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"It's a rich man's toy," says acting captain Charles Bushell as he leans against the mahogany interior of the world's largest private sailing yacht.
The Athena, which has been docked at Princes Wharf for the last two weeks, is due to leave Auckland this weekend for Papua New
Guinea.
The luxurious yacht is worth between $70 million and $100 million, said Mr Bushell. "But I guess it's worth what anybody is willing to pay for it."
The 90m, three-masted schooner is owned by American computer software billionaire Jim Clark, who is best known as the the founder of web browser technology company Netscape.
Athena costs about $85,000 to fill up and the fuel lasts about 5000 nautical miles (9000km).
But Mr Clark didn't sail to New Zealand with the crew of 20, which includes four Kiwis. Instead, he meets the yacht at pre-designated locations around the world for short sailing trips.
"We sail the boat around for Jim. He might say he wants to visit the Caribbean for example. He flies in and we take him around the Caribbean for two weeks and he flies off," Mr Bushell said.
The Herald was given an exclusive tour inside the immaculate three-level yacht, which can reach speeds of 18 knots. It accommodates 10 guests, has a master cabin, three queen cabins, one twin cabin, plus the crew's accommodation and living area.
Then there's the media room, library, lounge, formal dining area, custom-built kitchen and countless indoor and outdoor seating areas. It also features the latest computer technology, with almost everything controlled by the touch of a button.
But before a single step could be taken on the teak deck, it was shoes off in order to protect the wood.
The mahogany interior gives the yacht an old-world feeling. As you walk through the dark interior, art-work can be seen hanging on the walls under spot-lighting. It has the feeling of a luxurious apartment.
Wealth oozes from every nook and cranny as you walk along the cream, silk-woven carpet. A look inside the guest bedrooms reveals more mahogany and large, comfortable-looking beds - and marble-lined ensuites.
The large dining table sits elegantly in the formal dining area, which leads into a large, airy sitting room containing big couches, with large cushions.
The yacht has large-screen plasma televisions and state-of-the-art entertainment systems.
The stainless steel surfaces in the kitchen are spotless, as is the engine-room, where not a speck of dust or grime can be seen. Athena is powered by two 2000-horsepower Cat 3516 engines.
Out on the deck sits a large built-in double bed. "It's lovely on a warm, summer's day," said Mr Bushell, who said he has never lain on it.
Mr Bushell, 40, said the workmanship that went into building the yacht was incredible. "It represents [Jim's] vision and it's been built to an exceptionally high quality."
He said working on the Athena was similar to working in a five-star hotel. "We are dedicated professionals who put in a lot of work. The best part of the job for me is giving the owner the satisfaction he wants."
Athena (named after the Greek goddess of wisdom) was built in 2004 in the Netherlands' Royal Huisman shipyard. It has nine sails and its masts are 60m high. The sail area is 2474 sq m.
It has a decompression chamber on board and hydraulically-operated twin crows nests - mini-lifts which take you to the top of the masts for spectacular views.
"[Jim] comes to the boat in the knowledge it's safe and he gets what he wants, and his guests get what they want."