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• France – IGY Sete Marina
• France – IGY Vieux-Port de Cannes
• Italy – Cala di Volpe Mooring
• Italy – IGY Portisco Marina
• Italy – Marina Di Porto Cervo
• LONDON – ST. KATHARINE DOCKS
• Spain – IGY Ibiza Marina
• Spain – IGY Malaga Marina
• St. Lucia – Rodney Bay Marina
• St. Maarten – Simpson Bay Marina
• St. Maarten – Yacht Club Isle De Sol
• St. Thomas, USVI – American Yacht Harbor
• St. Thomas, USVI – Yacht Haven Grande
• Turks & Caicos – Blue Haven Marina
• MANHATTAN, NY – NORTH COVE MARINA AT BROOKFIELD PLACE
• Miami, FL – Yacht Haven Grande at Island Gardens
• St. Petersburg, FL – Maximo Marina
• Colombia – Marina Santa Marta
• Costa Rica – Marina Bahia Golfito
• Mexico – Marina Cabo San Lucas
• Panama – Red Frog Beach Marina

YACHT MANAGEMENT

• France – IGY Vieux-Port de Cannes
• Italy - Cala di Volpe Mooring
• Italy – Marina Di Porto Cervo
• LONDON – ST. KATHARINE DOCKS
• Spain – IGY Ibiza Marina
• Turks & Caicos – Blue Haven Marina
• MANHATTAN, NY – NORTH COVE MARINA AT BROOKFIELD PLACE
• Portland, ME – Fore Points Marina
• United States Yacht Haven Grande Miami at Island Gardens North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place Yacht Haven Grande USVI American Yacht Harbor Maximo Marina IGY Savannah Harbor Marina VIEW ALL MARINAS
• Carribean Blue Haven Marina Yacht Haven Grande USVI Rodney Bay Marina Yacht Club Isle De Sol Simpson Bay Marina American Yacht Harbor Red Frog Beach Island Marina Marina Santa Marta VIEW ALL MARINAS
• Latin America Marina Bahia Golfito Red Frog Beach Island Marina Marina Cabo San Lucas Marina Santa Marta VIEW ALL MARINAS
• Europe IGY Vieux-Port de Cannes Cala di Volpe Mooring IGY Portisco Marina Marina Di Porto Cervo IGY Sete Marina IGY Malaga Marina St. Katharine Docks IGY Ibiza Marina VIEW ALL MARINAS

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A collection of luxury marinas throughout the United States, Europe, Caribbean, and Latin America.

ABOUT IGY MARINAS

IGY’s worldwide network of properties sets luxury standards for service and quality in nautical tourism. IGY has the only global portfolio of premium yachting destinations, serving over 10,000 annual customers at 23 marinas in 13 countries.

IGY’s unprecedented collection of marinas spans the Americas, Europe, and Middle East serving a variety of vessel types, and is the home port for many of the world’s largest superyachts. As a proud subsidiary of MarineMax, a publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HZO), IGY Marinas benefits from its affiliation with the world’s largest recreational boat retailer. MarineMax not only holds a dominant position in boat sales but also excels in yacht brokerage, charter services, and overall maritime support. 

ABOUT IGY TRIDENT

The IGY Trident Club is a first-of-its-kind superyacht club launched by IGY Marinas. IGY Trident Club members enjoy a wide range of highly exclusive benefits, including guaranteed or priority access to dockage and preferred member pricing on essential services and products such as fuel, and crew training.  The IGY Trident Club leverages the IGY network providing our members with elevated experiences at the world’s most sought-after marina destinations along with access to exclusive events and experiences.  The IGY Trident Club is by invitation only and has limited memberships available. https://igytrident.com

OUR LEADERSHIP

Steven English

Kenny Jones MBE CMM

Jennifer Doelling

Jordan A.E. Franklin

Eric Simonton

Bert Fowles

Gili Wojnowich CMM

Brian Deher CMM

VP of Operations Caribbean & Latin America

Simon Bryan CMM

VP of Operations Europe

Darren Carey

Director of Operations Mexico

Chief Financial Officer & EVP of Finance

IGY MISSION STATEMENT, CORE VALUES, AND TEAM MEMBER EXPERIENCE

Regional Offices

Global Headquarters 360 Hamilton Ave, Suite 1110 White Plains, NY 10601

(T) 1-855-IGY-MARINAS www.www.igymarinas.com

UNITED KINGDOM

Regional Office Unit 7, Gardeners Business Park, Sherfield English Rd., Romsey. Hants SO51 6EJ UK

(T) +44-1794-342-423 www.www.igymarinas.com

ST. THOMAS, USVI

Regional Office 5304 Yacht Haven Grande, Suite 100 St. Thomas, USVI 00802

(T) 1-340-774-9500 www.www.igymarinas.com

GREENVILLE, SC

Corporate Services Island Global Yachting 3447 Pelham Road, Suite 206-C Greenville, SC 29615

STAY CONNECTED

@IGYMARINAS

RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS

From breakfast at the quayside, all the way to dinner on a rooftop terrace, menus range from fresh fish or pizza to traditional Sardinian cuisine that are also available for takeout or delivery onboard. The supermarket, conveniently located on the dock, specialty shop and liquor store offer a wide selection that are available for delivery to your vessel.

BWA YACHTING

BWA Yachting is a worldwide yacht agency and yachting services provider formed to support captains, managers and crew, making their lives easier, assisting with the increasing demands of managing a modern superyacht. Our global office network stretches throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas, providing a unique and seamless experience, wherever our clients are cruising. The BWA Yachting service can be anything from planning a complete trip, saving you time and a lot of hassle, with just one point of reference to the handling of a single port call or last minute concierge request. That’s everything from clearance procedures to berthing reservations, bunkering, provisioning, fiscal advice, logistics, technical assistance, travel arrangements, and more.

www.bwayachting.com Tel.+377 93 500 277 [email protected]

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FIND FERRIES

TRANS COTE D’AZUR  04 92 98 71 30 https://www.trans-cote-azur.com/

RIVIERA LINES 04 92 98 71 31 https://www.riviera-lines.com/

HORIZON 04 92 98 71 36 https://www.horizon-lerins.com/

PLANARIA 04 92 98 71 38 https://www.city-life.fr/

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The Home of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show! ENJOY THE SUNTEX EXPERIENCE!

BAHIA MAR MARINA

Center in the Heart of Fort Lauderdale

Reserve a slip today and take advantage of the finest in dockside amenities while you enjoy endless activities without even having to leave the marina!

Marina featuring restaurants, shops, pool, tennis, directly across the street from a pristine sand beach along the shore of the atlantic ocean., snorkeling to sightseeing to kids camp to the finest array of yacht services. bahia mar is the home the world-renowned fort lauderdale boat show..

About Bahia Mar Yachting Center

Extraordinary luxury.

The Bahia Mar Resort and Yachting Center is the ultimate Hotel and Marina destination in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Experience a spectacular waterfront destination featuring a Double Tree by Hilton Hotel. Relax during your stay with our array of amenities.

Enjoy fun-filled activities for the family, or simply lounge by the pool with refreshments or enjoy live music on the patio. We are just a few steps from the beach and in walking distance to Fort Lauderdale’s well-known attractions.

FIND OUT MORE

Your Place In The Sun

THE CIRCLE OF BOATING

A place where family, friends, and boating can come play in the same water. Rent a boat, join the Boat Club, or buy. Join our circle and find your place in the sun!

CLIENT REVIEWS

“ Absolutely love spending time at Bahia Mar Marina. The dock staff is great and the office staff is the best. Always helpful, attentive, and knowledgeable. Will be contacting Stephanie for another contract next season; my 12th season at Bahia! There is no better run marina on the East Coast. ” Jay Kaiser Fort Lauderdale, FL

“ In my 25+ years of boating I have been in and out of a lot of marinas, few if any of them will ever be as memorable as my experience here. I mostly work with Jeff, Andy, Devin, and Zack down on the docks. But Stephanie and her wonderful staff in the office are equally as amazing. Most marinas want to fill and bill ya, but here at Bahia Mar the staff remembers my name and truly makes me feel like a piece of their family. ” Larry Stroud Fort Lauderdale, FL

“ Loved our stay at Bahia Mar again. Very convenient place to tie up and in close proximity to everything needed. The marina facilities are always extremely well-maintained. Dockmaster Andy is a top notch professional and runs a very tight ship. His staff is courteous, responsive and efficient. Special thanks to Terry in the office. She is the best and will always brighten up your day! ” Matt Ploof Fort Lauderdale, FL

“ I have been keeping my yacht at Bahia Mar for 5 years and am always impressed with the quality of service and amenities. Stephanie Fot has made getting a contract incredibly easy and is always there to help with whatever I need. The Dockmaster Andy Schnell is a great friend of mine and is exactly the person you want to deal with for transient or seasonal dockage. Bahia Mar is an incredible place to keep your yacht and a must stay if you are in Fort Lauderdale. ” Kiran Ganguly Fort Lauderdale, FL

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From Sails to Motors: The History of Yachting

How yachting went from a necessity to a lifestyle.

As a boating enthusiast like us here at Van Isle Marina, you probably spend a lot of time thinking about boats, looking at boats, and being on boats at every opportunity you can seize. But have you ever wondered how today’s luxury vessels came to be?

What was there before the motorboat grew to become a luxury yacht, which further grew to become a superyacht? If you’re as curious as we were about how, when, and where the yachting lifestyle evolved, read on for our brief guide to the history of yachting.

Not sure what makes a yacht a yacht in the first place? Review our Yacht Sizes, Styles, Types & Categories post as a refresher. In short, a yacht is mainly considered to be any type of sea vessel used strictly for recreational or pleasure purposes like cruising, entertaining, water sports, or fishing. There is a wide variety of sea vessels that are classified as yachts, with the term largely representing any vessel used recreationally that is large enough to have some form of sleeping quarters for overnight trips, as well as a kitchen and bathroom.

