The world's largest sailboat faces logistical obstacles in ports and exclusive events; billionaire studies disposing of the vessel two years after controversy
Billionaire Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, is considering putting his most extravagant vehicle up for sale: the Koru yacht. Valued at US$ 500 million (about R$ 2.5 billion), the vessel is considered the largest sailboat in the world. The sale move comes after the billionaire faced a series of logistical limitations that turned leisure into a constant operational challenge.
Since its conception, Koru’s history has been marked by controversies. During the final phase of construction in the Netherlands, the project generated a diplomatic incident by requiring the possible dismantling of the historic Koningshaven bridge in Rotterdam so that the yacht could reach the open sea. Although the structure was not removed, the episode anticipated the difficulties that the size of the vessel would impose on Bezos’ daily life.
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At 127 meters long, the yacht faces practical obstacles in traditional destinations of the global elite. In Florida, the Koru is prevented from docking in several private areas desired by the billionaire due to the draft and height of its masts. The problem is repeated at prestigious events such as the Monaco Grand Prix, where the size of the vessel exceeds the space limits of local ports, forcing Bezos to remain anchored far from the coast.
Designed for maximum refinement, the interior accommodates up to 18 guests in nine high-end cabins, serviced by a crew of 36. Among the technological treats are a glass-bottom pool and multiple jacuzzis. A detail that attracts curiosity is the personalized sculpture on the bow, inspired by the features of his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez.
The luxury operation also includes the Abeona, a support vessel valued at US$ 75 million that has its own helipad. Together, the vessels require an estimated annual investment of US$ 30 million just for maintenance and crew, a cost that, added to the low mobility, seems to have weighed on Bezos’ decision to reassess the permanence of the asset in his portfolio.
