Yachts and Boats Used in James Bond movies: A Comprehensive Guide
PART 1
The James Bond film franchise is one of the most successful in history. The movies have grossed over 7 billion dollars globally and show no signs of slowing down. One thing that makes the movies so popular is the stunning locations and luxurious lifestyle on display. This is perhaps nowhere more evident than in the scenes involving yachts and boats.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the yachts and boats used in James Bond movies. We will examine their features, how they were used in the movies, and what made them so special. So, whether you are a fan of the movies or just enjoy luxury sailing yachts, read on for the ultimate guide to James Bond yachts and boats!
The Boats of James Bond
Since the release of the first James Bond film in 1962, the iconic spy has been known for his taste in luxury cars. But in recent years, Bond has been shown getting around in boats just as often as in cars. In fact, some of the most memorable scenes in recent Bond films have taken place on the water.
So what kind of boats does Bond prefer? We'll take a comprehensive look at all the boats featured in the James Bond films, from the very first film to the most recent. We'll discuss the different types of boats Bond has been shown using, as well as the different purposes they've served.
Why do Yachts and Boats play such an important role in James Bond movies?
So why do yachts and boats play such an important role in James Bond movies? There are a variety of reasons, but the most important ones are the settings they provide, their connection to wealth and power, and their utility in escape and transportation. The settings that yachts and boats provide are important for several reasons. First, they tend to be very glamorous, which is essential for a franchise like Bond that relies heavily on style and visuals. Additionally, yachts and boats often take place in exotic locations, which helps to create a sense of adventure and excitement. Finally, the close quarters of a yacht or boat can create a tense atmosphere, which is perfect for action-packed set pieces.
The connection between yachts and boats with wealth and power is also significant. In many ways, Bond is the ultimate fantasy of wealth and power, so it makes sense that his enemies would often be associated with lavish lifestyle items like yachts and boats. This connection can also be seen in the way that yachts and boats are often used as a means of escape for Bond and his allies. In these instances, the yacht or boat represents not only wealth and power but also freedom from danger.
The different types of yachts and boats used in James Bond movies
The James Bond movies have featured some of the most iconic yachts in film history. From the elegant sailing yacht named the White Cloud in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" to the luxurious motor yacht named the Disco Volante in "Thunderball", the Bond films have never lacked in maritime excitement.
So what kind of boats does Bond prefer? We'll take a comprehensive look at all the boats featured in the James Bond films, from the very first film to the most recent. We'll discuss the different types of boats Bond has been shown using and the different purposes they've served.
Let's start by listing some of the most important boats and yachts featured in James Bond movies organized chronologically.
The complete list of yachts, sailing yachts, and boats used in James Bond movies.
1962 Dr. No - M/Y Lyman Islander
1963 From Russia With Love - M/Y Delos
1964 Goldfinger - No distinctive yacht
1965 Thunderball - Disco Volante (Flying Fish), Buehler Turbocraft , Catamaran Tropic Rover
1967 You Only Live Twice - Modernized A Class Overseas Patrol Submarine,
1969 On Her Majesty's Secret Service - S/Y White Cloud?
1971 Diamonds Are Forever - Mountbatten Class SR.N4 Hovercraft Ferry Princess Margaret,
1973 Live and Let Die - Glastron GT-150
1974 The Man with the Golden Gun - Ocean Liner RMS Queen Elizabeth, Chinese Junk, Hydrofoil Ferry Flying Sandpiper,
1977 The Spy Who Loved Me - Specialized Lotus Esprit S1 Sportscar/Submarine "Wet Nellie", Intermarine Cigarette 37
1978 Never Say Never Again - 281-foot (85.65-meter) Benetti Nibla
1979 Moonraker - Glastron CV23HT hydrofoil boat
1981 For Your Eyes Only - MI6 Intelligence Surveillance Ship
1983 Octopussy - Alligator Boat
1985 A View to a Kill - Glastron Carlson C-537
1987 The Living Daylights -
1989 Licence to Kill - SS Wavekrest
1995 GoldenEye - 142-foot (43.25-meter) Northern Cross by Marinteknik Verkstads
1997 Tomorrow Never Dies - Stealth ship
1999 The World is Not Enough - Sunseeker Superhawk 34
2002 Die Another Day - Sunseeker Superhawk 48
2006 Casino Royale - SUNSEEKER PREDATOR 108, Spirit 54, Sunseeker XS 2000
2008 Quantum of Solace - Sunseeker Sovereign 17, Sunseeker Superhawk 43
2012 SkyFall - 184-footer (56-meter) S/Y Regina
2015 Spectre - Unidentified speedboat
2021 No Time to Die - Spirit 46
This article aims to review the yachts used in some of the James Bond movies. We will be adding more information over time, so keep an eye on this page for updates. Explore the luxurious world of James Bond's sea vessels!
