Posted on 07/29/2005 8:26:58 AM PDT by spetznaz
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Imagine yourself cruising the high seas in a lavish, super-secret ocean-faring vessel complete with a remote controlled undersea rover, a 12-man submersible and a personal crew of 60, including several former Navy Seals and a recording studio.
No, you're not 007's nemesis in some 1970s James Bond flick. You're aboard Microsoft (Research) co-founder Paul Allen's $200 million private yacht.
Details about the 416-foot boat, named Octopus, are hard to come by. Spokespeople for all the boat owners in this story declined to comment. One even asked if this was an investigation into executive compensation. Of course it isn't -- it's simply an unabashed celebration of maritime largesse.
But according to various reports, Allen's Octopus is what's called an expedition boat, its high bow allowing for better handling in rough seas and icy waters and equipped for travel to remote places. It has two helicopter pads (where else would guests land their chopper?), one on the bow and one astern. A garage near the rear deck houses a four-wheel drive vehicle, which can be transported to shore via a specialized landing craft.
The submersible -- yes that's right, submersible -- which is said to be able to stay under water for up to two weeks, launches through a hatch in the bottom of the hull. The former Navy Seals are presumably there to fend off pirates, or just in case you run into a real-life Dr. No in some forlorn corner of the South China Sea.
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
Now he just needs a five-inch gun installed on deck to sink pirate vessels. ;)
It seems not to have the range of the other Superyachts (which oscillate between 5,000 to 13,000 n.m, the higher number requiring slower speeds). I'd say the Wally 118 is probably more for speed and 'oomph' rather than going on protracted voyages across the 7 seas, although I'd say pulling up to a harbor - any harbor - in a Wally 118 would definitely turn heads (and if you are lucky garner you a gold-digger or three). Anyways, here are the specs for the Wally 118:
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 36.0 m
Waterline length: 30.40 m
Max. width: 7.45 m
Max. draught: 1.18 m
displacement at half load: 81,000 kg
Propulsion: 3 gas turbine engines + 2 Detroit Diesel
Max. power: 16,800 HP
Max. speed: 70 knots
Fuel tank capacity: 22,000 lit.
Water tank capacity: 1,500 lit.
Range at 9 knots: 1,500 miles
Construction material: Advanced Composite
Architecture: Wally Intermarine
Seriously though, were I a pirate I would stay away from Allen's boat. Something tells me it is not happy hunting.
Wow!
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