Mirabella V is a sloop-rigged super yacht launched in 2003. At an estimated cost
of over USD 50 million, she is the largest single-masted yacht ever built.
Mirabella V was built as part of a fleet of super-yachts initially owned by Joseph
Vittoria and used for luxury private charters. All the Mirabellas, including Mirabella
V, were subsequently sold.
Mirabella V was designed by Irish-based, New Zealand-born yacht-designer Ron Holland.
Technical aspects of the composite construction of hull and rig were supervised by
the Hamble-based firm High Modulus Europe Ltd.
Historically, yachts over about 25 metres long were typically built with more than
one mast in order divide a vessel's sail area into smaller and more-easily handled
units. Today's technologies have improved reliability of both larger sails and spars
and simplified their handling, allowing Mirabella V to be constructed with the largest
mast and largest jib of any sailing craft ever built.
Mr. Joseph V. Vittoria is the retired chairman and chief executive officer of Travel
Services International, a company he founded and took public in July 1997 and later
sold to Thomas Cook. In 1982, he joined Avis, Inc., as chief operating officer, and
later was named chairman and chief executive officer. He now is chairman and CEO
of Puradyn Filter Technologies, Inc., a public company, and chairman of Greenjets
Incorporated. Active in community-enhancement programs, Mr. Vittoria served as a
director of the National Crime Prevention Counsel in Washington, D.C. He later served
on President Reagans Child Safety Partnership in recognition of his efforts on behalf
of missing children. He also is a former member of the board of directors of the
National Center for Disability Services. A 40-year travel industry veteran, Mr. Vittoria
was elected to the Travel Industry Association Hall of Leaders in 2000. He holds
a B.S. in civil engineering from Yale University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.
Mr. Vittoria has sold Mirabella V in 2011.
