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Boat of the Week: Meet the 446-Foot ‘Flying Fox,’ the Largest Superyacht Available for Charter

Chartering for almost $4 million per week, the vessel is the owner's fantasy come true, with a two-deck spa, dive center, 54 crew that include former olympic athletes, two helipads, hospital and, of course, a cryotherapy center., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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Three time’s a charm for the owner of Flying Fox . Not only did he want hearts to beat faster when guests came aboard this magnificent 446-foot Lürssen, the owner wanted to make sure he included every whim and fantasy for his own pleasure. Think features like the two-deck spa, a professional dive center, two helipads for corporate helicopters, the world’s largest transverse swimming pool and, naturally, a cryotherapy center. He also staffed it former Olympic athletes and British ex-military to provide a first-class crew.

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The good news is that Flying Fox can be shared by the rest of us—or some of us, for about $4 million per week. The length makes her the  largest yacht available for charter . Delivered in 2019, she has just about every luxurious amenity imaginable. In a very real sense, she doesn’t just raise the bar—she sets a new one.

The first glimpse of the turquoise Espen Øino exterior is a quick reveal of the scope of the six-decked vessel. On the aft end, the 40-foot swimming pool immediately catches the eye. The largest transverse pool on any yacht, it has a retractable wall that can divide the water in two. That gives guests a choice between fresh water or salt, and temperatures ranging from steaming to icy.

The yacht has every possible toy imaginable—and many others that surprise, including a professional dive center, cryotherapy spa, and an onboard hospital.  G. Plisson for Imperial

The yacht’s two helipads also offer owners and guests a degree of flexibility. The 60-foot spot on the stern is the primary landing area for the owner’s H175 Airbus helicopter, with a second 49-foot helipad on the bow. Capable of carrying 12 guests, the H175 is one of the few VIP-configured models on the market. It’s also the owner’s favorite mode of transport.

Built for private use but conceived with the potential for charter, Flying Fox took three years to design. The owner wanted to make sure he included everything he’d missed on his previous two yachts. Imperial Yachts managed the build and is now overseeing charter.

“The original design process was about finding the balance between what the client was expecting and what was possible in terms of technology,” Eric Lepeingle, Imperial’s head of sales and charter, told Robb Report during an exclusive virtual tour. “The idea of having a meticulously designed yacht that also delivers on a technological front really pleased him.”

This view of the stern gives a sense of the vast but proportional scale of the 446-ft. gigayacht. Not pictured is the 60-ft. helipad on the swim platform.  G. Plisson for Imperial

Beyond her sheer size, the intersection of technology with gracious living is what defines Flying Fox . A large sundeck converts into a dance floor by night, offering live music, private dining and fireworks for the ultimate shindig. The 1,300-foot, two-decked wellness spa is one of the signature accomplishments of the design. Its “sea lobby,” with heated limestone floors and louvred oak paneling, one of the inspirations from interior designer Mark Berryman, makes a beautiful welcoming area, while the sauna, hammam, jacuzzi and relaxation room (with a fold-down balcony at sea level) set the tone.

Flying Fox also has the first cryo-sauna ever installed on a yacht, bringing the spa experience to the next level. It has an antechamber set at -40 ̊F, followed by a main chamber at -116 ̊F. Cryotherapy is typically favored by elite athletes for muscle regeneration. “When he’s on board, the owner enjoys kitesurfing, jet skiing, diving,” says Lepeingle. “He wants to be able to recover quickly. He also wants charter guests to be able to enjoy any activity, so the yacht is designed to anticipate all requirements.”

Adjacent to the Zen-themed spa is the dive center, which includes a three-person decompression chamber and the option to dive depths of up to 328 feet. “To date, our charter guests have enjoyed diving depths of no more than 165 feet,” says Lepeingle, “but if people want to push their limits, we can help them to do that in the most secure way.”

Designer Espen Øino took great care to ensure that the exterior spaces flowed easily into each other.  G. Plisson for Imperial

Supporting this ethos are the 54 onboard crew. The sports, gym and diving instructors are either former Olympic athletes or ex-British military. The helicopter is serviced by a dedicated pilot and engineer, and the onboard hospital (directly connected to a mainland hospital on a 24/7 basis) has a permanent medic. “Most the crew are typically ex-military because the owner believes military personnel have discipline and experience that normal crew don’t,” says Lepeingle.

