- The behemoth vessel, called Sailing Yacht A, underwent sailing tests in Strande, nearby Kiel in Germany
- At 468ft in length, with ship masts nearing 300ft high, the superyacht is the world's biggest sailing ship
- The yacht has been built for Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko out of a German shipyard
- It's cruise speed is 18mph and it has a top speed of 24mph. The hull is made of steel, with a teak-finish deck
The behemoth vessel, called Sailing Yacht A, is the latest superboat to make its way into the expansive collection of industrialist Andrey Melnichenko, thought to be worth £8.5 billion.
It was seen undergoing tests and employing its sails for the first time in Strande, nearby Kiel, northern Germany, its shadow dwarfing other nearby sailing boats.
At eight-decks and with masts that are nearly 330ft tall, it eclipses the height of London's Elizabeth Tower, which houses the Great Bell known as Big Ben, and has its own underwater lounge surrounded by thick glass.
It also boasts a digital control system that has a touch sensitive sheet of black glass, allowing the crew to raise and lower the sails and anchor with the swipe of their fingers.
A £330million superyacht owned by a Russian billionaire is thought to be the largest sailing vessel to ever take to the seas after it underwent its first ever sailing test
The behemoth vessel, called Sailing Yacht A, is the latest superboat to make its way into the expansive collection of industrialist Andrey Melnichenko, thought to be worth £8.5 billion
It was seen undergoing tests in Strande, nearby Kiel, northern Germany, its shadow dwarfing other nearby sailing boats
At eight-decks and with masts that are nearly 330ft tall, it eclipses the height of London's Elizabeth Tower, which houses the Great Bell known as Big Ben, and has its own underwater lounge surrounded by thick glass
Cruise speed of the ship is 18mph, with a top speed of 24mph. The hull is made of steel, with a teak-finish deck
At 468ft long and with three huge masts, the yacht has a price tag of £260million but the simplest of names - A
Mr Melnichenko (pictured with wife Aleksandra), whose net worth is estimated at £6billion ($9billion), founded the fertilizer producer EuroChem, the coal producer Suek, the power generator SGK, and the pipe exporter TMK
The large vessel, pictured here, is powered by a hybrid diesel-electric system at a top speed of 21 knots (24 mph)
The original plans for Sailing Yacht A have now become a reality for the wealthy Russian businessman Andrey Melnichenko
Sailing Yacht A's keel incorporates one of the largest single pieces of curved glass ever made at 193 square feet, creating an underwater lounge on the bottom deck, and it is powered by a hybrid diesel-electric system at a top speed of 21 knots (24 mph).
Mr Melnichenko, who has made his vast fortune with investments in coal, fertilisers and banking, was said to have put his other superyacht Motor Yacht A up for sale, as he replaces it with the grander Sailing Yacht A.
The 44-year-old lives a glamorous, jet-setting lifestyle with his 39-year-old wife Aleksandra, a former model and pop star from Serbia.
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Motor Yacht A itself boasts an opulent lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows, wood and leather furniture, and a spacious owner’s cabin that is larger than most London flats - and is said to have bomb-proof glass and a rotating bed.
Three spa pools with current-generating technology are spread throughout the yacht, and one has a glass floor that passengers can look into from the lower deck, according to the Yacht Harbour database.
There are seven luxurious cabins for up to 14 guests and accommodation for 42 crew members. Over the years it has been spotted in places such as Honolulu, Malibu, Monaco, Puerto Rico, Turkey and Thailand.
It was virtually impossible to miss this mammoth sailing superyacht as it took to the sea for a test run - thanks in large part to its three 300ft masts which stand taller than Big Ben's tower
The 468ft-long vessel (right), owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko, was reportedly pulled out of the German Naval Yards in Kiel, north of Hamburg, by a tugboat and it eventually built up a speed of 20 knots on another test run
The massive superyacht is seen moored to land as shipbuilders look to complete the job of constructing the large vessel
The masts were produced by Magma Structures based in Portsmouth, and were shipped out to the German port
An artist's impression of how the tycoon's new ship could dominate the waves. The 44-year-old lives a glamorous, jet-setting lifestyle with his 39-year-old wife Aleksandra, a former model and pop star from Serbia
After months of preparation work, the Sailing Yacht A finally took to the seas in northern Germany last month before today's sail test
Amazed onlookers gather to watch as a tugboat (pictured left) pulls the large ship into the sea for its first test run
Mr Melnichenko, who has made his vast fortune with investments in coal, fertilisers and banking, was said to have put his other superyacht Motor Yacht A (pictured) up for sale, as he replaces it with the grander Sailing Yacht A
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO KEEP A SUPERYACHT ON THE WATER?
