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On Board Paul Allen’s Second Superyacht, Tatoosh, a $90 Million Masterpiece

Less isn’t always more. Tatoosh, one of the world’s largest superyachts and a timeless icon, is a good example of how, in certain cases, only more will do.
Tatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 million 24 photos
Photo: Burgess
Tatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 millionTatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking $90 million
Tatoosh is Microsoft co-founder and billionaire Paul Allen’s second superyacht, a 2000 build by Nobiskrug, refitted as recently as 2021, and now offered for sale for the second time ever. It is often described as a timeless icon and a masterpiece, and it lives up to that description even after all these years.

As Captain Richard Hielckert says in a new interview with Boat International, “if you don’t recognize Tatoosh from a distance, you probably don’t know yachting.” Tatoosh is that iconic.

As it happens, Tatoosh is yours for the taking, if you happen to have some $90 million you could easily dispose of and a desire to get into sailing around the world with a not-so-small group of friends and family. Think of a cruise ship but brought down to scale, with all the luxury amenities possible, a gorgeous and elegant décor, and features that make each day out at sea safe, smooth and very pleasant: that’s Tatoosh in a nutshell.

Tatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking \$90 million
Photo: Burgess
This superyacht’s story begins in the 1990s, with the tech bubble, when cell phone pioneer and billionaire Craig McCaw decided to get himself a new boat. That boat had to be family-friendly, elegant and beautiful, but most importantly, it had to reflect the needs of the guests in its design. As the same Captain Hielckert says, this means that Tatoosh isn’t a cake-shaped vessel like many other superyachts, which try to pack a lot of interior over less of an exterior.

Based on a design by Bastiaan Sonneveld and Claus Kusch, and a naval architecture by Kysch, Tatoosh has a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, and a silhouette that is instantly recognizable. The interiors are by Terence Disdale and Achille Associates, and despite the 2021 refit, it retains the same styling and personality as it had when Nobiskrug delivered it to the owner in 2000.

McCaw didn’t get to enjoy it that much, despite his extended involvement in its development. In 2001, he sold it to Paul Allen, the Microsoft co-founder who owned at least another superyacht as part of his $26 billion estate. That other vessel, Octopus, sold last year for an undisclosed amount – but was asking $278 million. Since Allen’s death in 2018, his estate has been selling off his assets, Tatoosh included, so it’s now listed with Burgess and Fraser Yachts, with a price tag of $90 million.

Measuring 92.4 meters (303.2 feet) in total length, Tatoosh offers an interior volume of 3,229 GT spread across five decks. It is a very large vessel, and one that uses all that space to offer all the creature comforts you could dream of. Accommodation is for 19 guests in 11 suites, and as many as 35 crew to cater to all their needs and whims.

Tatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking \$90 million
Photo: Burgess
Highlights include a master suite that is practically a two-level luxury apartment that is also a self-contained unit, with its own office, private terrace, and private staircase. Two helidecks are available, and one of them has a fueling station, which offers extended autonomy for the owner’s aircraft. The 4 x 5-meter (13 x 16.4-foot) pool is the first of its kind installed on a superyacht: it has counter-jets to avoid slushing at full speed, and a rising floor that turns it into a dancefloor for hosting duties.

Though standard these days on superyachts, Tatoosh was also among the first vessels to boast a private cinema, which now features upgraded audio-visual tech thanks to the recent refit. Amenities also include a wine cellar, an entertainment room, a fully-equipped gym, a spa area, a large beach club with a full dive room, an observation lounge, and a sophisticated main saloon with limestone fireplace.

The garage is packed, which further drives home the comparison with a mini-cruise liner: a Germán Frers daysailer called Julia, a custom Hinckley Talaria tender called Chase, and a wide variety of water toys. And lots of diving gear in the dive room.

Tatoosh, a 2000 superyacht by Nobiskrug, was previously owned by Craig McCaw and Paul Allen, is now asking \$90 million
Photo: Burgess
Tatoosh is powered by twin Deutz-MWM 4,350 hp diesel engines that take it to a top speed of 19 knots (22 mph / 35 kph), while Blohm & Voss stabilizers ensure comfort and stability whether underway or at anchor. When cruising at 14 knots (16 mph / 26 kph), range is of 5,000 nautical miles (5,754 miles / 9,260 km).

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About the author: Elena Gorgan
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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.
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