Launched back in 2016, the Black Pearl was designed under the codename Oceanco Y712 and then that was switched to Project Solar. The final name, Black Pearl, is an obvious nod to the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. 

As the codename suggests, it was yacht maker Oceanco, based in the Netherlands, who designed and built the vessel. Both the interior and exterior design were handled by designer Nuvolari Lenard.

Unlike most of the larger yachts in the world, the Black Pearl is a sailing yacht and features a massive set of sails. Though it does feature diesel engines these are a backup to the sailing rig.

Who is the Black Pearl Yacht Owner?

Originally the Black Pearl was commissioned by Russian oligarch Oleg Burlakov. However, Burlakov died in the year 2021. Since that time the yacht has remained in the possession of his family but it is unclear who, if anyone, is the sole owner at this time. 

How Big is the Black Pearl Yacht?

  • The Black Pearl’s overall length clocks in at just over 350 feet in total. This makes it the fourth largest sailing yacht in the world.  Though it doesn’t top the ranks of largest yachts in general, it’s still a remarkable size for the type of vessel it is.
  • The Pearl’s beam measures 49 feet and it pulls a draft of 22 feet. 
  • In terms of displacement, the Black Pearl’s gross tonnage is 2,986.
  • In addition to those basic specs, because the Pearl is a sailing yacht it also features a sail area of 2,877 square meters which works out to nearly 31,000 square feet of sail.

Capacity

In terms of capacity, the Black Pearl is designed for 12 guests though some sources claim 14. It’s also meant to be manned by a crew of between 18 and 27.

How Much Did the Black Pearl Cost?

Russian billionaire Burlakov reportedly spent $200 million on the Black Pearl. Along with that initial cost, words is that it also has an annual running cost of between $15 and $20 million. 

Can You Charter the Black Pearl Yacht?

There are some listings online which suggest you can, in fact, charter the Black Pearl. Some sites list no prices for this rather a price on application disclaimer. However, some other  sites list a cost of $1.2 million euros per week.

It’s also worth noting that while there are claims you can charter the Black Pearl I have been unable to confirm anyone has ever actually chartered the boat. That doesn’t mean it’s never happened, but it raises some flags about its yacht charter status. It’s not unheard of for yacht owners to claim that the boat is available for charter because that can offer tax breaks in some countries. Then, in reality, the boat is never made available for charter so it’s just a charter vessel in name only. 

Is that the case with the Black Pearl? It’s not clear, but it’s a possibility. 

How Fast is the Black Pearl?

At max sailing speed, the Black Pearl has been clocked at an impressive 30 knots. The cruising speed is listed at a modest 12 knots.

Black Pearl’s Power and Engines

Though this is a sailing yacht, the Black Pearl is capable of running under power. She has twin MTU 12V 2000 M72 engines giving her a maximum speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots.

It was estimated that the Pearl could cross the ocean using only 20 liters of fuel and the assistance of the other technologies on board. This obviously heavily relied on the sails themselves but also several other remarkable technologies.

The Pearl is able to generate electricity with its variable pitch propellers which allow it to regain some of the power lost in propelling the ship. The system features two shaft lines with controllable pitch props. Under normal conditions these can be set in a way that minimizes drag and will not allow the shafts to turn. But the ship has the ability to alter the pitch in such a way that the shafts rise and lift the props. This allows them to turn as the boat sails and essentially makes the props into electricity-generating turbines. The natural motion of the water over the prop blades turns them, just like it would with any other water-based turbines. Generated power is stored in batteries on board and can be used for any of the ship’s electrical functions. Overall this makes the technology on board much more efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-saving in the long run. 

Additionally there is heat capture technology that can make use of energy by capturing, storing and reusing it when needed to cut down on the overall waste energy expended during normal operations. 

Design and Features

The Black Pearl was inspired by a smaller yacht that made use of the Dyna-Rig sail system called the Maltese Falcon which is, of course, also named after a movie. The Falcon was a 289 foot yacht and the Pearl was built, in part, to push the envelope on technology and what a Dyna-Rig system can do.

What’s a DynaRig on Sailing Yachts?

DynaRig is a technologically advanced sailing rig that basically puts a massive rig at your fingertips. A single control panel can deploy a huge rigging system as we’ve seen with the 30,000+ square feet deployed on the Black Pearl. 

It can deploy and recover sails with the push of a button in literally just seven minutes. This allows for an incredible leap in time saving and efficiency, as well as fuel saving since a DynaRig-equipped vessel can be ready to go incredibly fast. 

Exterior

The Black Pearl’s exterior was designed by Nuvolari Lenard and features a stainless steel hull. Arguably the most noteworthy and eye-catching aspect is the DynaRig sail system, however. The three massive DynaRigs can be deployed at the push of a button and they can be folded in to allow the vessel to pass more easily through narrow passages and canals.

The Interior of the Black Pearl Sailing Yacht

Like the exterior, Nuvolary Lenard designed the interior of the yacht as well. It has been described as elegant and luxurious with a Louis XIV inspiration. That means many natural wood elements as well as gold accents.

As you might expect from a yacht that is one of the largest in the world and features the largest DynaRig system ever installed, there are a number of luxury amenities inside for guests to enjoy. When it comes to images of the interior, if you Google it you may find images of a different looking yacht, but there is another motor yacht also named Black Pearl. We’ve included images of the Black Pearl sailing yacht here but if you see others online, make sure you check which yacht is being depicted.

Pictures aside, let’s take a look at some of the standouts on the Black Pearl.

Features and Amenities

Though there are not complete walkthroughs of the Black Pearl available online, there have been many stories published about the remarkable engineering and construction of the yacht which give us a good idea of what’s available.

  • One master suite, two VIP cabins and two double guest cabins
  • A grand dining room with room for up to 16 diners
  • A glass elevator to travel between decks
  • A spa pool
  • Hammam spa
  • Sauna
  • Masseuse
  • Hot tub
  • On-deck Jacuzzi
  • A massive night club area
  • Full beam beach club
  • Convertible beach club cinema and a huge screen on the mizzen mast measuring 45 feet by 30 feet
  • 230ft DynaRig carbon masts designed by Dykstra Naval Architects
  • A well-equipped gym for working out

Toys

Along with the creature comforts the Black Pearl has a large tender garage full of all kinds of fun stuff for guests to use and play with while they’re on board.

  • Jet Skis
  • SeaBobs
  • Inflatables
  • Kayaks
  • Wakeboard
  • Water Ski
  • SUP both solid and inflatable
  • Foilboard
  • Snorkeling Gear
  • Limousine tender
  • Beach Lander tender
  • Towing tender

The Bottom Line

The Black Pearl was launched in 2016 and used to belong to Russian billionaire Oleg Burlakov until his death in 2021. It’s believed his family maintains control presently. The Black Pearl’s revolutionary design includes the largest DynaRig sail system in the world which allows a single user at a single control panel to launch or store the sails in under seven minutes with the push of a button.

It’s been boasted that the vessel could cross the ocean with just 20 liters of fuel burned and, potentially, using no fuel at all with only a few upgrades, which is all but unheard of in the yachting world. The technology on board is very eco-friendly and reduces waste by generating its own electricity and recycling heat. 

At 350 feet, the Black Pearl is one of the largest sailing yachts in the world and its $200 million price tag means it’s also one of the more expensive.