Octopus Yacht

Paul Allen Yacht Octopus

Octopus is one of two mega-yachts owned by Paul Allen (Microsoft was co-founded by Paul Allen and Bill Gates). When Paul Allen received the newly-built yacht, Octopus in 2003, it was the world's largest yacht; Octopus measures 414 feet (126 meters) in length (361 feet or 110 meters at waterline).

Mega-yacht Octopus is propelled by twin screws that are powered by eight Mercedes diesel engines with a total output of 19,000 horse powers, capable of achieving a top speed of 20 knots.

The exterior of Octopus was designed by Espen Oino, the renowned yacht-architect, and his team at EOI in Monaco. The interior was designed by Jonathan Quinn Barnett of Seattle, Washington in the United States, and the boat was constructed by Lurssen in Bremen, Germany.

While relatively slow, Octopus comes loaded with not one but two helicopters, no fewer than six tenders, one manned submarine, as well as one un-manned submarine, a swimming pool on deck, and enough luxurious creature comforts for the crew of fifty-seven to pamper up to twenty-six guests.

After leaving Microsoft to Bill Gates, Paul Allen became a venture capitalist, as well as a real estate developer, a professional sports team owner, and dabbled in philanthropy. He owns the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Portland Trailblazers professional basketball team and the National Football League (NFL)'s Seattle Seahawks professional football team.

A mega-yacht longer than a football field, of course, wasn't enough for Paul Allen, who owns another mega-yacht, called Tatoosh.

While Paul Allen's spending habits raises the proverbial question, 'When is it enough?', let's get back to the original question: how much do yachts like the Octopus cost and more to the point, "How much should you pay for a yacht?'

The answer ultimately depends on your perspectives about your wealth and the source of it. Please click here if you believe your wealth is attributable solely to your intelligence and endeavor, and please click here if you believe that your wealth is a blessing from God.