Kiwi billionaire sold one of the world’s largest support yachts to a mystery billionaire for $100 million
- One of the world’s largest support yachts has got a new owner
- The vessel belonged to a Kiwi billionaire
- The unknown buyer is reported to have spent $100m
Published on Apr 30, 2025 at 8:34 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Apr 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
A New Zealand billionaire recently sold U-81, one of the world’s biggest and most mysterious support yachts to a new owner for a reported $100 million.
The super-sized U-81 measures 80.1 meters (262ft) and was built as a support yacht for billionaire Graeme Hart’s superyacht ‘Here Comes the Sun’.
U-81 was originally built as an offshore gas and oil platform before being transformed into a support yacht by Damen Yachting.
However, the yacht is somewhat shrouded in mystery.
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It’s one of the biggest support yachts in the world
Despite the yacht being bigger than some of the most high-end superyachts out there, including Jeff Bezos’ $500M superyacht Koru and this Top Gun-inspired yacht, not much is actually known about U-81.
The former offshore platform was originally snapped up by Kiwi businessman Graeme Hart.
He splashed out on a full – and presumably luxurious – makeover for the vessel before using it as a support yacht for his superyacht. How the other half live, right?
While U-81 has undergone several refits at yards across the world, its exterior is still pretty rugged and utilitarian-looking.
It’s one of the biggest support yachts in the world, so it has plenty of space for tenders and other water toys.
And the on-deck helipad means the vessel can be easily accessed – if you happen to have a helicopter that is.
Images shot from above the support yacht appear to show that it’s also got its very own basketball court.
It was recently snapped up by a mystery buyer
Powering the beast of a yacht are twin diesel-electric Caterpillar engines that each pump out 1,947 horsepower.
On the water, this power translates to a top speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of around 12.5 knots.
As for its interior, well, it’s a bit of a mystery, because images of the inside of the vessel have never been released.
Details of its onboard layout have also been kept strictly under wraps, according to Yacht Buyer – but it does contain four suites and is designed to provide accommodation for up to eight people.
To add to the mystery, the vessel’s recent super-rich buyer is also unknown, but it’s reported they parted with around $100 million to get their hands on U-81.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
