Seen off West Seattle shores: Superyacht 'Invictus'

Yacht lover June 28, 2013 (3:58 am)

Very cool! It was barged in but that isn’t the same boat. The other posting was a boat headed to Delta and is still there being stored.

Ted Nakahara June 28, 2013 (6:27 am)

Ugh. only 18 bedrooms?
Just a little undersized for me.
Plus I don’t see any downriggers and there doesn’t seem to be a good area to pull crab pots.

RickM June 28, 2013 (6:38 am)

Having worked at Delta Marine a number of years ago, I have the keen eye to say that yes, that is the same boat. It’s interesting to see that much of the work was done overseas before Delta completed the job. Delta used to build their boats from the ground up, doing all the hull fiber glass work. This must be a cost cutting measure. The mega yacht industry is a dying one and had risen to prominence in the same fashion as real estate mortgage bubble.

dean June 28, 2013 (6:47 am)

Pretty good chance this is Jim Senegal’s yacht. Recently retired c.e.o. of costco.

visitor June 28, 2013 (7:45 am)

I wonder who the owner is. I guess it’s too small to be a sister ship to the Octopus. ??

skeeter June 28, 2013 (8:26 am)

Just travelled south on Duwamish River past Harbor Island at 8:20AM Friday morning. Beautiful.

Neighbor June 28, 2013 (8:34 am)

Gee, do ya think the owner is making 374% of the average worker? Or hey, what about taxes? Does the owner pay more or less than his employees? The ways of the 1% are repulsive.

Smitty June 28, 2013 (8:57 am)

Classic “Seattle” response, from neighbor that I knew was coming. Surprised it took this long.

Ya think maybe – just MAYBE – the people who work at Delta Marine and built this yacht are even a “little bit” OK with having a market for these? Who builds mansions? Would you limit those as well? Just because you can’t afford this yacht (neither can I) and someone else can, does not limit your ability to strive for similar circumstances. It is NOT a zero sum game.

What is your proposal? We all have row boats? They tried that in the Soviet Union. Didn’t work.

skeeter June 28, 2013 (9:06 am)

Seeing the beautiful yacht made my day! Thanks for the coverage, WSB. It’s a nice little escape from cubicle life.

jiggers June 28, 2013 (9:06 am)

Paul Allen’s boat can fit into one of these?

george June 28, 2013 (9:16 am)

The whining about the 1% is repulsive too. People think money just fell into their hands. A lot of them worked their arses off and do support local encomonies with their spending and job creation. Would you rather have Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Jeff Bezos and others move their businesses away from Washington state?

skeeter June 28, 2013 (9:21 am)

RickM I’d be curious to get your insight about your comment on the mega yacht industry dying. Is it because interests have changed? Or are there simply enough units out there to meet demand for a while? I was under the impression that it was a pretty vibrant industry but I have no particular insight.

M June 28, 2013 (9:28 am)

It’s not the same boat as the one on the barge in the picture. That one is still in their yard.

Don’t know if I agree the mega yacht industry is dying, Delta sure looks busy. The 1% can still afford to buy fuel.

WSB June 28, 2013 (9:31 am)

Thanks for the replies re: the barge. Couldn’t quite tell with the untrained eye, nor with a bit of overnight research, so thought I’d ask!

Joe Szilagyi June 28, 2013 (9:56 am)

“Fuel Capacity 51,300 US gallons”

Hey, it only costs $197,505.00 to fill up at Safeway. Still, that’s a damn gorgeous boat.

rob June 28, 2013 (10:17 am)

Saw this come through the 1st ave s drawbridge last night on my way home from work.

Smitty June 28, 2013 (10:35 am)

George H.W. Bush thought a tax on yachts costing $100,000 or more would raise revenues without a blip.

Well, guess what happened? Rich people stopped buying yachts. Go figure!

When the government finally realized their folly and repealed the tax, it was too late. All the jobs had moved overseas.

Ya see kids, increasing tax rates can actually decrease tax revenues.

It’s true.

