Octopus: New pictures of Lürssen's 126m explorer


Octopus: New pictures of Lürssen's 126m explorer

 

     

 

Octopus is one of the largest superyachts in the world and also one of the most secretive, that is until she was put up for sale earlier this year. Now under new ownership, she joins the charter market for the first time and will embark on a two year round-the-world tour beginning in January 2022.

Commissioned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Octopus was built in steel by German yard Lürssen and delivered in 2003. At the time of her launch, she was easily the largest explorer yacht ever built and heralded a new era of superyachts built to travel far and wide, equipped with scientific and research equipment and all the little (and not-so-little) luxuries expected of a vessel of this size. With exterior design by Espen Oino and interiors penned by Jonathan Quinn Barnett, Octopus remains, to this day, one of the most impressive yachts on the water.

Her ice-class 1A steel hull means she can travel further than most while her two helipads allow guests to be whisked to shore for polar expeditions on land. Since her delivery, Octopus has explored the coast of Antarctica, traversed the Northwest Passage and even discovered the wrecks of long-lost WW2 battleships off the Philippines.

What's more, Octopus is powered by two-hybrid ABB Industry AG E-Motors that limit her environmental footprint wherever she roams. She can reach a top speed of 19 knots when underway and is equipped with a globe-trotting range of 12,500 nautical miles when cruising at 12 knots.

Octopus is home to eight tenders, which are stored out of sight, and while her toy box is yet to be confirmed, you can imagine it will be no small collection. Other standout features include a glass-bottomed underwater observation lounge, a cinema, and a fully kitted-out dive centre.

On the bridge deck, also dubbed the entertainment deck, guests will find a heated freshwater swimming pool with a retractable glass floor that raises to deck level to provide an extended area for entertaining. A bar, spa pool and pizza oven are also found nearby.

Octopus will begin on her two-year circumnavigation in the new year following a yard period this winter.

Made according to the materials of the magazine boatinternational.com

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