among the Dutch people. Nearly 3,000 people signed up for a protest that involved throwing eggs at the yacht as it passed through town. However, the boat was eventually moved to a different shipyard without its masts early in the morning, avoiding any further controversy.

Top reasons why the Koru is a unique and impressive vessel:

Symbolic Design: The circular shape of the Koru represents perpetual motion, with its inward coil symbolizing a return to the starting point.

Cutting-Edge Materials: The yacht's sails are made from high-tech materials, designed to endure various weather conditions while delivering peak performance.

Advanced Technology: The Koru has a hybrid propulsion system, which allows it to sail using wind power or a diesel engine.

Impressive Size: Once delivered to Jeff Bezos, the Koru will become the largest sailing vessel in the world.

Luxurious Interior: The yacht can accommodate up to 36 guests and 56 crew members, with a spa, gym, and even a climbing wall.

Controversial Start: The yacht's development process was not without controversy, with a petition to dismantle a historic bridge in Rotterdam causing anger among the Dutch people.

Statement Piece: The Koru is not just a yacht; it's a statement. Its sheer size, advanced technology, and sleek design make it a testament to human innovation and engineering.

Jeff Bezos Yacht Koru is an impressive vessel, both in its size and design. The yacht's symbolism and modern features make it a unique addition to the luxury sailing world. While it may have had a controversial start, S/Y Koru is now ready to sail the open seas and embark on new adventures. Only time will tell what Jeff Bezos has planned for this magnificent yacht, but one thing is for sure - it will undoubtedly turn heads and be the envy of seafarers worldwide. S/Y Koru's advanced technology, sleek design, and exceptional performance make it a stunning feat of engineering and a true masterpiece on the water.

As of May 29, 2023 - Updated data

Superyacht koru technical specifications.

KORU is a three-masted sailing yacht, 127 meters (417 ft) in length. The superyacht is reported to have cost around $500 million, making it one of the most expensive yachts in the world. It is also noteworthy for being the second-largest sailing yacht globally, after Andrey Melnichenko's Sailing Yacht A​.

The vessel's exterior design is the work of Dykstra Naval Architects, while the interior was crafted by Mlinaric, Henry, and Zervudachi Interior Design and Decoration. The yacht's tonnage is 3,300 GT, and it can accommodate 18 passengers, looked after by a crew of 40.

Deck Layout and Amenities

KORU stands out with its classic elegance, boasting a midnight blue hull, canoe stern, and three masts, a design reminiscent of early 20th-century schooners. The deck space is ample, offering various locations to take in the surroundings, including three jacuzzis and a swimming pool.

The interior of KORU exudes opulence and sophistication, with each detail meticulously crafted to provide the utmost comfort and luxury. Fine wood finishes, marble accents, and plush furnishings create an atmosphere of elegance and refinement. The living areas, dining rooms, and lounges are vast, offering generous spaces for entertainment and relaxation​.

KORU primarily harnesses the wind for propulsion, making it a more ecologically friendly option compared to other mega yachts. Its luxurious offerings include an on-deck pool, complemented by spacious lounging and sunbathing areas. Inside, the yacht features a lavish spa and wellness center, complete with a fully equipped gym, sauna, and massage rooms. The yacht also boasts a world-class gourmet kitchen manned by a team of highly skilled chefs, providing elevated dining experiences both indoors and al fresco, with panoramic views of the ocean​.

Superyacht KORU Shadow Vessel ABEONA

The yacht is accompanied by a support vessel named Abeona, a 246-foot motor yacht. This "shadow" vessel carries additional amenities and recreational vehicles, like ATVs, supercars, seaplanes, motorcycles, smaller boats, scuba gear, personal submarines, and even helicopters, to enhance the luxurious and adventurous experience at sea​.

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Inside Jeff Bezos’s Spectacular 127-Metre Oceanco Sailing Superyacht ‘Koru’

• Howard Walker
• September 16, 2024

From its 76-metre support tender to its voluptuous wooden figurehead, the Amazon founder’s €450 million+ superyacht is full of surprises.

According to the latest  Forbes ‘s Real-Time Billionaires List, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is currently worth around $204 billion (€185 billion), making him the second-wealthiest person on the planet, just behind Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

So handing over an estimated €454 million for his 127-metre  Koru , the world’s largest sailing yacht, another €68 million for  Abeona , its 76-metre support vessel, and then paying the €27 million or so a year to cover running costs for both, should be well within his budget.

Bezos surprised the boating world when he opted for a classically styled, three-masted sailing yacht instead of some flashy mega motoryacht. What’s more, it has a buxom wooden sculpture on the forepeak, typical of 19th-century sailing vessels. And since taking delivery last year, he and his fiancé, Lauren Sánchez, have been using the yacht to cruise the world in style.

