Sailing Ships is a vessel that uses wind power to propel itself. It is an ancient water transport tool that followed boats and rafts. Sailboats originated from the water transport tools of ancient people living in the sea and river regions and has a history of more than 5,000 years. The world's first modern sailboat was born in the Netherlands. Phoenix Atelier will guide you through the top 10 most famous Sailing Ships in the 2026 rankings.
Ⅰ. Sailing Yacht A (No. A)
Length: 142.8 meters
Manufacturer: The Italian shipyard Perini Navi delivered the vessel in 2016.
Ship Owner: Andrei Melnichenko(Russian billionaire)
Features: Sailing Yacht A is the world's largest sailing ship, delivered in 2017. It features a 90-meter-long carbon fiber mast, an automated sail system requiring almost no human intervention, a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain, and a gross tonnage of 12,558 tons.
Surprisingly, the Sailing Yacht A boasts an underwater observation deck, a helipad, and seven to eight multi-deck decks, perfectly blending luxury with technology, Symbolizing the aesthetics and power of the super-rich. The market estimate for the Sailing Yacht A's construction cost is approximately $600 million, with annual maintenance costs estimated at $50 million to $75 million. This annual maintenance cost is roughly equivalent to the revenue of a mid-sized company.
Current Situation: Sailing Yacht A is one of the world's most expensive and controversial privately owned vessels, but it has been detained in the Italian port of Trieste since 2022 due to sanctions and remains frozen/seized as of 2025. Meanwhile, the company, Nobiskrug, is undergoing bankruptcy reorganization/sale and its operations are highly unstable.
Ⅱ. Koru
Length: 127 meters
Manufacturer: Built by Oceanco shipyard, Netherlands, 2023.
Ship Owner: Jeff Bezos
Features: The Koru is the world's second-largest sailing ship and the largest sailing ship ever built by the Dutch shipyard Oceanco. The ship's name, "Koru," originates from the Maori fern totem, symbolizing creativity and renewal within New Zealand's Aboriginal culture.
Koru is a three-masted schooner rig equipped with a swimming pool, multiple jacuzzi, and nine luxury cabins. It cost approximately $500 million to build and $25-30 million to maintain annually. It is accompanied by a support vessel, Abeona. Compared to the extremely futuristic Sailing Yacht A, Koru is more in line with traditional sailing ships.
Current Situation: The Koru is currently sailing normally around the world and is an actively used superyacht, appearing at: St. Bartholomew's New Year's celebrations, the Cannes Film Festival, and during the Monaco Grand Prix.
Ⅲ. Black Pearl
Length: 106.7 meters
Manufacturer: Built by Oceanco shipyard, Netherlands, 2018.
Ship Owner: Russian billionaire Oleg Burlakov's family took control after his death in 2021.
Features: The Black Pearl is one of the world's most technologically advanced supers-ailers, considered a representative of "the most environmentally friendly mega-sailers." It was once one of the world's largest sailing ships, later surpassed by the Sailing Yacht A and Koru.
Black Pearl features an advanced solar power system, sails that automatically deploy in 6–7 minutes, and a triple power combination of diesel, electricity, and wind, offering up to eight power modes. It also includes a beach club, an open-air cinema, a jacuzzi, and a glass elevator.
Current Situation: Black Pearl is allowed to navigate freely, and navigation records show that it has appeared in areas such as the Caribbean Sea. It can be leased out, with weekly charters in the millions of dollars.
Ⅳ. Eos
Length: 92.93 meters
Manufacturer: Built by German Lürssen was built in 2006.
Ship Owner: Barry Diller (American media billionaire and chairman of IAC).
Features: The EOS is known for its high level of privacy. It represents the pinnacle of "luxury vintage sailboats" in the 2000s. It has a traditional and classic sailboat style.
Eos underwent a complete overhaul in Germany in 2023–2024: mast and rigging reconstruction, automation system upgrades, a full repaint, and an upgrade of the lighting system to LED.
Current Situation: Eos has accumulated over 200,000 nautical miles of sailing and was photographed sailing in Philippine waters in 2026. Its company, Lürssen, sold its naval vessel (NVL) business to Rheinmetall, a company specializing in high-end private custom yacht and superyacht.
Ⅴ. Athena
Length: 90 meters
Manufacturer: Built in 2004 by Royal Huisman shipyard in the Netherlands.
Ship Owner: Jim Clark (founder of Netscape), an American internet pioneer.
