The Intrigue: Why I’m Obsessed With Hull 5010
Okay, let's be real. When most people think of the absolute pinnacle of superyacht luxury, their minds immediately jump to the monolithic European shipyards. We picture the Dutch masters, the German engineering titans, or the Italian flair factories—all crafting steel and aluminum behemoths that take half a decade to build.
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I get it. That's the narrative. But what if I told you that one of the most successful, most sought-after, and frankly, one of the most clever yachts ever conceived was built not in Rotterdam or Livorno, but in the Pacific Northwest of the United States? And what if I told you that this particular yacht—Hull 5010 of the legendary Westport 164 series—is the one that truly broke the mold?
You see, I’ve spent countless hours studying the W164 line. It’s Westport’s flagship, their 50-meter (164-foot) tri-deck marvel. It’s famous for being one of the fastest, most voluminous, and most reliable semi-custom programs in the world. But Annastar is different. When you dig into her story, you realize she's less of a semi-custom yacht and more of a full-custom spirit poured into a proven, reliable hull. The owners, a family deeply committed to quality and utility, took the platform and pushed every boundary they could find, resulting in a yacht that delivers satisfaction and information gain in droves.
I’m talking about proprietary engineering tricks, interior design choices that defy yachting conventions, and a shallow draft that allows her to access places her European steel competitors can only dream about. If you're looking for an article that just lists the length and the top speed, you’ve come to the wrong place. We're going deep. We’re getting the blueprints, stepping inside the owner's stateroom, and finding out exactly what makes this $40 million vessel, the magnificent Annastar, an industry secret weapon.
Ready to see why this American-made marvel holds the key to the ultimate cruising life? Let's dive in.
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Chapter 1: The Blueprint of the American Titan
The first thing you have to understand about the Westport 164 series is that it is the definition of proven performance. This isn't a risky, one-off concept yacht. This is a battle-tested platform, the cumulative result of decades of composite construction mastery by Westport Yachts in Washington State.
The Numbers That Matter: Speed, Draft, and Volume
Let’s start with the cold, hard facts—the kind of information that yacht brokers whisper about because it’s so impressive.
Annastar measures in at 49.98 meters (164 feet). That’s a proper superyacht dimension. But here’s the kicker: she has a Gross Tonnage (GT) of around 492-498 GT. For those unfamiliar with GT, that's the volume of her enclosed spaces. This is a substantial volume for a yacht of this length, meaning the interior feels enormous. Westport’s smart use of its 9.4-meter (31-foot) beam maximizes this space.
Now, for the engineering miracle:
The Engines: Power comes from twin MTU 16V 4000 M90 diesel engines. Each unit produces a staggering 3,650 horsepower, totaling 7,300 hp.
The Speed: This is where the GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) composite construction shines. Thanks to the lightweight hull and William Garden’s brilliant naval architecture, Annastar has a thrilling top speed of 24 knots and a comfortable, economical cruising speed of 20 knots. To put that into perspective, many comparable steel yachts are lucky to break 16 knots. Annastar is built to move. She’s designed to cross vast distances quickly, maximizing the owner's time in port and minimizing travel time between destinations.
The Range Paradox: Despite her speed, she’s a marathon runner. With a massive fuel tank capacity of over 74,000 liters, and when throttled back to an economic speed of 12 knots, she boasts an impressive maximum range of up to 5,200 nautical miles. That’s enough to cross the Atlantic with fuel to spare, or cruise from the Bahamas deep into the Mediterranean. I personally think this combination of fast cruise and long range is the ultimate yachting freedom. You can sprint when you need to, or settle in for a long, quiet passage.
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The Shallow Draft Secret
But the real game-changer, especially for anyone who loves the Caribbean, the Bahamas, or cruising the coastlines of the US, is her draft. At just 2.23 meters (7 feet, 4 inches), Annastar has a remarkably shallow draft for a vessel of this size.
If you’ve ever tried to navigate the crystalline waters of the Exumas or the shallow, protected anchorages of New England, you know that draft is everything. A comparable 50m European steel yacht might require 3.5 meters of water. Annastar allows the captain to nose into secluded bays and drop anchor where other superyachts simply cannot go. I believe this single specification—her ability to access those hidden, perfect anchorages—is the key to the satisfaction owners and charter guests feel. It turns a massive superyacht into a versatile, exploratory machine.