Today’s modern luxury yachts have come along way. Let’s take a look at where it all started.

Origin of Yachting

So, where did the term yachting come from? Originally called jachtschips (hunting boats), yachts were invented by the Dutch Navy in the 14 th century to catch pirates and thieves quickly in shallower waters where larger ships couldn’t be sailed.

It wasn’t long until wealthy merchants and ship owners began using these smaller and speedier boats to sail out to celebrate their returning merchant ships. Sailing yachts also became popular with royalty, and it quickly became chic to use them for pleasure cruises and inevitably, for racing. English yachting is said to have officially begun when King Charles ll sailed the Mary to Britain following his return from exile in the Netherlands.

A 20 metre (66 foot) craft, the Mary inspired Charles and his brother James, the Duke of York, to construct more yachts and begin racing. They raced for sport for the first time in 1662 on the River Thames on a 100-pound wager.

Yachting Gains Traction

After a while, yachting slowly became fashionable among the wealthy, with the first social Yacht Club (the Water Club) in Cork, Ireland, being established in 1720. It was first used as a coast guard style organization. In the Water Club, races were actually chases, where the fleet of vessels “raced” to catch a nonexistent enemy—a nod to the yachts’ original crime-fighting purpose.

These Pilot Schooners were designed to guide the cargo-carrying Clippers to safe harbour, and in order for the crew to make a living guiding cargo ships to shore, they had to be the fastest.

The New York Yacht Club (NYYC) began in 1844 and the first racing schooner, the 30.78 metre America sailed across the Atlantic. She was turned down from the races in England, but joined in a race around the Isle of Wight with 14 yachts from the Royal Yacht Squadron, winning the Hundred Guinea Cup , known today as America’s Cup. Using this new design, the NYYC won the cup every year, from 1870-1983.

Yachts Get Bigger and Faster

After 1850, when steam-powered and internal combustion engines began to replace sails as the main power source, larger yachts and paddle wheel boats were developed as pleasure craft for long-distance cruising. By the second half of the 20 th century, the majority of yachts relied on internal combustion engines (motor yachts), having moved away from using sails as auxiliary power.

Governance of the Yachting Industry

In 1907, yacht racing had caught on to the point where a governing body was required to create a universal set of rules and regulations for the sport since each country and region had their own set of rules—leading to much confusion. And so the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) was created in Paris. It was later renamed to the International Sailing Federation in 1996. Around this time, international racing really took off, splitting yachting into the two main factions we see today—racing and cruising.

Yachting Today

Today, the yacht has continued to develop with advances in technology and materials depending on the intended use – from long-range cruising, to fishing and watersports, to being used as a home away from home. Although wooden boat purists will still insist on a wooden hull, the vast majority of today’s hulls are created from much lighter materials like fibreglass, and designs vary according to the make and model of the vessel.

Among other advances are the multihull design (catamaran/trimaran) and special features such as computer controlled winches on sailing yachts, an auxiliary engine to power the alternator, wind, water, and solar powered generators, GPS systems, radar, electricity, tender storage, joystick steering, and much more.

On top of these features, today’s luxury yachts have endless amounts of finishing touches that we are sure would have impressed the original yachtsmen, including leather interiors, teak decking, laundry machines, kitchen appliances, and the list goes on.

Whether you’re interested in a classic motor yacht, flybridge, a larger luxury rig, or something in between for your yachting lifestyle, come visit us at Van Isle Marina where we offer a wide range of new and used models as well as a fully secure maintenance and storage facility .

Blog Headlines

• What is a Yacht? (History, Types of Yachts, Styles and Sizes) January 15, 2024 - 10:35 am

• Essential Off-Season Haul-Out Services for Your Boat August 10, 2023 - 4:34 pm

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The World’s Top Megayacht Marinas

With yachting still on the rise – sales of megayachts were up 40% according to the most recent 2016 wealth report by Knight Frank – we’ve compiled a list below of the new and upcoming marinas around the world that every megayacht owner, captain or traveler who charters can’t miss.

Miami – Island Gardens Deep Harbour

Island Gardens is a next generation mixed-use development, home to a superyacht marina that today accommodates up to 50 of the world’s largest yachts. Upon future completion, Island Gardens will feature two luxury hotels, magnificent residences with five-star amenities and hotel-serviced living. The waterfront property at the heart of Miami will be a premier dining destination, calling hotel guests and visitors alike to enjoy an array of exclusive eateries featuring world-class cuisine from all corners of the globe. Famous yachts that have already docked at Deep Harbour include the 236-foot Axioma by Dunya, the 230-foot Martha Ann by Lurssen, 214-foot Double Down by Codecasa, 206-foot 11:11 by Benetti and the 190-foot Skyfall by Trinity.

Dubai – Dubai Marina Yacht Club

With slips for over 567 yachts, Dubai Marina Yacht Club is the largest marina in the Middle East. Those moored at the 5 Gold Anchor Marina have access to a members-only clubhouse, a dedicated concierge and a series of sea and land rallies and social events organized exclusively for berth holders. The marina is also right next to the famed Palm Jumeirah Hotel and surrounded by The Dubai Opera, Emirates Golf Club and plenty of gourmet restaurants and shopping.

Barcelona – OneOcean Port Vell

Originally built for the 1992 Olympic Games and perfectly positioned in the heart of Barcelona, OneOcean Port Vell is a 148-berth luxury facility and the ultimate destination for yachts up to 623 feet. The marina grants easy access for yacht owners to soak up this historic city, from visiting the Gaudi monuments scattered throughout the city to eating authentic, traditional Catalan and Spanish cuisine.

Tivat, Montenegro – Porto Montenegro

Named 2015’s Superyacht Marina of the Year by The Yacht Harbour Association, Porto Montenegro boasts 450 berths, including 128 for superyachts, 24-hour yacht assistance from a multi-lingual marina team and tax and duty-free fuel stations. Porto Montenegro’s Yacht Club is a hub of sporting and social activity, featuring multiple restaurants, an infinity-edge swimming pool and an outdoor terrace and bar, plus a fitness center, tennis courts and a squadron of racing yachts. The marina’s real estate collection consists of six completed properties totaling 176 luxury apartments and an additional 51 at the Regent Hotel, making Porto Montenegro a true home away from home.

Tuscany – Porto Viareggio

Already home to one of the most important Carnival celebrations in Italy, this seaside resort will also soon be home to the inaugural Versilia Yachting Rendez-vous in May, 2017. As the southernmost point in Versilia, Viareggio was the only outlet onto the Lucca Sea for centuries, and now offers restaurants, nightlife and architecture to match. Porto Viareggio has space for 560 boats up to 70 feet in length in over 500,000 square feet of water, so there’s plenty of room to spare for visitors to this new international event dedicated to high-end products of Italy’s famed nautical industry.

Anguilla – Altamer

Anguilla’s Altamer resort in Shoal Bay West is home to three spectacular beachside villas and considered by many to be the Caribbean’s finest address. The resort will receive the island’s first megayacht marina with 30 percent of its berths designed to accept yachts stretching between 30 feet and 200 feet. The new facility is slated to include a 164-unit resort, in addition to duty-free retail shops and a restaurant promenade.

St. Kitts – Christophe Harbour

Created by the developer of Kiawah Island, Charles Pinckney “Buddy” Darby III, The Marina at Christophe Harbour was built with the discerning yachtsman in mind, featuring 250 state-of-the-art berths – 50 of which will be able to accommodate the yachts up to 250 feet. A protected entrance, safe inner harbor and a prime location between Antigua and St. Maarten in the heart of the Eastern Caribbean charter and cruising grounds make Christophe Harbour a prime destination marina.

Rome – Roma Marina Yachting

The arrival of Roma Marina Yachting in October 2015 transformed this historic port into one of the world’s most captivating megayacht destinations near a city that has witnessed 20 centuries of history. From Roma Marina Yachting, guests can reach the pearls of the Mediterranean, including Capri, Procida and Ischia Ponza, and the further off islands of Sardinia, Corsica and Sicily. The yachting set can also adventure on dry land – in less than an hour they can be in Rome, or amongst the Etruscan ruins in the beautiful, ancient region of Tuscia.

So when you are planning your next megayacht seafaring adventure, be sure to consider these incredible marinas. Whether your travels take you to the shimmering shores of Dubai or the splendid, historic Mediterranean, these are some of the most beautiful places to dock your spectacular vessel. And be sure to check out our Yacht Buyers Guide and comprehensive Yacht Builder Directory for more invaluable insight, and be sure to stay up on all the latest yacht content from your friends at Jetset .

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Our History

Proudly a part of the fabric of Palm Beach County, Florida since 1910, we began building boats for the same reason we continue today – to improve on what is on the water. What began as a commercial fishing operation and a small boat repair business has since evolved into the builder of the world's premier sportfishing yachts, unrivaled in design and finish, and synonymous with innovation and the pursuit of perfection. While our family business has operated at different locations and with different names over the years, we have always subscribed to the same philosophy: Listen, think, and create. That philosophy is grounded in hard work, a dedication to our craft, and the partnership that we forge with every customer that puts their trust in us.

The Birth of John Rybovich & Sons

In 1919, John "Pop" Rybovich started his small commercial boat repair yard when he moved from commercial fishing to servicing the boats of the early commercial fishing fleet of the Palm Beach area. The West Palm Beach yard quickly gained a reputation for its skill and attentiveness, and as the sportfishing concept of the 1930's grew in popularity, Pop and his three sons, Johnny, Tommy and Emil, were at the center of a new industry converting the power cruisers of the nearby Palm Beach elite to chase Sailfish just outside Lake Worth Inlet.

Miss Chevy II

Following the return of Johnny, Tommy and Emil from World War II, each with the skills they had developed overseas, the idea was born to build a boat dedicated to sportfishing. In 1947, that idea became a reality, and the first custom sportfishing boat, Miss Chevy II , was launched. In the years that followed, the sport that was their passion as well as their livelihood grew in popularity, and the boys grew with it, honing their skills and working with owners to build a better-riding, more innovative and more beautiful boat.

