| Name: | LADY ESTHER (former: Hanse, Insignia, Lou Spirit) |
| Length: | 60m (197ft) |
| Guests: | 12 |
| Crew: | 15 |
| Builder: | Elsflether Werft GmbH & Co |
| Designer: | Luiz de Basto Designs,Vripack |
| Interior Designer: | Luiz de Basto Designs |
| Year: | 1979 |
| Engines: | CATERPILLAR |
| Speed: | 15 |
| Volume: | 780 tons |
| IMO: | 8862650 |
| Price: | $40,000,000 |
| Owner: | Vicente Boluda Fos (Spanish billionaire) |
Built in 1979 by Elsflether Werft GmbH & Co. KG in Germany, Lady Esther is a classic motor yacht with a truly captivating legacy. Originally launched as Hanse, she has also been known as Insignia and Lou Spirit over the years. At 60 meters in length—after a 5-meter extension—she stands out for her timeless design, impressive performance, and fascinating chain of owners.
Her steel hull and aluminium superstructure are the work of experienced designers and naval architects. The exterior styling was shaped in part by Luiz de Basto Designs, with interior design also led by the same firm. Naval architecture credits go to Alpha Marine Ltd and others.
Lady Esther is powered by 2 Caterpillar engines, giving her a top speed of 15 knots. She holds a fuel capacity of 74,500 litres, giving her excellent cruising range and endurance for extended voyages.
She was designed to ensure comfort for both guests and crew, making her suitable for both private use and luxury chartering.
One of the most intriguing chapters in her story came in 2005, when Lady Esther (then still named Hanse) was briefly purchased by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. He acquired her along with her berth in Antibes, France. Although Allen sold the yacht shortly afterward, he kept the berth—which would later serve as the home of his 126-meter yacht Octopus. Today, that same berth is used by the iconic Dilbar.
Today, Lady Esther is owned by Vicente Boluda Fos, a prominent Spanish billionaire and maritime magnate. The yacht is named after his wife, Esther Pastor Tomas.
Vicente Boluda Fos is:
Under his leadership, Boluda Corporación has grown to operate over 400 tugboats in 100 ports across 18 countries on four continents.
Ranked #545 among the world’s largest yachts, Lady Esther is also the second-largest yacht ever built by Elsflether Werft GmbH & Co. KG.
In 2024 and 2025 Lady Esther underwent a comprehensive transformation at Damen Maaskant that included an extension from 50 to over 60 metres in length.
Part of her aluminium superstructure was expanded, and two modern open decks were added, including a sundeck featuring a large contemporary Jacuzzi. The owner’s interior team, in collaboration with Vripack, redesigned the interiors to ensure luxurious comfort and the seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies.
Elsflether Werft GmbH & Co. KG is a historic German shipyard located in Elsfleth, Lower Saxony. Founded in the early 1900s, the company built a reputation for constructing and repairing a wide range of vessels, from luxury yachts and research ships to naval and commercial vessels. Known for its precision engineering and traditional craftsmanship, Elsflether Werft played a notable role in the German maritime industry for over a century. One of its most recognized builds is the 60-meter superyacht Lady Esther. Elsflether also built Magna Grecia.
Luiz De Basto is a yacht designer, architect and interior designer based in Miami, Florida. He has more than 20 years of experience in yacht design and has designed a wide range of yachts. He has a degree in naval architecture and marine engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and has worked in the yachting industry for over 20 years. He is well-known for his clean and modern aesthetic and he is now one of the most respected yacht designers of the world. Notable projects include the Oceanco DAR, and the interior of SALUZI.
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