For decades, America’s wealthiest have turned to shipyards in Europe for their most extravagant yachts. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has commissioned the 127-meter Koru from Dutch builder Oceanco, while Apple co-founder Steve Jobs chose Feadship for Venus. Oracle’s Larry Ellison has also owned vessels from both Lürssen and Feadship. Whereas, Barry Diller’s Eos and Sergey Brin’s Dragonfly came from Lürssen and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been linked to Feadship’s Launchpad. According to a report by Luxury Launches, all this is said to change as a Seattle-based Delta Marine has entered into partnership with London’s Bannenberg & Rowell Design, the shipyard has unveiled a new family of hybrid superyachts ranging from 50 to 75 meters. The first, the Delta 50BR, is a 164-foot vessel that blends European styling with American engineering heritage.
Delta 50BR emphasise on outdoor living
The Delta 50BR focuses on outdoor living, with a terraced stern pool, tiered lounging areas, alfresco dining, and full-height garages cleverly hidden beneath staircases for surfboards and paddleboards. It also features a dedicated owner’s deck which includes his and hers offices and a winter garden, allowing the tech founders or financiers to work while cruising destinations from Alaska to Scandinavia.
The yacht comes with diesel-electric hybrid system
Another interesting feature of Delta 50R is its diesel-electric hybrid system which comes with podded drivers and integrated energy storage. The system promise to offer quieter operation, reduced emissions and smoother cruising. The accommodation spans six staterooms for 12 guests, including a full-beam VIP suite and accessible cabins on the main deck.
Why build in America
Beyond luxury, Delta Marine argues there are practical advantages to commissioning yachts domestically. U.S. coastwise passenger laws restrict foreign-built yachts from certain charter operations between American ports, while American-built vessels may enjoy greater flexibility in regions like Florida, New England, and Alaska.Founded in 1967, Delta Marine began by building rugged fishing boats for the Pacific Northwest. Today, it is positioning itself as a challenger to Europe’s dominant yards, offering billionaires a reason to look closer to home for their next floating palace.
One of the world’s richest techies ‘forced’ to rename yacht
In related news, earlier this year it was reported that Oracle founder Larry Ellison was forced to rename his yacht. Ellison had named his 191-foot yacht “Izanami,” a reference to a Japanese Shinto deity associated with creation and death. However, the name was later dropped after Ellison was informed that when spelled in reverse, it reads “I’m a Nazi,” a phrase widely considered offensive. The incident was detailed in a profile published by Vulture. Following this discovery, the yacht’s name was changed, the report said.According to the report, Larry Ellison purchased the yacht after investing tens of millions of dollars in a Florida safari park. The vessel is smaller than his earlier 288-foot yacht but remains one of the largest privately owned yachts in the world. The name “Izanami” was chosen for its mythological meaning, but the reversed spelling led to concerns once the issue was pointed out.Larry Ellison reportedly has strong personal and business ties to Israel. His first wife previously described him as “an ardent Zionist”. The Vulture report noted that he has been close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
