Stunning Royal Australian Navy Ship-Turned-Superyacht Sold for Nearly $15 Million

This awe-inspiring vessel is precisely half a century old. Today, it operates as a luxurious and sophisticated explorer superyacht, but back in the early '70s, it belonged in the Royal Australian Navy. It was named HMAS Flinders and was built in 1973 as a survey vessel for the military.

About two decades ago, a passionate owner purchased it and turned it into what it is today. The mysterious owner was one of those rare yachting enthusiasts who wanted more than a custom-made, shiny new toy. He was willing to invest both time and money into a complex project. In the end, it was worth it – Flinders became Plan B, a rugged world explorer with the fancy amenities of a contemporary superyacht.

After the 2011 conversion, Plan B also underwent an extensive refit in 2018. The 50-meter (164 feet) yacht kept its instantly recognizable military profile, highlighted by the austere gunmetal grey that was chosen for both the hull and superstructure. Its uniqueness among current explorers is the unusual mix of rugged and opulent elements.

For instance, its vast sundeck houses both a luxurious jacuzzi forward, flanked by plush sun pads, and a professional helipad (compatible with an Airbus H145) with refueling capabilities. A heavy-duty crane is used to launch the three tenders and the jet skis that are stored on the foredeck. A smaller beam crane is used for the fourth tender, which is stored on the lower deck.

One of the most stunning areas on board is the main deck aft that transforms into an outdoor cinema with a huge 150-inch screen and an HD projector. Another exterior lounge, located on the bridge deck, acts as a magnificent winter garden that allows guests to enjoy dining outside in any weather. Boasting a 746 GT volume across five decks, Plan B is also supremely spacious and ready to pamper up to 12 guests with the help of a 16-person crew.

Above all, Plan B is a proven world explorer. It boasts new generators that were installed in 2019, rebuilt engines, and upgraded systems. All of this helps it to cruise smoothly at 12 knots (22 kph) across impressive routes of up to 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 km). So far, the converted survey vessel has successfully traveled to destinations such as Patagonia, Easter Islands, Myanmar, and the Arctic Circle.

You might think that a 50-year-old superyacht would be hard to sell on today's market. Still, Plan B didn't have to wait too long for a new owner, even though it was sitting far in the Pacific and asking for a whopping $14.9 million. The rugged explorer is ready to start the new year with brand-new adventures that are worthy of its unique roots.