The Broken Sheer and Miss Chevy IV

Tommy's passing.

From 1947 to 1972, the brothers launched 75 hulls, each better than the last and each with their own unique character and innovations. Johnny, the fisherman, brought new ideas and oversaw management, Tommy, the designer and builder, oversaw the carpentry and painting trades, and Emil, the engineer, directed all mechanical and electrical work in new construction as well as in service. Of the three dedicated brothers, it was Tommy's obsession with his work that became legendary and provided the energy and inspiration in the yard's incessant quest for perfection. However, two years after the passing of the family patriarch, Pop Rybovich, Tommy Rybovich passed from cancer in 1972. The soul of the yard, and the head of design and hull building, had passed far too young at the age of 52.

New Owners of the Family Business

Michael becomes head boat builder.

By the time of the sale in 1975, Michael Rybovich, Emil’s son and the next generation of Rybovich boat builders, was working at the family boatyard developing his skills as a carpenter, while fishing when the time allowed. The new owner, Bob Fisher, insisted that Johnny and Emil (and Michael) continue working at their family’s business. But, by 1980, both Johnny and Emil found the changes were too much for their liking and decided to part ways with the business – around this time, Michael became the head boat builder.

A New Family Business

In 1984, Michael, too, decided to leave and with his father, Emil, his brother, Marty Evans, and family friend, Ed Bussey, started a boat building company called Rybovich International with the goal continuing to innovate the world of sportfishing and build a better boat. The first of those new hulls was Ruthie , a 32' Walkaround built for Charlie Bouchard, based on a concept that legendary angler, Nick Smith, had applied to a 30' Daytona .  The boat proved a great fishing platform and, with her new bottom, could fish in rough water alongside boats twice her size.

Ryco Marine

Following the second sale of the original family business in 1986, a lawsuit forced Rybovich International to abandon their name, as well as the " Rybovich signature" broken sheer and double handrail designs. Vowing to continue on and not wanting to get involved in a lengthy legal battle, Ryco Marine was born. The trend of building larger sportfishing boats continued, and by the mid-1990's, Ryco Marine was building boats into the 60' class.

Back to the Family Business

By the early 2000s, the original family business was in the hands of H. Wayne Huizenga Jr., the fourth owner since the family sold the business in 1975. In 2005, following Hurricane Wilma and extensive damage to the Ryco Marine facility, a partnership was formed and Michael joined with Huizenga – a Rybovich was once again building Rybovich boats under the Rybovich name. For the next four years the new company flourished, and during this time, Rybovich & Sons delivered five boats from 54 to 78 feet, the last two being the largest ever built under the family name. As the world recession deepened in 2008, the once full order book became an empty testament to the bad economy. In early 2010, management was forced to make several difficult decisions, including shelving new construction altogether to focus on the development of a full-service super yacht marina at the Riviera Beach site.

Michael Rybovich & Sons

Following the Great Recession of 2008 and a desire to focus on a super yacht marina and service yard, the partnership with H. Wayne Huizenga Jr. was amicably dissolved, and the search for a new home began. Soon after, the most recent rebirth of the Rybovich boat building name came to fruition when Michael and his wife Julia (with the help of family friend, Larry Wilson) purchased the old E&H Boat Works in Palm Beach Gardens, FL and opened Michael Rybovich & Sons Custom Boat Works . Today, we operate as a family business dedicated to the same ideals of innovation and the pursuit of perfection that helped build the Rybovich name. Michael, along with his two sons, Dusty Rybovich and Alex Gill , and the most talented crew in the industry, strive to carry on a tradition that started more than 100 years ago in a small boatyard in West Palm Beach.

The Unabridged History

In 1934, Gifford, the Cass brothers, Bill Fagen , and Lloyd Knowles collaborated in the design and building of a reel that would stand up to the stress of hooking and landing large Marlin and Tuna. This reel became known as the Knowles Tuna Reel . In 1935, Ernest Hemingway landed the first un-mutillated Giant Bluefin Tuna in the Bahamas. In 1936, Fred Grieten applied for a patent for the first Fin-Nor fishing reel , which was built to Tommy Gifford's specifications. In the 1930s, Frank O'Brien designed and built the Tycoon Bimini King rod which would provide the mount and the leverage for the new reel technology. The new equipment provided sportsmen with the means and the advent of the 1939 Cat Cay Tuna Tournament provided the arena. In 1937 Johnny was invited to fish Bimini and Cat Cay with a local captain and landed his first Blue Marlin. Two years later he landed his first Giant Bluefin. Johnny was beginning to realize the desperate need for a boat designed and built specifically for big game sport fishing but the realization of that concept would have to wait. His country would soon need his and his brothers' services for bigger fish.

It is clear that all three young men developed an even greater interest in the family business and acquired an education in their respective special talents while in their country's service. Johnny's service taught him business skills and introduced him to the emerging material technology in Military hardware. Emil, a self taught mechanical engineer, was exposed to the engineering and performance standards within the fleet of Army boats for which he was responsible. Tommy was absorbed with aerodynamics, aircraft construction, and the beauty and efficiency of a clean line which is so important in aircraft design. The combination of these skills post war would prove to be a study in excellence.

Of the three dedicated brothers, it was Tommy 's obsession with his work that became legendary and provided the energy and inspiration in the yard's incessant quest for perfection. He worked from eight in the morning to eight at night, went home for dinner and returned to the yard, typically working until eleven p.m. and beyond. Sundays were half-days to allow time for the family. With no formal training in naval architecture, Tommy's early designs were based on known lengths, beams, and displacements of similar vessels that were accessible in the service yard. Suffice it to say that from the waterline up, the design was all his.

The first project in which he was involved was the Chevy Clipper , a 47' long-range fisherman for none other than Charles Johnson . His third Rybovich build, Chevy Clipper again satisfied Johnson's thirst for having something no one else had. With a galley and salon under a forward trunk, crew forward, and a private master suite under an aft trunk, she combined the modern broken sheer with the additional volume provided by a traditional trunk arrangement fore and aft with a six-foot fishing cockpit. To eliminate the inefficiency of gasoline engines with enough power to push a boat of that size at a respectable cruise speed, she was the first Rybovich to be built with diesel power . To keep Tommy's sleek profile low, Emil installed a pair of "incline" G.M. 6-71 's which had the blocks rotated along the shaft centerline to lower the height by 5" compared with the original upright Grey Marine version. Jack's introduction to Charles Johnson on that project was the beginning of a long relationship between the two pioneers.

In 1957 Roger Firestone , who owned the 43' " Tireless " insisted that his boat be converted to diesel power and he didn't give a damn how it was accomplished. After a lot of thought, Johnny and Emil decided to go the other way. Instead of raising the boat, they would drop the engines --- literally. They cut out the bottom of the boat beneath the oil pan and gear and dropped the Caterpillar engines that Firestone had specified, straight down between the main stringers. When John Sr. walked by the boat the following day and saw one of the engines protruding for the bottom of the hull he gave Johnny hell for ruining the man's boat. Johnny tried to explain but the old man would have none of it. Johnny and Emil did have a plan. They fashioned airfoil-shaped blisters out of fiberglass and projected the shaft log along the new shaft line out the aft end of the blister and glued and bolted the assembly to the hull. When the project was completed the boat had a flatter, more efficient shaft angle and performed beautifully with greater range and no loss in performance. Several other boats were converted in this manor before low profile diesels were made available in the years that followed.

Prior to 1958, the yard used resorcinol glue for most all its adhesive applications. Its use was common in many boatyards and did an adequate job of holding things together, although its adhesive properties were known to diminish over time. That year, a customer named George Molle ordered a boat from Rybovich under one condition, that his boat would be built using a catalyzed epoxy resin instead the conventional glue. Epoxy had been developed for the aircraft industry in WW II as a means of bonding aluminum but as far as anyone knew, it had never been used to glue a wooden boat together. Tommy experimented with the new material and agreed to Molle's request. The new glue turned out to be far stronger and have many more applications than resorcinol and became the standard not only in new construction but in the repair side of the business as well.

The boat was completed as a yard project and had the first pair of jet-drives installed locally. She was extremely fast but the jet drives produced unpredictable handling characteristics and were soon abandoned for conventional drive. The experiment had been a success. The boat was sold to yard customer Eddie Crawford , and was fished hard for many years from the Palm Beaches to Hawaii. She is still an eye-catcher and in beautiful condition today.

In 1966 Johnny introduced the " Tournament of Champions ", which was a tournament designed to raise money for conservation. At the end of the competition each year, the winner would decide on what conservation project his winnings should be spent. Early sonic tagging experiments on billfish were paid for through funds realized through that tournament. Throughout the 60s, the continued decline in local fishing stocks was a cause for great concern with Johnny. It was clear to him that the mortality rate of sailfish hooked and released on live bait was much higher than those released on dead bait. In 1972 Johnny founded the Gold Cup Tournament , which awarded significantly more points for fish caught on dead bait. These tournaments and a great deal of research projects were born out of Johnny's love and respect for the sport on which he had built his family's business, and for the cause of marine conservation to which he dedicated the last 30 years of his life.

1975 to Present

"We continue to subscribe to the same philosophy—listen, think, and create. We are here to build a better boat. It's as simple as that."

Anna Pollack, wife of John Rybovich, Sr.

An early print ad for the boatyard

Aftermath of the September 16, 1928 hurricane

Converting existing cruisers to sportfishing boats by adding outriggers, fishing chairs, gunwale mounted rod holders and topside-mounted controls.