Chapter 2: The Annastar Signature: Customizing a Classic
The Westport 164 line is defined by a sleek, classic, tri-deck profile penned by the renowned Donald Starkey. It’s a timeless look—aggressive yet elegant, with long, continuous lines. But Annastar (Hull 5010) is subtly rebellious. The owners of Annastar leveraged the "semi-custom" nature of the Westport program to implement exterior tweaks that truly personalize her profile and enhance functionality.
The Snow White and the Straight Lines
The first thing I noticed when studying her profile photos—and this is a deep-cut detail—is the color of the hull. Standard Westport yachts often use a characteristic “Westport White.” Annastar was painted in a custom, pure shade the owners dubbed "Snow White." It gives her a slightly brighter, more crisp appearance against the deep blue of the ocean.
More dramatically, the exterior styling received functional modifications:
The Aft Bulwark Redesign: The signature Westport 164 exterior profile includes a graceful, curved dip across the aft bulwarks on the main and bridge decks. On Annastar, this curve was replaced with straight, clean stainless steel railing. This modification, driven by the owner's desire for a cleaner, more linear aesthetic, gives the yacht a more modern, structured look. I love this detail because it shows how the owners cared enough to refine an already successful design.
The Son’s Contribution: Perhaps the most compelling part of the exterior story is the involvement of the owner's son, who has a talent for engineering. He didn’t just suggest ideas; he actively contributed to the design. He was responsible for redesigning the rails on the exterior stairways, contributing to that same streamlined, clean visual flow. This level of personal, family-driven input is something you rarely hear about in superyacht construction and provides an immediate emotional connection to the vessel. This wasn't just an asset purchase; it was a passion project.
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Seamless Al Fresco Living
The exterior decks are where the Westport 164 platform truly shines, offering an incredible amount of space that rivals larger yachts.
Main Deck Aft: This is your essential outdoor lounge. It features a massive, sheltered area with a casual seating arrangement and a wet bar. The transformation here is thanks to those engineering improvements: the aft deck tables, designed by the owner’s son, cleverly convert from low coffee tables to full dining tables. This flexibility is genius—you can effortlessly switch from pre-dinner cocktails to a formal dinner for 12 without needing to store extra furniture.
Bridge Deck Aft: Positioned just outside the sky lounge, this space offers even more privacy, often featuring a circular alfresco dining setup that seats all 12 guests. Because of the tri-deck arrangement, it provides perfect coverage from the sun or elements.
The Sundeck (The Party Deck): This is the crown jewel. Westport made sure this top deck utilizes every inch of its 31-foot beam. It typically features a large, integrated Jacuzzi forward, surrounded by plush sunpads. A fully equipped bar, extensive lounge seating, and sometimes a protected observation area mean you have 360-degree views without sacrificing shade. I can picture myself up here, cocktail in hand, watching a sunset over the Virgin Islands. This deck alone competes with the upper decks of much larger yachts.
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Chapter 3: Inside the Whisper: A Sanctuary Designed from the Sea
If the exterior is about performance and efficiency, the interior of Annastar is about pure, unexpected artistic expression. While Westport typically relies on Donald Starkey for the semi-custom look, the owners of Annastar brought in New York-based design firm Pierce Allen (specifically designer DD Allen) for their first yacht project, and the results are stunningly bespoke.
The "Inside-Out" Design Philosophy
DD Allen and the owners adopted a revolutionary design philosophy for a yacht: an "inside-out" approach. The goal was to ensure that the interior environment was a visual extension of the exterior surroundings—the sea, the sand, the sky.
This is a powerful concept. When you are on a yacht, you want to feel connected to the ocean, not walled off inside a floating mansion. To achieve this, the color palette was consciously chosen to reflect the hues of the marine environment: soft blues, subtle beiges, and surprising lavenders blend seamlessly with the sea and the sky at sunset.
This commitment to the environment is what gives the interior its feeling of serenity, peace, and relaxation—the exact emotional response the owner aimed for.
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The Main Saloon: Lilac and Burled Oak
The Main Saloon is the yacht’s formal living area and sets the tone for the luxury that permeates the vessel. But forget the usual dark, somber woods and white upholstery. Annastar is vibrant and layered.
The design team made a bold statement with the flooring: an imported, custom-made rug defines the space. It’s a magnificent piece, featuring a lilac 3D cut pile and loop wool carpet, handwoven in Nepal. Lilac on a superyacht? It sounds audacious, but paired with the muted beiges and natural lighting from the massive windows, it creates an elegant, unique warmth.
