John Staluppi's Top 7 James Bond yachts

While some serial superyacht owners like to keep the same name for each of their yachts, other stick to a theme and there is no better example of this then John Staluppi's series of yachts named after James Bond films. As the first images of his newest in-build yacht Spectre are released, we look back at this prolific owner's yachting history.

For Your Eyes Only

Now renamed Wanderlust, For Your Eyes Only was John Staluppi’s first superyacht. Built in 1985, the 36 metre Denison was custom-built to satisfy Staluppi’s desire to have something different to the big yachts he had seen while cruising in his earlier smaller fishing vessels.

“I wanted to build the first boat over 100 feet (30.5 metres) that would go over 30 knots,” Staluppi said in an interview with Boat International. “The Bond movie-inspired name came because the concept seemed to match the crazy gadgets, planes, boats and high-speed cars, of the films.”

However, 30 knots simply wasn’t enough and in 1988 Heesen launched Octopussy – a 43.68 metre yacht capable of 53 knots which is also available for charter. Telling the story of the deal he made with Frans Heesen when requesting what was then the fastest yacht in the world, he explains, “The boat has to do over 50 knots. If it does under 50 knots I don't have to take the boat. If the boat does 51 knots or more, for every knot over 51 knots we would pay a $200,000 bonus.”

Unfortunately Staluppi soon caught wind that His Highness the Aga Khan was planning to build a yacht capable of 65 knots and that would not do. So in 1992 the 36 metre Mulder-designed, Norship-built Moonraker was launched with a top speed of 61 knots (luckily HH the Aga Khan’s only ever achieved 57 knots). Moonraker was also the first of Staluppi’s yachts built for a more commercial purpose and immediately became part of his Millenium Super Yachts fleet when the company launched in 1998.

The 49 metre Christensen superyacht Casino Royale was launched in 2008 and signified a move away from speed and towards luxury for Staluppi. Featuring interior design by Carol Williamson, the yacht offers accommodation for 12 guests across five cabins and a full beam master suite. She was sold less than a year after her launch but still retains the Bond-themed name.

Launched in 2010 by Trinity Yachts, John Staluppi’s 57.91 metre motor yacht Skyfall is currently listed for sale. This popular charter yacht features exterior design by Geoff Van Aller and interior design by Patrick Knowles. Accommodation for 14 guests is across two full beam VIP suites, three double rooms and one twin room with a large owner’s cabin. She also boasts a Jacuzzi, wine cellar and convertible gym.

At 61 metres in length, Diamonds Are Forever represented a huge increase in size for Staluppi. The Benetti yacht was launched in 2011 to much media interest and was created specifically for the luxury yacht charter market. “We're intending to charter that boat three to four months a year,” Staluppi said at the time of its launch. “My ultimate goal, depending on the way the economy goes, is to have two or three of these boats for charter.”