8 Fascinating Facts the World’s Most Famous Explorer Superyacht
When the words “famous explorer yacht” are strung together, Tatoosh is one name that comes to mind among yacht-watchers. The 303-foot expedition vessel, built by Nobiskrug in 2000, gained recognition thanks to its high-profile owners—American telecom executive Craig McCaw and Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen. Behind the big names, this gigayacht is more noteworthy for its capacity for adventure.
“Tatoosh is more than a pretty yacht; she’s designed to venture around the world,” Capt. Laurent Delleur, who has been with the yacht since 2007, told Robb Report.
A roster of international designers had a hand in Tatoosh’s design evolution, including German designer Claus Kusch for the distinctive exterior and British designer Terence Disdale on the original interior.
Following Allen’s death in 2018, the current owner bought Tatoosh in 2022 and embarked on a significant refit, which included an interior refresh, full upgrade of the AV/IT systems, and changes to the outdoor spaces. He also put it into Fraser Yachts charter fleet.
Beyond the tech, Tatoosh is one of the quietest yachts afloat thanks to twin DEUTZ-MWM 2,500 hp diesel engines with Visco Masse rubber mounts. The yacht has an impressive 7,000-nautical mile range when cruising at speeds of 12.5 knots. Its top speed is 16 knots.
Here are eight cool facts you didn’t know about one of the world’s most recognizable yachts.
The Boat Deck With Its Custom Tenders
As one of the original explorer yachts, toys feature big aboard Tatoosh. The dedicated “boat deck” has Davits worked into the exterior lines to hold a Germán Frers–designed 42-foot daysailer called Julia and a 42-foot classic Hinckley Talaria tender called Chase.
“The main tenders don’t sit in garages like modern yachts, but on deck, as part of Tatoosh’s signature,” says Delleur. “The sailing boat was custom made from carbon fiber and was unique with her canting keel. The yacht used to also accommodate two Hobie catamarans on the boat deck.”
The Pool Transitions to a Dance Floor
It takes nearly 10,600 gallons of water to fill the 200-square-foot heated swimming pool on the main deck aft. A variable current allows guests to swim long distances. Come evening, the pool floor raises flush to the deck, transforming into a dance floor.
The Extended Beach Club
Tatoosh boasts a whopping 3,229 gross tonnes of internal volume. Exterior designer Disdale pushed the yacht’s dimensions from the 292-foot length that was originally planned to its final 303 feet, mostly to make more room for the on-deck pool and beach club. It proved to be a good idea, paving the way for a dedicated dive lobby, a hot tub, a sauna, and a bar with sea views.
World Traveler
Tatoosh has a track record of global cruising, sometimes sailing up to 35,000 nautical miles a year. The ambitious cruising program has taken it into far-off lands, including Fernando de Noronha in Brazil, Namibia, and Zanzibar.
The most remote location to date is a group of far-flung islands in the Indian Ocean, which Tatoosh visited during the 2000s. The yacht spent several weeks in the region, taking in Europa, Les Glorieuses, and the Aldabra Atoll, which rarely feature on even the most adventurous itinerary, as well as Madagascar, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
The Piano Lounge
Tatoosh’s interior can be closed off to create a twin-level private owner’s apartment that occupies the forward section of the yacht across two decks: The self-contained area includes the primary bedroom, owner’s office, gym, observation lounge with private galley, massage room, piano lounge (pictured) and two guest cabins.
From the observation lounge, for example, views of Mt. Etna and Mt. Stromboli erupting by night have been enjoyed in privacy.
Two Helipads, Two Choppers For Exploration
The yacht’s two heli-decks are a signature feature of Tatoosh’s distinctive exterior, with the capacity to land a twin-turbine Airbus A145. They’ve largely been used for remote exploration in places like Africa.
One of the helipads has a dedicated helicopter spares store, a helicopter refueling station, and an approved fire station—allowing the yacht to be used like a small heliport. The dual helicopter operations mean multiple groups of guests can be welcomed by air and flown ashore. Another use when the choppers are away: Candlelit dinners on the main helipad.
What’s in a Name
Tatoosh is named after the island near Paul Allen’s hometown of Seattle, but the 11 guest cabins are christened after some of the Pacific islands the yacht has frequently visited, including Lahaina in Hawaii and Maupiti and Bora Bora in French Polynesia.
Two Cinemas and Recording Studio
Tatoosh’s previous owners kitted the yacht out with impressive onboard technology, including a state-of-the-art recording studio and two cinemas—one indoor, one outdoor.
Even so, that technology was no match for Allen’s impressive onboard art collection. Under his stewardship, Tatoosh displayed original pieces, including a Van Gogh. Allen’s complete art anthology fetched $1.5 billion at auction in 2022.