The old Rybovich Boatyard in West Palm Beach

Michael Lerner

Kip Farrington

Tommy Gifford with a Blue Marlin

The Cass Brothers with a shark-eaten Tuna

Lloyd Knowles and the Knowles Tuna Reel

Ernest Hemingway fishing for Bluefin Tuna

Fred Grieten, developer of the Fin-Nor reel

The Fin-Nor big game fishing reel

Frank O'Brien, designer of the Tycoon Bimini King rod

Tommy Rybovich (circled) with crew and battered B-17

Emil's World War II patrol boat

John Rybovich with Charlie Johnson (seated)

Clari-Jo (hull #2), renamed Legend, built in 1949

Charles Johnson

Miss Chevy IV (hull #8) built in 1952

Georgia May (hull #19) launched in 1955

Horace Dale Critz

John Rybovich and Ernest Hemingway (2nd & 3rd from left) in Havana, 1956

Gasoline engine

Tireless (hull #28) launched in 1957

Emil Rybovich with the fiberglass "blister"

Fiberglassing the hull

The cold molding process

Rhino (hull #34) launched in 1959

Mahogany planking sliced to 3/8"

Stiff one-piece wooden hull

Peter A B Widener, horse breeder and sportsman

Jet Stream (hull #47) launched in 1961

James H. Kimberly, sportsman, socialite and Kleenex heir

Fighting chair

Kay Rybovich with Sailfish and husband John

Kay Rybovich, Ginni Sherwood and Dennie Crowninshield, founders of the IWFA

Trophy for the Master's Angling Tournament , sponsored by The Sailfish Club

The Sailfish Club in Palm Beach

The Republic SeaBee seaplane

The second Republic SeaBee

The West Palm Beach Fishing Club

Asinine , forerunner to the modern center-console fishing boat

John and Emil Rybovich

Tommy Rybovich towing a scale model with Giovanni Cardelli

Herbert Clofine

Amigo V (hull #61) launched in 1965

Annabet (hull #69) launched in 1968

Little Pete (hull #65) launched in 1967

Margaret (hull #73) launched in 1972

Emil Rybovich

Swamp Fox (hull #79) launched in 1976

Marty Evans

Gary Hilliard

Ruthie (hull #108) launched in 1985

Legendary angler Nick Smith

Ryco Marine in Riviera Beach FL

Damage from Hurricane Wilma in October 2005

A pair of 78' sportfishermen from 2009-2010

Miss Chevy II (hull #1) launched in 1947

The Webb Institute for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

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Despite the pandemic, the superyacht world continues to welcome new entries. These are the world’s biggest yachts by length.

Even in a pandemic, the size of the global superyacht fleet keeps on growing. The top 25 largest yachts in the world now total a combined 11,849 feet, with the smallest yacht on the list,  Maryah , measuring a whopping 410 feet. Built by shipyards all over the world—from the Netherlands to the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Turkey, Greece and the United Kingdom, to name just a few—new launches and refits are delivered each year. The 2021 newcomers hail from Lürssen, Dream Ship Victory and Lloyd Werft. With many new gigayacht builds in the pipeline, the list will be much more competitive in the coming years. Here are the world’s top 25 yachts by size, from  Maryah  to  Azzam.

25. ‘Maryah’ (410 feet, 1 inch), Neorion

Neorion’s  Maryah  Photo: Manuel Hernández LafuenteWATCH

This former Russian research vessel was originally launched by the Szczecinska yard in Poland. In 2010, it underwent a five-year rebuild at the Elefsis yard in Greece. The stodgy research vessel that went in reappeared in 2014 as a thoroughly modern custom-built superyacht. The UK-based  H2 Yacht Design  did both the interior and exterior, incorporating all the luxuries one would expect in a yacht this size. The swimming pool, spa, contemporary decor (including custom furniture, signature joinery, and bespoke details like fixtures and lighting), and generous interior space turned the ugly duckling into a swan.  Maryah , which reaches a top speed of 18 knots powered by a twin azipods propulsion system, has accommodation for 54 guests.

24. ‘Octopus’ (414 feet), Lürssen

Lürssen’s  Octopus  Elizabeth Withe

Originally built by Lürssen for Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen, eight-decked  Octopus  is the world’s largest expedition yacht. Allen kept all the luxurious features of a superyacht, but wanted  Octopus  to be able to set anchor at the ends of the earth for exploration. The Lürssen, delivered in 2003, has storage for two helicopters, seven tenders, a large SUV and an internal dock that extends through the hull holding two submersibles. A glass-bottomed observation lounge makes for spectacular viewing when cruising. The yacht has been involved in multiple exploration discoveries, aided by its onboard dive centre and hyperbaric chamber. Espen Øino drew the exterior, including a full-sized basketball court on the aft deck, while Jonathan Quinn Barnett did the interior. The yacht underwent a refit in 2019. It reaches a top end of 20 knots.

23. ‘Al Mirqab’ (436 feet, 4 inches), Kusch Yachts

Kusch Yachts’ Al Mirqab  Photo: Shutterstock / PitK

Launched in 2008,  Al Mirqab  was built for Qatar’s former prime minister under the supervision of  Kusch Yachts  in the  Peters Werft shipyard  in Wewelsfleth, Germany. The Tim Heywood exterior includes a long, navy-blue hull with a white superstructure. The yacht’s diesel-electric propulsion involves an azimuth pod drive and gives the 436.4-footer a top end of 21 knots. Its interior by Andrew Winch won several awards, with images showing Arabic-influenced motifs on the marble floors of large social areas. The yacht’s centerpiece is a stunning, complicated floating staircase encircled by custom-made glass panels.  Al Mirqab  has staterooms for 36, and crew quarters for 45.

22. ‘Serene’ (439 feet, 3 inches), Fincantieri

Fincantieri’s  Serene  Photo: Nick Wells

Serene  was  Fincantieri ’s launch into the superyacht segment, and what a debut it was. The largest yacht ever launched in Italy when it was delivered in 2011 (surpassed three years later by  Ocean Victory ), the Espen Øino seven-deck design features a long, sleek blue hull, crowned by a white superstructure. The somewhat racy curves serve as a nice counterpart to the more serious-looking sections of the yacht, which include cutouts along the main and upper decks to allow strong visibility from the saloon and staterooms. The curved balconies on three levels are a nice touch that work aesthetically—and practically for better views. The open stern area has a winter garden (enclosed glass house) that allows dining in all seasons.  Serene  also has two helipads and a hangar, a big swimming pool, and a tender garage large enough for a submarine. Pascale Reymond of Reymond Langton Design created the 43,056-square-foot interior for the Russian owner, though its details have remained closely guarded.

21. ‘Crescent’ (443 feet), Lürssen

Lürssen’s  Crescent  Photo: Klaus Jordan

Espen Øino’s dark hull and tiered superstructure was one of the most exciting launches of 2018. Custom-built Project Thunder, as it was called internally at Lürssen, features cut-outs along the hull sides that allow full ocean views from the saloon on the primary deck, as part of  Crescent ’s distinctive curved superstructure. Its most noteworthy feature is the jaw-dropping bank of three-deck-high windows in the center of the yacht. This architectural feature serves as the centerpiece of a very compelling design. The yacht has accommodations for 18 guests in nine staterooms. Little is known about the François Zuretti-designed interior, other than Lürssen describes it as being “traditionally styled.” If it lives up to  Crescent ’s brash exterior, the complete yacht promises to be an entirely groundbreaking design.

20. ‘Savarona’ (446 feet, 2 inches), Blohm+Voss

Blohm+Voss’s  Savarona  

Launched in 1931,  Savarona  was built for American heiress Emily Roebling Cadwallader. The yacht was eventually acquired by Turkey to be the presidential yacht of Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey.  Jane’s Fighting Ships  described the yacht in 1949 as “probably the most sumptuously fitted yacht afloat.”  Savarona  was later converted to a training ship for the Turkish Navy and, in 1978, destroyed by fire. The yacht laid in tatters for 10 years. A Turkish businessman spent around $45 million refurbishing  Savarona , commissioning Donald Starkey for the interior and replacing the original steam-turbine engines with modern Caterpillar diesels. The yacht’s interior was refitted again in 2013, once again becoming the official presidential yacht in 2014.  Savarona  features a swimming pool, Turkish bath, 280-foot grand staircase, a movie theater, and a library dedicated to Atatürk.

19: ‘Flying Fox’ (446 feet, 2 inches), Lürssen

Lürssen’s  Flying Fox  Photo: Courtesy of SuperYachtTimes/Youtube

Delivered jointly by Imperial and Lürssen in 2019, 446.2-foot  Flying Fox  is the largest yacht available on the charter market. Key features of the Espen Øino-designed exterior are a curvaceous dove-gray hull and a 3.7-foot swimming pool that runs athwartship on the main aft deck, the largest ever found on board a yacht. A two-decked spa also gives guests access to a cryosauna, hammam and relaxation room with a fold-down balcony at sea level. Packed to the rafters with the latest amenities, the yacht holds a diving center, decompression chamber and two helipads.  Flying Fox  is PYC compliant and can accommodate 25 guests.

18. ‘Rising Sun’ (454 feet, 1 inch), Lürssen

Lürssen’s  Rising Sun  Photo: Courtesy of Lürssen

Designed by the original guru of yacht designers, Jon Bannenberg,  Rising Sun  was built by Lürssen for Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, and is currently owned by billionaire David Geffen. The yacht was delivered in 2004 and last refitted in 2011. Defined by banks of windows across the superstructure,  Rising Sun  has 86,000 square feet of living space in 82 rooms. It can accommodate 18 guests in nine cabins, with the capacity to carry up to 46 crew. The interior by Seccombe Design includes a gym, cinema, and wine cellar. The rear cockpit deck was designed as a basketball court. Geffen received a global media backlash in 2020 for his “tone deaf” social media posts that pictured himself on board his yacht during Covid-19 lockdown.