Another prerequisite of the owner is the aft open-air galley. Five different types of ovens—tandoor, pizza, barbecue and two rotisseries—are joined by two teppanyaki grills and an alfresco dining area that seats 24 guests. Its five chefs cater for multiple diets and cuisines, all freshly prepared in full view. “One of the rotisseries can fit an entire lamb,” says Lepeingle. “The banquet opportunities are exceptional.”

As a PYC-classified yacht Flying Fox sleeps up to 25 guests, with a crew-to-guest ratio of two to one. The 328-square-foot master suite on the main deck stretches the full 74-foot beam width and takes in a dedicated salon, gas firepit and private jacuzzi (one of three on board). Even the onboard 20-foot irrigated trees are well-watered.

The yacht has two helipads on the bow and stern. Pictured is its Airbus C175 corporate helicopter, the owner’s favorite mode of transport.  G. Plisson for Imperial

Flying Fox has mostly cruised the Eastern Mediterranean, with Turkey and Greece being the owner’s preferred cruising grounds. The yacht did a stint last winter in the northern most atolls of the Maldives. Currently in port in the Mediterranean, she will be heading to Croatia this summer and is available for charter through Imperial.

Here’s an exclusive video tour of the yacht. Check out other images below.

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Launched in 2019, this unique vessel at 136-metre length with a beam of 22.5 metres provides a comfortable living space as well as a spectacular design. Despite her extraordinary volume Espen Øino International managed to combine a very elegant and graceful exterior with an absolutely striking look. Flying Fox’s balanced proportions provide generous spaces for numerous leisure activities. Highlights of her exterior profile include the sea terraces, platforms and the enormous aft swimming pool, which extends over the width of the main deck. Combining her flowing and dynamic curves with smart designs, each deck invites outdoor enjoyment throughout the day. In perfect harmony with the powerful exterior design, Mark Berryman has created a contemporary interior conveying a calming warm atmosphere with its soft, neutral tones and tactile finishes.

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Flying Fox: The Largest Charter Yacht in the World

Flying Fox effortlessly vaulted to the title of largest private charter yacht in the world.

By Ellie Brade

A yacht the size of the 446-ft M/Y Flying Fox rarely comes onto the charter market. Following her spring 2019 delivery, this one-of-a-kind vessel effortlessly vaulted to the title of largest private charter yacht  in the world.

It is hard to know where to begin when trying to do justice to Flying Fox . Built in Germany by Lürssen , under the supervision of Imperial acting as builder supervisor and owner’s representative, she features a dove gray hull and distinctive curved exterior lines by Espen Øino, with an interior by Mark Berryman. Her staggering length of 446 ft, a beam of 74 ft and her huge volume mean it is no surprise that one of the yacht’s biggest assets is the sheer amount of space on board, both inside and out.

“ Flying Fox ’s layout has been wisely thought out by her designers to ensure that each area offers guests something unique, whether that is a two-story salon to entertain or a cinema room to be entertained,” says Julia Stewart, director of Imperial, the exclusive charter agent for Flying Fox . “The attention to every single detail has been critically observed to provide guests an unforgettable luxurious experience on board.”

A true passion project developed in close collaboration with her owner, Flying Fox ’s appealing design makes her eminently suited to the yacht charter market. Developed to be a home away from home, the yacht is packed with a near-endless list of features that make it hard to consider the idea of ever leaving.

“ Flying Fox caters to all types of charter guests thanks to her beautiful looks and limitless amenities,” says Stewart. “If you want to set out on an adventure, there are all the toys and tenders you will need and highly trained instructors to take care of you; if fine food is more what interests you, then the culinary offering is unrivaled; for wellness lovers, the spa is unparalleled.”

Flying Fox ’s contemporary and functional interior draws on Japanese influences to create a calm and serene environment that makes use of a small palette of colors and materials including bamboo, oak, fine stones and leather. Exquisite mosaic and tile work also feature throughout the decor. Fresh greenery and towering ficus trees and planters are special touches that enhance the entire vessel and effortlessly bring the outside in.

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PYC compliant, and able to welcome up to 36 guests in the care of 54 expert crew, Flying Fox has accommodations for 25 guests in 11 cabins. These include a show-stopping master suite complete with 180-degree views, his and hers dressing rooms, a private beauty room and a sitting room complete with its own fireplace — one of five fireplaces on board. The 10 additional guest cabins each have their own sea terraces for a personal view across the ocean. Each cabin is en suite with a 75-in TV screen and media center, and has its own design flair.