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/will102899.asp

Roger June 28, 2013 (10:43 am)

Found a link online to this article. . . turquoise sinks? Wow.
http://www.sgprivatewealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/02152013-Invictus.pdf

WSB June 28, 2013 (10:46 am)

Unfortunately that’s about a different boat, from a publication called Invictus that covers yachting. Confusing, I know – I happened onto it last night while researching this.

dawsonct June 28, 2013 (10:47 am)

I don’t rue the money of the hyper-wealthy, I rue the greed and shortsightedness of (some) of the hyper-wealthy.
Yes George, a LOT of the very wealthy did work their asses off to get where they are, using the commons that we have all paid for through our taxes to help create their wealth.
(If governmental non-interference and low or non-existent taxes were the key to a vibrant economy, then Somalia would be a hotbed of emerging enterprise right now).
Fact is though, the MAJORITY of the hyper-wealthy got their money the old-fashioned way, they inherited it from a much smarter, hard-working forebear.
The Paris Hiltons of our world don’t require government protection of their wealth.

miws June 28, 2013 (11:17 am)

Spot. On. dawsonct.

.

Mike

G June 28, 2013 (11:26 am)

Come on, most of us have benefited – or will – benefit from untaxed inheritances and gifts from family that give us a leg up on others. But of course, that never counts – we always shift the tax blame to someone else who is “richer.”

CaptCrunch June 28, 2013 (11:26 am)

Another super yacht, the Vibrant Curiosity (German screw company owner – okay, enough with the jokes) was docked off Westlake on Lake Union the other day.

http://www.superyachts.com/motor-yacht-4775/index.htm

We floated by it on the way in and every head turned and mouth dropped. These ships are stunningly big and impressive from the water line.

Smitty June 28, 2013 (11:45 am)

“Fact is though, the MAJORITY of the hyper-wealthy got their money the old-fashioned way, they inherited it ”

Another liberal myth busted.

14.7% of the 1% inherited their wealth.

And even if 100% did, so what? If they spend it we all win (like building yachts!).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/post/research-desk-did-the-top-1-percent-inherit-its-wealth/2011/11/04/gIQA4T8kmM_blog.html

Silly Goose June 28, 2013 (12:09 pm)

What a beautiful boat love it and I hope Delta stays in business for many many more years, and I hope I win the lottery so I can buy one of these beauties!

skeeter June 28, 2013 (12:20 pm)

According to this article there is a 440 foot yacht coming to “our waters” on July 11. Now that would be quite a sight. Top 12 largest yacht territory. Would make the Invictus look like a little toy. Bring it on!!

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2013/06/280-foot-superyacht-turns-heads-in.html?page=all

eaglewatch June 28, 2013 (1:04 pm)

To correct the misinformation by RickM, this IS a 100% US built steel hull, with salaries paid to Seattle workers. I know how he got confused, but he should know better than to blurt based on conjecture. Believe me, I know the real facts.

Captain Tiny Ship June 28, 2013 (1:30 pm)

I saw it yesterday! Thank goodness I finally got my order in for “Avoid Huge Ships” by John Trimmer, or I would have been in trouble.

http://www.amazon.com/Avoid-Huge-Ships-John-Trimmer/dp/0870334336/ref=cm_lmf_tit_16

Thomas June 28, 2013 (1:58 pm)

G — “most of us” will benefit from untaxed inheritance? I don’t know a single soul that has ever inherited any land or financial resources, taxed or not.

Gina June 28, 2013 (2:44 pm)

My nephew works at Delta Marine, enjoys his job, and is glad to have his job.

What is the difference between this and Boeing airplanes that are sold to private companies and individuals? Still means money and jobs for our local economy.

Smitty June 28, 2013 (3:00 pm)

NM

G June 28, 2013 (3:15 pm)

Thomas,

It hasn’t been my experience – but ok.

DTK June 28, 2013 (3:25 pm)

The anger toward the 1% is because they have an all too common disdain towards the commoner. To be taxed $100K on this mega-yacht so government can do its job for Americans is seen as a bad thing, but filling the tanks with $200K worth of Middle-Eastern gasoline is perfectly acceptable. This is the hypocrisy of the mega-wealthy and why the majority are viewed as selfish takers who would rather watch you drown before throwing you one of their monogramed life vests.

Vanessa June 28, 2013 (3:38 pm)

Oh, good. Our ride is here. Come on, honey!

