Paul Allens No 2 yacht - Octopus

My husband and I were having a discussion the other day. If for some reason we want to go somewhere and the Rolls isn’t available, there’s no real problem, we can always use the Aston, the Ferrari or even the Bugatti. But what do we do when the yacht’s not available? I can hardly be expected to transport my nightgowns in some cramped suitcase, or navigate the vulgarities of a commercial airline.

So the solution is of course, buy another yacht. I have to admit, I thought that would be quite an unusual idea, at $100 million or so each, luxury yachts don’t’ exactly grow on trees, but it seems that Paul Allen had the idea before us. In addition to Tatoosh, the 301 foot yacht he purchased in 2001, the Microsoft founder also owns ‘Octopus’  the worlds eighth largest superyacht. Clearly Mr Allen agrees with us that luxury needs backup. Octopus has two helicopters as well as two submarines, so no-ones going to spoil his fun anytime soon.

Of course the good thing about having two is that while you’re using one, the other can be earning. The eldest son of the President of Equitorial Guinea reportedly paid $600,000 to rent Tatoosh for a Christmas cruise.  Just enough to fill up Octopus fuel tanks.