Hampshire II is a superyacht that belongs to a billionaire who owns 25 percent of English soccer giants Manchester United. Just like the football club is an extension of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s childhood craze, the yacht is also an extension of the chairman of the British petrochemical empire Ineos. The Hampshire II Yacht, built by Feadship and designed inside and out by British studio RWD for the UK’s second-richest man, worth $17.5 billion, comes with a deck that can be transformed into a playing field for ball games.
So much for the love of football! Beyond the games, this luxury vessel, worth $150 million, is named after the largest county in South East England. It draws a parallel to the unmatched beauty and splendor witnessed in the 1887 GT vessel, its seven guest cabins, owner’s suite, and several breathtaking details.
The Hampshire II, a 258-footer, is a floating paradise that offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of Sir Jim Ratcliffe. It features a beach club, a helicopter deck, a theater, steam and sauna rooms, and an unprecedented zip line experience from the crow’s nest down to the sea. A peek inside reveals RWD’s love for the classic, brought to life with a lavish, mahogany-paneled interior.
The upper deck is a haven of luxury, boasting a plush bar and a wine cellar for the convenience of the guests. The yacht also offers an underwater sea viewing area, bringing marine life closer to the guests and making the yachting experience truly awe-inspiring. Delivered in 2012, the pleasure craft of Sir Jim Ratcliffe flaunts a top speed of 16.0 kn and a cruising speed of 14.0 kn, powered by two MTU diesel engines.
About the UK’s second-richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe:
The 71-year-old billionaire with $17.5 billion is the founder and majority owner of chemicals manufacturer Ineos. It was a natural path for the man who studied chemical engineering at the University of Birmingham. The journey, however, began with a career at oil giant Esso before moving to Courtaulds, a textiles and chemicals company. Thereafter, he founded INEOS in 1992, and today, the London-based company has more than 26,000 employees in 29 countries with a jaw-dropping revenue of $65 billion.
The avid sports enthusiast who loved playing football from his schooldays won a minority stake in Premier League football club Manchester United right from the hands of Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim for $1.6 billion. The man who mortgaged his house to buy his first chemical assets lives in various luxurious residences, including properties in the UK, Switzerland, and the French Riviera. The best way to explore these locations is obviously aboard his pleasure craft, the $150 million Hampshire II.
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