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Bill Gates Yacht: Everything You Want To Know

In 2020 the yachting world was abuzz with news that Bill Gates had bought as stunning and advanced yacht known as Project Aqua. The massive, 370-foot concept yacht was revealed in 2019 at the Monaco Yacht Show and news soon followed that billionaire Bill Gates, once the richest man in the world and the founder of Microsoft, had commissioned the construction of his own hydrogen-powered Aqua. But that never actually happened and, in fact, as near as anyone can tell for real, Bill Gates doesn’t own a yacht at all. 

So where did the story come from? What’s the deal with the Aqua? And hasn’t Bill Gates been pictured on a yacht before? Let’s get some answers.

How Much Did the Aqua Yacht Cost at the Monaco Yacht Show?

According to the stories online, Bill Gates paid $600 million for the hydrogen powered yacht. But that’s not true at all. According to the yacht makers, the Dutch company Sinot, the price tag is $645 million but no one bought it after it was revealed at the Monaco Yacht Show, and that includes Bill Gates. It’s expensive but definitely not the most expensive in the world.

How Fast is the Aqua Yacht?

Aqua is a unique yacht in the yachting world which is why it garnered so much attention in the first place. It’s the first mega yacht that runs on a fully operational liquid hydrogen and fuel cell system that features two hydrogen engines that can produce 1,341 horsepower. The top speed is 17 knots and  the Aqua has a cruising speed of 12 knots. The total range is 3,750 nautical miles. The liquid hydrogen is stored in two 28-ton vacuum sealed tanks where it can be held at -253 degrees C. The only exhaust is water.

What Does the Interior of  the Aqua Yacht Look Like?

The Aqua has 7 suites meant to house up to 14 guests at any given time. Two of those suites are larger VIP cabins. The ceilings throughout are 9 feet and stretch as high as 12.5 feet elsewhere thanks to the luxury Sinot yacht architecture. The vessel has room for a crew of 31 as well. The beach deck lounge aboard the boat alone looks like a luxury hotel space.

The Aqua features a bow observation room which is surrounded by windows to give a panoramic view of the ocean which has been described as the “ultimate superyacht owners lounge.” In addition, there’s a movie theater on the upper deck. It also includes a wellness center with a hydro massage room. You can also do some yoga in a workout space. There’s a fully equipped gym, a beauty salon, and even a hairdresser.

Up on the main deck there’s a luxury swimming pool that even includes a waterfall. One of the yacht’s defining features is the spiral staircase that covers all five decks and is covered by a skylight. On the way up it also offers a view of the interior of the hydrogen fuel tanks so you can see just what 56 tons of ultra cold liquid hydrogen looks like as you move between decks. 

The tender garage has an array of toys such as jet skis while the main deck features a beach club with a dining area designed for all 14 guests and a lounge that converts into the cinema space.

What Yacht Has Bill Gates Actually Been On?

Bill Gates does seem to like yachts, just not enough to spend his money owning one, and that’s fair. Yachts cost millions to maintain every year. No one got rich spending millions to maintain a boat.

That said, Bill Gates has not only vacationed on yachts – he spent his 66th birthday on one – he also got married on a yacht.

In 2021, Gates made the news when he celebrated his 66th on board a luxury yacht called the Lana alongside Jeff Bezos. He spent $2 million to charter the yacht for a week and flew 50 guests out to celebrate with him. 

The Lana is a 351 foot yacht with room for 12 guests and a cruising speed of 12 knots with a max speed of 18 knots. The master suite is 1,184 square feet. The room features his and hers walk-in dressing rooms and a private terrace.

Elsewhere on board you’ll find a piano in the lounge area as well as a full gym for working out. There’s both a sauna and a well-appointed spa as well. On deck you can head to the beach club or take a dip in the pool. 

There are three tenders in the garage alongside a bunch of toys including various jetskis, a seabob, wakeboards, WindSurfers, fishing equipment, scuba diving equipment and more. 

Back in 2014, Gates rented an even more expensive yacht, the $5 million per week Serene, to go on a vacation with his family. The Serene, once owned by  Russian vodka magnate Yuri Shelfer before being purchased by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, clocked in at a massive 450 feet making it one of the world’s biggest and even had its own on board submarine

The Serene features 7 decks, a saltwater pool, a climbing wall, a surprisingly large library, health spa, outdoor cinema and a nightclub. This is all spread across 48,000 square feet.

It’s also been confirmed that Gates met his wife Melinda on a yacht owned by Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, all the way back in 1994. 

Why Do People Think Bill Gates Owns the Aqua?

It’s easy to see why people may have thought Gates owned the Aqua when you consider a handful of factors. First, as mentioned, we have lots of evidence that Bill Gates really does enjoy luxury yachts. The extremely high price tag was something that only a few people in the world are going to be able to afford and Gates, who doesn’t own a yacht, seems like a likely candidate for those reasons. 