While secrecy still shrouds  Koru , especially its interior and many of its technical features, we take a closer look at eight things that make it, arguably, the most interesting sailing superyacht in years.

Designed as a Modern Classic

Koru  would never be described as sleek, or elegant even. But she does have a classical style. Designed by the Dutch masters at Dykstra Naval Architecture, the boat is distinguished by its towering navy-blue steel hull, snowy-white, two-level aluminum superstructure, sweeping canoe stern, and a trio of soaring masts. Her design inspiration is said to be the triple-masted schooner  Eos , built by Germany’s Lürssen Yachts in 2006 for American media mogul Barry Diller. And, ignoring the current trend of oversized windows,  Koru ‘s hull sides are dotted with traditional portholes with smaller-than typical windows for the upper decks (no doubt helping to protect guests from paparazzi lenses).

Little is known about the yacht’s interior design, other than it’s the work of London-based Mlinaric, Henry and Zervudachi studio. Oceanco’s website describes the interior as a “timeless, contemporary style, with natural wood tones complemented by a palette of warm neutrals and beautifully patterned textiles.”

Claiming the Prize for Size

At 410 feet bow to stern and with a beam of 56 feet,  Koru  is the largest sailing yacht in the world. Some might argue the title should go to the 143-metre  Sailing Yacht A . But that quirky, Philippe Stark–designed triple-master is considered a “sail-assisted motoryacht” rather than a true sailing yacht.  Koru  is also big inside, with a reported internal volume of 3,300 gross T=tons, that offers room for up to 18 guests in nine cabins and accommodations for a crew of 36.

A True Sailor

Full credit to Jeff Bezos for ignoring his fellow billionaires’ penchant for giant, diesel-guzzling superyachts. (Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg recently took delivery of his 118-metre  Launchpad , powered by quadruple MTU engines packing a combined 23,400 hp.) With its giant, more-than-20,000-square-foot sail plan (including three mainsails and three, cutter-style headsails),  Koru  has been regularly photographed cruising under sail. It’s also believed the yacht is making an effort to focus on sustainability, from reports of it testing out a prototype kinetic energy recovery system that converts wave-induced motion into electrical energy. The vessel is also believed to feature a hybrid power system with large battery banks that run its systems at night while at anchor.

Its 250-Foot, $75 Million “Tender”

The challenge with sailing yachts, even one that’s 125 metres long, is that it’s nearly impossible to land a helicopter on the deck. So Bezos commissioned a 76-metre support vessel, named  Abeona  after the Roman goddess of travelers. The largest shadow vessel ever built by Holland’s Damen Yachting, this explorer comes with a rear-deck helipad and hangar big enough to accommodate an Airbus ACH-135 helicopter. There’s also space aboard for a small armada of water toys and tenders, plus accommodations below decks for up to 45 crew and support staff.

Built Under Total Secrecy

Tasked with taking  Koru  from concept to reality was the superyacht builder Oceanco, based south of Rotterdam in Alblasserdam, Holland. The famed yard, owned by billionaire Mohammed Al Barwani, who also owns Turquoise Yachts in Turkey, recently completed Steven Spielberg’s new superyacht  Seven Sea s, and the similar-sized  Bravo Eugenia , launched in 2018 for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.  Koru  was reportedly first commissioned in 2018 as Project Y721 and delivered to the Amazon founder in Gibraltar in April 2023.

What’s in a Name?

While a betting person might have predicted that Bezos would have given his sailing yacht a more Amazon-connected name, like Prime, Deliverance, or even Blue Origin after his space company, he picked  Koru . The name is said to be Maori for “loop” or “coil” and resembles the spiral shape of an unfurling silver fern frond. It’s said to be an integral symbol of New Zealand Maori art that symbolizes new life and new beginnings. Look closely at the wooden figurehead on  Koru ‘s bow and the necklace around the woman’s neck features a pendant shaped like the koru symbol.

A Bridge Too Far

As  Koru  was nearing completion in 2021, word got out that builder Oceanco had approached the city of Rotterdam in Holland, offering to pay for the partial disassembly of the historic 97-year-old Koningshaven lift-bridge, which was too low for the yacht with its triple 70-metre masts in place, to pass under on its way to the North Sea. The city reportedly consented, but the move resulted in a huge public outcry with threats to plaster  Koru  with eggs as it passed through the bridge. Oceanco withdrew its application and instead towed the yacht to Rotterdam’s Greenport shipyard west of the city, transported the masts by barge, and installed them there.

The Places You’ll Go

Hot on the heels of  Koru ‘s handover in Gibraltar in April last year, the superyacht has seemingly been cruising non-stop. It was spotted exploring Spain’s Balearic Islands, anchored off Cannes during the film festival, and moored at celebrity hot spots like Saint-Tropez, Capri, Portofino, and Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Bezos reportedly proposed to Sánchez on the bow of  Koru  off Cannes in May last year, followed by an engagement party aboard in Positano, Italy with a guest list that included Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kris Jenner, Toby Maguire, and Queen Rania of Jordan. Then  Koru  cruised the 4,000-plus miles across the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale for a re-fuel and re-supply before heading to the Caribbean for winter cruising. This summer it was back to the Mediterranean for more island-hopping.

