Microsoft magnate's $200m superyacht arrives

By ALAN PERROTT

It is far too big to hide, but Tatoosh, the latest superyacht to arrive in Auckland, is shrouded in silence.

The two security guards blocking access to the 92m (300ft) ship give no hint of the owner's identity or when he is expected in town.

No one gets aboard without a good reason and all inquiries are met with a stern "No comment".

The man behind the denials is Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, co-funder of the OneWorld America's Cup Challenge, owner of the Portland Trailblazers basketball team and Seattle Seahawks football team and serious Jimi Hendrix fan.

Mr Allen, who is worth an estimated US$25.2 billion ($52 billion), has plunged US$10 million into the OneWorld campaign.

Tatoosh is longer than the previous ruler of the Louis Vuitton Cup roost, Larry Ellison's 74m Katana, and had to berth at Princes Wharf because it is too big to enter Viaduct Harbour.

The five-deck superyacht displaces 3280 tonnes, boasts two helicopter decks, two 12.8m launches, a 13m racing yacht, a fulltime crew of 30 and a swimming pool that can rise up to form extra decking.

It also carries six jetskis, three inflatables, two Hobie catamarans and a 1995 McDonnell Douglas MD 500 helicopter.

Oh, and just to frighten the other syndicates, Tatoosh has also been known to carry its own mini-submarine.

Mr Allen reportedly bought the vessel last year from his OneWorld partner, telecoms magnate Craig McCaw, for about US$100 million ($206 million) and then passed his old superyacht, Charade, down to his sister.

According to newspaper USA Today, Mr McCaw sold Tatoosh after watching his bank balance drop 65 per cent to US$2.7 billion.

The vessel arouses strong internet interest, with one rumour claiming Mr Allen spent $114,300 to fill Tatoosh's fuel tanks during a stopover at Ibiza, where the members of rock group U2 were also spotted paying a visit.

The superyacht is based at the exclusive International Yacht Club Antibes, on the French Riviera between Nice and Cannes.

Mr Allen was reportedly so keen on gaining the number 1 marina berth, he bought the yacht that was docked there.

But according to yachtie scuttlebutt, he already has his sights set higher - an even larger boat is being built in Germany.