[See also: The World’s Most Expensive Superyachts for Charter]

A focal interior point for guests is the sweeping atrium-style, two-level salon, which takes full advantage of the available height and volume to deliver a large seating area that overlooks the main salon, with a real-wood fireplace, below. This light-filled haven invites guests to throw off the weight of the world and relax. Other popular interior spots include the full cinema with D-box seating for 14 guests, an Atmos sound system, media system with more than 3,000 movies, a virtual-reality system and an abundance of games. A private dining room, with another real fireplace and enough seating for all on board, boasts its own aquarium as part of the styling, and is the ideal setting for enjoying formal meals created by the yacht’s talented culinary team.

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An emphasis on social living, wellness and relaxation is seen throughout and nowhere less so than the spa. “Covering 4,305 sq ft over two floors, the spa is a state-of-the-art achievement that has been called a ‘little Palace Hotel Merano,’” says Stewart. “From the impressive Jacuzzi set in the middle, through to the hammam, sauna, cryo sauna, dry and wet massage areas, or the fully equipped 970-sq-ft gym, the assets offered are above expectations and run by trained professionals, with proven credentials, or former Olympic athletes.” The cryotherapy chamber is of particular note, as it’s the first to ever be installed on a private yacht, and is able to go down to temperatures of -166 Fahrenheit; it will tick the boxes for those looking for a true endorphin rush. A private medic is also part of the crew on board.

This dedication to wellness is seen across every deck, with numerous spaces to gather, relax and enjoy the water. The nearly 74-ft-wide swimming platform serves as a base for sunbathing and utilizing the yacht’s vast collection of water gear that includes a large selection of tenders, jet skis and Seabobs. A fully equipped professional dive center is positioned on the port side of the lower deck, with two dedicated folding terraces. “The on-board dive center is the best ever built on a superyacht,” says Stewart. “Run by PADI-certified specialists who have the ability to train guests, it includes an impressive selection of gear of all sizes, its own breathing system that allows it to be completely autonomous and a three-seat decompression chamber.”

If the ocean doesn’t appeal, then head to the main deck, home to a truly impressive 40-ft pool. Placed transversely — a unique approach when compared to most superyacht layouts — the pool has an adjustable floor height that allows users to tailor their swim, with swim and massage jets at alternate ends. The pool is also a popular gathering spot for sunbathing or simply enjoying drinks and the undisturbed views. Other highlights across the four exterior decks include sheltered lounge areas, sun-drenched teak decks, two Jacuzzis — one on the owner’s deck and one on the sun deck forward — and the privately positioned roof deck that delivers escapism and serenity in equal measure.

[See also: How the Spectacular Superyacht Scout is Making Waves]

Food lovers will appreciate the multitude of dining options found throughout the yacht. “On the cuisine side, Flying Fox is definitely out of this world: not only carrying some of the best chefs, with some having worked with Michelin-starred chefs, but also having impressive galley capacities and incredible areas to dine,” says Stewart. Favorite spots include the bridge deck, with a dining setup, bar and an open kitchen with cooking options, including a full-size rotisserie, tandoori, pizza oven and teppanyaki and churrasco grills, which ensure all tastes and flavors are covered.

While capable of traveling to far-flung destinations, Flying Fox is currently based in the Mediterranean. Access in even the most remote anchorages is easy thanks to the two helipads on board, with the upper deck helipad ranked as ‘18-meter D-Value’ and big enough to accommodate Flying Fox ’s Airbus H175 12-seat helicopter, the largest private helicopter in the world. The upper deck helipad has a double use and can transform into a dance floor like no other for partying under the stars.

The visionary  Flying Fox  yacht dwarfs her competitors — literally and figuratively — and delivers luxury escapism in the highest measure.

  Flying Fox yacht is available to charter from $4m per week.

[See also: Twenty for 20: Innovative Yachts of the 21st Century]

Ellie Brade

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FLYING FOX - Luxury 136 meters (446 feet) Superyacht Charter

Measuring an impressive 136 meters (446 feet) in length, the Flying Fox is more than just a vessel; it is a resort built for immersive, adventurous travel experiences and a world of endless possibilities both on board and in the water (helicopter included). The primary suite is located on the upper deck, and there are 10 VIP suites located on the main deck. Some may indulge in the 400 square meter spa, enjoy the first cryotherapy chamber ever installed on a yacht, or experience the artistry of the dedicated beauty salon. Others may engage in kite surfing, sailing or powered water sports under the supervision of the water sports team. The onboard dive instructors offer every PADI course, as well as specialist courses with closed circuit rebreathers for a world-class underwater experience. For those who are already masters of the deep, there is a professional standard IHC deck decompression chamber, allowing remote diving expeditions without compromising safety. This blend of romanticism and thrill of discovery is made possible by the yacht’s dedicated crew members.