TeachrerGreg June 28, 2013 (4:06 pm)

I’m all for people spending their money how they wish, but clearly raising the top tax bracket 10 to 15% more isn’t going to hurt these people.

george June 28, 2013 (5:10 pm)

Tsk tsk. The US is now exporting more oil than it imports. Don’t let facts get in the way of a bad argument.

JayDee June 28, 2013 (6:32 pm)

George:

You are wrong, the U.S. is still a net importer of oil:

http://www.eia.gov/energy_in_brief/article/foreign_oil_dependence.cfm

Get the facts right first. To quote the source:

“In 2012, net imports provided 40% of the petroleum and other liquids consumed in the United States.”

so we need 40% more oil from foreign sources net of all exports.

WesCAddle June 28, 2013 (7:27 pm)

Interesting track from last night, basically came out, did a ton of orbits off Alki, then when home. Are they sea trials, or logging hours on the boat?

Will need to zoom in on the link below:

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?zoom=9&oldmmsi=338155056&olddate=6/28/2013%206:20:00%20AM

Lifetime WS June 28, 2013 (10:05 pm)

Hey; Nieghbor, Smitty, Dawnsocnt, DTK,
GOT ENVY????????????

Mike June 28, 2013 (10:10 pm)

Cool boat, the owner will never have privacy on it since we can track it in real time on a virtual map.

Tricia June 28, 2013 (10:54 pm)

Nice boat… where’s your helicopter ?

Last53BusRider June 28, 2013 (10:59 pm)

I don’t envy people their boats. Not my favorite way to go. I get seasick on the Water Taxi.

pupsarebest June 29, 2013 (12:21 am)

DTK succinctly hit the nail on the head.
Also, I really have to question the figure for fuel capacity on the spec sheet—51,300 gallons, but the mamimum range is only 5000 nautical miles per tank?
That’s substantially less than 1 mile per gallon, and while I know the 1% couldn’t care less about the environmental impact of such poor fuel economy, you’d think they’d be somewhat concerned about their precious pocketbooks.

EdwardSnowden June 29, 2013 (8:44 am)

“Free Marketism vs Socialism” is an oversimplification of the debate that is needed in our society today.
.
True, extravigant wealth in appearance is more of a symptom of a problem than its actual cause. However, considering that wealth disparity is now at its largest in history, that middle class jobs are harder to come by and sustain over all, that our desire to maintain both infrastructure and social systems like education (both higher and basic) is waning due to the increased cost/burden being placed on the working class, we should really ask the hard questions.
.
Is our society set up to benefit the very few “elite” at the economic ladder’s top at the real expense of the vast vast majority? Are the wealthy not only uneffected by negative conditions that the majority of us encounter and endure such as recessions but benefitting from those conditions?
.
The debate should not be painted in extremist terms, but the debate should continue and become louder in my opinion. A free, just and strong society demands it.

jiggers June 29, 2013 (10:12 am)

I’ve never seen this yacht in person. But from what pictures I’ve seen from this one and other’s, I find them quite ugly. I find most yachts to look quite ugly from the outside. Including Paul Allen’s yacht. Of course, those interiors are probably a whole nother different story. I’d like my yacht to look futuristic on the outside. I’d build first for speed,comfort, and efficiency. I don’t like the very wide front looking bow’s. I’d build it more narrow on the front end to accomadate speed, sleek and stealth looking. But what the hell do I know. I only can dream too…lol

J Bond June 29, 2013 (4:52 pm)

Fast yacht — belongs to Emilio Largo.

WSB June 29, 2013 (5:17 pm)

You had to make me google that one, didn’t you …

wetone June 30, 2013 (3:16 pm)

Paul Allen has or had multiple mega yacht’s at one time, don’t know if he still does. The one from the earlier story that was shown on the barge came from south America, Brazil I believe after builder and owner had some issues. Rumor has it they used a lot of bad materials in it’s construction. It is sitting on the hard at Delta. The cost to maintain and run a mega yacht for a year is more than the average US citizen will make in 20+yrs.

