Feadship launches its biggest ever

Widespread speculation surrounds the ownership of Feadship's latest build in its Royal De Vries shipyard in the Netherlands after it quietly launched the 88m (288ft) motor yacht Musashi earlier this month.

The launch immediately caused a flurry of speculation on yacht-watching websites as to who the lucky billionaire owner might be and when he will take possession.

It is the largest Feadship yet built and rumoured to be the most expensive -- a rumour that means Musashi could have cost up to $100 million.

If the owner is a repeat customer of Feadship, as is suspected, it probably comes down to one of three men -- who already own half a dozen of the world's largest private motoryachts between them -- Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, British-based Russian businessman Roman Abramovich and Oracle software owner and holder of the America's Cup, Larry Ellison.

The Japanese name, believed to be taken from that of a famous 16th century Samurai, suggests it is more likely to be Ellison or Allen than Abramovich, although the Russian buys mega yachts the way most people buy hamburgers. But both Ellison and Allen have close links with Japan.

The answer should be known before Christmas when the yacht completes fitting out and sea trials and is handed over to lucky new owner.