Superyachts: the real big boys' toys

Auckland is a popular destination for superyachts and is known for the high level of refitting and maintenance. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Half-a-billion dollars worth of superyachts are docked at a new Auckland marina.

The Silo Park Marina on Jellicoe St opened on October 1, and provides six berths, all of which are occupied by 54-93m yachts.

Waterfront Auckland spokesman Luke Henshall confirmed the marina was full, saying the total length of the berths was 470 linear metres.

The largest superyacht is the Mayan Queen IV, reportedly owned by Mexican billionaire Alberto Bailleres Gonzalez, 79.

The 93m pleasure craft arrived in Auckland on September 24.

The New Zealand Herald reported the Mayan Queen IV was one of the largest yachts to visit Auckland in the past six years and would be here until early next year for maintenance and servicing.

The next longest yacht in the marina is the Athena, in Auckland for a refit by Orams Marine Services since the beginning of the year.

It is owned by American billionaire and Netscape founder Jim Clark and, at 90m, it is the biggest boat to be refitted in New Zealand. According to a boat worker, the Athena is being finished off and re-launched.

The 74m Gin Tonic II is also being worked on and is understood to be the former Weta, which belongs to Graeme Hart.

Another boat is Vertigo, a 67m yacht built in New Zealand by Alloy Yachts and launched in February. It is owned by family-owned British company Maritime Asset Ventures.

Crew from the 60m Elandess would not comment on who it belonged to but said the boat had been in Auckland for about two weeks.

The Itasca is a 1961 salvage tug converted to a 54m luxury yacht in 1980.

Henshall said 80 per cent of the 49 berths for 25m-50m boats in the Viaduct Harbour were also occupied and he expected them to be full for the World Cup final.

New Zealand Marine Industry Association executive director Peter Busfield said Auckland was a popular destination for superyachts and was known for the high level of refitting and maintenance.