Remember the controversy about Jeff Bezos megayacht schooner requiring dismantling of the Koningshaven Bridge in Rotterdam? The subsequent public response (including threats to egg the megayacht as it made its way downriver) scuttled that plan, and the schooner was delivered mastless to another yard for finishing last year.
The 417′, 3-masted Koru now has her masts and is undergoing sea trials. So far the sails have not been unfurled, but it will be a sight to behold when they are.
This is sort of a Pacific Northwest story, since Bezos’ Amazon is headquartered here in Seattle. I have my doubts we’ll ever see Koru coming to Puget Sound. Personally, I’m fine with only seeing the pictures of this ship. Of course there’s a support yacht being built as well. You have to have someplace to land a helicopter after all.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.