Exploring Korfu: Jeff Bezos’s $500 Million, 410-foot sailing super yacht is for the record books

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, currently the world’s second-richest person with a net worth of around $204 billion, has made waves in the yachting world with his $500 million super yacht, Koru. At 410 feet, Koru is the largest sailing yacht globally, complemented by a 250-foot support vessel named Abeona.

Here are eight intriguing facts about this remarkable sailing super yacht:

1. A Modern Classic Design

Koru’s design is far from sleek but embraces a classic aesthetic, thanks to the expertise of Dykstra Naval Architecture. The yacht features a navy-blue steel hull, a white aluminum superstructure, and three towering masts, reminiscent of the triple-masted schooner Eos. Unlike modern superyachts with oversized windows, Koru opts for traditional portholes, prioritizing guest privacy.

2. The World’s Largest Sailing Yacht 

Koru stretches 410 feet in length with a 56-foot beam, claiming the title of the world’s largest sailing yacht. While some may argue the 468-foot Sailing Yacht A deserves the crown, it is technically classified as a “sail-assisted motor yacht.” Koru offers luxurious accommodations for up to 18 guests in nine cabins and a crew of 36.

3. Commitment to Sustainability

Bezos’s choice of a sailing yacht over a diesel-guzzling motor yacht is a nod to sustainability. Koru boasts a sail plan of over 20,000 square feet, allowing it to cruise under sail power regularly. Reports suggest the yacht is testing a kinetic energy recovery system that converts wave motion into electrical energy, along with a hybrid power system that utilizes large battery banks for nighttime operations.

4. The 250-foot Support Vessel, Abeona

To overcome the limitations of landing a helicopter on a sailing yacht, Bezos commissioned the 250-foot Abeona. This support vessel, the largest of its kind built by Damen Yachting, includes a helipad, a hangar for an Airbus ACH-135 helicopter, and ample space for water toys and additional crew accommodations.

5. Built in Secrecy by Oceanco  

Constructed by the renowned superyacht builder Oceanco in the Netherlands, Koru was shrouded in secrecy throughout its development. Originally commissioned in 2018 as Project Y721, the yacht was delivered to Bezos in Gibraltar in April 2023.

6. The Significance of the Name ‘Koru’  

Rather than a name linked to his ventures, Bezos chose “Koru,” a Maori word meaning “loop” or “coil,” symbolizing new life and beginnings. This name aligns with the yacht’s figurehead, which features a wooden sculpture of a woman wearing a koru-shaped pendant.

7. Navigating Challenges in Rotterdam

During Koru’s completion in 2021, Oceanco faced a logistical hurdle when the yacht’s 230-foot masts were too tall to pass under Rotterdam’s historic Koningshaven lift bridge. After a public outcry over the proposed disassembly of the bridge, Oceanco opted to transport the masts by barge and assemble them at a shipyard west of the city.

8. A Global Voyager

Since its delivery, Koru has embarked on an extensive global journey. From Spain’s Balearic Islands to the French Riviera, the yacht has frequented elite destinations like Saint-Tropez, Capri, and Porto Cervo. Bezos proposed to his fiancée Lauren Sánchez on Koru’s bow, followed by an engagement party in Positano with high-profile guests. The yacht continues to explore the Mediterranean and Caribbean, making headlines wherever it goes.

Koru’s blend of classic design, cutting-edge sustainability efforts, and luxurious features set it apart as one of the most fascinating sailing superyachts in the world, reflecting Bezos’s penchant for blending tradition with innovation.