1962 - Dr. No - Lyman Islander
The Lyman Islander is a boat that James Bond and Honey Ryder used to escape from Crab Key. The boat has a very run-down appearance, with paint peeling off the wood and a shattered windscreen. It soon runs out of fuel. Bond and Honey eventually sail the boat to Jamaica, and she ends up among the debris littering the island's waters.
The Lyman Islander is a timeless classic. Designed by Theodore A. Lyman in 1909, it is a wooden-hulled motorboat that is renowned for its quality construction and high-performance cruising speed. Built in the Lyman Boat Works of Michigan, the Islander was launched in 1910. It quickly became a favorite among boaters due to its ease of use, quality craftsmanship, and affordable pricing. Its popularity quickly spread beyond its original lake and river fishing market, and the boat soon grew in popularity as a pleasure craft.
At the time, Theodore Lyman was a pioneer in developing quality boat-building techniques, and the quality of his boats was unequaled. He crafted the Islander from select woods such as white oak, mahogany, and butternut to ensure superior strength, flexibility, and seaworthiness. To finish his boats, Lyman applied multiple coats of varnish, painting, and sealing. The result was a virtually leakproof boat that could handle years of use without needing too much maintenance.
1963 - From Russia With Love - Fairey Huntress and the Fairey Huntsman motorboats.
From Russia with Love is the second James Bond movie, featuring Sean Connery as the iconic character. Although most of the non-studio scenes were filmed in Turkey, the famous boat chase sequence was actually filmed in Scotland.
M/Y Delos
The 'MV Aurora', which served as the floating headquarters for the terrorist organization SPECTRE in the film, was initially named 'Wappen von Hamburg' when it was built by the German Blohm & Voss company in 1955. It was later sold to Greece and renamed several times before being christened 'Aurora' in 2009. Its IMO number is 5088227.
M/Y Aurora was built by the Blohm & Voss Shipyard in 1955 and was originally designed as a luxury 75m, diesel-powered motor yacht. Built for one of the owners of an Italian motorcar manufacturer, she has been owned by various high-profile individuals and organizations over her lifetime.
When Aurora was launched, she was fitted with 'state of the art' engineering and had a top speed of 20 knots. She was originally configured to accommodate up to 22 guests in 11 luxurious cabins, as well as staff accommodation, a bar and entertainment lounge, a games room, and a gym.
After active service in the Mediterranean Sea, Aurora underwent an extensive 18-month full refit to make her appropriate for the 21st century. During the refit, her length was increased by 8.7m, her beam was stretched to 13.93m, and her gross weight jumped by 40%.
It was said that M/Y Aurora is currently located in Sochi, Russia. As of 2020, it is reported to be used as a luxury hotel, private club, and business center.
M/Y Aurora, history of her name.
1955–1960: Wappen von Hamburg
1960–1967: Delos
1967–1970: Polar Star
1970–1972: Pacific Star
1972–1977: Xanadu
1984–1991: Expex
1991–2009: Faithful
2009–present: Aurora
M/Y Aurora Owners
1955–1960: HADAG
1960–1967: Nomikos Line
1967–1970: West Tour
1972–1974: Xanadu Cruises
1974–1982: J. Eisenberg
1982–1984: Pan Aleutian Seafoods
1984–1985: EXPEX
1985–1991: Xanadu, Inc
1991–1998: Friend Ships
2005–present: Chris Willson
At NAVIS, we're continuing to review the yachts featured in blockbuster films. To stay up to date on all the latest news, subscribe to our newsletter and be sure to get notifications about new releases. We look forward to providing you with more information!