As the cool grip of winter descends on other parts of the globe, the Flying Fox will set the course for the sun-kissed shores of the Indian Ocean, where the turquoise waters and pristine beaches of the Seychelles and the Maldives await.

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Flying Fox: On board the world's most expensive charter yacht that will set you back €3M a week

Power couple Beyonce and Jay-Z have been spotted on board the world's largest yacht available for charter, Flying Fox after missing the Met Gala 2021. BOAT takes a tour of the largest and most expensive charter yacht in the world. 

The standout Lürssen superyacht takes the freshest superyacht trends – and then pushes them to the limit. On a canvas of this scale, that’s fantastically far: the 136-metre, six-deck Lürssen yacht towers 32 metres above the waterline – as tall as three London buses balanced end on end – and has seized the crown as the world’s largest charter yacht .

“If people tell you that we can create a brief for a 130-metre-plus project, I can tell you that’s totally wrong,” says Evgeniy Kochman, CEO of brokerage house Imperial, which acted as owner’s rep on the owner’s last superyacht project and shepherded Flying Fox from inception to completion. “Like every yacht, you start with a white sheet – but in this case you have many more spaces to fit and to adapt to a very demanding, meticulous owner.”

Flying Fox’s 7,000 square metres of curving exterior by Espen Øino certainly contain a spectacular array of spaces, designed with originality by Øino, Mark Berryman and the owner, and executed with precision by Lürssen. The owner himself was deeply involved in every detail, “from the engine room to the observation deck”, says Kochman, who personally attended more than 50 meetings with the client, poring over the GA for an average of 14 hours at a time. Key to shaping the design was the owner’s experience on his previous fleet of superyachts. “It looked obvious to combine the facilities of them in one fully functional superyacht,” says Kochman.

Looking at the finished arrangement, it is clear that the key takeaway from his other yachts has been a passion for watersports and wellness – which defines this boat. It’s a modern preference reflected on many new yachts, but never before on this scale. The whole aft end of the yacht is a two-deck temple to on-water fun and relaxation. The tone is set when guests step on to the 22.5-metre-wide bathing platform and into one of the best superyacht spas to date. With heated limestone floors and louvred oak panelling, the centrepiece of this 400-square-metre “sea lobby” is a vast spa pool , the waters of which can be changed from steaming to icy in about 10 minutes (thanks to dual hot and cold tanks) so it can be used as a plunge pool following the hammam or sauna.

There’s also the first cryosauna ever installed on a yacht. It comprises an antechamber at -60 ̊C, followed by a main chamber at -110 ̊C – you stay in for a maximum of three minutes and emerge with a post-sprint endorphin rush. It is popular with professional athletes to aid muscle regeneration and pain relief. “It is not so easy to come down to that temperature; normal air-conditioning cannot do this,” says Florian Preuss, project manager at Lürssen. “You need three compressors and three circuits – so you cool down three times; three independent systems, working in three steps.”

To starboard off the sea lobby lies a loungey relaxation room with a fold-down balcony. To port, the counterpart balcony sits between a kite surf store and a dive centre that will make enthusiasts swoon. There’s every bit of kit imaginable, from advanced nitrox mixing systems to full face masks and underwater scooters, plus a super-quiet compressor. “We can cater for anyone who has never dived before,” says the dive instructor. “We can start you up in the main swimming pool on the aft deck, all the way through to technical rebreather diving here – if we have certified clients on board, we can do expeditions down to 100 metres. We can do enriched air nitrox just for recreational diving or trimix as well.” In the boat’s hospital there’s also a “proper” decompression chamber.

The fun continues in the cavernous and innovative tender garage just forward, which holds five tenders and a treasure trove of toys, from flyboards and hoverboards to Seabobs and windsurfs. The space has also been specced to meet regulations for fuelling the tenders with petrol. “Quite a technical challenge to achieve that,” says the captain, “similar to what supertankers have.”

And there’s space for more. “We also investigated and prepared the tender garage to carry a personal submarine ,” says Preuss. “So we installed an extra hatch in the tender garage so that you can go from the deck above into the submarine.” Because it’s shorter than a tender, launching it via the two sliding cranes designed to hitch each end of a boat would not work, “so we designed a special rack to put the submarine on, which can be picked up by the crane”.