In addition, Gates has spent several years now as a climate activist and has supported a number of green technologies. A yacht that runs on hydrogen seems like something he would support as well. So, with no real evidence, the circumstantial evidence was enough to easily convince people. Once it’s presented as fact on the internet, and it was in many articles and videos, few people had reason to question it. 

The Bottom Line

The mega yacht known as the Aqua has a price tag of $645 million and it runs on clan burning hydrogen fuel. The only byproduct of its operation is water, making it a very environmentally friendly yacht. It made waves, so to speak, when it debuted at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2019. Rumors soon began to spread that billionaire and known climate activist Bill Gates had ordered one for $600 million. However, despite many videos and articles that refer to him as the owner, the truth is no one bought the Aqua at the yacht show and, as of 2023, Bill Gates does not own a yacht at all. He is know to charter extremely luxurious yachts for vacations and parties, such as the Lana and the Serene, but he does not own any just now.

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Billionaire Bill Gates buys hydrogen-fuelled superyacht for $500 million

By Rebecca Cope

Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates is currently celebrating the engagement of his daughter, Jennifer, to Egyptian showjumper Nayel Nassar, but he's also got another reason to be happy - a brand new superyacht.

The 112-metre luxury vessel is the world's first hydrogen-powered super yacht, and will feature all the usual billionaire mod-cons, including an infinity pool, helipad, spa and gym. There are five decks, with accommodation for 14 guests and 31 crew members - more than two per person.

By Harriet Johnston

By Isaac Bickerstaff

As well as being powered by liquid hydrogen, another eco-feature are the fire pits, which are actually gel-fuelled fire bowls, designed to keep guests warm outdoors without burning wood or coal.

Costing in the region of $500 million, the Aqua ship was first publicised at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2019 by Dutch design firm Sinot. Speaking then, the company's eponymous designer said, 'For the development of Aqua we took inspiration from the lifestyle of a discerning, forward-looking owner, the fluid versatility of water and cutting-edge technology, to combine this in a superyacht with truly innovative features.'

He went on to explain how the hydrogen fuel works, saying: 'AQUA is fuelled by hydrogen, a unique concept which represents a significant progression towards achieving a new balance between nature and technology. The system is based on the use of liquified hydrogen, stored at -253°C in two 28-ton vacuum isolated tanks. The liquified hydrogen is converted into electrical energy by proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, with water being the only by-product.'

The Daily Telegraph reports that the ship will be in service from 2024, and will reach speeds of 17 knots. It will be able to travel for 3,750 miles before refuelling but will also have a diesel back-up due to the lack of hydrogen refuelling stations available.

This will be the world's second richest man's first yacht. He has previously rented them for holidays, most recently including the $330m yacht Serene, which he borrowed from Stolichnaya vodka magnate, Yuri Scheffler, to sail around the coast of Sardinia.

By Isaac Zamet

By Hope Coke

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28 August, 2023

Mysterious superyacht docks in Cairns

A code of silence has fallen over the arrival in cairns of the $176 million venus superyacht owned by the widow of the late steve jobs, laurene powell..

By Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

The distinctive vessel docked in Cairns last Friday (August 25), for maintenance. Details on how long the vessel will remain at the Cairns Marina and what works will be done are under wraps.

According to Automatic Identification System (AIS) trackers, Venus departed the port of Papeete, French Polynesia on August 13, and reached Cairns after 11 days of voyage.

The 78.2-m long vessel was custom-made for the Apple co-founder. It was officially launched in 2012, one year after his death, and is now owned by his widow.

The yacht is completely private and not available for charter. Although it’s one of the most recognised yachts, very little is known about it and how the inside of the vessel looks.

With a very modern look, Venus has a gleaming silver paint job and stainless-steel details, a long forward deck and a row of windows running from the bow past amidships.

Throughout the years the yacht, designed by Netherlands company Feadship, has been surrounded by secrecy. According to BOAT International the company isn’t allowed to comment on its high-profile vessel. Nor are staff or suppliers.

The Cairns Marina and the Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef were not able to comment on the vessel’s stop in Cairns.

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The World's First Hydrogen-Powered Superyacht Has a $644 Million Price Tag

By Nick Mafi

Superyachts seemed to be among the last modes of (luxe) transportation to bend toward the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly engine designs. But if news from last week’s Monaco Yacht Show served as a bellwether, the industry meant to cater to the wealthiest among us made a progressive splash with the unveiling of Aqua, the world's first hydrogen-powered superyacht.

Designed by the Dutch firm Sinot Yacht & Architecture Design, Aqua is a nearly 400-foot-long vessel that's run entirely by a renewable energy source. "Water is the eternal fuel of life, the life-sustaining force that makes planet Earth habitable," says Sander Sinot, founder of the firm that bears his name. "Water is soft, yet at the same time it cuts through hard rocks." It was this appreciation of water that helped the firm find balance between the natural world and the technological. The propulsion system is made up of two 28-ton vacuumed tanks that each contain liquified hydrogen which are stored at -423 degrees Fahrenheit. Along with being eco-friendly, hydrogen-based energy means for a quieter experience aboard the ship in comparison to traditional engines. That said, there will be backup diesel generators handy should the captain ever need them.