Boat guy July 1, 2013 (9:39 am)

It is a beautiful boat – Delta is doing Seattle proud – and the owner gives a ton of money to charities and is one of the nicest guys in the nation…. Class warfare may have gotten Obama re-elected, but it does great harm to our country

Aviation guy July 2, 2013 (11:42 pm)

She just docked across from the Marriott Waterfront in Seattle. Looked like they were doing a run through the Sound for photographs on this beautiful evening. A smaller, fast boat (30 footer?) shadowed it and then did several circles around her. Assuming photographs.
I work in aviation and appreciate quality craftsmanship of all kinds. This is a beautiful craft!
Congrats to the owners, all the people that built it and those proudly working aboard her.

James Talbot July 3, 2013 (8:58 am)

Americans are supposed to encourage wealth creation and not bitch about it. It does not really matter whether or not is is inherited
what is important is that they spend it/ Without a vibrant luxury goods industry there will be mass unemployment – these boats employ hundreds of
people in the chain and without them whole communities will die. I live in the South of France where many of these boats are berthed during the winter months and used frequently in the summer. There would be no local economy without them. Either you accept that luxury breeds
opportunity or you reduce yourself to the level of the French who produce bad unreliable motorcars, no superyachts, poor sailboats ( they collapse on long distance voyages ) and have no
entrpreneurial spirit and huge taxes. Which would you prefer as a society – its communism or capitalism and there is no in between…
no superyachts

nebbol July 4, 2013 (10:34 pm)

Rick J. Caruso, A California Developer is the owner of “Invictus” Not a guess but a fact

Aviation Guy July 4, 2013 (11:59 pm)

So….get over the politics and look at the wonderful craftsmanship produced by hundreds of hard working AMERICANS!!!! Beautiful product built by Americans with skill and pride!!!
You want more in your life???? Then go EARN it and stop complaining about those that produce it!!!!
It is a beautiful boat. Respect that much. Not everything is about politics.
Whew….ok, I feel better now. lol

Bull July 5, 2013 (3:27 pm)

I work at costco pretty sure that Jim Senegal does not own that yacht.

Molly July 6, 2013 (7:57 am)

Luckily stumbled upon this beauty last night while walking the water front – next to Seattle Aquarium. Saw a brief ceremony, maybe Seattle mens choirs sing, and lots of people heading on board for a celebration! Wish I had the invite.

M July 6, 2013 (3:34 pm)

Just saw this yacht dock on the Seattle waterfront in front of the Oceanco yacht Lady Lola…. Makes her look small! Both are absolutely beautiful!
Let the 1% spend their money how ever the f**k they want… It keeps us dreaming :)

LA Guy July 6, 2013 (5:12 pm)

Thats developer Rick Caruso’s new yacht. Big christening this weekend.

Linda July 7, 2013 (8:29 am)

It’s flying a British flag?

LC83 July 7, 2013 (11:30 am)

The yacht is owned by LA developer Rick Caruso.

WSB July 7, 2013 (11:41 am)

You’re the third person to say that in the comments now, so I’d suspect it’s true. Thanks.

eaglewatch July 7, 2013 (4:01 pm)

To answer Linda’s question, many large yachts owned by Americans (and citizens of other nations worldwide) register their yachts in countries with “friendly tax structures”. The flag on the stern is from the Cayman Islands. The majority of large yachts that visit US waters are probably Cayman registered. This is entirely legal, although I predict the inevitable comments. If you think this is just a tax dodge by rich yacht owners, check out the flags on the sterns of most of the cruise ships, container ships and bulk carriers that call on our port. Virtually all of them will fly a foreign flag as well. It’s been that way for quite a number of years.

Debbie Ebner July 7, 2013 (5:12 pm)

Just returned from Bell Marina across from Marriott. Found out that the Invictus (the big white ship from Delta Marine) belongs to a major land developer from LA. She is big and beautiful. Golf carts bring people and supplies to and from ship.

Hmmmm July 7, 2013 (9:42 pm)

Yep, Rick Caruso. Nice setup for the party! I was there..sort of!

Boat Guy July 9, 2013 (7:20 am)

Invictus is a credit to the american that owns her and the american team that designed and built her.

Mr. Caruso’s last yacht was built in Italy so BRAVO to him for spending the many many millions of dollars that Invictus cost here in the USA and the Northwest in particular.

