The coolest superyachts in town for the Barcelona America's Cup 2024

5 September 2024 • Written by Holly Margerrison

With the America's Cup Preliminary Regatta now complete, the Louis Vuitton Cup is now underway from 29 August to 7 October, before the summer of high-octane racing concludes with the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup. As regatta season is in full swing, BOAT utilises BOATPro's Global Fleet Tracker to take a closer look at the largest (and coolest) yachts lining the Port Vell area. Make sure to listen to our BOAT Briefing episode where we unpack everything you need to know about the America's Cup 2024.

Opera

Builder: Lürssen
Length: 146.4m

The largest yacht spotted in the Port Vell area is the 146-metre superyacht Opera, delivered in 2023 by the German yard. Located near iconic hotel W Barcelona, the yacht is thought to be a rebuild project of 145-metre Project Sassi, which was destroyed in the 2018 shipyard fire. Exterior and interior design is owed to Terence Disdale, which is understood to feature a pair of helipads on the foredeck and upper deck aft and two swimming pools.

Kaos

Credit: MichaelYachts

Builder: Oceanco
Length: 110.1m

Kaos once stood as the largest superyacht ever built in the Netherlands. Delivered in 2017, she was commissioned by Barcelona-based designer Igor Lobanov, who created the illusion of a much smaller superyacht by adding the impression of "fake decks". The iconic metallic blue superyacht boasts a range of beguiling features – from her unique troupe l'oil design to her pool deck that doubles up as an aquarium. Built to Passenger Yacht Code, Kaos could originally accommodate an impressive 31 guests across 15 cabins. Now, she is spotted docked alongside the behemoth yacht Opera within a stone's throw from W Barcelona.

Symphony

Builder: Feadship
Length: 101.5m

Commissioned by CEO and founder of Louis Vuitton, Bernard Arnault, Symphony first hit the water in 2015 as the largest yacht built by the Dutch yard at the time. The 100-metre-plus superyacht sports an exterior design by Tim Heywood, recognisable by its dark blue hull, white superstructure and six-metre glass-bottom contraflow pool. Arnault, who is married to award-winning pianist Hélène Mercier, allegedly has such a passion for classical music that he'll only stay in a hotel suite if there's a grand piano. Understandably then, the six-deck yacht would not be complete without such a hallmark of musical excellence, but other notable features include the private owner's deck with a sauna and Jacuzzi and an outdoor cinema.

Vava II

Builder: Devonport
Length: 96m

Highly secretive yacht Vava II is the second-largest superyacht spotted at Port Vell for the America's Cup. Measuring an impressive 96 metres, the yacht's design was penned by Redman Whiteley Dixon with interior styling by Remi Tessier. Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Ernesto Bertarelli took delivery of the British-built yacht in 2012, which has been deployed for research expeditions by scientists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and other research universities from around the world. Bertarelli and his wife had a vision to raise their children at sea, so the "school room" can be transformed into a floating laboratory with the deck space able to accommodate the scientists’ equipment.

Grace

Grace was originally known as Kibo.

Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen
Length: 81.8m

Built in steel and aluminium and delivered by the German yard as Kibo in 2014, Grace is at once elegant and imposing. British designer Terence Disdale was responsible for the exterior and interior, guided by his principle to reject "the wow-effect" in favour of a traditional, functional and comfortable yacht. One of her standout features includes the glass-sided lift, providing access to all four decks, while the interior is typified by ridged wall linings and calming beach club tones.

Hampshire II

Builder: Feadship
Length: 78.5m

Delivered in 2012 by the Dutch yard, Hampshire II was designed inside and out by RWD. The superyacht was built for a seasoned Feadship owner with a great love for action and sports – as evidenced in the expansive foredeck, where guests can play basketball, badminton, tennis and football once the crew ring the area with specially designed nets to prevent balls from going overboard. There's also a zipline and a squash court.

Podium

Builder: Feadship
Length: 72.8m

Commissioned by a repeat client, Podium is characterised by her striking dark blue hull, white superstructure and extensive glass glazing that runs flush to the exterior. The full displacement yacht was designed by RWD with Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects, while interior design is the work of Redman Whiteley Dixon. She was delivered in 2020.

Hampshire

Builder: Feadship
Length: 66.3m

Docked next to Hampshire II is the 66.3-metre yacht Hampshire. Delivered in 2016 by the Dutch yard, the superyacht boasts an expansive owner's deck – the product of a serial yacht owner whose experiences had taught him that privacy and outdoor spaces are key to life on board. A standout feature here is the balcony, located under the master suite. At the touch of a button, the balcony extends out and the floor rises to sit flush with the suite, offering a seamless transition to the balcony and superb views from two deck chairs.

Sea Owl

Builder: Feadship
Length: 62m

The ninth-largest yacht spotted at Port Vell, and the fifth Feadship, Sea Owl was delivered in 2013. A detailed description of this interior would fill a book – she is a portal to an enchanted world, inspired by several fairy tales. The yacht for charter includes a pirate-themed room and an Alice in Wonderland-inspired cabin. There's even a dedicated herb garden on the sundeck where guests can pick fresh herbs.

Samurai

Builder: Alia Yachts
Length: 60.2m

Favoured Caribbean charter yacht and accomplished globetrotter Samurai's naval architecture was completed by Van Oosanen & Associates with design by Omega Architects. Design studio RWD took full advantage of her 1,029GT volume to create spacious accommodation, including an 87.1-square-metre owner’s suite with lounge area and architectural skylight.