Only in Dubai – A Glistening 136-Foot-Long Superyacht Covered in Paint That Is Mixed With 24-Karat Gold Dust
All that glitters is gold, and sometimes it’s a 136-foot sleek Palmer Johnson painted entirely in 24-karat gold dust. Superyachts are inherently things of beauty, but with this Midas touch, the AK ROYALTY Yacht has become a guaranteed head-turner. After a stunning summer 2023 refit using specialist paint containing real 24-carat gold dust, the sports yacht has amped up her appeal as an undeniably regal motor yacht. The same shimmering treatment extends to the Jet Skis and SeaBobs, ensuring nothing looks out of place.
Yacht owner Aaron Fidler, the multi-millionaire founder and CEO of tech company Furrion, is not a fan of subtlety and has commissioned equally attention-grabbing elements inside, with stark contrasts in interior colours, luxury materials, and unique decorations like wildlife silver sculptures.
The nautical themes have been ditched for a more monochromatic milieu with stark blacks and whites. There’s plenty of glamour inside, with chrome and diamanté accents, endless mirrors, exquisite marble, and attractive silver tigers in the formal dining room.
‘It took time, money, and energy getting the mix of 24-karat gold dust and marine paint just right so that it glints under the sun’s reflection,’ Fidler shared. The fun under the sun aboard the golden boat doesn’t cease, as the party vibe continues with a DJ booth and new speakers in pride of place on the main deck.
State-of-the-art iPad-controlled AV systems are installed throughout the interior. The sun deck houses a well-equipped gym and massage section, along with a six-person Jacuzzi, while the foredeck features leisurely activities on sun pad cushions coupled with an open-air movie theatre setup.
AK Royalty accommodates 12 guests in five cabins, while the owner revels in a full-beam master suite, complete with marble bathrooms and Fendi carpets. Interestingly, Fidler, a computer electronics engineer who once worked as a deckhand aboard the yacht Solemates in South Florida and later as chief engineer aboard a 180-footer, has a long-standing connection with the yachting industry.