The infinity pool aboard AQUA. 

There was much confusion on Monday if there was already a buyer who had paid the hefty $644 million price tag. Reports spread throughout the internet that billionaire Bill Gates had purchased the superyacht, rumors that proved to be false. Yet readers couldn't be blamed for believing such reports, as images show Aqua to include its own infinity pool, helipad, spa, and gym—amenities meant to attract billionaires such as Gates.

An aerial view of the superyacht shows how close passengers can get to the water, as well as the cascading design of the infinity pool.

Sinot and his team designed the vessel to safely bring passengers as close to the water as possible. "Water is relaxation; it makes us calmer and more creative," Sinot comments. "We wanted to provide those on board with the closest possible proximity to the water. The aft deck features an innovative series of platforms cascading down towards the sea, while a large swim platform allows all passengers to enjoy the optimal experience of accessing the water at sea level."

One of the bedrooms inside of Aqua shows a minimalist aesthetic. 

Aqua can reach speeds of up to 19.5 mph and features enough room for 14 guests and 31 crew members. The firm plans to complete the vessel by 2024.

By Katherine McLaughlin

By Elizabeth Fazzare

By Sarah Archer

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Octopus superyacht returns to Cairns

ONE of the world’s largest privately-owned superyachts has returned to Cairns on a spur-of-the-moment mission.

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ONE of the world’s largest privately-owned super yachts has returned to Cairns on a spur-of-the-moment mission.

The MV Octopus has berthed at the city’s marina, overshadowing other vessels.

The 126m boat, owned by billionaire Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has visited Cairns at least three times since it was built in 2003.

The $US200 million super yacht has a permanent crew of 60, including several ex-US Navy SEAL bodyguards, room for two helicopters on the top deck, seven tenders and an eight-person submarine.

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The super yacht is also fitted out with an on-board music studio, movie theatre and glass-bottom lounge.

The Octopus’s latest visit is shrouded in secrecy, however Superyacht Group manager Susan Byrne-Callaghan said the vessel had been chartered at the last minute.

“As a vessel, she’s constantly on the move,’’ she said.

“She’s just had a refit done in Germany, which is one of the only places in the world where they can put her undercover and lift her out of the water, so to speak, to go into a big dry dock facility.

“I know she’s been there in September.

“Since September, she’s steamed to the other end of the world – and I think she came via Thailand.”

It is unknown if Mr Allen, who co-founded software empire Microsoft with school friend Bill Gates in 1975, is aboard the luxury vessel, which has hosted stars such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Usher, Johnny Cash and U2.

Ms Byrne-Callaghan suggested the super yacht, which is expected to leave Cairns before Christmas, may be making its way south to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Sydney.

“Maybe they decided to do that this year,’’ she said.

The Cairns Marlin Marina provides berths for vessels up to 130m long and is recognised as one of the best mega yacht marinas in the world.

Ms Byrne-Callaghan said that the repeat visit by the Octopus continued to prove Cairns was the perfect stopover for luxury boats.

“We’re constantly looking at opportunities for all vessels,’’ she said.

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Bill Gates chartering superyacht Lana – price and location revealed

Bill Gates is currently chartering the renowned superyacht Lana and is currently cruising the west coast of the Turkey.

Bill Gates who is the Microsoft billionaire and philanthropist, decided to extend his summer months by chartering the 107-metre superyacht Lana through industry giants Imperial Yachts.

The superyacht, which was chartered by Beyonce and Jay-Z just last summer, has spent the last week cruising along the southwestern coast of Turkey where the summer months are still as hot as ever. The region hasn’t just attracted the likes of Lana, but also some of the world’s greatest superyachts like Flying Fox.

The charter for Bill Gates has been carried out by the Monaco based Imperial Yachts, whom have been accredited with some of the biggest charters over recent years after securing the management of some of the most prestigious yachts built in recent years.

Built in 2020 by Benetti, Lana is custom-built for world-class luxury yacht chartering, offering a  spacious living areas and top-of-the-class amenities. With features including a spa, elevator, beach club and gym, you’ll be in for a treat from the moment you step onboard.

Lana offers guest accommodation for up to 12 guests in 8 suites comprising a master suite and seven VIP cabins, with a crew of 33 ready to provide the service you’d expect from one of the most expensive charter yachts available.

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LANA is an award-winning Italian masterpiece. Part of her success can be attributed to her interiors, which are a beautiful blend of pared-back minimalism and subtle luxuries. Blonde wood features prominently throughout, alongside a mixture of different shapes and structures which draw the eye and add an artistic touch to her interior spaces, with clever use of lighting adding an elegant, and understatedly sexy on board ambience

Chartering the yacht for a week will set you back €1,800,000, approximately $2,100,000.  

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