Sir Richard Branson, passionate adventurer and conqueror of air, land and sea (also of space and music / entertainment) through his various business ventures, and one of the world’s richest men. There is only one thing you can’t add o this incomplete but still impressive list: Richard Branson, superyacht owner.
The British billionaire loves exploring the world’s oceans but, somewhat paradoxically, he is one of the few filthy rich men (and women) to not own a yacht, whether of the super- or the mega- variety. Branson did own a boat until the second half of 2018 and, as it so happens, it was a record-breaking catamaran, which explains why he didn’t get another one after he sold it.
That boat was known as Necker Belle and, prior to his acquisition in 2008, Lady Barbaretta or Lady B. At the time it was completed in 2003, it was the largest performance sailing catamaran in the world and, to this day, it remains one of the few luxurious sail-assisted cats out there. It is spacious, it is impressive and capable of outstanding performance. Under Branson’s ownership, it also offered the very rare experience of flying by plane underwater – yes, you read that right.
Necker Belle was constructed in Cherbourg, France in 2003, on a naval architecture by Chenus Presles & Associates. Branson bought it in 2008 for a reported £5.3 million ($7.1 million at the current exchange rate) and had it go for a full refit. After two years, and with Azzura Marine handling the interior design, Lady Barbaretta emerged as Necker Belle, a name Branson chose to match the name of his private island in the British Virgin Isles, Necker Island.
Photo: SuperYacht Times
In 2010, Necker Belle was being offered for charter on the island and, shortly afterward, received a most impressive (but smaller) companion, a submersible named Necker Nymph. Necker Nymph was the first-of-its-kind underwater plane, lighter than a conventional submarine but still able to seat three people looking to explore the ocean at 130 feet (40 meters) under, for up to one hour. Developed by Hawkes Ocean Technologies, the Nymph, officially called DeepFlight Merlin, uses downward pressure on the wings to “fly” to deeper depths, instead of the weighted tanks conventional submarines use to sink lower.
In 2010, when the duo made their debut on the charter market, a week’s worth of rent for the Necker Belle was $88,000, including the full crew, while an additional $25,000 got you the Nymph.
The catamaran offers accommodation for up to 10 guests across four cabins, with the fourth added during the refit, and a crew of six. With a total length of 32 meters (105 feet) and a beam of 14 meters (46 feet), it offers ample space for entertaining and socializing: Branson once said that he had settled on a twin-hull vessel because it was more stable and less claustrophobic than a single hull. He wanted the perfect space for entertaining, and he got it.
Necker Belle has both outdoor and indoor dining, several lounge areas, a bar and its own wine cellar, open-air cinema, a beach club with a dive board, and a wide range of water toys, besides the Nymph sub: water-skis, scuba gear, paddleboards, wakeboards, dinghies, inflatable towables, and snorkeling gear.
Photo: YachtHarbour
Necker Belle has two decks, a composite hull and aluminum superstructure, all of which make it relatively light. Powered by twin Caterpillar engines that develop a total of 960 hp, Necker Belle cruises at 10 to 14 knots under power, and is capable of hitting 20 knots under sail.
Branson sold the cat in 2018 and, as per his own words, hasn’t even considered replacing it since. The listing asked for $2.5 million, but he reportedly got around $3 million for it. The new owner is anonymous but whoever they are, they’re still offering it up for charter – now under the name Bella Vita.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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