With great power comes great responsibility...
Acknowledging the environmental challenges of building the world’s largest sports yacht, renowned shipyard Royal Huisman, famous for its exceptional sailboats, has delivered a unique vessel. Commissioned by Saudi Prince Turki bin Muqrin Al Saud, Special One, a 171-foot sports yacht, was delivered in June 2024. This yacht is not only the largest in its class, with a top speed of over 30 knots, but it is also fast enough to outpace even the latest U.S. Navy destroyer. Despite its massive size and $70 million price tag, the yacht boasts remarkable agility, capable of turning and maneuvering towards its catch like a vessel half its size.
While its revolutionary naval architecture is impressive, what truly sets this remarkable vessel apart is its propulsion system. To reduce resistance and fuel consumption, engineers at Vripack shipyard explored the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to power the twin V20 MAN 4500kW engines, allowing the yacht to achieve speeds over 32 knots. HVO is a renewable diesel produced from vegetable oils and animal fats through a hydrotreatment process, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional marine fuels.
This high-quality fuel not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also provides smooth engine operation, excellent performance in cold weather, and ensures reliable navigation in various environments. This approach makes Special One significantly more environmentally friendly, avoiding the unnecessary fuel consumption typically associated with such powerful yachts, earning it the nickname "the sportfisher on steroids."
Special One, with its six decks finished to the highest luxury standards, can accelerate from 0 to 30 knots in just 46 seconds. The yacht can accommodate 12 guests, served by a crew of 8, while the total gross tonnage remains under 500 GT. In addition to luxurious accommodations, the yacht boasts six open social zones with entertainment spaces, including an outdoor cinema with a DJ platform on the bow, a premium sound system, gyro stabilization, a retractable 3D fishing sonar, and the world’s first pneumatic elevator optimized for use on yachts.
Despite its luxurious features, the yacht stays true to its sporty roots. It is equipped with a fighting chair for big-game fishing, a bait and tackle room, insulated cool boxes, and an impressive 22 fishing rods. The yacht’s tower also serves as an observation platform for overseeing the fishing area at the stern.
Prince Turki bin Muqrin Al Saud, born in 1973, the nephew of King Salman, is a licensed pilot and CEO of the Rabigh Wings Aviation Academy. In addition to his passion for sport fishing, the prince has founded aviation schools in the UK and Lebanon, and also owns a real estate company in Turkey.