From Russian oligarchs to Middle Eastern royalty to Hollywood producers, it takes a certain type of person to own a superyacht - crucially, they must be super rich.
Andrey Milnichenko has invested $451 million into his new vessel Sailing Yacht A.
However, the initial cost is only part of owning such a luxurious vessel.
For wealthy owners like Roman Abramovich and UAE president Khalifa Al Nahyan, owners of two of the costliest private vessels in the world, the costs associated with keeping such big boats on the water are staggering.
Insurance company Towergate estimates that 10 per cent of the initial value of a superyacht goes on operating costs.
For Chelsea Football Club owner Abramovich's Eclipse, a 162.5m vessel with a missile defence system that cost the billionaire an astronomical $500milion (£332), that means $50m (£33m) a year.
The standard fuel usage for a 71m yacht is 500 litres an hour, meaning an average of $400,000 (£265,000) is spent on petrol every year per vessel.
The Value Added Tax (VAT) works out at 15-25 per cent of the vessel's value while docking costs are an average $350,000 (£232,000) and $240,000 (£159,000) the standard for insurance sees the costs soar.
Add to that the expected $1million (£664,000) per year for maintenance and repairs and the wages for an average $1.4m (£930,000) for an on-board crew - which can range from less than 20 to 154 staff on the Sultan of Oman's mysterious Al Said superyacht - and it's a significant outlay.
Sailing Yacht A's keel incorporates one of the largest single pieces of curved glass ever made at 193 square feet
Powered by two diesel engines, the yacht has a top speed of 23 knots (26.4mph) and a cruising speed of 19.5 knots (22.4mph), with a range of 6,500 nautical miles.
It was built by leading shipyard Blohm + Voss in Hamburg, Germany, and designed by Frenchman Philippe Starck, a renowned contemporary designer who is responsible for the look of Melnichenko’s new toy, Sailing Yacht A.
In addition to two massive yachts, Mr Melnichenko owners a customised Boeing 737 private jet, a villa in the French Riviera, a penthouse in New York and a sprawling estate near Ascot, England.
Speaking when the yacht was rumoured to be up for sale, Dimitri Semenikhin, founder of Yacht Harbour, said: ‘Motor Yacht A is a unique boat in terms of its design and there is quite literally nothing like it on the market.
‘If they were to find a buyer who would fall in love with the design, the price could go as far up as $300million (£225million). It will, however, be a tough sell at such a price as the design is very polarising.’
He told MailOnline at the time: ‘I've seen Motor Yacht A quite a few times in Monaco. It's extremely noticeable anywhere it goes, you can always find people snapping shots of it or pointing to it from the shore.
‘When you pass close to it, you do realise how huge and tall it is. The first open deck is also very high which makes it feel very secure.’
The vessel boasts a digital control system that has a touch sensitive sheet of black glass, allowing the crew to raise and lower the sails and anchor with the swipe of their fingers
HELIPADS, HOT TUBS AND EN-SUITE STATEROOMS: INSIDE THE MOST EXPENSIVE SUPERYACHTS FOR SALE AT THE MONACO YACHT SHOW
Walk-in wardrobes, opulent en-suite staterooms, outdoor hot tubs, helipads - and even lifts that transport guests between decks.
These are some of the eye-catching luxury facilities on board the superyachts that will be on display at the Monaco Yacht Show. More than 120 of the priciest private vessels in the world will be on show over four days at historic Port Hercule, starting on September 23.
The 25th edition of the event in glamorous Monaco brings together manufacturers, owners, buyers and enthusiasts at what is considered the most prestigious pleasure boat show in the world.
