Under the steel-gray skies of Bremen, a $450 million maritime giant emerged from Lürssen’s sheds: a 384-foot megayacht christened Boardwalk. The launch ended a three-year veil of secrecy over what is now Tilman Fertitta’s largest and most ambitious private vessel. At approximately 5,350 GT, with a 17-meter beam, Boardwalk strides directly into the German shipyard’s upper echelon, joining the ranks of Ahpo, Golden Odyssey, and other titans without chasing record-breaking dimensions.
The exterior of Boardwalk, which was shaped by Frank Woll and Amy Halffman studios, carries clean, streamlined lines across six expansive decks. Fertitta-being hands-on in the process-worked closely on the layout to ensure the yacht could serve not only as a family sanctuary but also as a place to host business and, befitting his current role as U.S. Ambassador to Italy, as a diplomatic platform. The design echoes the stepped aft profile and long forward sheerline of his 251-foot Feadship Boardwalk, but with triple the interior volume and far greater operational reach.
But one of its defining features is unquestionably the aviation capability. Lürssen confirms two helipads, one forward on the guest deck and a second positioned higher aft, turn the vessel from simply “pad-equipped” into a fully-fledged aviation platform. The forward helipad is commercially certified, meeting the stringent International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and classification society requirements. Certification means safe, regular helicopter operations-a vital asset for Fertitta’s lifestyle, which sees him shuttling swiftly between Civitavecchia and Rome’s embassy in his Airbus H130. The dual-pad set-up also offers redundancy and flexibility for guest arrivals, medical emergencies, or diplomatic movements.
Water-level amenities are equally commanding. The large swimming pool is located on the main deck aft, while an upper deck spa pool sits adjacent to the forward helipad. A beach club featuring fold-down terraces opens directly to the sea, along with a Jacuzzi, putting green, and full gym. These leisure spaces were in line with Fertitta’s already-established onboard habits but executed on the scale of a gigayacht, accompanied by tender garages, at-anchor stabilizers, underwater lighting, and full satellite communications.
While propulsion details for Boardwalk remain under wraps, Lürssen’s just-launched 375-foot Cosmos provides a clue on the yard’s engineering direction. Cosmos is Ice Class 1D-reinforced for Arctic and Antarctic waters-and includes two 500 kW methanol fuel cells that can produce hydrogen for emissions-free cruising. The system provides up to 1,000 nautical miles under electric power and 15 days of zero-emission operation at anchor. Installation of such green propulsion technology suggests a commitment by Lürssen to sustainable innovation, and fosters speculation whether Boardwalk, too, may receive similar updates in the course of her final outfitting prior to delivery in 2026.
As with similar vessels like Cosmos, engineering to Ice Class involves thickened steel plating on the hull, along with specialized framing and heavier bow structures to absorb the impact of contact with sea ice. On polar-capable yachts, this is combined with heated ballast tanks and critical piping for sub-zero reliability. While Boardwalk is envisioned as a warm-water family retreat, her scale and build quality would be compatible with broader operational envelopes if desired.
The financial scale of Boardwalk is unmistakable: with a build cost approaching half a billion dollars and annual running expenses near $40 million, she is a statement of both personal passion and logistical capability. Fertitta has openly embraced the expense, telling ABC News, “It is one of those things I always wanted and I will always have. It is not cheap, I can tell you that, but every time I walk on it I tell myself, ‘God, I love this boat.’”
In the Lürssen hierarchy, Boardwalk holds a strategic slot-large enough to stand alongside the yard’s flagships, aviation-capable for high-profile travel, and tailored for a blend of family cruising, business entertainment, and diplomatic duties. Due to be delivered early in 2026, she represents the next evolution in Fertitta’s yachting life: a floating residence scaled for global reach, executed with the precision and discretion that have become hallmarks of Lürssen’s most significant builds.
