8:07 PM Fri 5 Mar 2010 GMT
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'Why so wide'
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When does 'so much' become 'too much'? Mega-yachts for the super-wealthy have long been labelled ludicrously lavish and preposterously pretentious, but just how far can you go?
A Monaco-based boat designer in collaboration with a famous French ship building company debuted a yacht so large at the recent Dubai Yacht Show, that it has been dubbed a "moving island."
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Why so opulent - .. .
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The luxury craft - called WHY 58x38 - will be made by yacht brand Wally in collaboration with luxury purveyors Hermes. When finished, it will measure 58 metres long by 38 metres wide, and resemble a floating grand piano - that's a total of 3,400 square metres.
On the positive side, Wally and Herm?s have used green energy to save 20 to 30% fuel and 40 to 50% electricity consumption on board. There are 900 sq. meters equipped with solar panels, producing a daily output of 500 kW.
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Why with solar panels - .. .
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It's built to accommodate 12 guests (plus 20 crew). It can reach speeds of 14 knots.
WHY's sleek, low profile still houses three storeys: a 'master' space; 'guest' spaces; and 'common' areas. The back end of the boat contains its own pool and a 30 metre "beach" front.
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Why for the owner - .. .
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It consists of three decks, and as well as the pool there is a spa, helicopter pad, sauna, gym and massage room, a promenade of 130 meters, a music room, a dining room, a cinema,more sun decks, suites, terraces, a lounge, and a bibi. The decks are connected by stairs but there is also an elevator.
Construction has yet to begin. It will cost an estimated $160 million (U.S.). By the standards of super-elite yachting, though, that price is relatively modest.
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Why use steps when there's an elevator - .. .
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Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich's 557-ft (168 metre) Eclipse has its own anti-paparazzi lasers, missile jamming system, a pair of helipads and a 5,000 sq. ft. master bedroom. It cost $350 million to build.
Plus, it's an all-important six feet longer than Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's boat, which also came with a $350 million (U.S.) sticker price. The leader of Dubai creatively dubbed his yacht, Dubai.
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Why with great guest accommodation - .. .
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Why have a reading room - .. .
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Why dine with a view - .. .
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Why a moving island - .. .
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It's designed, and supposedly there's an owner in view, but there are no announcements about that yet! Watch this space.
by Lisa Mylchreest
Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:
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