What Does It Take to Run A 65-Meter Mega Yacht?

A 65‑meter yacht is enormous—it’s about 213 feet long, placing it firmly in the mega yacht category. Yachts this size are comparable to a small cruise ship or a coastal ferry, with multiple decks, expansive living spaces, and the ability to host dozens of guests and crew.  What does a yacht this size look like in scale?

• Length: 65 meters (213 feet)

• Beam (width): Typically, 10–12 meters (33–40 feet), depending on design

• Height: Often 4–5 decks tall, reaching the equivalent of a 5‑story building

• Gross tonnage: Usually between 1,000–1,500 GT, a measure of interior volume

Yachts over 60 meters are considered mega yachts, while those between 37–60 meters are super yachts. At 65 meters, you’re well into mega yacht territory, comfortably accommodating 12–18 guests with a crew of 15–20, depending on layout.  Mega yachts like this are comparable in size to roughly two-thirds the length of a football field, are longer than a Boeing 747 jumbo jet, and comparable in length to four city buses lined up end-to-end. A 65‑meter mega yacht is capable of transoceanic crossings, require deep-water marinas, and have purchase prices often exceeding $60–100 million, with annual operating costs in the millions. 

Running a 65‑meter mega yacht requires a full professional crew, multimillion‑dollar annual operating budget, and constant logistical planning. It’s closer to managing a boutique hotel and small cruise ship combined.  Entire teams are dedicated to onboard systems like bilge management, corrosion prevention, and electrical redundancy.

Annual expenses for a 65‑meter mega yacht often exceed $5–10 million. Key categories include:

• Crew salaries: The largest expense. Captains may earn $150k–$250k annually, engineers $80k–$120k, stewards $40k–$70k each.

• Fuel: Transoceanic voyages can burn thousands of liters per day; annual fuel costs often reach $400k–$800k.

• Dockage: Premium marinas charge $2,000–$4,000 per night for yachts of this size.

• Maintenance: Regular servicing of engines, bilge systems, electronics, and corrosion prevention can run $1–2 million annually.

• Insurance & administration: Another $200k–$500k.

• Capital reserves: Owners set aside funds for refits, upgrades, or unexpected repairs.

In short: Running a 65‑meter mega yacht is a full-time enterprise requiring a professional crew, millions in annual expenses, and meticulous planning. It’s less like owning a boat and more like managing a floating luxury resort.