Picture this: Motor Yacht A (MY A), a 119-meter (390-foot) masterpiece that dropped jaws when it glided out of Blohm+Vosss HDW deepwater shipyard in Kiel, Germany, back in 2008. Commissioned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenkoa man with a taste for the audaciousand sculpted by the visionary Philippe Starck with naval finesse from Martin Francis, this super yacht is a bold statement in maritime luxury. With a near-6,000-ton heft and a rumoured $300 million price tag, plus a cool $30 million annual upkeep, its a floating testament to excess and innovation, turning heads even today.
Starcks design is pure avant-garde genius, born from a flash of inspiration he claims took mere minutes (though he later admitted to a month of refinement). The exterior is a sleek, silver-hulled dream, its reverse bow and tumblehome silhouette echoing the stealthy lines of a US Navy Zumwalt-class destroyer. Its less a yacht, more a futuristic cruiser, with mirrored glass panels reflecting the ocean like a high-fashion runway. At 24.5 meters wide and a draft of 5.1 meters, it cuts through the water with minimal wakeStarcks nod to a whale-like gracemaking it a standout at elite gatherings like the Monaco Grand Prix (kicking off May 2325, 2025).
The deck layout flips the script on tradition. Forget aft-heavy designsMotor Yacht A boasts a forward lounge exposed to the sea breeze, sheltered by a chic overhang, a throwback to Starcks racing days on the Seine. Spanning seven decks, it hosts 14 guests and a crew of 37 to 42 with aplomb. The tender garage, dubbed cathedral-like by Starck, houses custom limo tenders, while a helipad and three poolsone with a glass bottom doubling as a disco ceilingelevate the experience. Its a playground for the jet set, spotted recently in Galle, Sri Lanka, per X buzz on May 21, 2025.
Inside, its minimalist luxury with a twist. White leather walls meet dark Baccarat crystal accents, crafting a stark, almost surgical chic. The main salon, a two-deck marvel, features a mirrored ceiling and oval windows framing ocean vistas, while Baccarat chandeliers add a decadent sparkle. The owners suite steals the show with a rotating bed facing panoramic glass, a touch of sci-fi romance. Gold-fitted bathrooms and cutting-edge entertainment systems complete the vibe, blending comfort with high-tech allure.
Power comes from twin MAN diesels, pushing a top speed of 23 knots and a cruising range over 3,000 nautical miles at 12 to 18 knots. Its efficiency-focused design aligns with Starcks eco-conscious edge, though the yachts opulencefuelled by Melnichenkos EuroChem and SUEK billionsraises eyebrows. Delivered in 2008, it faced a $100 million paint job lawsuit against Akzo Nobel in 2013, and in 2022, sanctions saw it laid up in the UAE. Ownership rumours tied it to Masayoshi Son, though Melnichenkos team debunked that, keeping its status enigmatic.
Motor Yacht A is a love-it-or-hate-it icon. Its stealthy, angular beauty divides criticssome call it a design triumph, others a billionaires folly. For the discerning Oldseadogs.com reader, its a pinnacle of yachting couture, where innovation meets extravagance. Whether its cruising the Med or docked in controversy, this yacht remains a must-watch in 2025s maritime scene.