With more than 33,000 people expected to attend, these are some of the most expensive vessels for sale, according to MatrixLloyd, a leading authority on superyacht deals.
Built by Amels in 2011, Imagine features a helipad and lift that transports guests between decks, and has an asking price of £51million
Imagine. Asking price: £51million ($78.5million)
Built by Amels in 2011, this 65.7-metre (215.6ft) motor yacht features a lift that transports guests between decks, and a helipad.
Imagine sleeps up to 12 guests, who can lap up the sunshine on the spacious top deck, relax in a hot tub or exercise in the jet-stream swimming pool.
With a cruising speed of 14 knots (16.1mph), the vessel also boasts a gym, steam room and balconies on the two upper deck VIP cabins.
For those who can't afford the asking price, Imagine was available for charter in the Mediterranean over the summer for £388,000 a week ($597,000), according to Fraser Yachts' website.
It is available for the same price over the winter, when it will be positioned in the Caribbean.
Madsummer. Asking price: £24.3million ($37.5million)
Ten guests can sleep comfortably in five en-suite cabins, including a master suite with a double bed, study, walk-in wardrobe, his and hers bathrooms and separate toilet en-suite.
Madsummer, offered by Moran Yacht & Ship, has an asking price of £24.3million ($37.5million) ahead of this year's yacht show
The master suite has a double bed, study, walk-in wardrobe, his and hers bathroom and separate toilet en suite
When they're not relaxing on board, guests can use a number of water toys, including inflatable boats, kayaks and dive equipment
Built in 2005 and refit in 2009, the superyacht has a master suite that is forward on the main deck, with panoramic views of the sea.
Guests can go for a soak in the 55.5-metre (182ft) vessel's hot tub, or let loose with a large collection of water toys, including inflatable boats, personal watercraft, kayaks and dive equipment.
Steel. Asking price: £21.1million ($32.5million)
From the outside, Steel doesn't have the same appearance as a typical superyacht, but it was designed and constructed to go everywhere.
Built at Pendennis' shipyard, in Falmouth, Cornwall, in 2009, the vessel is suitable for icy waters and can accommodate up to 12 guests in six staterooms, said Ocean Independence.
Steel doesn't have the same appearance as a typical superyacht, but it was designed and constructed to go everywhere
The 55-metre (180.5ft) expedition yacht has a stately interior that includes a large master bathroom, fitness room and hot tub
The 55-metre (180.5ft) expedition yacht has a stately interior that includes a fitness room, and a top deck with a hot tub and room for a small boat.
Balista. Asking price: £13.8million ($21.2million)
While most of the superyachts that are for sale at this year's event have plenty of miles behind them, Balista has never been used by its current owner, according to YPI Group, the Monaco-based firm handling the sale.
While most of the superyachts that are for sale have plenty of miles behind them, Balista has never been used by its current owner
With a top speed of 25 knots (28.7mph), Balista comes with a hot tub, satellite television throughout and a large indoor saloon
At 46.57 metres (152.8ft), she was conceived as the flagship yacht of Italy's Cantieri di Pisa shipyard, and only has 250 engine hours despite being delivered in 2013.
With a top speed of 25 knots (28.7mph), Balista sleeps up to 12 guests in six cabins, and comes with a hot tub, large indoor saloon, and satellite TV.
Balista was conceived as the flagship yacht of Italy's Cantieri di Pisa shipyard, and has 250 engine hours despite being delivered in 2013
Clifford II. Asking price: £11.3million ($17.5million)
Clifford II launched in 2008 and is a sport cruiser luxury yacht, with a maximum speed of 30 knots (34.5mph).
With an asking price of £11.3million ($17.5million), Clifford II is a sport cruiser luxury yacht with a maximum speed of 30 knots (34.5mph)
Currently based in Antibes, France, the vessel is 46 metres (150ft), and can sleep as many as 12 guests in five staterooms.
With a spacious aftdeck and upper deck, the superyacht is ideal for alfresco dining and basking in the sunshine.
Currently based in Antibes, France, the vessel is 46 metres (150ft), and can sleep as many as 12 guests in five staterooms
With a spacious aftdeck and upper deck, the superyacht is ideal for alfresco dining and basking in the sunshine