Aside from the tender garage, this spa and sports space is designed to feel cohesive – you can walk via side decks all the way round from the bathing platform to the fold-down terraces either side of the spa. Directly above the lower deck spa pool, meanwhile, a three-metre by three-metre section of deckhead slides into a forward pocket to create a two-deck atrium. Stainless-steel handrails are then erected around the gap on the main deck. When closed, as Preuss puts it, “you can walk over it as if it was not there”; open, it connects the lower and main decks in spectacular fashion.

The spa-like feeling is carried through this aft part of the main deck too. Just inside from the aft deck is a beauty centre, followed by a dry massage room – “We carry a lot of high-tech electrical equipment so we can do body-shaping and electrical facials, and we use high-quality products by Swiss Perfection and Elemis,” says the therapist. There’s a wet massage room too, where “we do massages with the rain showers on, so you’re laid on a nice warm water bed, in a full shower”.

For more active guests there’s a standout superyacht gym packed with the latest Technogym kit, a balcony for fresh-air yoga and a gym “menu” laying out what’s on offer. It is staffed by ex-British military instructors (of the supportive rather than the shouty kind) – in fact, all crew members are dual-trained in order to staff Flying Fox’s wellness and watersports components: for example, the medic is a dive instructor and some of the housekeepers are also hairdressers.

But the jewel in the crown of this whole two-deck space – at least technically – is the 12-metre aft deck pool. A 22.5-metre beam allowed the team to place this transversely. “It was the owner’s idea to do it in this direction and the rationale behind it was that it would take up less space,” says Øino. “If you were to orient it in the longitudinal direction it would overshoot big time into the deck house and the gym, so it was a very rational decision.”

“I don’t think there is another project with a pool arranged this way,” adds Preuss. “And this is, of course, difficult from an engineering side because of the movement of the water – if the ship is rolling it is difficult to keep it in the pool.” The yard ordered extensive model testing at the University of Duisburg-Essen with a 1:10 scale model mounted on a pedestal that moved according to seakeeping analysis of the ship – so simulating real conditions. The yard identified the solution as two retractable baffles that create a “gate” in the middle that breaks up the volume of water, so it can’t build up momentum. Crew can still empty the pool in three minutes, but there are fewer occasions when they will have to and therefore more times the pool can be used.

But all of this is nothing that guests would ordinarily see. What they will notice is the glass front that can be misted to opaque at the touch of a button, the swim jets at one end and the massage jets at the other, and the height-adjustable floor that means it can offer a deep swim, shallow paddle or even, at full height above the water, a bandstand for parties.

The 10 guest suites are ranged forward of the gym, so guests can pad straight from their beds for a workout or, further aft, a morning swim. These rooms are uniformly massive and each opens on to one of the long side decks, which can be separated into broad fixed balconies in different configurations via hidden sliding panels (there are 45 sliding doors on Flying Fox ). “We’ve carried families with the children in one suite and the parents in another, with this one big balcony for them. It works really well,” says the captain.

The decor here, as throughout the yacht, is, says Berryman, “clean-lined, contemporary”, functional and tactile, with Japanese influences. The aim is a feeling of calm that fits perfectly with both the spa and the wider boat, with a small palette of colours, materials and finishes for a cohesive look – golden oak, caramel bamboo, brushed limestone, travertine marble and cream leather, as well as rattans and coconut shell embellishment.

The upper deck master suite carries this pared-back look as well. There’s a 48-square-metre bathroom, centred with an oval bath and huge shower all ranged outboard, for the views through double-fronted sliding doors on to the broad private deck that wraps all the way around the front of the suite. Highlighting the decor is a delicate mosaic of corals and seaweeds at the back of the shower. “The owner has a love of mosaics,” says Berryman, noting that the 1,700-year-old Lod Mosaic found in Israel in 1996 was an influence on their designs. “We also have them on the floors running throughout the main deck and the lower deck areas.” Created for Berryman by a specialist near Venice, they take on a playful character on the guest suite doors, each marked with a different sea creature.

The owner’s suite also comprises a beauty room and his-and-hers dressing rooms, but the cabin itself is the showstopper. “I have to say it was a difficult area to do,” says Berryman. “At 105 square metres you think, well, it’s a bedroom and you’ve got an aft saloon and aft dining room, what does he need out of it?” The solution was to place the bed to port and to create a cosy sitting room to starboard, complete with an ethanol fireplace.

