The 'Japanese' yacht of the Oracle co-founder makes a stop in Malaga

It's called 'Musashi', and its name already hints at its unique style. Indeed, the 88-meter yacht owned by Larry Ellison, co-founder of the tech multinational Oracle, is one of the most unique pieces of contemporary naval engineering. The ship set sail today, after being moored for a few hours at the Palmeral dock in the port (its first stop in Málaga), where it did not go unnoticed among the many locals and tourists strolling through this area, now that almost clear skies and mild temperatures, typical of Málaga in April, have returned.

This yacht is not particularly noted for its length of 88 meters, as there are several larger ones currently in Málaga. However, it does stand out visually for its large retro-designed windows with an oriental inspiration, as its name suggests. This is a tribute to Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), the most legendary samurai and strategist in Japanese history.

A more "functional" alternative

The vessel was built by the Dutch shipyard Feadship and delivered in 2011, according to data available on the specialized website Superyachtfan. When he ordered it, Ellison was looking for a more compact and functional alternative to his previous ship, the Rising Sun, which is 138 meters long and struggled to find docking space in many of the most sought-after destinations.

Inside, the work of Sinot Yacht Design has resulted in a fusion of contemporary luxury, with a strong Japanese essence and touches of Art Deco. Technically speaking, the 'Musashi' is equipped with four MTU diesel engines that allow it to reach a maximum speed of 21 knots, and maintain a cruising speed of 18 knots. Its autonomy capacity is such that it can cover up to 6,000 nautical miles at an economical speed of 12 knots.

As for the passengers, the yacht can accommodate up to 18 guests distributed in nine cabins, who are attended by a crew of 23 people (who stay in ten cabins). Larry Ellison's guests enjoy internal amenities such as a panoramic glass elevator and a luxurious private cinema room. Additionally, it features a Jacuzzi pool on the upper deck.

The market value is estimated at about 160 million dollars, with annual operating costs ranging between 10 and 20 million. However, this is not a problem for its owner, whose fortune exceeds 100 billion dollars, according to Forbes. The 'Musashi' has an almost twin ship, the 'Fountainhead', owned by Edward Lampert of Sears Holdings.