The yacht of the "Trump's twin"
Donald Trump calls him his twin and appointed the long-time Republican donor to the prestigious post of U.S. ambassador to Italy. Some sources estimate the “dear brother’s” fortune at $10 billion; others at as much as $15 billion. Texas native Tilman J. Fertitta made his money in hotels, restaurants, and casinos, becoming a major real estate owner and the proprietor of one of the NBA’s most famous teams, the Houston Rockets. He outlined his business philosophy in the popular leadership guide “Shut Up and Listen!”, which is available on LitRes and positioned as a blunt, firsthand account of the ruthless world of big money.
Authors of business-advice books often invite the question, "How large is your own fortune, and how did you make it—through these very books or through something else?” Fertitta has plenty to show. Beyond his business achievements, he can also boast a Feadship superyacht named Boardwalk.
The businessman says the length of his yachts has steadily increased over the years, beginning with a modest 112-footer. If Steve Jobs famously wore the same turtleneck and sneakers to avoid wasting time on wardrobe decisions, Fertitta builds yachts in a consistent style, gives them the same name, keeps them for years—if not decades—and retains the same crew. What he does change is the scale, expanding each new vessel in step with his growing fortune. The predecessor to his Feadship was a 50-metre Westport 164, whose exterior largely defined the look of the future 77-metre, four-deck yacht with a gross tonnage of 1,848. Fertitta and his long-time captain, Tristan Judson, designed the project so that despite the significant increase in volume, the owner’s family would feel instantly at home on board.
In addition to Feadship, they considered two other Northern European shipyards. By the time negotiations began, the owner and his captain had a clear vision of what they wanted the yacht to be and how she should look, complete with sketches and a meticulously prepared brief.
Ultimately, they chose Studio de Voogt, part of the Feadship group, to create the naval architecture and exterior design for the future Boardwalk. The owner worked closely with designers and engineers at every stage, from structural decisions to the selection of glass tint and furniture placement.
The hull form was fully optimised using CFD calculations. During sea trials, the yacht exceeded her contractual speed of 17.5 knots. Moreover, on her maiden transatlantic crossing from the Netherlands to the United States, she comfortably maintained over 18 knots despite adverse weather. Boardwalk is powered by a robust propulsion system—two MTU 16V engines producing 4,000 horsepower each. The two-level engine room, equipped with an SCR heat recovery system, gleams with chrome surfaces and stainless-steel flooring, resembling a laboratory from a science-fiction film.
Despite her substantial volume and 12.5-metre beam, Boardwalk appears sleek and elongated. The forward section of the main deck houses a garage accommodating a pair of magnificent 8.5-metre tenders—an open model and a limousine—built by the historic American shipbuilder Hodgdon Yachts in collaboration with naval architect Michael Peters.
The stern of Boardwalk is far more than a simple transit area leading to the main salon. Within the hull is a beach club and fitness centre complete with a dive centre and an array of equipment for watersports and fishing. One of several onboard bars is located here, along with a large television screen, two semicircular sofas, and an impressive Swarovski crystal light fixture. The equipment is neatly arranged and beautifully illuminated. The space remains inviting even underway with the doors closed—imagine the effect when, at anchor, the aft and two side platforms are lowered.
On the sundeck forward sits a 2.7-by-6-metre swimming pool with a mosaic-tiled bottom and a hot tub. Sun loungers shaded by umbrellas and a bar counter invite guests to sip aperitifs while enjoying the view. Above the pool rises a circular observation platform—the “crow’s nest”—and the radar mast. There is also space for a helipad capable of accommodating an Airbus H130 (which can also land on the foredeck).
The skylounge features a cosy TV corner, a grey onyx bar counter, space for a piano, and a gaming table.
Guests are welcome in the wheelhouse to observe the yacht underway. A comfortable elevated sofa—reached by steps like a throne—offers a commanding view.
The owner requested “signature bars” on every deck for entertaining guests. Each was designed with a distinct type of marble or other precious stone and styled individually.
In the main salon, the bar is clad in illuminated opal-white marble; on the sun deck, it is grey onyx with a cloud-like pattern.
As expected, the wine collection is housed in a custom-designed storage room for 120 bottles. Glass doors framed in stainless steel hint that something truly special lies within. The floor is laid in black-and-white tile.
In total, 54 varieties of natural stone and exclusive tiles were used throughout the yacht. One of the designer’s favourites is the mother-of-pearl tile in the massage and beauty salon, its texture pleasant under bare feet.
Nearly everything in the interior was custom-made—shimmering light-toned fabrics and wallpapers, furniture and lighting by Charles Loomis and Wired Lighting, sparkling like precious gems.
The interior concept was developed by American designer Amy Halffman, who had long collaborated on Fertitta’s hospitality projects, including the jewel of his collection, Houston’s The Post Oak Hotel & Tower. Its décor served as a model for Boardwalk.
For contrast, she chose a combination of sapele wood and painted mahogany. The main salon brings together all the elements: dark wood, light wall fabrics, gleaming stainless steel, a pendant light by Charles Loomis, custom lighting applications by Wired Custom Lighting, and a glass sculpture by David Wright depicting a wave.
The owner’s suite on the main deck is adorned with bespoke furnishings by Durante and Anees.
And of course, the gastronomic element cannot go unmentioned. A highly skilled chef is on board, capable of satisfying any culinary request. The spacious galley—where cuisine is elevated to an art form—was an essential feature of the new Boardwalk.
The yacht comfortably accommodates 14 guests and 22 crew and staff members without anyone feeling crowded.
In short, Boardwalk reflects her hotelier owner—grand in scale, luxurious, and undeniably stylish. Everything is executed with quality, reliability, and a deep understanding of comfort and functionality.