There are 180-degree windows and Øino replaced bulwarks with glass so that views could flow straight out to the seascape. Forward on the private terrace is a huge spa pool with sunpads and seating. Adjacent to the suite is a cluster of work-focused spaces – a meeting room and the owner’s office, accessed through a studio. “The owner said to me early on, ‘I’m here to work, so I don’t want to be looking at the beautiful sea out there; let me face a wall and then I can concentrate,’” says Berryman.

But things get more social with one of the most extraordinary spaces on board. To port on the upper deck lies a loungey sitting room, for flicking through magazines and, perhaps, waiting for a meeting in the office. To starboard, the space drops off, behind glass balustrades, into a double-height saloon.

“Originally the upper deck saloon and dining was laid out to the port and starboard sides. After a few months of looking at those areas, we all felt the boat needed a wow factor,” says Berryman, “and also there was the saloon on the bridge deck – how many saloons did you actually need? So the starboard side upper dining was removed and the double-height space created.” The space is certainly wow-inducing and to avoid the feeling of, as Berryman puts it, “standing in the middle of a field” the seating is grouped in the centre of the saloon, leaving a walkway of warm oak around the outside.

Also aiding a cosy feeling is the real-wood fireplace, one of five superyacht fireplaces on board. They work, as Preuss puts it, “like a normal fireplace at home” except with insulated ducts routing smoke up through the mast with the help of forced extraction, and measures to meet marine safety regulations. “The glass pane in front needs to be closed all the time and there is a shut-off mechanism,” says Preuss, adding that when you are dealing with unusual onboard technology, “regulations don’t exactly describe what is possible and what is not possible – you have to discuss a lot with the authorities to come to a good solution”.

Another unusual – and residential – feature of the saloon is the greenery. It borders the staircase down from the upper deck and sprouts from planters set into the balustrade, while two ficus trees tower in the outer corners of the space. “We have a full irrigation system on board that is then linked down to the engine control room so that you can keep a check on what is working and if there are any problems there,” says Berryman. The different watering schedules, nutrients and quantities for different plants are programmed in. There are also “specialised lighting systems to give them the correct amount of UV without bleaching the materials”, notes the captain.

Adjacent to the bridge deck saloon lies a dining saloon with a long table by Metrica (which made all the loose furniture on board). A central aquarium, filled with bright artificial corals, adds a splash of colour while delineating the spaces (which can be entirely sequestered using sliding screens).

But just as the spectacular spa acknowledges the trend towards wellness, the yacht’s primary dining areas reflect the modern preference for eating al fresco. “My own experience of cruising is that you always end up spending your time on the outside decks,” says Øino, “so actually moving the cooking outside is a very logical thing to do.” The outdoor kitchen on the bridge aft deck features a wok station, a Josper (coal-powered Spanish grill), a rotisserie capable of cooking a whole lamb, goat or suckling pig, a churrasco oven, pizza oven, teppanyaki and tandoori grill. Guests can sit at a counter and watch the chef work, or at an extendable dining table.

Aft, seating around a gas-fuelled firepit offers the perfect nook for a nightcap. “Everyone says it has completely changed the dynamics of the boat, the interaction between the chef and the guests,” says Øino. “The chef is at the forefront and has become the star on board.” On the upper aft deck is a more intimate version of this space, which Øino describes as “more like a juice bar with ice cream and yoghurts”, as well as an outdoor cinema area and another firepit.

There are other noteworthy outdoor spaces. Take the helipad on the sundeck aft – it has an 18-metre D-value, capable of accommodating the world’s largest helicopters, including an Airbus H175. There are also power points and a DJ alcove built into the mast for when the helipad is used as a dancefloor, and a neat waiting room for departing guests (there is also a foredeck helipad on the bridge deck, with a 14-metre D-value). Up top there’s a (relatively) petite roof deck, with the best views out to sea and also all the way down to the main deck, via the glass roof of the lift shaft. “Despite the very large size of the boat, it can sometimes be difficult finding intimate spaces away from everyone else,” says Øino. “But when you are on the top deck you know that you are on your own – it’s private there.”

The relaxed winter garden , meanwhile, is an indoor space that feels airy thanks to two huge openable, domed skylights made by Yachtglass. “They look light but the skylights are massive and actually very heavy so they were not easy to produce,” adds Preuss. “They needed a couple of tries.”

Perhaps the most surprising thing about this boat is that chartering was not among its primary aims. From the equally proportioned suites, to the neutral decor, massive spa, outdoor lifestyle and dynamic positioning, it seems as if she was built for it. There’s even a cinema with D-Box seating for the latest blockbusters with motion and vibrations (Lürssen had to box the room and add “many tonnes of steel”, says Preuss, to soundproof it). This really is a boat with the scope to offer something for everyone.