Wendy July 13, 2013 (9:21 pm)

We just watched the Invictus depart the Duwamish. Beautiful sight! Even got a wave from a passenger from the back deck.

teacher July 14, 2013 (1:17 am)

I and 500 or 1000 people spent about 15 minutes waiting for Mr. Caruso’s yacht to go through the 1st Avenue South Bridge tonight. So that’s 125 to 250 person-hours we contributed so his personal pyramid could get from one side of the bridge to the other. At his attorney’s rates of $500 per hour, it’s $63,000 to $125,000 worth of time that he took from us. We could say that Delta Marine took it, but he is the source of the delay. Given Mr. Caruso’s wealth, he probably values his time at $10,000 per hour, so he took between $1.3 and $2.5 million from us with his silly boat. What’s that, you say you don’t make that much per hour, and I don’t either, so we aren’t entitled to use those rates? Well, we all (if we have decent health care) have about the same time to spend in this life – and time, well spent, is what has true value. I, for one, could do without spending it sitting on the 1st Avenue South bridge, no matter how beautiful his boat is or how clever his Cayman Islands tax-dodge registry (although there was a little 3’x5′ U.S. flag flying from the top of the boat, the big Cayman ensign on the stern was about 8′ x 12′), although it is our Congress we should blame for that tax-dodge.

So I say, when the wealthy want the rest of us to wait on them with an open bridge, when they take our time away from us, make them pay for it. He can certainly afford to kick in something for the maintenance of the bridge that the workers who build his boat and the people who provide services to those workers need to drive on and the waterway they need to use.

That’s right, from each according to their means, to each according to their needs. Without the government protecting Mr. Caruso’s wealth-making schemes and their results, he would be quickly stripped of that wealth by those who are desperate. So he should pay for the privilege that the government and we who believe in it and the rule of law afford him. And he should consider himself very lucky to make a profit off the sweat of those who work for him and those who need the buildings built on the land he develops. It beats hell out of worrying about a revolution.

John July 14, 2013 (12:20 pm)

Just spotted this yacht coming into the Victoria harbour.
beautiful vessel

Alan B July 14, 2013 (5:05 pm)

14th July. Yes it is moored in Victoria Harbour BC.

Susan & Marilyn July 14, 2013 (6:52 pm)

Gorgeous, spectacular vessel docked @ the inner Victoria harbour directly opposite the Fairmont Empress Hotel. It is flying the Canadian flag on the main mast and the Cayman Island flag on the stern. Many tourists viewing and talking about this beautiful yacht. Spectacular sight. Saw 2 older gentlemen talking on the stern of the yacht.

Susan & Marilyn July 14, 2013 (7:00 pm)

Gorgeous spectacular yacht docked @ the inner Victoria Harbour directly across from the Fairmont Empress Hotel. Flying the Canadian Flag on the main mast & the Cayman Islands Flag on the stern. Many tourists talking about it. Saw 2 older gentlemen talking on the stern of the boat. Spectacular sight.

dave July 14, 2013 (7:20 pm)

Hey Teacher,
That ‘Cayman Islands Tax Dodge Registry’ you refer to, is not just a legal way of reducing tax liabilities on a vessel, it is also a way of choosing which country’s rules one wants to comply with. The registered owner of the vessel will be a Cayman Islands corporation, and as such, the vessel’s master will have the freedom to hire crew from anywhere in the world, who can best serve the needs of the vessel and it’s owner, for example.
This yacht will spend the vast majority of it’s time cruising outside US waters, as most do. Most of it’s charters, for instance, will be in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. It is an international enterprise, even if the ‘beneficial owner’ happens to be US based or a US citizen.
I had to wait for a train carrying cars to pass for over 15 minutes today. Should Mazda pay me for my time?

Pauline C July 14, 2013 (9:19 pm)

This is a dream “mini” ship! All new with it’s bells and whistles…What a way to cruise! Wonder what it takes to run this beauty. Like Donald Trump said, “biggest mistake I made was buying a boat”…this is definitely for the rich and famous!