Features: The Athena is a highly recognizable classic largest superyacht, considered one of the pinnacle modern replicas of vintage large sailing ships (J-Class/20th-century style). Jim Clark is also an avid sailor and owns several famous sailboats.
The difference between the Athena and modern sailboats is its more retro, "pirate ship" feel. Although it has a retro exterior, the interior is that of a modern superyacht with a computer-controlled sail system and a modern navigation system. embodying the aesthetics of the golden age of sailing.
Current Situation: Royal Huisman is one of the world's top high-end sailboat and custom superyacht shipyards, boasting top-notch sailboat technology and a 140-year brand history. They primarily manufacture custom sailboats over 80 meters, and their clients are mostly wealthy repeat customers.
Ⅵ. Maltese Falcon
Length: 88 meters
Manufacturer: Built in 2006 by Perini Navi shipyard, Italy.
Ship Owner: Tom Perkins (Silicon Valley venture capitalist); current owner is Elena Ambrosiadou.
Features: As one of the most iconic sailing ships in history, the revolutionary 88-meter "Maltese Falcon" is renowned for its fully automated "DynaRig" square sail system. Three carbon fiber rotating masts support a 2,400-square-meter sail, providing exceptional speed and maneuverability. Built by Italian Perini Navi in collaboration with owner Tom Perkins, the boat's current owner frequently pilots it in superyacht races, showcasing its formidable performance.
Current Situation: Many modern superyachts, such as the Black Pearl, are based on the Maltese Falcon concept. Maltese Falcon vessels are actively operated and available for charter, commonly sailing in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Charter rates are approximately €400,000–€500,000 per week.
Ⅶ. Aquijo
Length: 86 meters
Manufacturer: Built by Oceanco shipyard, Netherlands, 2016.
Ship Owner: Bertarelli family (a Swiss billionaire family).
Features: The Aquijo is one of the world's largest ketch sailing ships and one of the few supersailing ships that combines "exploration capabilities with a luxurious experience."
Aquijo is positioned as a high-performance sailing sailboat + superyacht, featuring multi-deck observation lounge, spa area, and a wide range of water sports (diving/waterskiing, etc.).
Current Situation: Aquijo is currently still sailing, with common routes in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas, and rental rates are approximately $500,000–$600,000 per week.
Ⅷ. Sea Eagle
Length: 81 meters
Manufacturer: Built in 2020 by Royal Huisman shipyard in the Netherlands.
Ship Owner: an Asian billionaire (public information is limited).
Features: This sailing ship, is the shipyard's largest sailing vessel by tonnage. The "Sea Eagle" boasts 3,500 square meters of sail area and utilizes Rondal's carbon fiber "Pan-Pacific" rigging. This three-masted schooner, designed by Dijkstra Marine Architects in collaboration with Mark Whiteley, is also the world's largest aluminum sailing vessel (1,150 GT).
The Sea Eagle is one of the most watched high-performance superyachts in recent years, emphasizing speed, efficiency, and ocean-going capabilities rather than extreme luxury or pure display. The Sea Eagle has won numerous international yachting awards.
Current Situation: The Sea Eagle is currently still sailing, with common routes in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas.
Ⅸ. M5 (Original name: Mirabella V)
Length: 77.6 meters
Manufacturer: Built by Vosper Thornycroft shipyard in the UK in 2004.
Ship Owner: an billionaire (public information is limited).
Features: The M5 supersailboat is one of the world's largest spruce-masted sailing vessels. Originally built for Mirabella Yacht for high-end chartering, it was later sold to a wealthy private individual.
The M5 features a three-coat grey metallic paint finish and boasts excellent high-speed cruising capabilities, making it highly efficient in downwind conditions. However, it is more dependent on wind conditions and less maneuverable than multi-masted sailing vessels.
Current Situation: The M5 is currently still sailing, with common routes in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. Private use, occasional rental.
Ⅹ. Sybaris
Length: 70 meters
Manufacturer: Built in 2016 by Perini Navi shipyard, Italy.
Ship Owner: an billionaire (public information is limited).
Features: The Sybaris sailboat, built in Italy in 2016, is the largest sailboat ever constructed. It features an all-aluminum hull, three masts and sails, luxurious interior, and a minimalist design, balancing long-distance sailing with comfort.
Current Situation: The Sybaris is currently still sailing, with common routes in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. 
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Learn more about Sailing Ships:
All You Need to Know About Sailboats: From Definition to Purchase
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