“Conceiving and building such yachts is not a quiet path for all parties involved,” notes Kochman with some understatement. “But seeing the pride in the eyes of our client at the delivery, of our build and operational team, and of the crew, reminds us why we do this job.” Now that the hard work is done, there’s nothing for the owner to do but sit back and enjoy the most relaxing boat afloat.

The Crew Cut

It takes a powerful “human engine” to run a boat like Flying Fox – and behind-the-scenes design to supercharge crew work. “We carry two galleys, one for guests and one for crew, and four chefs in total,” says the captain. “We have 55 crew to feed two, sometimes three hot meals.” With a full capacity of crew plus 25 guests, that’s 246 meals a day.

The guest galley is a cook’s fantasy. There’s a pasta machine and prep area with drying racks, a lobster tank for the freshest seafood, vacuum packing for tender steaks using a sous-vide water bath, Pacojet freezing blenders for silky purées and ice creams – and every other bit of kit you could imagine. The fridges and freezers on board measure a total of 137 cubic metres.

In terms of space to relax, “crew consideration was always in the middle of everything”, says Evgeniy Kochman. Aside from large cabins, lounge, mess and gym, crew have use of a comfortable outdoor lounge just behind the forward helipad – a request of the owner. The paperless wheelhouse is set up to handle anything the sea can throw at it. “The bridge splits into three key areas,” says the captain, “planning and communication, navigation and emergency response.” Recessed screens can completely isolate the emergency space.

“You allow the bridge officers to continue with the navigation. They don’t get overawed with all the other communication going on, which could create another incident.” It’s a system common on cruise ships, not on yachts.

All images courtesy of Guillaume Plisson for Imperial.

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A Tour of Flying Fox: The World’s Largest Charter Yacht

A Tour of M/Y Flying Fox: The World’s Largest Charter Yacht

Rumoured to be owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos,  Lurssen’s  superyacht  Flying Fox is the largest charter yacht in the world. At 136m in length, it’s a truly incredible vessel, reflected in the eye-watering €3,00,000 weekly charter price. Amongst guests chartering the yacht are the likes of Logan and Jake Paul, and Beyonce and Jay-Z, truly making it a yacht for the elites of the world. We are taking you on a top-to-bottom tour of the Flying Fox, covering everything from guest suites to the tender garage.

Her exterior

The 7,000 square metres of Espen Øino’s undulating exterior contain a remarkable array of spaces, each conceived with originality by Øino, Mark Berryman, and the owner. These ideas were then completed with perfection by Lürssen. Imperial Yachts CEO Evgeniy Kochman, who personally attended over 50 meetings with the customer, studying over the GA for an average of 14 hours at a time, says the owner was extremely involved with every detail, “from the engine room to the observation deck.” The owner’s prior fleet of superyachts was instrumental in determining the design. “It seemed obvious to integrate their facilities into one fully operational superyacht,” Kochman adds.

Inside Superyacht Flying Fox

Guest accommodation.

Flying Fox features 10 spacious guest suites. They are arranged in a row in front of the gym, allowing visitors to go straight from their beds to work out or have a morning swim. These rooms are all of the same sizes and open onto one of the long side decks, which divides into large fixed balconies in various configurations by hidden sliding panels. The spaces are modern and calming, made to induce a state of relaxation for guests chartering the yacht.

On the upper deck, the master suite is located. It continues following the same design sensibilities and embellishments found in the guest suites, creating a cohesive experience throughout the vessel. A 48-square-metre bathroom is centred with an oval bath and a large shower that are all spaced outboard for views through double-fronted sliding doors onto the vast private terrace that runs around the front of the suite.

The owner’s suite is another spectacular space, fitted with his and hers dressing rooms, a cosy living room, and a spa pool, located on the enormous private terrace. Additionally, the suite houses multiple workspaces – a meeting room and the owner’s office, accessed through a studio.

Social living spaces

When it comes to social living spaces, the saloon found to Port on the Upper Deck is the perfect place for friends and family to gather. It’s a leafy space, full of plants including two spectacular ficus trees. The lush plants are all on automated watering schedules to ensure they remain healthy. Bringing a sense of cosiness to the saloon is a real wood fireplace. It works like a typical fireplace, but with insulated ducts that route smoke up the mast with the help of forced extraction.

