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Jeff Bezos’s Koru was built to be the world’s largest sailing yacht, a $500 million testament to wind-powered luxury. At 417 feet, this three-masted marvel promises guilt-free travel for the eco-conscious billionaire. But here’s the catch: Koru comes with a 250-foot diesel-powered support ship, the Abeona, hauling everything the green sailing yacht can’t carry.

Why does a sailboat need a diesel tender boat? Start with the helicopter problem.

The Koru yacht’s three masts may catch the wind beautifully, but they make landing a chopper impossible. And when you’re making over $18k a minute, you can’t waste a second being ferried to your boat. So Abeona steps in, offering a helipad and storage hangar for Bezos’s Airbus ACH-135. But that’s not all.

The support vessel also carries a mini armada of water toys, extra supplies, and crew quarters for 45 staff. This leaves Koru’s interior free for its nine cavernous guest cabins and all the luxuries a centibillionaire could want.

And Abeona doesn’t skimp on power. Its 6,092 horsepower diesel engines give it the muscle to shadow Koru wherever it goes. Cruising speed? A brisk 15 knots. Range? 5,000 nautical miles. While Koru catches wind in its 20,000-square-foot sails, Abeona burns through enough diesel to keep the adventure rolling. That’s gallons of irony per nautical miles.

The Koru yacht disvoers conflict teak is a thing

The contradictions don’t stop there. Koru’s decks are lined with teak wood, prized on yachts for its durability and cool touch underfoot. Unfortunately, reports revealed this teak came from Myanmar, where logging has led to widespread deforestation and human rights concerns. The Dutch shipbuilder Oceanco faced a $158,000 fine for failing to trace the timber’s origin. While teak has long been favored for yachts, its sourcing casts a shadow over Koru’s environmental aspirations.

From its reliance on fossil-fueled support to its controversial decking, Koru showcases the complexities of green luxury. Sailing might seem like a step toward sustainability, but this superyacht duo proves even eco-conscious billionaires can’t resist a little extravagance. But for Bezos, embracing the paradox of modern sailing might just be part of the adventure.

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Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.