Buffalo, New York recently played host to a 147-foot mystery yacht. Naturally, those who caught sight of the superyacht wondered why it came to Buffalo and who might own it.
According to the captain of the mystery yacht, Ted Sputh, the owner of the Gran Finale purchased her for $40 million in 2001. As far as divulging a name, her captain had nothing specific to share.
“He’s very, very private,” Sputh told The Buffalo News, “but it doesn’t take much to figure out he’s a billionaire. We always hear the Trumps or Madonna, but none of that’s true. You wouldn’t know him anyway. He’s just your common, ordinary billionaire.”
Yachting enthusiasts have long appreciated the benefits of sharing the expense of ownership for such craft. Several yacht sharing clubs cater to members who yearn for blue water, but want to indulge their passion without taking on solo boat ownership.
“Sharing of luxury goods has been a key trend among the affluent – whether it be time shares of vacation homes, fractional ownership of business jets, or sharing of an exclusive collection of dream cars in an exotic car club,” says Ron Sturgeon, a real estate investor, small business consultant, and owner of DFW Elite Car Club in Dallas TX.
“The reasons for yacht sharing are much the same as performance car sharing,” says the DFW car sharing club owner. “Membership allows enjoyment of an unmatched variety of yachting or driving experiences as well as companionship with like-minded people in a club setting,” says Mr. Sturgeon.
The spacious interior of the mystery billionaire’s yacht includes four below-deck guest suites and an amazing owner’s suite on the main deck. There is also a large theater with a curved sofa and flat screen TVs.
At 451 tons, the yacht is no lightweight. It carries more than 14,000 gallons of gas, which means a single fill-up runs about $72,000.
Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services. She is a regular contributor to our exotic car blogs.
