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U-81 Sold Off-Market: The Largest Yacht Ever Built by Damen
U-81 stands out as one of the world’s most remarkable superyacht support vessels, blending industrial-grade capability with luxury amenities and a scale that places her in a league of her own. Edmiston is delighted to announce the off-market sale of the custom Damen support yacht U-81, with Charlie Carveles representing the buyer and Tim Vickers from Burgess representing the seller. This transaction marks the next chapter for one of the most unique and capable support vessels on the water, a yacht that stands out not just for her scale, but for her extraordinary amenities and engineering prowess.
At 80 metres in length, with a vast 16.2-metre beam and an imposing gross tonnage of over 3,000 GT, U-81 is the largest yacht built by Damen Shipyards and ranks among the world’s top support vessels by volume.
What sets U-81 apart is her ingenious use of space and her ability to carry the ultimate arsenal of toys and tenders for the mothership. Her expansive deck is equipped with a powerful crane capable of lifting up to 12 tons, making it effortless to launch and retrieve large tenders, a chase boat with quadruple outboards, jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, and even submarines.
Beneath the helipad lies a vast storage area for watercraft and toys, while the aft deck can be swiftly transformed into a basketball court once the tenders are launched, a rare and playful amenity that few yachts can match.
U-81 is powered by twin Caterpillar diesel-electric engines, delivering a top speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 12-13.5 knots. With an impressive range of over 5,000 nautical miles, she is built for long-range expeditions and can keep pace with the world’s most prestigious superyachts, such as Amels’ iconic HERE COMES THE SUN.
U-81 is exceptional for her sheer scale, transformative design, and the seamless blend of industrial capability with luxury amenities. She is a floating basecamp for exploration and entertainment, engineered to support the world’s most ambitious yachting adventures.