The 115-metre “Pelorus” has made headlines not only for her size, but also for her high-profile owners.
One of the world’s most famous superyachts could now be yours. Lürssen’s headline-making Pelorus has hit the market with an asking price of €160 million. The 115-metre gigayacht has not only an exceptional pedigree but also an incredible history, making it an excellent addition to any fleet.
“Yachts of this provenance are seldom offered,” Alex Banning of SuperyachtsMonaco tells Robb Report. “Ownership of Pelorus is not an acquisition so much as a custodianship—an opportunity to steward one of the most consequential yachts ever built.”
Pelorus was originally delivered by Lürssen in 2003. It was the largest yacht the German shipyard had constructed at that point. It was also one of the biggest private cruisers on the water at that time. Size isn’t her only “wow” factor, though.
Exterior designer Tim Heywood eschewed the angular, tiered silhouettes of the 1990s and instead gave Pelorus a flowing, horizontal profile. Her sleek, streamlined form was considered revolutionary in the early 2000s. Interior designer Terence Disdale also departed from convention, prioritizing comfort and flow over the opulence and formality favored in that era. Her open-plan layout was, again, quite radical for the time. Pelorus is clearly a trend-setter, with her long, elegant lines and relaxed living quarters now commonplace on modern superyachts.
Unsurprisingly, the yacht has attracted a few high-profile owners over the past two decades. Pelorus was built for a Saudi businessman, who sold it to former Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich the same year it was delivered, according to Boat International. Dreamworks cofounder David Geffe reportedly bought the yacht for an estimated $300 million in 2011, but sold it to the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi later that year. It was then sold to Chinese billionaire Samuel Tak Lee in 2016, according to several industry sources.
Pelorus has had multiple refits since delivery, with the most recent work completed in 2025. With a massive volume of 5,403 GT and no less than seven decks, the behemoth can sleep 24 guests in 12 cabins and 46 crew. As you may expect, there are amenities aplenty, too, including a spa, a high-tech gym, a cinema, a nightclub, a beauty salon, and a beach club. Other highlights include two helipads, a swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, and a full fleet of water toys.
Performance-wise, Pelorus is equipped with two Wärtsilä V-12 engines, four Quantum zero-speed stabilizers, and five generators. All that means she can travel smoothly and quietly at a top speed of 20 knots or a cruising speed of 12 knots for up to 6,000 nautical miles.
“For her next owner, Pelorus offers something increasingly rare: a private world unto herself, capable of delivering travel, solitude, elite levels of service, and experiences on a scale that remains both luxurious and profoundly secure,” Banning adds.
Pelorus is for sale with Burgess, Merle Wood & Associates, and SuperYachtsMonaco.