A dining saloon adjacent to the bridge deck saloon features a large table to seat all the yacht’s guests. A centre tank, complete with vibrant artificial corals, gives a pop of colour while also separating the areas (which can be entirely sequestered using sliding screens). The dining area features an open, outdoor kitchen that allows guests to sit at the counter and watch the chef work, or at the extendable dining table.

The facilities

Alongside all the amazing living spaces, Flying Fox also houses many luxurious facilities for guests to enjoy.

There’s a well-stocked superyacht gym full of the latest gym equipment, a terrace for fresh-air yoga, and a gym “menu” spelling out what’s on offer for more energetic guests. It’s staffed by ex-British military instructors to give guests much-needed motivation to complete their workouts. 

Alongside the gym is the vessel’s impressive 400sqm 2-floor Spa. It features heated limestone floors and louvred oak panelling centrepieces, providing individuals wishing to escape the outer world. 

Perhaps the most breathtaking addition to the yacht is her spectacular pool. The 12-meter swimming pool, which runs transversely on the main deck, is a technological feat and a first for a superyacht of this size. 

Toys and tenders

Flying Fox yacht houses a wide range of toys and tenders in her expansive tender garage. Inside, you can find five tenders and a plethora of toys ranging from flyboards and hoverboards to Seabobs and windsurfs. The facility is also designed to suit the requirements for using gasoline to fuel the tenders. Here is a full list of all the toys and tenders onboard:

Toy brands on board:

• Seadoo – 3x GTX 300 
• Seabob – 4x F5S
• Poseidon – 4x Se7en Rebreathers + diving equipment
• Zapata – 1x Flyboard
• Awake Boards –  Ravik 3 electric surfboard

Tender brands on board:

• Windy Boats – Limousine 
• Compass Boats – Work tender
• Nautique – Wakeboarding tender
• Pascoe Tenders – 2x 6.8m tenders

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Superyacht FLYING FOX - World's Largest Charter Yacht revealed

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By Editorial team   7 May 2019

It has been announced that the brand new Lurssen Superyacht FLYING FOX will join the Charter Fleet .  At 136m (446.19ft) she will become the World's Largest Yacht ever officially marketed for Charter.

One of this year’s most sensational new yacht launches, FLYING FOX is destined  to become its most exciting charter yacht .

Only delivered to its owner in the Spring of 2019, FLYING FOX is an enticing opportunity for those seeking not only the very best in yachting style and luxury but also the cache of being one of the first people to experience this 136m (446ft) motor yacht .

The 16th longest superyacht in the world, FLYING FOX enjoys 9,100GT of interior volume, making her one of the largest superyachts afloat and a charter yacht of near incomparable luxury and space. Her superb pedigree fuses the large yacht dream team of German mega yacht builder Lurssen with renowned designer Espen Oino , delivering a remarkable design that flows across her five exterior decks.

FLYING FOX’s sculpted superstructure and decks deliver more than just aesthetic pleasure, creating numerous terraces, balconies and viewing areas from which guests can enjoy the seascape. A huge and quite unique 12-meter swimming pool is perhaps the stand-out deck feature, though, running across the yacht’s vast beam.

Able to accommodate up to 22 guests, rather than the more usual 12, FLYING FOX's guests will be served by a crew of 54, a luxurious ratio of more than 2:1 that is sure to deliver the most incredible charter yacht holiday.

The interior design is the work of Mark Berryman, the British designer creating lavish but also balanced accommodation that is perfect for charter. An entire private master suite on the upper deck is joined by 10 class-leading guest suites, each with its own private terrace, a truly wonderful and rare feature.

Located high on the bridge deck, large and beautifully finished living areas run across two floors, offering incredible views for the two salons and dining areas.

A 400 square-metre two-floor spa is another stand-out feature, with hammam, sauna, massage area, gym and cryo sauna. A lower deck spa area is also included, connecting to the beach club with its dive centre and direct to the sea.

Other notable features include a full cinema, twin heli-pads, custom-built tenders including a 12.5m enclosed Limo tender, and a beach landing craft. Finished in a  dove grey hull, this is not only one of the most desirable charter yachts in the world but perhaps also the most impressive.

If you would like to be among the first to charter this stunning superyacht, please get in touch with your preferred yacht charter broker.

Alternatively, take a look at all  Lurssen superyachts for charter .

Stand out Lurssen Yachts for charter

73m Lurssen 2006 / 2020

90m Lurssen 2010 / 2024

76m Lurssen 2009 / 2022

85m Lurssen 2013 / 2022

95m Lurssen 2014

136m Lurssen 2019

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