World's Most Expensive Yacht is Also World's Fastest and Belongs to Abu Dhabi Sheikh
A wealthy sheikh from the Middle East recently bought the most expensive yacht in the world.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, of Abu Dhabi, bought the record 590-foot Azzam for a reported $627 million.
The purchase is only about 3 percent of the sheik's total net worth which is said to be an estimated $17.9 billion, according to Wealth-X, which covers ultra-high net worth individuals.
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The Azzam is also the world's fastest yacht over 300 feet with a top speed of 37 miles per hour.
The Azzam passed the previous record holder for most expensive yacht, the $485 million Eclipse, which is owned by Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich, according to Wealth-X.
While the Azzam comes with one helicopter pad, the Eclipse does have some pretty impressive features that will keep it the envy of the global super-rich.
The Eclipse comes complete with two helicopter pads, 11 guest cabins, two swimming pools, exterior fireplace and a dance hall. But while the amenities sound extreme to the 30 guests and 75 crew passengers on board can rest assured they will be well guarded.
The Eclipse utilizes a state-of-the-art security system, a German-built missile defense system, bullet-proof glass and armor plating in the master suite and bridge.
Rounding out the top three is the 440-foot Serene, owned by Stolichnaya Vodka founder Yury Shefler. The yacht is valued at $330 million, roughly half of the cost of the Azzam.
Yachts are often seen as a status symbol for the mega-rich, but according to an analyst the number of yachts being delivered has actually declined over the past few years.
Orders of yachts over 100 feet totaled 169 in 2012 which was down from 261 back in 2008, according to the Yachting Index from Superyacht Times and Camper & Nicholsons.
