In the rarefied world of the mega-rich, those with a taste for sailing face a problem: where to park one’s superyacht.
You can hardly haul it out of the water and stick it on the drive – no matter how grand your mansion.
Of course there are marinas aplenty that cater to owners of the likes of the UAE-built 47 metre Majesty 155, the biggest superyacht yet to emerge from Gulf Craft. But if you like to keep your eye on your prize while not at sea, the problem remains.
And there are other considerations. The ultra-wealthy yacht owner has to pay for a crew, which can cost more than US$1.4 million, cover its maintenance, which occasionally totals more than $1m a year, and shell out for docking fees, which can cost more than $350,000 annually. Cutting corners on the first two expenses is not really an option, but the dockage costs, at least, can be mitigated.
Recently, a spate of houses with their own private deep-water docks have hit the market (see videos below), so owners can sail in and park their yachts free of onerous charges; convenient and cost-saving to boot.
Here are a few such properties decked out with their own private docks. It might not be the only reason to buy these estates, but it sweetens the deal.
Shelter Island, New York, US32 million, Sotheby’s International Realty
This landmark residence rises from the head of a bluff with lush green lawns rolling from the wraparound porch to the shores of the Shelter Island Sound. Its flag pole is the mast from the vessel Sir Thomas Lipton raced in the 1930s for the America’s Cup.
Built in 1880, this Queen Anne-style house has 400-plus feet of water frontage, and an L-shaped dock for a 70 ft yacht with a romantic boat house. The three-story 7000+ sq. ft. main house has seven bedrooms and seven baths with panoramic water views.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US$32 million, Sotheby’s International Realty
Comfortable elegance and sophistication best describe Fort Lauderdale’s newest trophy property designed by renowned Architect Robert Stern. The ultra-premium turnkey Mediterranean revival estate with guest house boasts 15,930 square feet of luxurious living with 625 ft of waterfront for mega-yacht dockage. It boasts seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a six-car garage, elevator, massage room, fitness centre, home theatre. Perfect for grand scale entertaining, outside offers terraces, an outdoor living room, summer kitchen, infinity pool and separate spa, cabana bath with sauna and changing facilities.
Estate With Private Beach in the Bahamas, $7.9m, Christie’s International Real Estate
This relaxed estate has four residences, staff quarters, something called a “party pagoda” and a beach pavilion, all set overlooking the property’s private white sand beaches and crystal blue waters.
Set on the very tip of Man-O-War Cay, a small island off Great Abaco, the property offers its own sheltered dock, which can hold 12 boats at once.
Private Island in Belize, $6m, Sotheby’s International Realty
This island was developed to be totally self-sustaining. There are two reverse-osmosis water systems with the capability to generate 1,800 gallons of fresh water per day, a diesel generator, and a rainwater purification system.
For sustenance, residents can fish off the property’s deep-water dock. (Or just get back on their megayacht.) There are also two villas, along with a guest cottage, all of which are designed with Belizean hardwood. All of the buildings are built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane, but should conditions get truly rough, the island is about a 45-minute boat ride to Placencia Village, a waterfront town in the country’s south.
Waterfront Estate in Boca Raton, Florida, $8.9m, Sotheby’s International Realty
This eight-bedroom, nine-bath Mediterranean styled home features a first-floor theatre room, separate library, club room, wine room, infinity edge swimming pool and separate spa.
Its dock has enough room for three boats and two wave runners. One dock fits a yacht of up to 90 feet in length. All the property’s stone columns are marble. The stonework is of Coquina stone, which is made from shells from Mexico. The entire home is run on a Crestron automation and control system, which enables residents to control entire household environments with the push of a button, integrating systems such as A/V, lighting, IT, security.
West Glencoe Street, Miami, $3.9m, Zillow
With spectacular panoramic sea views from the private Coconut grove sanctuary, this 3,812 square foot property features huge terraces for entertaining. There is a fitness centre, a pool and a patio on offer. The home has a private elevator to the foyer – and comes with a dock that can accommodate a 50ft yacht.
chnelson@thenational.ae
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