Inside the Qatari royal family’s US$400 million superyacht: the 124-metre luxury Katara comes with a helipad, pools and a beach club – and is even longer than a Fifa World Cup field
The name is derived from the pages of history, dating back to 150AD when “Catara” was the first name designated for the Qatar Peninsula. Catara was replaced with a “K” in 18th-century French maps and, according to reports, that’s how the beautiful boat got her name.
The Katara superyacht, the floating palace of the high seas
Ultra stylish, voluminous, decked up and packed with luxuries: those are just a few ways to describe Lürssen’s unrestrained Katara yacht built in 2010, reportedly for the Qatari royal family. Everything associated with the House of Thani immediately brings to mind an image of luxury, and the Katara motoryacht is no different.
A floating city for its royal owners
Of course, the 7,922-tonne superyacht offers more than enough room to create a floating city for its royal owners, according to the Superyacht Times. Designed by Espen Øino with elegant interior styling by Alberto Pinto, the beauty brings more to the plate than just extraordinary volume, per Yacht Bible.
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Falmouth Pocket reported that the ship boasts a helicopter deck, an array of satellite communication domes (her most recognisable feature), various tenders and jet skis. It’s also rumoured to have entertaining amenities like a beach club, several swimming pools, gyms and salons, and a jacuzzi, per Yacht Bible.
What happens in Katara stays in Katara
The vessel’s owners certainly know how to keep their privacy!
According to Yacht Bible, the boat keeps most of its decks covered and lacks in outdoor space, meaning its pools and plush facilities are likely to be located inside.
The massive boat comfortably accommodates up to 34 guests
It is conceivable by her sheer size and GT that the massive boat comfortably accommodates up to 34 guests in 14 cabins serviced by 95 crew members on board, reported Mega Yachts Fan. Katara caters to the crème de la crème of the planet and is made to impress those that thrive amid the very best.
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She boasts a robust performance owing to twin diesel MTU (20V 1163 M94) 20-cylinder 9,925hp engines, per Yacht Charter Fleet. Katara cruises with ultimate stability at 15 knots, reaching a maximum speed of 20 knots, states the same source.
- The Lürssen mega yacht is believed to be owned by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former emir of Qatar, and was designed by Espen Øino and Alberto Pinto
- Dubbed the ‘floating palace’, the vessel is known to be shrouded in mystery as there’s barely any outdoor space, meaning the pools are likely indoors for privacy