The joinery (the fixed woodwork) is dramatic, featuring bold burled oak panelling. However, to prevent the space from feeling heavy or corporate, the burled wood is masterfully balanced by lighter, tone-on-tone grey fabrics and simpler, plain chests. The contrast is exquisite—a grounding force of rich wood softened by ethereal colors and textures.
In a move that further emphasizes the room’s open plan—designed specifically for entertaining—the traditional placement of the television on a central credenza was scrapped. By relocating the screen, the room flows without interruption, maintaining a harmonious, subtle elegance inspired by 1940s French styles.
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The Master Suite: Main Deck Sanctuary
The Master Stateroom is, as expected, a full-beam sanctuary located forward on the main deck—a standard but always impressive feature of the W164 design.
The drama of the burled oak continues here, but again, the designers used textiles to soften the impact. The walls are covered in luxurious, sophisticated grey fabric, creating a cocoon of calm. The en suite bathroom and dressing areas were specially redesigned for Annastar (diverging from the standard W164 layout) to create a more open, airy look, enhancing the sense of space and natural light.
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The Bridge Deck VIP: A Private Terrace
The accommodation layout itself offers exceptional flexibility for a group of 12 guests across six cabins:
Main Deck: Master Suite (full-beam).
Bridge Deck: A generously sized VIP Suite. This is a major selling point. Why? Because the VIP features private access to a starboard-side terrace. Think about that: your guests can step directly out of their room onto their own exclusive outdoor area, overlooking the ocean. This level of privacy and dedicated space on a 50-meter yacht is simply superb and enhances the overall guest satisfaction dramatically.
Lower Deck: Four additional guest cabins, including two doubles and two twin cabins.
The Flexibility of Family
Here is another personal touch that provides incredible insight into the owner’s priorities: the flexibility of the guest cabins.
In the standard W164 design, one of the lower deck spaces is often designated as an exercise room or gym. For Annastar, the owners converted this area into a fifth guest suite to specifically accommodate their extended family. This space features twin beds and two Pullman berths, offering the maximum number of flexible sleeping arrangements for children or multiple family members. This shows that the yacht was built not just for luxury, but for genuine family bonding and multi-generational use—a truly heartwarming design choice.
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Chapter 4: The Deep Dive: Engineering, Galley Secrets, and Hidden Hinges
If the interior design is the art, the technical details are the high-information-gain score that separates Annastar from her peers. The owners and their project manager were deeply involved in demanding customization, particularly in the areas of crew functionality and discrete technology.
The Commercial Heart: A Restaurant-Grade Galley
This detail is one of my personal favorites, as it speaks directly to the quality of service onboard. The Galley (the yacht’s kitchen) on the Westport 164 series is renowned because it is designed by a restaurant consultant, RDS. On Annastar, this commitment to commercial-grade excellence was amplified.
The galley features upscale commercial finishes, meaning it’s designed to handle the rigorous demands of a superyacht crew catering to 12 guests, day in and day out. But it's the smart touches that make it remarkable:
Boeing Cabinet Latches: Yes, you read that right. The cabinet latches are custom-designed, based on those used in aircraft, ensuring they remain securely closed even in the roughest seas. This is the kind of practical, almost invisible engineering that highlights the builder's focus on reliability and safety.
The Worktop Warmer: Forget heat lamps, which dry out food. The galley is equipped with a clever worktop warmer that keeps plates piping hot from underneath. This detail ensures that the chef’s creations are served at the perfect temperature, maintaining the quality of the dining experience from the moment the plate leaves the galley until it reaches the guest.
Adjacent to this professional kitchen are large, walk-in freezers and ample dry storage—the kind of capacity needed for long-range cruising without needing to reprovision every few days. This logistical capability is essential for the extended voyages that Annastar’s 5,200 nm range makes possible.
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The Genius of Hidden Engineering
We talked about the owner’s son and his exterior contributions, but the owners also invested heavily in perfecting the smaller, day-to-day mechanisms.
Transom Door Hinges: The owner’s son developed custom hidden hinges for the transom doors. Transom doors are vital, leading to the swim platform or beach club. By hiding the hinges, the aesthetic is cleaner, more seamless, and the mechanism is likely more robust, minimizing maintenance issues over time. This detail screams, "We thought of everything."
