Superyacht SKYFALL is as iconic as the James Bond movie it shares its name with. Owned by an American real estate developer, the 190-foot motor yacht features a distinctive silhouette and a boatload of stand-out amenities including a panoramic sky lounge, a split-level owner’s cabin and a helipad that converts into a basketball court. As well as being highly appealing to owners, she’s a successful charter yacht that’s renowned for her ability to entertain.
SKYFALL was built by American luxury motor yacht builder Trinity Yachts in 2010 for the shipyard’s owner. “SKYFALL is the most exquisite superyacht ever delivered by Trinity Yachts and is a shining example of American craftsmanship and pride,” says Frank Grzeszczak Sr of FGI Yacht Group. “In a market where yachts of her size are rarely this versatile, SKYFALL stands out as a unique offering. With a Bahamas-friendly draft, aluminum construction, speeds exceeding 20 knots, a flexible seven-cabin layout—including a bi-level primary suite—and expansive lounges, SKYFALL sets herself apart from others in her class.”
The current owner bought her in 2018 from an American automobile tycoon and completed a full refit in 2020, including elegant, timeless interiors by designers Patrick Knowles and Even Marshall. Now, as the owner builds a new, larger, 270-foot yacht with an Italian shipyard, they’ve reluctantly put SKYFALL up for sale.
As SKYFALL enters the market with FGI, the owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, gives Forbes an exclusive look at life onboard the yacht and reveals his favorite experiences and spaces, as well as his top tips for superyacht ownership.
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What initially captivated you about SKYFALL?
Owner: SKYFALL is an iconic yacht. She really has the best of all worlds. She has semi displacement which means she is fast and efficient. She also has a shallow draft that allows her to get into anchorages or ports that other similar sized boats can’t even try to get into. In the Bahamas, for example, it is typical for SKYFALL to be anchored close to shore while other 60-meter (190-foot) boats are a mile or more offshore.
What are your favourite memories onboard SKYFALL?
We have had a lot of fun with family and friends on SKYFALL. The list of great memories onboard is quite long. The bridge deck outdoor dining table is where we always try to have meals unless the weather is very bad. We have had a lot of great discussions with family and friends around that table that will last a lifetime. We also like that the sundeck that has two hot tubs with plenty of space, which is where we have pre-dinner canapes every night while we watch the sun set wherever we might be.
One thing that often grabs people’s attention is the basketball goal that also is a helideck on the sundeck. We have had a lot of competitive games of basketball on sundeck, sometimes with a number of spectators watching from afar.
What is your favourite space onboard?
The sky lounge is group favorite. It has twin 80-inch TVs, so there isn’t a bad place in the sky lounge to view a game.
Please talk us through the owner’s cabin and how you designed it to suit your lifestyle.
The owner’s cabin on SKYFALL is exactly what we wanted on a boat. The master bed faces the bow with large windows which means we get to wake up every morning to an amazing view. The sitting area is perfect for getting a break from guests when we just need some time to ourselves. The suite also has ‘His and Hers’ separate baths and closets, which is a requirement for us. My wife and I always say that the key to a long and happy marriage is separate bathrooms and closets.
The office in the master suite is a welcome retreat for me so I can get work done privately without being disturbed, and more importantly, without waking up my wife.
Where are your favourite places to visit around the world?
It has always been non-negotiable for our family that we spend New Year’s together in Saint Bart’s on the boat. In early spring, she spends a few weeks in the Bahamas, and then typically we send her over to the Med for the summer season. She then comes back for a quick yard period in the fall, does the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, and then makes her way back to the Caribbean.
What makes SKYFALL such a successful charter yacht?
The feedback from charter guests has been that this is a great multi-generational boat. We have all the fun toys for kids, and lots of relaxing spaces for adults. Three generations in a family can travel together and have a great trip for different reasons. With the multitude of large beds, it is also a great boat for several couples to travel together.
What first inspired you to become a yacht owner?
Our family had been chartering yachts for about 12 years. More and more we found ourselves wanting to spend time on the water. We had been loosely talking about buying a yacht when we started attending the annual Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. I’m not an impulse buyer, but when we found a boat that we thought would work for our lifestyle, we knew (or rather, my wife knew) that was the boat for us.
What does yacht ownership give you that villa or a hotel ownership couldn’t?
We often talk about how owning a yacht allows you to basically have a home nearly anywhere in the world. We like new places, and we like to explore, but we like to have a familiar home base to come back to at the end of a long day. A yacht gives you the advantage of being in the Med in the summer and the Caribbean in the winter sleeping in the same bed every night.
Why have you decided to put SKYFALL on the sales market – and why now?
We are building a new boat, and it is time to let this one go. We are sad to part with her, but we hope she will find a new family that will create many new memories on her as we have.
What would be your biggest piece of advice to the next owner of SKYFALL?
Have fun with her. That’s what she is for. This boat loves to be used so if you have a destination in mind, she’s ready to go.
Want to be the new owner of SKYFALL? Here’s how
SKYFALL is currently for sale for an asking price of $29,500,000. Interested parties should contact the broker, Frank Grzeszczak Sr, Founder & President at FGI Yacht Group, who says: “Simply put, SKYFALL is the finest American superyacht available today. The price has recently been adjusted to $29,500,000, reflecting the seller's commitment to securing a fair price for this extraordinary vessel.”