17. ‘Al Salamah’ (456 feet), Lürssen

Lürssen’s  Al Salamah  Lürssen

When Lürssen launched  Al Salamah  in 1999, it was the third-largest yacht in the world. Its ranking at number 14 shows how much has changed in the last 20 years. Code-named MIPOS, or Mission Possible, the yacht was designed by  Terence Disdale . The large imposing exterior is primarily protected space, with an upper deck exposed to the elements.  Al Salamah  has staterooms for 40 guests, including two owner suites, 11 VIP staterooms, and eight twin cabins. The yacht can carry up to 96 crew and has a top speed of 22 knots.  Al Salamah  was last refitted in 2009.

16. ‘Scheherazade’ (459 feet, 3 inches), Lürssen

Lürssen’s  Scheherazade  Photo: SuperYacht Times/YouTube

The owner of 459.3-feet Lürssen-built  Scheherazade  (formerly known as Project Lightning) finally took delivery of the mega yacht in June 2020 after it was pictured during sea trials in November 2019. What can so far be deciphered from available photography includes two helipads, forward and aft, and a large beach club aft, as well as a reported seven-foot beam. Very few details have yet been released of the highly private vessel, including even the names of designers or naval architects involved with the build.

15: ‘Ocean Victory’ (459 feet, 3 inches), Fincantieri

Fincantieri’s  Ocean Victory  Photo: Trevor Coppock / TheYachtPhoto.com

The largest motoryacht ever built in Italy, Fincantieri’s  Ocean Victory  was delivered to its owner in 2014. The seven-deck exterior by Espen Øino includes two helideck platforms and a hangar belowdecks, as well as exceptional outdoor social areas, and a floodable tender dock.  Ocean Victory  has accommodations for 28 guests as well as quarters for 56 crew.  Ocean Victory  also has six pools, a 3,300-square-foot spa, and an underwater observation room. The interior by Alberto Pinto remains a secret.

14: ‘Solaris’ (459 feet, 3 inches), Lloyd Werft

Solaris  by Lloyd-Werft Courtesy Lloyd Werft

The 476-foot  Solaris  is one of the largest yachts to deliver in 2021, and yet still little is known about it. The highly private, vast explorer is built by German shipyard Lloyd Werft and undertook sea trials in the North Sea. The eight-deck exterior is by Australian designer Marc Newson and features a displacement steel hull with bulbous bow and steel superstructure with teak decks. Reportedly owned by Roman Abramovich, it houses a large helipad, sun deck and spacious beach club aft. Lloyd Werft built the Russian billionaire’s previous explorer yacht  Luna , which he reportedly sold for $360 million to his close friend Farkhad Akhmedov in 2014.

13. ‘Yas’ (462 feet, 6 inches), Abu Dhabi Mar

Abu Dhabi Mar’s  Yas  Photo: Harvey Barrison

As a converted yacht,  Yas  is one of the most interesting vessels on this list. The dolphin-like exterior was originally a former Dutch Navy frigate that launched in 1978 and eventually sold to the navy of the United Arab Emirates, where it was renamed  Al Emirat . The yacht underwent its dramatic conversion in a facility in Abu Dhabi’s main port, emerging as a gleaming superyacht in 2011, with one of the most interesting profiles on the water. It was eventually delivered four years later. The design by the Paris-based Pierrejean Vision, defined by massive glass surfaces, can accommodate 60 guests and 58 crew members. Mated to a steel hull, the superstructure is the largest composite edifice ever built.  Yas  is capable of a 26-knot top speed and was last refitted in 2019.

12. ‘Dream Symphony’ (462 feet, 6 inches), Dream Ship Victory

Dream Symphony  by Dream Ship Victory Courtesy Dream Ship Victory

Sailing yacht  Dream Symphony  is a magnificent 462.7-foot schooner built by the Turkish shipyard Dream Ship Victory. When delivered in 2021, she will become the largest private sailing yacht in the world, knocking current largest sailing yacht,  Black Pearl , off the podium. Featuring naval architecture by Dykstra Naval Architects and an exterior and interior by Ken Freivokh, she reunites the same team who were behind the legendary  Maltese Falcon ’s ground-breaking Falcon dynarig.  Dream  Symphony’s hull is being built in wood – glued and laminated using the latest epoxy and composite techniques. Wood, carbon and stainless-steel run throughout the contemporary interior, while the rig includes Hoyt booms for maximum control.  Dream Symphony  boasts a fully private owner’s duplex, with master suite, salon, and office at main deck level, and a further spa, gym and treatment rooms on the lower deck. A sheltered open deck between the owner’s facilities and the guest deck house can be closed off to bad weather, creating concealed channels for full protection. And when the sun is shining, a double-height glass swimming pool features a rising floor that can doubles up as a touch-and-go helipad or dancefloor.

11. ‘Nord’ (466 feet),  Lürssen

Lürssen’s  Nord  (Project Opus) Photo: SuperYacht Times/Youtube

Nord  (Project Opus) has been a long time coming. She was announced in 2015 but didn’t hit the water until November 2020 when she conducted sea trials in the Baltic Sea. The 466-foot yacht features interior design by Italian studio Nuvolari Lenard and is Lürssen’s first yacht launched from its newly upgraded floating shed at its facility in Vegasack. Boasting many top tier amenities, the yacht includes a sports and diving center on the lower deck, multiple tenders ranging in size up to 50-feet and a large swimming pool. The two helipads support the yacht’s long-range cruising capabilities for autonomous remote exploration and a retractable hangar means the helicopter can slide neatly into the superstructure for storage when not in use. A generous 20 staterooms accommodate 36 guests across six decks, while a sleek aft-sloping superstructure gives Nord an individual profile on the water.

10. ‘A’ (468 feet, 5 inches), Nobiskrug

Nobiskrug Sailing Yacht  A  Photo: Courtesy of Nobiskrug

Delivered in 2017, the futuristic look of sailing yacht  A  includes smooth, silver-metallic surfaces and windows that look nearly invisible, three composite masts that bend slightly, and a deck hidden by high bulwarks. The Philippe Starck-design is a wild fantasy yacht of the future. The 468-foot sailing yacht is a technical victory for German yard  Nobiskrug , which developed composite fashion plates to create the unusual shapes, without any compromises in strength or fluidity. It has the tallest freestanding composite masts on any sailing vessel, a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and state-of-the-art navigation systems. The boat also reportedly has an underwater viewing platform in the keel. “Sailing yacht  A  is undoubtedly one of the most visionary projects Nobiskrug has ever been involved in,” said Holger Kahl, the firm’s then managing director. Starck’s interior remains a secret. The yard reports the yacht has a top speed of 21 knots. She remains today the world’s largest sailing yacht three years after her launch.

9. ‘El Mahrousa’ (478 feet, 1 inch), Samuda Brothers

Egypt’s royal yacht,  El Mahrousa  Screengrab

El Mahrousa , which means “the protected” in Arabic, is currently Egypt’s presidential yacht, though the 478.1-footer has a separate history as that country’s royal yacht. The London-based Samuda Brothers began the build in 1863, and it was launched in 1865. It was originally built for the Ottoman governor of Egypt, Khedive Ismail, and later carried three Egyptian kings into exile. The yacht was also at the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. The world’s oldest superyacht features external design by the British naval architect Sir Oliver Lang, and has had multiple modifications over the years, including a lengthening by 40 feet in 1872 and another 17 feet in 1905. During the second refit, the owners replaced its paddle-wheel engines with turbine-driven propellers. The yacht, in care of the Egyptian Navy, occasionally goes to sea for a day or two. In 2015, it was used to inaugurate the new Suez Canal.

8. ‘Prince Abdulaziz’ (482 feet, 3 inches), Helsingør Værft

Helsingør Værft’s  Prince Abdulaziz  Photo: Shutterstock / Artesia Wells

This custom yacht, launched by Helsingør Værft in Denmark in 1984, was most recently refitted in 2005. The 5,200-tonne  Prince Abdulaziz  is one of the Saudi Royal family’s yachts, its first owner being King Fahd. Designed by Maierform, the yacht was the longest and tallest in the world at the time of its launch. At 482.3-feet,  Prince Abdulaziz  held the title for 22 years until  Dubai  launched in 2006. The late David Nightingale Hicks, known for his use of bright colors, was the interior designer. The lobby is said to be a replica of the  Titanic . Last refitted in 2005, it is rumored to be carrying surface-to-air missiles, though that may be an urban legend.

7. ‘A+’ (483 feet, 1 inch), Lürssen

Lürssen’s  A+  Photo: Klaus Jordan

Very little is known about  A+  (formerly  Topaz) , which was launched by Lürssen in 2012, other than it is the fourth-largest yacht ever built by the German shipyard. Tim Heywood Designs did the exterior, which features helipads on the foredeck and amidships on an upper deck. A lower aft deck includes a swimming pool. The German yard has not released any images of the Terence Disdale interior. Reported to be owned by Manchester City Football Club owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahnan – Emirati royalty and deputy prime minister of the UAE –  A+  has a top speed of 22 knots, and can carry 62 guests and up to 79 crew.

6. ‘Al Saïd’ (508 feet, 5 inches), Lürssen

Lürssen’s  Al Saïd  Courtesy of Shutterstock

Another 500-plus-foot yacht from Lürssen, the original Project Sunflower gained its official name of  Al Saïd  following its launch in 2016. Espen Øino’s exterior is akin to a classic cruise liner, complete with the twin exhaust stacks in the center of the superstructure. Owned by the Sultan of Oman, six-decked  Al Saïd  can carry 154 crew and, according to some sources, 70 guests. Lürssen says  Al Saïd  has a top speed of 22 knots. The London-based Redman Whiteley Dixon studio designed the interior, which includes a concert hall that can hold a 50-piece orchestra.

