Good things never go out of style.
For those with an appreciation for the bygone eras of boating -- when elegant wooden launches gracefully dominated the water -- it shouldn't be surprising that a beloved building block simply won't quit.
Wood has a warmth to it -- a charming antidote to the coldness of steel -- which is why wooden boats are still some of the most sought after vessels in the world. There's a fair argument to be made that the 'Before Fibreglass' era in boating holds great reverence among recreational boaters.
Heck, even Wayne Gretzky has one.
So, by that logic it stands to reason that a boater with a bigger bankroll would indulge in the ultimate -- a wooden superyacht.
A 50 meter (164 ft) teak superyacht is currently for sale in Dubai for a modest $9.995 million USD. It is the largest wooden superyacht ever built.
The yacht is being offered through the brokerage Bush & Noble.
The luxury-appointed vessel has an exterior superstructure made from teak wood. Bush & Noble state the hull material is "fibreglass cladded with teak" which were “sourced from Italy at no expense spared."
The yacht was designed and engineered by Henderson Marine International and construction started in 2020.
Her inspiration comes from the dhow design - a predominantly one or two-masted sailing vessel popular throughout Africa and the Middle East for centuries. Dhows typically sport a long, narrow hull shape with a significant bow arch.
Dhows were long used as traditional Arabian sailing boats and the history and influence of the dhow across the Persian Gulf inspired the modern remake.
While the ship is a powered superyacht courtesy of two massive Caterpillar diesel engines, she carries decent performance with a maximum speed of 18 knots (20 mph) and a cruising speed of 12 knots (13 mph). She has a slightly exaggerated beam of 10.56 m (34.5 ft) and a modest draught of 2 m (6.5 ft)
Inside, she has all the trappings one would expect with a modern superyacht -- 6 cabins, 11 heads, accommodations for 12 guests and 5 crews. It also boasts a breakfast bar, two screening areas, a formal dining room, an al fresco dining area on the main deck, a beach club on the stern deck, and a 'sky lounge.' All of the interior superstructure is clad in teak and accented with Italian marble.
But even with the elegant ode to boating's past, the yacht is still full of modern tech. There is a CCTV system, a 220V electrical panel, a fire suppression system, Garmin touchscreen GPS, Garmin autopilot, a FLIR camera, and more. The listing on the Bush & Noble website is extensive.
“We are thrilled to have this stunning custom wooden yacht as part of our fleet,” said Brett Noble, co-founder of Bush & Noble. “It truly is a one-of-a-kind yacht that is sure to impress even the most discerning yachting enthusiasts.”
By all indications, the yacht doesn't yet have a name. So the new owner will not only score it at a reduced price, but will also have the pleasure of undergoing the proper boat naming ritual.
