Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, 49th hereditary Imam of Muslims, entrepreneur and philanthropist, founder of the Emerald Coast, passed away last night at the age of 88. A spiritual leader, a visionary businessman, but also a great boating enthusiast. In addition to starting the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the Aga Khan was the owner of some of the most iconic yachts in yachting history. Let us look back together at this extraordinary passion of his.
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Destriero: a legend of speed
Among the most famous boats associated with the Aga Khan, the Destriero holds a place of honor. Created with a specific goal-break the Atlantic crossing record-this aluminum hull designed for absolute speed has made history.
On August 6, 1992, this futuristic vessel left New York to attempt an extraordinary feat: crossing the Atlantic without supplies and breaking the speed record. After 58 hours, 34 minutes and 50 seconds and an average of 53.09 knots (about 98 km/h), at dawn on August 9, the lighthouse at Bishop Rock recorded the passage of the Destriero with great surprise:“We weren’t expecting you so soon,” was the response over the radio.
The ship, designed by Donald Blount with the support of Pininfarina and built by Fincantieri, had been strongly desired by the Aga Khan with the support of major Italian industrial entities such as Fiat, IRI and Alitalia. It was a momentous success, earning him the Blue Ribbon, the Columbus Trophydel New York Yacht Club and Richard Branson’s Virgin Trophy. After more than 30 years, Destriero’s record still remains unbeaten.
Unfortunately, however, today Destriero has been demolished. After being abandoned for nearly 30 years at a Lurssen construction site in Bremen, Germany, ownership in 2024 decided to complete its demolition.
Shergar: elegance and power
The name Shergar brings to mind the Aga Khan’s legendary racehorse, kidnapped and then sadly shot down in the 1980s. But it is also the name of an extraordinary yacht, launched in 1983.
Designed by G. Gilgenast with interiors by Pininfarina, Shergar was a perfect mix of elegance and power, a“Fury of the West disguised as a lady,” as the experts called it.
Sleek lines, respectable performance and a sporty soul made it the fastest yacht in the world for the time. Equipped with two diesel engines and two gas turbines it had a total output of more than 16,000 horsepower, enabling it to reach a speed of 45 knots.
Alamshar: the ambitious experiment.
The Alamshar project , begun in the 1990s, was perhaps the Aga Khan’s boldest idea. A super high-tech yacht designed to be fast and innovative, with 6 gas turbines capable of propelling it at impressive speeds: up to 65 knots.
Although the project encountered several difficulties and only reached 45 knots of speed in tests, it remains a testament to Prince’s willingness to always push the limits.
The vision behind the Emerald Coast
In addition to his passion for boats, the Aga Khan was the man who transformed an unspoiled stretch of Sardinia into one of the world’s most exclusive destinations. It was 1962 when he bought 1,800 hectares of land in Gallura, giving birth to the Costa Smeralda.
It was an unprecedented project in Italy, attracting international investment and making that natural paradise a landmark for the world jet set. Also in Sardinia, he founded the airline Alisarda (later to become Meridiana) and helped build the Olbia-Costa Smeralda airport.
A legacy that continues
The Aga Khan leaves an indelible mark on boating, tourism, and business. His passion for the sea, speed and innovation has resulted in boats that will remain in history. But above all, he was able to create a dream: a corner of paradise in Sardinia that continues to shine on the international scene.
James Barbaro