5. ‘Dilbar’ (511 feet, 8 inches), Lürssen

Lürssen’s  Dilbar  Photo: Josep Baresic

The 2016 launch of  Dilbar  gave Lürssen the distinction of not only building the longest yacht ever ( Azzam ), but also the largest in terms of volume. Espen Øino designed the exterior, creating a full-bodied superstructure of long, flowing decks, along with two helicopter pads.  Dilbar  also has an 82-foot swimming pool that can hold an incredible 6357-cubic-feet of water, and according to Lürssen, is the world’s longest on a yacht. The interior by Winch Design is defined by its “rare and exclusive luxury materials,” says the builder, declining to go into detail. Lürssen added that the world’s largest motor yacht was one of the most complex and challenging yachts ever built, because of its dimensions and technology. Despite  Dilbar ’s volume, the designers did a masterful job making the yacht look relatively svelte, with no obvious bulges along the length of the light ivory and bronze-accented hull. In June 2020, Dilbar returned to Lürssen for a significant refit, the details of which are yet to be revealed.

4. ‘Dubai’ (531 feet, 5 inches), Platinum Yachts

Sheikh Al Maktoum’s yacht,  Dubai  Bigstock

This Andrew Winch design was originally commissioned for Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei as a joint project between Blohm+Voss and Lürssen, before it was halted in 1998 with just a bare hull and skeletal superstructure. The hull was sold to the government of Dubai, and, under the direction of the country’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, work on the 531.5-footer began again, though this time by Platinum Yachts.  Dubai  delivered in 2006 and is now the sheikh’s royal yacht, with accommodations for 24 guests and quarters for 88 crew. The seven-decked yacht has an impressive 70-foot-wide atrium, landing pad for a Black Hawk helicopter, submarine garage, disco, and cinema. Full certification was obtained from Lloyd’s Register in October 2006, and it can reach a top speed of 26 knots.

3. ‘Eclipse’ (533 feet, 1 inch), Blohm+Voss

Blohm+Voss’s  Eclipse  Photo: Shutterstock / R_Pilguj

Stately  Eclipse , the 533.1-foot yacht delivered to billionaire Roman Abramovich, took five years to design and build. When it left the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg in 2010, it was the world’s largest yacht. The interior has 17 staterooms and a palatial master suite, with the capacity to carry 85 crew. Both the interior and exterior are designed by Terence Disdale. A proportional profile is defined by tiered decks that sweep upward and bend ever so slightly at the aft ends.  Eclipse  has a 185-foot-long owner’s deck and, at the time of its launch, the largest swimming pool on any superyacht (the bottom raises and converts to a dance floor). Other features reflecting its stature: the capacity to hold three helicopters, including one in its belowdecks hangar, a sophisticated stabilization system, six tenders, and an enormous spa, gym, and beach club. Hybrid diesel-electric engines are connected to Azipod drives that give  Eclipse  a top-end speed of 21 knots, with a range of 6,000 nautical miles.

2. ‘Fulk Al Salamah’ (538 feet, 1 inch), Mariotti Yachts

Mariotti Yachts’  Fulk Al Salamah  Screengrab

Little information has ever been released about the world’s second-longest superyacht, custom-built  Fulk Al Salamah , and it has been shrouded in mystery since first announced in 2014. Even the overall length of 538.1 feet has been estimated from AIS data. However, built and delivered by Italian builder Mariotti Yachts in their Genoa shipyard in 2016, the imposing vessel is believed to be owned by the Omani royal family. Exterior design is by Studio de Jorio, and it is considered by some to resemble more of a support vessel than a superyacht. Nonetheless, aerial photography shows an impressively large helideck, raked masts and a bathing platform.

1: ‘Azzam’ (592 feet, 6 inches), Lürssen

Lürssen’s  Azzam  Screengrab

It’s not surprising that the world’s longest yacht hails from a shipyard with 13 out of the 25 top builds in the superyacht arena. Unfortunately,  Lürssen  could never really boast about  Azzam  after its launch in 2013 because of the owner’s penchant for privacy. Mubarak Saad al Ahbabi directed a team of designers and engineers who started with the bare concept, worked through the technical challenges of what might be the most complex superyacht ever, and finished with an unusually large vessel that can top the 30-knot mark. Nauta Yacht’s exterior features a long, sleek forward area, with well-proportioned tiers moving up to the skydeck. Lürssen describes the interior by Christophe Leoni as “sophisticated, with luxurious decor inspired by the Empire style of the early 19th century.” Its gas turbines, connected to water jets, push  Azzam  to more than 30 knots, giving it the ability to operate at high speed in shallow waters. She also boasts an impressive build time for a yacht of her size, with construction taking only three years after one year of engineering.  Azzam  was last refit in 2020 at MB92 in Barcelona.

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Boating Traditions: America’s 100 Oldest Yacht Clubs

The development of yacht clubs in the 1800s is an important chapter of our boating and marina history in the U.S.—and tells us much about the country’s early yearning for nature and community.

The birth of organized boating, rowing, and sail-racing clubs in our country took place in the 1800s and many of these early yacht clubs are still in operation today.

If you’re a sailor, oarsman, or boater, you’re probably familiar with many yacht clubs around the country—but do you know which U. S. yacht clubs have the pedigree to lay claim to being the country’s oldest?

The first time I heard the phrase yacht club was during a weekend at our family camp on a lake in the Northern Tier of New York State, just outside Adirondack Park. As a boy, most of my weekends there were spent fishing, swimming, and boating, and at the neighboring marina I heard sailing stories about the St. Regis Lake Yacht Club, founded in 1897. (Not on the list here, it’s the 156th oldest yacht club in America.) I was and still am a powerboater—learning boating back then in an aluminum boat with a 7 1/2-hp outboard—but I was fascinated by the sailing stories I heard dating back to the turn of the 20th Century in New York’s Franklin County.

At Dockwa, our loose definition of a yacht club is:

• Usually membership-owned and controlled by a board;
• Can be exclusive, but many no longer are;
• Can specialize in many different types of activities such as sailing, racing, cruising, and kids’ programs;
• They do not always have paid employees and might be volunteer-based. 

Many yacht clubs nationally use Dockwa as their dockage reservation-and-booking platform or for marina management. So recently we had some fun office chatter—because we all work remotely, it was actually digital direct messaging office chatter—about which of the country’s yacht clubs have been around the longest.

Without further ado, and giving a shout-out to International Burgee Registry , here is the list of the 100 oldest yacht clubs in the United States, in chronological order of their founding from one to 100, with links to those still operating.

#1 Narragansett Boat Club , RI — 1838

#2 Detroit Boat Club , MI ( shown below ) — 1839

#3 New York Yacht Club , RI — 1844

Fun fact : The New York Yacht Club (NYYC) launched on July 30, 1844, when John Cox Stevens invited eight friends to his yacht Gimcrack , anchored in New York Harbor. The nine who met formed the NYYC and Stevens became its first commodore. Members then departed on a yacht cruise to Newport, beginning the historical connection between the NYYC and Newport, RI.

#4 Mobile Yacht Club , AL — 1847

#5 biloxi yacht club, ms — 1849, #6 pass christian yacht club , ms — 1849, #7 southern yacht club , la — 1849, #8 springfield yacht club , ma — 1850, #9 carolina yacht club , nc — 1853, #10 hoboken yacht club, nj — 1856, #11  brooklyn yacht club , ny — 1857, #12 jersey city yacht club, nj — 1858, #13 buffalo yacht club , ny — 1860, #14 neenah-nodaway yacht club , wi — 1864, #15 carteret boat club — 1865.

‍ currently Raritan Yacht Club , NJ

#16 Riverton Yacht Club NJ — 1865

#17 toledo yacht club , oh — 1865, #18 williamsburgh yacht club , ny — 1865, #19 atlantic yacht club , ny — 1866, #20 boston yacht club , ma — 1866, #21 palisades boat club , ny — 1866, #22 detroit yacht club , mi ( shown below )— 1868.

#23 New York Athletic Club Yacht Club, NY — 1868

#24 south boston yacht club , ma — 1868, #25 bunker hill yacht club, ct — 1869, #26 new hamburgh yacht club , ny — 1869, #27 oshkosh yacht club , wi — 1869, #28 portland yacht club , me — 1869, #29 san francisco yacht club , ca — 1869, #30 fishers island yacht club , ct — 1869, #31 savannah yacht club , ( shown below ) ga — 1869.

#32 Eastern Yacht Club , MA — 1870

#33 lynn yacht club, ma — 1870, #34 manhattan yacht club , ny— 1870, #35 milwaukee yacht club , wi — 1870, #36 beverly yacht club , ma — 1871, #37 new jersey yacht club — 1871, #38 north shore yacht club , ny — 1871, #39 seawanhaka yacht club , ny — 1871, #40 toms river yacht club , ny — 1871, #41 old club yacht club, mi — 1872, #42 santa barbara yacht club , ca — 1872, #43 st augustine yacht club , fl — 1873, #44 albany yacht club, ny — 1873, #45 hudson river yacht club, ny ( shown below ) — 1873.

#46 Knickerbocker Yacht Club, NY — 1874

#47 lake geneva yacht club , wi — 1874, #48 perth amboy yacht club, nj — 1874.

‍ currently Raritan Yacht Club

#49 Quincy Yacht Club, MA — 1874

#50 chicago yacht club , il — 1875, #51 duxbury yacht club, ma — 1875, #52 rhode island yacht club , ri — 1875, #53 savin hill yacht club , ma — 1875, #54 varuna yacht club, ny — 1875, #55 florida yacht club , fl — 1876, #56 bristol yacht club , ri — 1877, #57 great salt lake yacht club , ut— 1877, #58 new bedford yacht club , ma — 1877, #59 rochester yacht club , ny — 1877, #60 marblehead yacht club , ma — 1878.

‍ founded as Marblehead Boat Club

#61 Cleveland Yachting Club , OH — 1878

#62 monmouth boat club , nj — 1879, #63 yonkers yacht club , ny — 1879, #64 larchmont yacht club , ny — 1880, #65 old dominion boat club , va — 1880, #66 chelsea yacht club , ny — 1881.

