"Old Money" Is Passing Up the Balista Superyacht and It Can Be Yours for a Tad Under $14M

Folks, we feature countless superyachts on our website, each granting a glimpse into the sort of lifestyles some of the world's luckiest humans are privy to. That said, the Balista is one of those ships that showcases some of the finest and classiest qualities and interiors this industry has to offer.

To start things off, let me point out that Balista is a 153-foot (46 m) beauty built with a fiberglass hull, allowing it, despite its size, to catch speeds upwards of 26 knots (30 mph). That's huge for a ship of this size, especially when we consider that it's filled with countless lounges, staterooms (suitable for up to 14 guests), and even space for toys, tenders, and whatever else you like.

Now, like most other superyachts floating around, Balista was created by more than one crew. The builder that put it all together back in 2013 is Cantieri Di Pisa, the one and the same that's been around since 1945 and responsible for some of the industry's most sought-after machines.

However, Cantieri Di Pisa is only a smart part in Balista's story, and the visual appeal of the hull and superstructure are the work of yet another crew with a strong presence in this industry, Galeazzi Design. With experience dating back to 1987, they've handled every size of ship ranging from 6 meters up to 60 meters.

From tip to tail, Galeazzi's experience shines through with long and sharp lines, a perfect blend between the white hull and black glass, and atop it all, a sun deck fit for modern kings and queens. Go ahead, take a moment, and picture yourself lying around on any of the outdoor lounges.

If you're like me, then the interior is where I'll be. That said, yet another team was responsible for the lavish and often cozy interior of the Balista. You may have heard of Mark Berryman Design. After all, they're responsible for the interior of yet another floating behemoth, the Flying Fox, a ship that has received intense attention even before it ever touched international waters.

But, there's a tad of a catch; the images seen in the gallery also include the work of yet another two crews, called upon during a 2022 refit, Curtis House and Louis Anthony and Associates. All I have to say about the current owner of this ship is that they seem to really love that whole old-school elegance and decadence lifestyle.

Strolling through the halls of this multi-level palace, I couldn't help but be reminded of quaint Italian Riviera home, albeit leaning toward a more modern look. The marble slabs, leathers, wood paneling, and cabinetry blend beautifully and are brought to life with a mixture of natural and artificial lighting.

One space that really got my attention is the main lounge, the one and the same seen loaded to the brim with those "zebra" chairs and a massive U-shaped couch. It's here that I'll be entertaining guests, with easy access to the outdoor lounge nearby, just in case I need to take a breath of fresh ocean air.

Just because I picture myself handing out in this lounge doesn't mean that the rest of the interior isn't worthy of attention. Be sure to check out the staterooms, styled with wonderful furniture that looks ripped right out of some posh estate, marble-filled bathrooms, and heavy use of wood, giving everything a nice warm glow. There's a gym onboard, too.

Now, this isn't the end of the magic Balista has to offer, and so we find ourselves back outside, ready to explore the local waters. To do that, this vessel places not only a toy garage at its future owner's disposal but personal watercraft, too. One neat aspect of the toy garage is that it also doubles as a neat beach club, ready to act as your diving board into local waters.

The final outdoor space that might be of interest to you is the sun deck. This is the perfect place to be seen whenever you roll in and out of port on this floating marvel, telling the whole world that, yes, you have the bucks to own such a machine; you'll be on top of your own little world. There's a jacuzzi and a massive lounge bed here, too, so getting that tan you've always wanted is possible.

As I mentioned, we see quite a few superyachts on our e-pages, but it's not every day that a superyacht strikes the perfect balance between modern and classic taste, regal-like living, and outright performance; again, this is a 153-foot machine that can hit speeds upwards of 26 knots. That alone makes the Balista worth every penny of its $13,950,000 (€13.2M at current exchange rates) asking price.