Gigayacht

Gigayacht

The 656' Gigayacht Everest tops the mega yacht ego-chain. Designed by Donald Starkey and currently under construction for delivery in 2011, Gigayacht Everest will be longer than two football fields and have five decks serviced by two elevators (Gigayacht length of 656' is 200 meters).


Appropriately named after the world's tallest peak, Gigayacht Everest's amenities include a submarine, heli-pad and hangar, indoor and outdoor pools, cinema and scuba center, to name just a few. And to guard against terrorists and Somali pirates, there's even talk of equipping Gigayacht Everest with deck-launched torpedoes and SAMs: "Ship-to-Air Missiles".

All this will be to pamper and protect only 34 passengers in 17 apartments. Consider Gigayacht Everest as an ultra-luxurious and secure private cruiser for every playful and paranoid whim of the uber-rich.

What will it take to own this monstrous toy? Gigayacht Everest's current price tag exceeds half billion dollars (that's "b"), not counting the cost to operate, which will require a crew of 80. 

So, back to our question: should you buy a private yacht, and if so, what kind (if not the private giga-yacht)?

The answer depends on your perspectives. Click here if you believe your wealth is yours, and here if you believe that it's a blessing from God.