‍ founded as Carthage Ice Yacht Club

#67 Oswego Yacht Club , NY ( shown below ) — 1881

#68 Yale Corinthian Yacht Club , CT — 1881

#69 narragansett yacht club, ri — 1882, #70 beach haven yacht club, nj — 1882, #71 raritan yacht club , nj— 1882, #72 american yacht club , ny — 1883, #73 carolina yacht club, sc — 1883, #74 fort schuyler club yacht squadron , ny — 1883, #75 harlem yacht club , ny — 1883, #76 minnetonka yacht club , mn — 1883, #77 onondaga yacht club , ny — 1883, #78 winthrop yacht club , ma — ( shown below ) 1884.

#79 Quannapowitt Yacht Club , MA — 1884

#80 the american yacht club , ma — 1885, #81 bar harbor yacht club , me — 1885, #82 corinthian yacht club , ma — 1885, #83 inter-lake yachting association , oh— 1885, #84 newburgh yacht club, ny — 1885, #85 sandy bay yacht club , ma — 1885, #86 shattemuc yacht club , ny — 1885, #87 annapolis yacht club , md — 1886, #88 chelsea yacht club , ma — 1886, #89 corinthian yacht club of san francisco , ca — 1886, #90 ischoda yacht club , ct — 1886, #91 put-in-bay yacht club , oh — 1886, #92 red dragon canoe club , nj — 1886, #93 san diego yacht club , ca — 1886, #94 shelter island yacht club , ny — 1886, #95 biscayne bay yacht club , fl ( shown below ) — 1887.

#96 Cedar Point Yacht Club , CT — 1887

#97 housatonic boat club, ct — 1887, #98 lake champlain yacht club , vt ( shown below ) — 1887.

#99 Quaker City Yacht Club , PA — 1887

#100 volunteer yacht club , ma — 1887, you can also find many of these marinas on marinas.com for easy access to information about hours, contact phone number, address, and more..

LIST SOURCE: Burgees.com. See the entire list of America’s oldest yacht clubs by clicking here.

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From CruisersWiki

Sicily is one of Italy’s most popular tourist regions, its historic attractions supplemented by natural wonders such as Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano, and the picturesque Aeolian Islands off the NE coast, as well as some of Italy’s most distinctive cuisine and wines. Accordingly, the months of July and August are busy virtually everywhere. Surprisingly, however, Sicily has less marina development than most other parts of Italy and cruising yachtsmen exploring the coastline will occasionally find themselves wedged in among fishing boats or bobbing alongside rough stone quays. However, perhaps that is part of the charm of exploring an area steeped in history and still retaining much of its unique character.

Give local weather conditions or refer to another page (a region or island group) that covers these conditions.

Sources for Weather forecasts:

See Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages .

Communication

Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

See details of individual ports .

Along the N coast of Sicily (from San Vito to Milazzo) the principal harbours are:

Along the E coast of Sicily (from Messina to Marzamemi) the principal harbours are:

Along the S and W coasts of Sicily (from Porto Palo to Trapani) the principal harbours are:

Also see Strait of Messina .

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

See individual port entries above .

Health & Security

No special health measures are necessary. However, petty crime is a problem in major cities such as Palermo, Messina and Catania, especially pickpocketing and ‘drive-by’ thefts of handbags and backpacks by gangs of motorcycle-borne youths. As in many other heavily populated parts of Italy, it doesn’t pay to look like a wealthy tourist. Leave the bling on the boat if you want to hang on to it (but make sure you lock the boat securely!).

Yacht Services and Repairs

See individual port entries .

Things to do ashore

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums . ( see link for requirements )

• Sicily at the Wikipedia
• Sicily Pagine Azzurre

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

• The country roads of Sicily are an interesting testimony to the former(?) influence of the mafia in the management of local public works contracts. For example, why take a minor country road down into a valley when you can take it across on a viaduct needing several million Euros worth of concrete? -- Athene of Lymington 16:05, 11 August 2010 (UTC)

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Breaking News

‘Nothing left’: After California Yacht Club fire, residents mourn loss of a beloved spot

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In an instant, an overnight seaside blaze engulfed decades’ worth of boating trophies, historical artifacts and cherished memorabilia at the California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey on Monday.

Fire crews attempted to control the blaze as heavy smoke and flames consumed the two-story building. By the time they had subdued the fire two hours later, only the skeletal remnants of the clubhouse were left standing.

John Myers, senior vice president of the club, said the blaze had been reported by an employee working late in the clubhouse Monday night. The fire spared the remainder of the facilities on the ground, including the docks and the yachts moored there. But the clubhouse, and particularly its second floor, was all but wiped out.

“We are working closely with the Los Angeles County Fire Department in their investigation of the cause of the incident and will share those findings when they become available to us,” Myers said.

Members are left mourning, comparing the loss to the death of a loved one.

Jennifer Dakoske Koslu awoke in Rancho Mirage at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, before the sun had risen, to find her phone inundated with text messages from club members.

The first message she read simply stated, “The CYC is gone.”

“As soon as I opened my phone, it went to a link on the Citizen app and saw a video of the club burning. I was shocked,” Dakoske Koslu said.

For the last 24 years, Dakoske Koslu and her family have been dedicated members of the CYC, whose clubhouse is a few miles away from their home in Playa del Rey. She said it is where her children have grown up, familiarizing themselves with every inch.

“I remember taking my son there on the Fourth of July when he was just 3 weeks old. It was the first place we went with him as a newborn,” Dakoske Koslu said.

She and her husband biked to the club in the aftermath of the fire, greeted by the charred remains of the building on Wednesday afternoon.

“The destruction is unbelievable. It’s clear that the fire was burning intensely on the second floor,” Dakoske Koslu said. “There’s nothing left.”

The second floor once housed a collection of the club’s prestigious racing trophies, kept on display for members and visitors. The fire melted all but a single salvageable California Cup. Most notably, the priceless King of Spain Trophy, acquired in 1929 from King Alfonso XIII, was lost.

Additionally, the club lost cherished photographs of every past commodore, a significant position within a yacht club. Members said they didn’t know if anyone had digitized the images of the commodores or of the club’s founders.

“We would tell yachting stories at the bar around lots of memorabilia, and the yachting artifacts behind the bar are all gone now,” Tom Materna said. “The yacht club provided us a facility for the off-the-water celebrations after hard-fought competition on the water.”

The CYC dates to the early 1920s, started by boat owners from the Los Angeles Athletic Club and other yacht clubs. The Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the first clubhouse in 1922, designed by famed architect Edwin Bergstrom, co-designer of the Pentagon.

In 1965, the yacht club submitted a proposal for an all-encompassing $1-million, two-story, 10,000-square-foot clubhouse on four acres off Admiralty Way. Members envisioned a state-of-the-art facility with 170 boat slips, a guest dock, a small boat hoist and a dry land storage facility for boats. The clubhouse that resulted was dedicated on June 10, 1967.

Then-Commodore William A. DeGroot Jr. told The Times that the triangular parcel of land on which the clubhouse still sits is a “perfectly logical place for a club facility, and a commanding view down the main channel of the marina.”

Though the building has historical significance to its members, it does not have a historic designation, according to Linda Dishman, president of the Los Angeles Conservancy.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and so grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and our members,” Myers said. “CYC has been a beacon for the nautical community for the past 101 years.”

Materna, 68, first found out about the fire through Facebook as friends posted videos and photos of the damage Tuesday morning. Then he began receiving calls and text messages from friends.

“Everybody woke up in the morning and realized we’d lost a significant part of the sailing community,” Materna said.

His connection to the club dates back nearly 52 years, to when he was just 16 years old. After spending 30 years sailing professionally with Hobie Cats, mainly racing catamarans — a watercraft with two parallel hulls of equal size — he recently served as a crew member on other club members’ racing yachts.

The CYC is pivotal in the boat racing community, organizing and hosting events such as the Optimist National Championship and Junior Olympic trials, Materna said. He fondly remembers the hundreds of people from across the globe converging on the marina for similar events.

The main topic among members now is what’s next for the club. Dakoske Koslu noted that the club’s ownership changed over the last few years, and many are unsure and concerned about the club’s continuation after the fire.

The club relocated to the marina in 1967, leasing the land it sits on from the county.

“I don’t think the county has really valued the contributions of the California Yacht Club as an important part of the Marina. They value Trader Joe’s because it’s more money for them,” Dakoske Koslu said.

Dakoske Koslu said she’s seen numerous small marine-oriented businesses displaced from the marina, making way for more commercialized developments such as Trader Joe’s and Recreational Equipment Inc.

More to Read

Monterey Park shooting survivors dance again in sadness, solidarity: ‘Nothing can kill our spirit’

Jan. 22, 2024

Fire guts historic California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey

Dec. 12, 2023

After 24 days, officials declare Tustin hangar fire ‘fully extinguished’

Dec. 2, 2023

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Anthony De Leon is a 2023-24 reporting fellow at the Los Angeles Times. Born in Fresno to a Chicano family, he pursued his higher education in his hometown, earning an associate‘s degree in journalism from Fresno City College and then completing a bachelor’s in media, communications and journalism at Fresno State. He went on to complete his master’s in media innovation at the University of Nevada, Reno.

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Engineering:Marina

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A marina (from Spanish [maˈɾina] , Portuguese [mɐˈɾinɐ] and Italian [maˈriːna] : "related to the sea") is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats. A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters.

The word marina may also refer to an inland wharf on a river or canal that is used exclusively by non-industrial pleasure craft such as canal narrowboats .

• 1 Emplacement
• 3 Facilities and services
• 4 Moorings and access
• 5 Economic organisation
• 7 References
• 8 External links

Emplacement

Marinas may be located along the banks of rivers connecting to lakes or seas and may be inland. They are also located on coastal harbors (natural or man made) or coastal lagoons, either as stand alone facilities or within a port complex.

