October 2019 and the sun shines down relentlessly on Mediterranean island of Ibiza where the summer’s party is still in full swing as we look at three of the yachts in port
The first to catch our eye as we entered Ibiza’s Old Town harbour was Savannah, a 274 ft (84 m) motoryacht built in Holland by Feadship’s Aalsmeer shipyard in 2015 and styled by CG Design, it has been showered with superyacht awards ever since.
This 2250 tonnes behemoth towers over the competition to dominate the skyline as we pass by.
If it is available for charter it comes with a 1,000,000 euro a week price tag, and this doesn’t include the crew’s wages (24) and fuel for her 170,000 litre fuel tanks.
However Savannah does boast an eco-friendly hybrid propulsion system giving her a cruising speed of 14 knots at a range of 6,500 nm.
It is said her original price tag was in the region of 125 million euros.
Moored nearby was sailing yacht Tiara. Measuring 178 ft (54m) she was built in 2004 by Alloy Yachts, the New Zealand boat builder who traded from 1985-2016, to a Dubois design.
She boasts a Bedouin tent and flamed mahogany construction and is available for charters for around 160,000 euros a week.
The third yacht we photographed was Kiss.
Launched in 2015 by Feadship she measures 150 ft (46m).
Her twin 1,450 HP Caterpillar diesels give her a maximum speed in the region of 16 knots, and her fuel tanks can hold up to 51,000 litres.
Ibiza harbour has craft of all shapes and sizes to see and a ride on the water bus doesn’t cost more than 5 euros for a pleasant trip around and about.
Superyacht Ibiza
Of course, there are different ways to enjoy life and they don’t all involve spending vast amounts of money.
Near my hotel a number of African men walked around in the evenings trying to scratch a living selling trinkets to tourists.
One, near my own age had terrible shaking hands and a chum commented that he had Parkinsons’ Disease. In a country that doesn’t have an NHS as we know it, the thought that he might not be able to afford to buy the necessary medicines spurred me into action.
I pulled out the largest euro bank note I had on me and told him to keep the change. He started to cry and I wondered if his life been that devoid of simple kindness?
I felt totally humbled that my 20 euro note could mean so much to one person whereas to others it won’t have even paid for enough fuel to turn their engine over.
I hope I did some good.