Thar She Blows: The $200 Million Beluga

A $200 million megayacht inspired by Moby Dick and Pinocchio? Has to be a joke, right? Wrong. The Beluga, from Belgian design team Pure-Sang is real enough to have been gotten some airtime in the best new concept category at the recent Monaco Yacht Show. The 100-metre masterpiece features a 100 m² sunroof designed to open like the mouth of a whale, whose shape the ship is meant to resemble. Inside there’s luxe accommodation for 12 guests and 20 crew members. The belly of the beast holds five luxury suites with extendable balconies and en suite spas, a Turkish bath, state-of-the-art gym and professional movie theatre.

Elsewhere there’s a library, whisky bar, beach club, swimming pool, and duplex lounge / dining salon with a 9-metre high crystal chandelier, plus a greenhouse with an onboard vegetable garden for growing your own while at sea. For the crowning touch, the onboard tender garage can be turned into a nightclub with an illuminated glass dancefloor. Power-wise the aluminum and steel ship will be fitted with twin Caterpillar diesels with a total output of 14,530 hp, making for a maximum speed of 26 knots, a cruising speed of 20 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles at cruising speed. Pinocchio won’t know what hit him.