The Goa Spotlight News Portal
Pick a James Bond title and chances are you’ll find a yacht with the same name: There’s a Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever, The World is Not Enough, Octopussy, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and more.
In fact, ever since Denison built the 118.1-foot For Your Eyes Only in 1985 for John Staluppi, the American businessman has named his 22 yachts after the 007 movies.
If the movie titles are famous, the yachts are in a league of their own. The secret MI6 agent has chased down bad guys in speedy speedboats, fallen in love with Bond Girls on merry sailing yachts, and infiltrated the lairs of villains posing as sleek pleasure yachts.
For some ships, appearing on the big screen has increased the credibility of their charter, while others have backstories ripped straight from a Hollywood script. Some are even available on the brokerage market, offering buyers the chance to invest in a piece of 007 history.
‘Delos’ (ex ‘Aurora’) in ‘From Russia with love’
In addition to starring as the Specter’s headquarters in 1963’s From Russia with Love, which was Sean Connery’s second role as 007, the 293-foot Delos inspired, of all things, “The Love Boat,” according to current owner Christopher Wilson. .
After falling into disrepair, the German-built cruise ship was snapped up by Wilson, a former tech entrepreneur in 2008 when he found it for sale on Craigslist. Wilson is now 15 years into an extensive restoration project and hopes to turn the historic vessel into a museum and boutique hotel.
‘Kingdom 5KR’ (ex ‘Nabila’) in ‘Never Say Never’
Originally built for Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi by Benetti in 1980, the fictional Never Say Never Again MY Flying Saucer has its own Hollywood history.
After her turn opposite Sean Connery in the 1983 film, the ship was seized by the Sultan of Brunei and sold to Donald Trump and became Trump Princess. In 1991, another billionaire Saudi businessman, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, took over. He renamed her Kingdom 5KR and keeps the boat almost permanently in Antibes on the Côte d’Azur.
‘Trafalgar’ (ex ‘Moonmaiden II’) in ‘The Living Daylights’
In the pre-title sequence of 1987’s The Living Daylights, Timothy Dalton smolders onscreen in his first appearance as the spy gentleman, quite literally, as he parachutes onto the aft deck of Moonmaiden II while it’s on fire.
Sure, there are easier ways to board a yacht, but when does 007 play it safe? Now known as the Trafalgar, this classic 1970s canoe stern yacht is seeking a new owner via Ocean Independence with an asking price of $2,500,000.
Glastron GT-150 in ‘Live and let die’
The 1972 Glastron GT-150 used in Roger Moore’s chase scene in Live and Let Die was probably 007’s most action-packed water race. It involved ten minutes of sprinting through the backwaters of the swamp of Louisiana, jumping bridges and finally seeing Bond blow up his nemesis’ boat, all in Her Majesty’s name. It turned out that 26 Glastrons were used in the filming, and nine were GT-150s, presumably to replace those that were scrapped during action scenes.
Riva Aquarama in ‘Goldeneye’
In 1995’s Goldeneye, Pierce Brosnan announced his arrival as 007 in typical Bond style as he left Monaco’s Port Hercule in a sleek Riva Aquarama for a three-deck motor yacht at anchor.
Cast for that part was the 142ft Northern Cross, launched in 1991 from Sweden’s Marinteknik Verkstads. Fun fact: Although Brosnan appeared in three more films, the glitzy Mediterranean principality hasn’t appeared in a Bond movie since.
‘Soufriere’ in ‘Casino Royale’
Casino Royale heralded the beginning of a new era for the film franchise. The 2006 release was not only the first time Daniel Craig’s gritty portrayal of the character had appeared on screen, but the film also marked a transition away from white ships: who can forget that classic scene where Bond is slipped into Venice with Vesper Lynd (Eva Green)? on British boatbuilder Spirit Yachts’ 54-foot Soufrière. The vessel is currently on the market with Berthon International for 534,000.
‘Casino Royale’ in ‘Casino Royale’
While Bond was cruising the Grand Canal in Soufrière, his nemesis Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) had set up a floating lair in a sleek 108-foot Sunseeker Predator called the Casino Royale.
With top speeds of 45 knots, this sporty boat is designed for quick getaways or, more realistically, day trips between Saint Tropez and Monaco during the summer. A Jacuzzi on the foredeck and a garage stocked with toys have made the ship a favorite. It is currently being leased by AeroVanti in Florida.
‘Aria 1’ (ex ‘Regina’) in ‘Skyfall’
Continuing his fondness for timeless sailing yachts, Craig sails to near-certain death once again with Severine (Bérénice Marlohe) in 2012’s Skyfall. The fictional Chimera was played by Regina, a 183.1-foot schooner built by Turkey’s Pruva in 2011. The schooner-style ship was a popular charter ship until its sale in 2018. With new owners and now named Aria 1, she currently has her headquarters in Greece.
Spirit 46 in ‘No Time to Die’
Like any experienced yacht owner, Craig’s 007 understands that when he finds a yacht builder he likes, he stays with him.
Switching up in 2021’s No Time to Die, Bond’s companion for his idyllic Caribbean retirement is a Spirit 46, again from Spirit Yachts. Like her owner, however, this model’s competitive edge is always simmering beneath the surface and the elegant 46-foot sailing yacht has proven performance credentials from racing.
Featured photo: Columbia Pictures/Twentieth Century Fox
Previously posted story by CHRISSIE MCCLATCHIE on Robb Report US