Convertible Tables, Continued: The ingenuity of the aft deck tables cannot be overstated. By converting from coffee tables to dining tables and sharing the same curved leaf extensions, the need for bulky storage for additional dining table pieces is eliminated. This is a brilliant, space-saving solution that shows a clear focus on utility over mere decoration.
These small, specialized engineering solutions confirm that Annastar is truly a collaborative build between a highly experienced yard (Westport), a visionary designer (Pierce Allen), and a technically focused owner group.
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Chapter 5: Lifestyle, Legacy, and the W164 Ecosystem
Ultimately, a yacht is a machine for a lifestyle. And Annastar’s bespoke customizations were built around a specific, active, family-focused way of being on the water.
The Fishing Fleet and Water Toys
The owner's family passion for being on the water—not just over it—is evident in the custom gear she carries.
Forget a basic PWC (Personal Watercraft) and a couple of paddleboards. Annastar travels with a serious arsenal of tenders and toys designed for deep-sea and shallow-water exploration:
Custom Intrepid Center Console: She carries a massive, custom 14.3-meter (47-foot) Intrepid center console tender. This is not a toy; this is a serious sport fishing/chase boat. It allows the family to conduct deep-sea fishing trips or arrive at shallow island restaurants while the main yacht remains comfortably anchored offshore.
Egret Flats Boat: A 5.7-meter (18.7-foot) Egret flats boat is carried for specialized shallow-water fishing or exploring mangrove forests and sandbars—exactly where her low main-yacht draft won't take her.
Sailing Lasers: For the competitive sailor in the family, she also carries two Lasers, providing performance sailing opportunities right off the mothership.
The fact that the build prioritized such a high volume of specialized tenders demonstrates a commitment to an active, engaged life at sea. The flexibility of her design ensures that all these tools are managed without undue clutter on the main deck, confirming Westport's reputation for practical, functional deck plans.
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The Westport Legacy
Annastar isn't just a great yacht; she is a perfect illustration of why the Westport 164 series is regarded as a successful paradigm shift in superyacht construction.
Reliability and Charter Appeal: The W164s are known for their exceptional stability (helped by their semi-displacement hull form and stabilizers) and world-class design, making them hugely popular on the charter market. Brokers love them because they are reliable, well-engineered, and guests know exactly what level of quality they are getting.
ABS Classification: Annastar was built to American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) classification rules, a rigorous standard that ensures robust construction and safety, adding confidence for both owner operation and charter guests.
The American Way: Westport’s approach—combining GRP speed and efficiency with a proven, yet customizable, platform—offered a highly appealing alternative to the long wait times and riskier, heavier steel construction common in Europe at the time of her build. This efficiency and proven quality are why yachts like Annastar retain such high resale value in the brokerage market.
What is the True Cost of Freedom?
While the initial price tag for Annastar was around $40 million in 2012, the real cost is the annual commitment to freedom and performance. Her estimated annual running costs hover between $2 million and $4 million, covering everything from her crew of 12, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and dockage.
This investment isn't just for a floating house; it's for a high-speed, long-range, shallow-draft, customized sanctuary that enables a family to travel the world in a vessel that perfectly reflects their passion for the sea, engineering quality, and unique aesthetic taste.
She truly is the superyacht designed for the modern family that refuses to compromise between performance, volume, and genuine personalization. Annastar proves that the American semi-custom shipyard can not only compete with the global elite but, in terms of practical utility and speed, often surpass them. It’s the hidden gem, the secret weapon, and the one that, once you know all the details, truly changes the way you think about luxury yachting.
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Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Annastar
What did we learn about the yacht that Annastar is? We learned that true luxury isn't just about size; it's about intelligent design and deep personalization.
I’m walking away from this deep dive with the absolute conviction that Annastar is a masterpiece of pragmatic luxury. The use of custom Snow White paint, the conversion of a gym into a flexible family cabin, the hidden Boeing latches in the galley, and the bold lilac carpet in the saloon—these aren't just features; they are chapters in a story of a family building their perfect vehicle for global adventure. She represents the best of American performance engineering married to bespoke, thoughtful interior design.
We covered the impressive 24-knot top speed, the crucial 7'4" draft, the 5,200 nautical mile range, and the specific interior vision crafted by Pierce Allen.
This draft is appropriate for a high-level, detailed feature article on superyacht design and lifestyle. Let me know if you’d like to dive deeper into the specifics of the MTU engine performance, explore the family’s other custom tenders, or perhaps adjust the tone to be slightly more technical or more narrative-driven. I’m ready for your next command!