Men’s Shed Presentation July 28, 2021

By: Dan Biron

Motor Yacht

A unique part of my career Some facts to get straight up front:

• I am not a member of UK's Secret Intelligence Service - also known as MI6

• No, I did not marry a James Bond girl but darn close!

• I am not a yacht captain

• I am not a yacht architect nor a naval engineer

• The original movie was produced and released on June 6, 1983

• The yacht was christened on April 9, 1988

• Sold in April 1989 to my boss and managed by me for 9 years

Motor Yacht Octopussy Pre-Refit

Motor Yacht Octopussy Pre-Refit

Introducing Motor Yacht Octopussy

• Built at the Hessen Shipyard in Oss, Netherlands

• Ordered by John Staluppi with a contract that stated there would be a financial penalty for every 10th of a knot under 50 knots and if it was below 48 knots, he could walk away from the yacht. If greater then 50 knots, he would pay a premium.

• It’s top speed was 53.17 knots (61.18 Mph)

Some technical facts of Octopussy

• Initial length was 40 meters = 132 feet long

• Powered by three turbo charged MTU engines with 3,500 hp each = total 10,500 hp

• Propelled by three KaMeWa water jets (basically a giant wave runner) with three giant intake tubes on the bottom of the yacht

• It’s high speed was achieved by its powerful engines and its ability to plane on the water so it drew only 4 ½ feet in the water.

• At full speed it consumed well over 500 gallons of diesel fuel an hour!

What if you think the yacht is too short?

• Originally 132 feet long, but my boss wanted it longer

• So you stretch it 11 feet to 143 feet long

• The Codecasa ship yard in Viareggio, Italy agrees to stretch it at a multi-million cost

• Basically they cantilevered the existing swim platform to accommodate a garage for the tender (lower level) a circular dining room with floor to ceiling tracked windows/doors (main deck) and stretched the sun deck with a new jacuzzi (upper deck)

• The outcome of stretching, the yacht now had a top speed in the high 20 knots.

Motor Yacht Octopussy Post-Refit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uowu3cRJgs

Motor Yacht Octopussy Post-Refit

Motor Yacht Octopussy Post-Refit

Motor Yacht Octopussy Post-Refit

• How do you get it from Florida to the south of France?

• You ship it on a freighter that partially submerges and the yachts floats on under their own power.

• The yachts are caulted/secured to floor of the freighter

• Once in Mallorca, Spain, the freighter lowers itself, you start your engine and sail off to your desired port.

• In late 1990’s the cost was $250,000 one way for Octopussy

Interesting Facts Long Distance Yacht Transport

Motor Yacht Octopussy Atlantic Transit

Motor Yacht Octopussy Wheelhouse/Cockpit

Motor Yacht Octopussy