In the 19th century, the few existing pleasure craft shared the same facilities as trading and fishing vessels . The marina appeared in the 20th century with the popularization of yachting.

Facilities and services

A marina may have refuelling, washing and repair facilities, marine and boat chandlers , stores and restaurants. A marina may include ground facilities such as parking lots for vehicles and boat trailers. Slipways (or boat ramps) transfer a trailered boat into the water. A marina may have a travel lift , a specialised crane used for lifting heavier boats out of the water and transporting them around the hard stand. A marina may provide in- or out-of-water boat storage.

Fee-based services such as parking, use of picnic areas, pubs, and clubhouses for showers are usually included in long-term rental agreements. Visiting yachtsmen usually have the option of buying each amenity from a fixed schedule of fees; arrangements can be as wide as a single use, such as a shower, or several weeks of temporary berthing. The right to use the facilities is frequently extended at overnight or period rates to visiting yachtsmen. Since marinas are often limited by available space, it may take years on a waiting list to get a permanent berth .

Moorings and access

Boats are moored on buoys , on fixed or floating walkways tied to an anchoring piling by a roller or ring mechanism ( floating docks , pontoons). Buoys are cheaper to rent but less convenient than being able to walk from land to boat. Harbor shuttles (water taxis) or launches, may transfer people between the shore and boats moored on buoys. The alternative is a tender such as an inflatable boat . Facilities offering fuel, boat ramps and stores will normally have a common-use dock set aside for such short term parking needs.

Where the tidal range is large, marinas may use locks to maintain the water level for several hours before and after low water.

Economic organisation

Marinas may be owned and operated by a private club, especially yacht clubs — but also as private enterprises or municipal facilities. Marinas may be standalone private businesses, components of a resort, or owned and operated by public entities.

• List of marinas

"MARINA - Maritime Industry Authority" . http://www.seamanrepublic.com/2015/03/marina-maritime-industry-authority.html .  

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Nawi Island Marina

Idyllically located in the spectacular Savusavu Harbour, a port of entry to Fiji, the Nawi Island Marina welcomes the international yachting community with its 132 modern slips, providing safe and secure berths for monohull yachts, catamarans and superyachts. World Class Marina facilities, currently under development, will include a yacht club and extensive service facilities. Access to and from Nawi Island is simple and convenient, with Savusavu town nearby and Savusavu Airport just 10 minutes away.

verview & Specs

Nawi Island Marina is strategically situated in Savusavu Harbour, a stone’s throw away from Savusavu Town. Nestled safely between three islands, Nawi, Korovesa and Nawi Lailai, is the state of the art, custom designed Marina, engineered to provide year-round mooring. Unlike most other marinas in Fiji, this means it is fully rated to qualify for cyclone insurance.

• 132 fully serviced berths
• 17 dedicated superyacht berths for vessels up to 85m
• Up to 5.4m draft at mean sea level (msl) and 4.6m draft at lowest tide
• 240V single & 415V 3 phase power
• Filtered UV treated water supply
• High speed wireless internet
• Restrooms & showers
• Water, Fuel & Gas facilities
• Pump out facility
• Restaurant, Café & Bar
• Harbour Master Building
• Supermarket
• Maintenance Shed & Back of House Area

Coming soon

• Nawi Yacht Club
• Swimming pool
• Retail shops
• Laundry services
• Hilltop event pavilion
• Nautical museum
• Marina condos

Nawi Island Marina is a one of a kind facility with easy access from all berths to Nawi Island and the central island of Korovesa, making it a secure and convenient place for residents and visitors to anchor their private vessels.

No detail has been forgotten. Nawi Island residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the amenities located at the heart of the Marina, on Korovesa Island. Once completed, the world-class facility will include a yacht club, restaurant, swimming pool, hilltop pavilion, gas and fuel services, laundry services, picnic and barbeque areas. For visiting vessels, laundry facilities, cold & dry storage and the Harbour Master can also be found here.

Coming 2024 Nawi’s Valaga Boatyard facility.

Nawi Island’s boatyard – located minutes away at Valaga Bay – will be a fully appointed service facility for visiting vessels, providing vessel maintenance, repairs, 24hr security, fueling & power services.

Valaga (pronounced Val-anga) comprises 150 hardstand slots with strap downs on an 11-acre property overlooking Savusavu Bay. Our custom designed Marine Travel lift (75BFM111) – the largest in Fiji, with a 75 tonne capacity – and boat ramp will cater to visiting yachts and local crafts, including catamarans, for vessels up to 26 metres LOA and 8.6 metre beam.

This is the only full utility boatyard in the Northern part of Fiji.

Boatyard Facilities

• 150 Hardstand Capacity
• Engineering and welding workshop
• Paint and antifouling workshop
• Open maintenance areas for catamarans
• Office, restroom and outdoor lounge area with parking
• 24/7 security
• Dive and gas bottle refills – these can be arranged but are not available at the boatyard.

Arriving at NAWI Island marina

All facilities at the Nawi Island Marina are designed and built up to category 5 cyclone resistance rating – this makes Nawi Island Harbour a yacht hub during adverse weather.

Reserve a marina berth

To reserve a marina berth, complete this form and one of our team will be in touch with you to confirm. All fields are required, unless indicated.

Professional affiliates

© 2022 Nawi Island     Privacy      Fiji Arrival and Departure

Who is Ajay Thakore? San Diego Lamborghini Yacht owner threatens dock worker in viral video

A n Indian-origin California business owner Ajay Thakore recently made headlines when he reportedly threatened a dockyard worker at San Diego's Marriott Marina after the latter refused to let the former park his $4.5 million Lamborghini Yacht, as per Times Now News.

The video of the incident has now gone viral online. While the face of the man threatening the dock employee saying "I will kill you!" multiple times remains unclear in the footage, many media outlets, including the New York Post confirmed it was Ajay Thakore, who has previously been part of similar confrontations.

Apart from threatening to kill the dock worker, the man in the video also flashed at the latter, as the yacht moved away from the marina. In the wake of this incident, here's looking at who Ajay Thakore is.

Ajay Thakore also goes by the name Ace Rogers

According to Daily Mail, Ajay Thakore also goes by the name Ace Rogers and he is a wealthy businessman and philanthropist based in San Diego, California. He is the CEO of Doctor Multimedia, a local medical marketing agency, and Gopher Media LLC.

He has previously faced similar controversy in 2021 when he was accused of harassing the employees of a La Jolla pizza joint called American Pizza Manufacturing. Its founder Andrew Melone alleged back then that it all started with Thakore defaming the take-and-bake pizza establishment on social media.

However, things escalated when the Indian-origin business owner reportedly parked two of his cars directly in front of the eatery, blocking its entrance, with texts, "Take N Bake Pizza Sucks" glaring on top of it.

Melone also claimed that an airplane flew over the locality with the banner reading, "Just Say No to Take N Bake Pizza." Not only that but Ajay Thakore reportedly involved another pizzeria in the area Carino's, with planes displaying messages like "Carino's Pizza is Better than Take N Bake."

Additionally, Thakore and his companies filed a $10 million lawsuit against Andrew Melone and his public accusations, claiming that they were "exercising their First Amendment Rights" and protesting against discrimination. The owner of the pizzeria countersued, alleging Thakore had persistently harassed him and his company. The two civil lawsuits are still underway.

Exploring the recent controversy surrounding Ajay Thakore

On the afternoon of March 10, 2024, Ajay Thakore's multimillion-dollar Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 yacht was not allowed to park in the Seaforth Boat Rental lot in San Diego's Marriott Marina. He was reportedly there to pick up an employee. The video of the incident has now gone viral.

It shows a man standing on the edge of the yacht threatening to "kill" the worker identified as Joseph Holt, as per CBS 8. Later, as the boat moved away from the dock, the former dropped his pants and made inappropriate gestures toward the 21-year-old employee. The harasser even threw $100 bills at the guy which fell into the water.

Holt told reporters that he "respectfully" told the driver not to park in the private space and was hoping to have a "conversation" with him about his "cool boat," when "it completely went the other way."

"I really didn't know how to process it. I really was trying to restrain myself from getting fired from my job or stepping out of line. The only thing I did was give him the bird," Holt stated.

The employee also mentioned how Thakore berated him for his minimum wage labor and called him a nobody who did nothing on a "silly job." The expensive boat owner allegedly threatened to have him fired using his "connections" and ruin his life.

The dock worker further continued,

"He had dropped his pants and started to make gestures to everybody watching and me. You can't act that way in public. It's just not okay. Especially threatening my life, at the very least. There were women and children there. That's the most important part."

In contrast, Ajay Thakore's public relations team told CBS 8 that the "interaction" was "regrettable."

"What started as a minor misunderstanding escalated into an argument, and I apologize for my actions and to those who witnessed the unfortunate exchange," the statement added.

Later, Ajay Thakore's employee Jason, whom the former was supposed to pick up during the fiasco, also issued a clarification via his boss' Instagram (@acerogersceo). He said that he was not allowed to get aboard, and was asked to "stand back" and even "forearmed" which is when Thakore allegedly "flipped" as he was protective of him, his fiancé, and his other employees, tagging it as a long-drawn misunderstanding.

In the caption of the post, it was Ajay Thakore who seemed to issue a statement:

"As a leader, I defend my own fiercely with everything I have, and I will never apologize for that. You can choose to believe that I just pulled up to the dock and started yelling, or you can realize that a lot happened before the cameras were rolling and that it takes two sides to escalate a situation."

Notably, in the aftermath of the incident, Port of San Diego Harbor Police were called in, who arrived 10 minutes after Ajay Thakore's boat left the marina. Joseph Holt told the news outlet that the officers didn't take his complaints seriously and were even laughing at him.

The department responded by telling CBS 8 that they were called in to deal with a "possible intoxicated vessel operator" who had departed the area before they got there and that they were unable to do anything with. The statement went on to say that a report had been made and that the police had spoken with the complainant and witnesses.