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Transatlantic Heartbreaker
With a goal of creating a new transatlantic speed record, the Alamshar, 165 feet long with engines capable of an extraordinary 60 knots, has become nothing but a disappointment to her owner.

Built under a shroud of secrecy at the behest of the Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the world's 20 million Ismaili Muslims, at a cost of $200 million, the vessel is barely able to reach half of its projected speed. At only 400 tons, a fraction of the weight of other boats in its class, she was meant to be a record breaker. The Aga Khan, incensed that his massive bill has not been fulfilled, is considering legal action against the British dockyard that built the ship.

Created for the specific purpose of breaking the transatlantic record for super-yachts, currently two days, ten hours and 34 minutes at an average speed of 53.1 knots set in 1992, as well as the speed record, 65 knots, the Alamshar underperforms to say the least.

During sea trials, Alamshar managed only 30 knots. An earlier test last year ended when the turbine blades in the boat's three Rolls-Royce gas powered engine burned out. They were originally designed for Sea King helicopters. The engines were replaced by Rolls Royce's U.S. rivals Pratt & Whitney with engines used to drive water jets.

To see previous Spotlights in our new, easier to read Spotlight archive, click here, or discuss this story on our new message boards.


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