[imagesource: Tom Van Oossanen]

The last time we checked in on the world of yachting, people were finally taking note of the needs of millionaires who really don’t want to be stuck on dry land with the rest of us during a pandemic.

Shem.

In response to this, Monegasque builder Wally designed a more affordable 27-metre motor “spaceship” that delivers about 50% more living space than a traditional yacht of its length.

Lürssen in Germany decided to go in the opposite direction with NORD.

It’s one of the newest and largest superyachts to hit the market this year, and even Forbes is finding it difficult to get across how big this thing actually is.

I mean, we can tell you that it’s a 464-foot-long monster, but that’s tough to imagine it in real terms.

Perhaps the tiny people in this image will help to put things into perspective.

The arrow is pointing at one of them:

Image: Tom Van Oossanen

See what I mean?

NORD has a striking exterior, including a distinctive bow design that has never been before seen on a yacht.

Here’s Dan Lenard of the Italian design studio Nuvolari-Lenard, which is responsible for its unique look.

“NORD was designed with one idea in mind: she must cause strong emotions in every observer, not only through her sheer size, but with the design itself. No one should be left indifferent,” says Lenard.

Image: Tom Van Oossanen

“Whether you like the design or not, it must strike you. NORD is a serious ship first and foremost, but she also transcends the traditional language of yacht design. She is a warship wearing a tuxedo, an explorer with the elegance of a gentleman’s yacht.”

Lürssen Managing Partner Peter Lürssen adds:

“We are looking forward to NORD finding her place amongst her peers as a remarkable statement in large yacht construction, based on a strong design and expert engineering skills.”

Is it still a yacht if it’s that big? At what point does it become a ship?

Those are questions for more qualified people.

I’ll leave you to watch NORD in action:

This definitely isn’t one for the millionaires.

[source:forbes]