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Superyachts : Jeff Bezos' "Koru" could become the world's second largest sailing yacht in 2023

 ·  17.01.2023

For over ten years, the three-masted schooner "Eos" topped the hit list, which is compiled every two years by the megayacht magazine BOOTE EXCLUSIV, with a length of 92.92 metres. With a length of 142.81 metres, the three-masted giant "A" (Sailing Yacht A) built by German Naval Yards in Kiel catapulted to the top position in 2017.

Another newcomer even pushed the "Eos" into third place at the time. With a length of 106 metres, the "Black Pearl" also easily overtook the Bremen-built "Eos". The next update of the list is due in September 2023. It will be exciting to see how the constellation changes and whether there might even be a new number one by then.

• to the current list of the 200 longest sailing yachts in the world

Jeff Bezos soon in second place?

NOT FOR CHARTER *

This Yacht is not for Charter*

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KORU yacht NOT for charter*

125.82m  /  412'10 | oceanco | 2023.

Owner & Guests

• Previous Yacht

Special Features:

• 2nd Largest sailing yacht in the World
• Built for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos
• Additional power source from kinetic energy generated by the sails
• Large swimming pool main deck aft
• Wealth of toys and accessories
• 75m (247ft) support vessel ABEONA
• Innovative kinetic energy recovery system to covert wave-induced motion for sustainable cruising

Sailing yacht KORU offers the last word in innovative design coupled with a wealth of luxurious amenities for the very best sailing experience for her guests.

The 127m (416'8") Oceanco sailing yacht KORU (previously known as Y721) represents one of the largest sailing yachts in the world, with an impressive internal volume of 3,300 GT and wealth of luxurious accommodation and amenities.

Commissioned by entrepreneur and Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, the 3-masted schooner KORU, known throughout the build as Project Y721 replaces Oceanco’s BLACK PEARL  for second place in the world's largest sailing yacht rankings behind Nobiskrug's 143m (469ft)  sailing yacht A , and operates under the Cayman Islands' flag.

Exterior Design

Reportedly taking its design cues from the 93-meter Lurssen sail yacht EOS, the yacht features a midnight-blue hull with an elongated bowsprit and traditional canoe stern, with classic lines reminiscent of some of the finest schooners in the world. As expected from a tech entrepreneur, known for pushing boundaries and driving innovation, sailing yacht KORU is trialing a prototype for a new kinetic energy recovery system. This is based on a conversion of wave induced motion, heave, pitch and roll into electric energy, with initial tests showing early promise. With a nod to her green credentials, this will provide an additional power source for the yacht allowing for more enhanced sustainable cruising.

Interior Design

Oceanco's newest yacht is understood to have an internal volume of 3,300 GT and will undoubtedly offer a wealth of luxurious accommodation and amenities. Sailing yacht KORU benefits from full-length windows across her superstructure allowing plenty of light to infuse her elegant interiors. 

Guest Accommodation

With her wide beam the 127-meter sailing yacht KORU offers generous accommodation for her guests, equipped with the finest linens and state-of-the-art technology.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Sailing yacht KORU is served by the 75-meter (247ft) Damen support vessel ABEONA  (ex-Wingman). This yacht will be equipped with KORU's larger toys, rumored to include a submarine for thrilling excursions beneath the waves a la Jules Verne, plus a helicopter and landing pad. She is also believed to house an array of PWCs, as well as a speed boat and a luxury car, as well as providing accommodation for additional crew and staff.

Although we have little information about the yacht's features, we do know that she will have an aft dip pool on her main deck, along with a further Jacuzzi on her sundeck and variety of alfresco social spaces. Pictures show that she also has a crow's nest attached to her central mast, offering lofty panoramic views for her more adventurous guests.

Access to sailing yacht KORU will be via folding side passerelles, discreetly hidden in the yacht's hull on either side. Rescue and work tender launches will likely take place further forward, as per regulations. Recent pictures show a large hatch opening in her lower deck aft, which may contain further tenders and toys, but may also double as a beach club. 

Performance & Range

KORU is a 3,300 GT sailing yacht, built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. She was built to Lloyds Register ✠ 100A1 SSC Yacht Mono, G6, ECO(IHM) ✠ LMC UMS classification society rules.

*Charter Koru Sail Yacht

Sail yacht Koru is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

Koru Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company

'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records.

Koru Photos

Koru Awards & Nominations

• Yacht Style Awards 2024 Superyachts over 80m Nomination

NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Specification

S/Y Koru

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