Ed Neumann July 14, 2013 (10:59 pm)

I walked along the pier in Victoria where it is docked and easy for the public to view. Looks terrifically expensive to own and operate and to whom do you sell it after the glow wears off and the costs stare you in the face? If I had money like that (real estate must not have been a bubble for everyone), I think I’d invest it in a commercial or biz jet and try to rent it out when I did not want to use it. The boat must require a huge crew that has to go everywhere you wish to go for as long as you go, and you can’t easily dock the boat out of sight somewhere. Very conspicuous. Very beautiful, but so is the art I see in world-class museums. Would I want the art in my home? Probably not.

skeeter July 15, 2013 (8:19 am)

teacher, using your logic, the BNSF owes me about $6,000,000 for time I’ve spent waiting for trains!

Shirley Peach July 15, 2013 (8:37 am)

A beautiful example of American ingenuity and maritime pride!Delta Marine is keeping their Employees Working,performing incomparable work,& that’s Great for Seattle! “Invictus” really compliments our outstanding Harbour!Wow! We look like a Trillion Bucks, when Yachts of this size and design, visit our Harbour! I feel so proud, that the Owners chose to come to Victoria and enjoy our Fair City!
The revenue from such a visit, keeps a lot of Victoria’s workers busily employed, and that’s a Great thing!
Of course, these Owners will tell their Friends, and their Friends will visit here too, meaning more revenue for Victorians! So, YES! Bring them on! These magnificent “Lords of the Sea” help our economy, while providing a restful venue for the Owners and Crew. After all, there is nowhere on Earth like Victoria!
From everything I’ve read, the Caruso Family is a caring, hard-working Family, who gives back to their community, and every Community that they visit, so Victoria really does benefit from their visit, in more ways than one.
Thanks for being here! We hope you visit more often,as our waters are some of the best Cruising waters in the World!
Now, when do we get to see the “440′ Yacht”?
I wonder who owns THAT one?

Corey July 15, 2013 (12:33 pm)

Saw this same yacht docked in the inner harbour of downtown Victoria, BC last night. What an amazing sight seeing it up close. Looks amazing from afar but docked in a smaller harbour amongst many small (regular sized) boats really shows off the size of this vessel. Looks to be flying a Cayman Flag, could be mistaken, but definitely not USA as seen in some pics.

Morag July 15, 2013 (1:57 pm)

The Invictus is currently in the harbour in Victoria, BC, Canada..saw it this morning. July 15th

christine Phillips July 15, 2013 (5:50 pm)

Seen it in Victoria harbor this afternoon in front of the Empress Hotel

Nina July 15, 2013 (7:25 pm)

It is docked in Victoria Canada today July 15

paul July 15, 2013 (11:52 pm)

I viewed this superyacht in Victoria BC’s inner harbour at 2200 hrs. After years in the Canadian Coast Guard and having the opportunity to see many ships, this is the most amazing private yacht I’ve seen.
The negative comments about this ship are from people that would have all us riding bicycles , while we make the same wage no matter what our job or profession.
We live in a capitalist democracy whether some people and the Taliban like it or not. If people might look beyond their own fingertips , they might realize the economic benefits something like the Invictus provides for many.
Cheers to Delta shipyards of Seattle on a job well done.

nicki p July 16, 2013 (9:35 am)

I think this is the same boat that’s docked at the inner harbour in Victoria BC. I’ve been watching the crew clean this boat for a couple of hours now. What a huge job.

Jennifer July 17, 2013 (12:03 pm)

Watched her leave Seattle on 14th July and then saw her again when we arrived in Victoria BC later in the day.
Various people coming and going but no idea who they were. She is quite stunning up close.

Would share my photos but don’t know how :(

The D on the side of the yacht is, presumably, for Delta Marine, but it is the same as the D for the Delta Hotels. Is there a connection?

bushrider July 17, 2013 (8:05 pm)

Still docked in Victoria, but I did ask a nice looking fella coming off the boat who would own such a beauty but he smiled and just said its a secret ARG!

Marc July 17, 2013 (9:11 pm)

Teacher.. your a little Twisted and bitter huh!

Beautiful boat with amazing craftsmanship, every detail from the mooring ropes to the lighting and gang planks look sumptuous! I don’t despise any one I just wonder at how the rich and wealthy can play! Whoever owns it, well done!!

Nice Boat! July 17, 2013 (9:22 pm)

It’s not a mystery, apparently it’s Rick Curuso’s boat. It’s sick as hell and then only people bitchin’ about it are idiots, crying cause they can’t dream as big. Read up on that guy, he’s a smart cookie.