No, MINE's bigger - Emocean

9:19 PM Fri 5 Feb 2010 GMT

'Emocean - today’s design' .

Roman Abramovich's Eclipse, launched last year in Germany, is currently the world's largest private yacht at a whopping 557 ft. and accoutrements to suit - an unseemly array of of luxurious lifestyle adds, submarines for a quick escape and missile launchers to keep away pirates or anyone else who threatens his privacy.

His oceanic supremacy may be short lived however, as Belgium-based Emocean Yacht Design has just unveiled plans for a 656-ft. gigayacht which would just might put the the oligarch's new toy to shame if he is watching, and he almost certainly is!

Like Emocean's 541-ft. design for the UK's Devonport Yachts to be featured at the upcoming Abu Dhabi Yacht Show, the 656-footer is a completely bespoke design, with equipment, styling, configuration, and class tailored to the desires and tastes of the client.

Eclipse when launched in Hamburg - photo by Carl Groll - .. .

Not only is the new vessel design monstrous in size, it makes Eclipse look like yesterday's boat, with it very 21st Century styling. In the luxury stakes, it features a drive-in garage, two 98-foot day boats, helipad and hanger, a 100-ft. swimming pool, nightclub, casino, games room, two-level cinema, three beach clubs, a health spa, and 10 VIP rooms, 22 guest suites and a private owners deck accommodating a total of 45 passengers, along with 70 crew.

Even at that size she'll be impressively fast, with a planned maximum speed of 28 knots, a cruising speed of 20 knots and a range of 6,500 nautical miles at cruising speed.

In the design description, however, there's no mention of submarines and missile launchers. Ah well, you can't win them all.

by Luxist/Sail-World Cruising