The Lamborghini of the seas: Half a billion euro catamaran in the hands of Cypriots

When it appeared at the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2023, everyone was left in awe, with most wondering, “What is this?”

This futuristic creation, which resembles more a work of art than a luxury yacht, responded with its name: “This is it.” Since then, it has set new boundaries in imagination and opened new horizons for the minds of designers of such exceedingly rare, in every sense, floating palaces.

In any case, the world of hyper-luxury is a different world, far from any conventions and daily worries. This exclusivity is ensured only by the immense wealth of those who belong to the limited target group capable of spending the staggering sum of 490 million euros on a superyacht.

This is the amount that Cypriot businessman and obvious multimillionaire Tasos Papanastasiou paid for the unique “This is it,” which stole the show at the Monaco Yacht Show and continues to do so wherever it appears.

Just a few days ago, it did so in Mykonos, where even the rich and famous who frequent the Island of the Winds were left speechless at the sight of “This is it” cutting through the waters of Ornos Bay with silent confidence, capturing all eyes.

The Forex Maestro

The curvaceous lines, the innovative design, and primarily the glass elements dominating as a “statement” of absolute transparency naturally reflect the vision of its owner, Tasos Papanastasiou. This self-made Cypriot entrepreneur, unlike his impressive yacht, follows a notably discreet path. As he has stated in the past, “‘This is it’ was not conceived as a concept to be studied but as a yacht that needed to be built. Thus, the design of the yacht had to be feasible, even if it was entirely new in terms of content and style.”

In 2009, Tasos Papanastasiou, along with Konstantinos Kleanthous and Ilias Mavromatis, started the company XM, based in Cyprus. It has evolved into one of the largest Forex financial platforms, with over 10 million clients in more than 190 countries.

Today, XM employs over 900 professionals with extensive experience in the financial sector, offering support in 30 languages. All these factors place it among the international leaders in this unique market where the world’s currencies are traded.

Despite the high level of risk that generally characterizes these transactions, XM has reportedly managed to execute over 8.5 billion orders in its journey so far. Its team has visited over 120 cities worldwide to meet with clients and partners, and it has won dozens of awards, including that of “Outstanding Global Forex Broker.”

It is no coincidence that “This is it,” worth 490 million euros, features the combined use of noble metals like gold, platinum, copper, and titanium, adding touches of luxury, along with the tranquility of natural wood tones and leather finishes.

In any case, XM, which is constantly expanding, records a success story with the “tangible proof” being Tasos Papanastasiou himself and his immense financial capacity. Such that he can “build” a yacht worth half a billion euros. Objectively, one could say that this also serves as the best indirect “advertisement” for his company.

Of course, in this whole scenario, there is also the business factor, given that “This is it” has been available for charter since April this year, with Greece as its base and prices matching the luxury and innovation it exudes at every level.

Thus, those who have the means to embark on a private cruise like… royalty, with the world’s largest motor catamaran, will need to pay, either for summer (May – September) or winter (October – April), from 450,000 euros in the low season to 490,000 euros in the high season, for a week, plus the other expenses that such cases entail.

Specialized Mega Yacht charter websites recommend it for cruises in the Mediterranean (Greece, Croatia, France, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Turkey) with “hot spots” iconic destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Corsica, the French Riviera, Ibiza, Mykonos, Sardinia, the Balearic Islands, and more.

Interior Features

The curved lines, the innovative design, and especially the dominant glass elements make a “statement” of absolute transparency, naturally reflecting the vision of its owner, Tasos Papanastasiou. A self-made Cypriot businessman who, contrary to his highly impressive yacht, follows a notably discreet path. As he has stated in the past, “‘This is it’ was not born as an idea to be studied, but as a yacht that had to be built. Hence, the yacht’s design had to be feasible, even if it was entirely new in content and style.”

Company Background and Achievements

Tasos Papanastasiou started in 2009, along with Konstantinos Kleanthous and Elias Mavromatis, the XM company based in Cyprus, which has grown into one of the largest Forex financial platforms, with over 10 million clients in more than 190 countries.

Today, XM employs over 900 professionals with extensive experience in the financial sector, offering support in 30 languages. These factors place it among the international leaders in this unique market where the world’s currencies are traded.

Despite the high level of risk that generally characterizes these transactions, XM has, as reported, managed to execute over 8.5 billion orders in its journey so far, with its team having visited over 120 cities worldwide to meet with clients and partners. The company has also won dozens of awards, including “Outstanding Global Forex Broker.”

Yacht Specifications

“This is it” features the combined use of noble metals such as gold, platinum, copper, and titanium, which add luxury touches, along with the tranquility of natural wood tones and leather finishes. The yacht’s technical specifications include:

• Length: 43.5 meters
• Width: 14.5 meters
• Built with aluminum hull and superstructure
• Powered by twin MTU engines
• Fuel tanks with a capacity of 53,000 liters

It comfortably cruises at 17 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 21 knots, and has a range of up to 3,500 nautical miles at 10 knots. Crew accommodations can host 12 members, ensuring guests enjoy incredible levels of service.

Luxurious Amenities

The main salon includes a large bar with ample seating for enjoyable gatherings. Large floor-to-ceiling doors can fully open, eliminating the partitions between the salon’s interior and the exterior deck, including the pool and sunbathing deck, offering an unobstructed view to the “blurred line of the horizon.”

The main deck has a stunning dining area that can host 12 people. “This is it” features a pool (4 x 4.8 m), gym, Jacuzzi, and a luxurious spa on the upper deck, providing a haven of relaxation with a dedicated treatment area, sauna, and more. Next to the spa is the playroom, a versatile space for children or as an additional guest room.

Charter and Design

The “This is it” yacht has been available for charter since April this year, with Greece as its base. Charter prices reflect the luxury and innovation it offers at every level. For those who can afford a private cruise like royalty, the yacht can be chartered from 450,000 euros in the low season to 490,000 euros in the high season, plus other expenses.

The specialized Mega Yacht charter websites recommend it for cruises in the Mediterranean, including iconic destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Corsica, the French Riviera, Ibiza, Mykonos, Sardinia, and the Balearic Islands.

Building Excellence

“The Italian Sea Group,” responsible for its construction, describes “This is it” as a “pioneering work that sets a new benchmark in yacht design.” Giovanni Costantino, founder and CEO of The Italian Sea Group, has expressed his enthusiasm for “This is it,” stating that the realization of this exceptional project challenges conventional perceptions, leading to a complete redefinition of aesthetic parameters.

Unique Interior Design

Leather and Alcantara, oak and teak, a “dialogue” with spiral shapes characterized by bold geometric cuts and gray marble inlays dominate the yacht’s interior. The color palette is also elegant and refined, with light shades of beige and gray. The yacht features a combined use of precious metals such as gold, platinum, copper, and titanium, which add luxury touches alongside the tranquility of natural wood tones and leather finishes.

Technical and Environmental Features

Regarding technical parameters, the hull lines enhance hydrodynamic performance, leading to significant fuel consumption reduction and, therefore, emissions. Additionally, according to IMO Tier III requirements, the yacht is equipped with innovative exhaust gas treatment technology (SCR – Selective Catalytic Reduction) to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

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