Roman Abramovich, the world famous Russian Oligarch, known for his ever expanding business empire, or for his famed possession - the Chelsea football club - is one of the best yacht owners of the world.
But he is surely not going to remain that with the way things seem to be going for the yachting industry of Russia.
Yachting was earlier seen as a pasttime, is slowly developing into a bigger and more serious trend and rich Russians have a reputation as high rollers - both in Russia and in the West.
Yet - a new yacht club in Moscow, called the Royal Yacht Club - is not all bling.
'R' FOR RICH, 'R' FOR...
Russia is a modern-day kingdom of luxuries, with a lot of rich getting richer day-by-day.
Let's imagine a "typical" Russian billionaire: a male over 40, married, with two school-age children.
Wealthy Russians have already made their mark in the more luxurious parts of Europe and America. These "New Russians" account for a significant portion of the market in high-end real estate in London and the French Riviera. They account for a major part of the January rentals of posh Swiss ski resorts and many of the orders for big custom-made yachts.
OF MAYBACHS, BOEINGS AND YACHTS...
Almost every Russian oligarch owns his own yacht and airplane.
The airplane need not be as luxurious as either of those purchased by Abramovich, who bought a Boeing Business Jet (an adapted 737) and an adapted Boeing 767 for $50 million and $100 million, respectively. 
The yacht, on the other hand, has to be a special one.
A few years ago, most Russian tycoons were content to rent a yacht for the summer. Now any self-respecting oligarch has to own one, and not just an ordinary 90-footer, but a custom-made craft at least 170 feet long. The yacht need not be one of the largest in the world, with its own swimming pool and a little submarine, such as the boat recently procured by Abramovich. But a decent custom-made yacht will cost the oligarch at least USD 40 million.
WHY YACHTS?
Yachts are associated with the holidays. And it is on his holidays that the oligarch ends up spending most of his cash.
The January holidays, for example, are typically spent at a posh alpine ski resort. Rental of a good chalet at Courchevel 1850, for example, will cost $50,000 a week. Spending the summer holidays on the French Riviera will be even more expensive. The purchase of a decent villa in St. Tropez will cost from $25 million to $70 million. 
The yacht will be moored at one of the marinas of the Cap d'Antibes. Maintaining such a dual household over the summer is very convenient: While the wife and kids live in the villa, the mistress can be set up on the yacht; once the wife and kids move onto the yacht, the mistress can be settled in the villa.
Most of the oligarch's summer holidays will be taken up with such logistical details.
Watch this space for more about one of the hottest next sailing spots of the world - Russia.
Jun 22, 2008
Russia going the yacht way !
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment