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Vendetta was a custom, fast commuter yacht Billy Joel commissioned for stylish trips between Long Island and New York City—not a large superyacht or a boat designed for overnight stays. The often-repeated $1.3 million figure is a historical estimate, not a verified sale price or original build cost.
What was Billy Joel’s Vendetta?
Vendetta was a one-off, classic-style commuter yacht launched in 2005. Naval architect Doug Zurn designed it with Joel and Peter Needham; Coecles Harbor Marine and Derecktor Shipyards are identified in the design and build history. Contemporary coverage often rounded its length to 57 feet, while Zurn Yacht Design lists the precise length overall as 56 feet 4 inches.
The design took cues from 1920s commuter launches: boats used by wealthy Long Island residents traveling to Manhattan. Joel described his aim as building a yacht to travel “from point A to point B, very fast and in style.” In the same Soundings Online interview, he said it looked great but “wasn’t a sleep-aboard boat.” Soundings Online’s interview records his description of the purpose and accommodations.
Dimensions, engines and reported speed
Zurn Yacht Design’s published specifications give these particulars:
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| Specification | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Length overall | 56 ft 4 in |
| Beam | 15 ft |
| Draft | 3 ft 11 in |
| Displacement | 40,850 lb at 50 percent |
| Engines | Twin MAN V-12 diesels, 1,300 hp each |
| Cruising speed | 41 knots |
| Maximum speed | 47 knots |
These are the designer’s published figures, not independently established performance results under stated sea or load conditions. See Zurn Yacht Design’s Vendetta specifications.
How the classic look met high speed
Vendetta paired a traditional launch profile with modern high-powered machinery. A CH Marine retrospective describes the design challenge through comments attributed to Joel and Zurn. Joel said, “I wanted it to look like a boat, not an aerodynamic hotel room.” Zurn noted, “A boat that looks good usually rides well, but having a boat like that go 40 knots—that’s a bit of a challenge.” These remarks explain the design brief; they are not a claim that the boat’s published speed was measured in a particular test.
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- Authentic Italian Design: The Riva Aquarama is a luxury wooden runabout built by Italian yacht builder Riva
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The layout was organized around day use rather than overnight cruising. A 2007 Yachting sea-trial feature described four STIDD bridge-deck chairs, a settee, Raymarine E-Series displays, a teak dining table and a compact galley. That is a period description of the equipment, not a current equipment or compatibility list. Yachting’s 2007 feature also described the boat’s cabin and amenities.
What did Vendetta cost?
The $1.3 million headline figure should be read as an approximate historical estimate, not as proof of what Joel paid to build the yacht or what a buyer ultimately paid. Published figures refer to different things and dates:
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| Figure | What it represents | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| $1.295 million | Asking price; not a confirmed sale price | Motor Boat & Yachting, November 2015 |
| $1,195,000 | Asking price in a broker announcement | Northrop & Johnson, March 2016 |
| $1.3 million | Estimated value; not a verified appraisal or transaction | Work & Money, 2020 |
The 2015 asking-price report appeared in Motor Boat & Yachting; the 2016 listing was announced by Northrop & Johnson. The later estimate came from Work & Money’s 2020 ranking. None establishes an original construction cost, final transaction price or present-day value.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about the later ownership?
Joel said in a 2015 interview that he had sold the boat. A 2019 Yachting refit story says he donated Vendetta to the International SeaKeepers Society in 2016 and describes a subsequent owner’s refit project. Those accounts do not establish the yacht’s current owner, location or legal transfer history. Yachting’s 2019 refit account provides the donation and refit context.
Quick Recap
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
