At this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Splendid Sea — a company co-founded by superyacht captain Matthias Bosse and hospitality and private-club entrepreneur Michael Hehn — is unveiling an entirely new concept in luxury cruising: the Maybach Ocean Club, a 155-metre floating members’ club developed in partnership with Mercedes-Maybach.
A Vision Born from Lady Moura
The idea behind the Maybach Ocean Club traces back to the quiet months of the Covid pandemic. At the time, Bosse was captain of the legendary 104.9-metre Lady Moura, then moored in Monaco’s Port Hercules. With global travel halted and the harbour unusually still, Bosse reflected on the yacht’s unrealised potential: “How about turning her into a private club? Monaco residents would love that.”
That spark soon became a serious plan. Together with Hehn, Bosse refined the idea into a concept that blended yachting, hospitality, and exclusivity. A small cocktail event to present the vision drew enthusiasm — but just as momentum was building, Lady Moura was sold.
Even so, the founders persisted. “We knew there was a market for people who wanted the lifestyle without the burden of ownership,” Bosse said. “Most large yachts sit idle for weeks. There had to be a better way.”
From Concept to Collaboration with Maybach
To make the idea real, Bosse and Hehn founded Splendid Sea and began exploring potential partnerships. Their search eventually led them to Mercedes-Maybach.
“[Mercedes] was already considering new expressions of its brand within the yachting space,” explained Hehn. “They weren’t interested in simply building another yacht — but the idea of a club around a yacht immediately resonated. It aligned perfectly with Maybach’s philosophy of elegance and community.”
After a year of discussions, the partnership crystallised. The Maybach Ocean Club was officially born — a members’ club model built around a 155-metre flagship superyacht and her 70-metre support vessel.
The Maybach Ocean Club Model
The project proposes a curated community of 300 members, each holding fractional ownership in the vessel and entitled to four weeks aboard per year. Every member will stay in one of 30 identical, 74-square-metre residential suites, each with a private balcony.
“We didn’t want hierarchies — no ‘owner’s suite’ upstairs and tiny cabins below,” said Bosse. “All suites are equal. This is about shared excellence.”
Members will enjoy full access to the yacht’s shared amenities — including multiple restaurants, a vast beach club, wellness areas, and water sports — while also benefitting from the convenience of a dedicated concierge system. Prime-season allocations will rotate equitably, and members can trade weeks or invite friends with ease.
An annual fee of about five percent of the initial investment will cover all operational costs — crew, fuel, maintenance, port fees, and insurance — creating a seamless, worry-free ownership experience.
A New Take on Fractional Yachting
Fractional ownership in yachting has rarely succeeded long-term. The founders believe their model fixes what past ventures missed.
“With small boats shared by a few people, friendships end faster than the trips,” Bosse quipped. “We’re removing those pain points. This is fully managed, professionally operated, and large enough to function like a five-star hotel at sea.”
Beyond Horizons: The 155-Metre Flagship
The inaugural vessel, Beyond Horizons, will span 155 metres and exceed 15,000 gross tons, with a crew of 80–85 professionals. Accommodating just 72 guests, it will operate under SOLAS standards — offering the scale of a luxury ship but the intimacy of a private club.
German studio Dölker + Voges designed the vessel in collaboration with Mercedes-Maybach’s design team, achieving an elegant, timeless aesthetic that merges automotive sophistication with maritime grace. A model of Beyond Horizons is on display at the Superyacht Village during FLIBS 2025.
The 70-metre shadow vessel, designed by Laurent Giles, will carry tenders, toys, and technical staff, ensuring the main ship remains devoted entirely to guest experience.
Sustainable by Design
Environmental consciousness is built into the concept. Beyond Horizons will run on green methanol or biodiesel, substantially cutting lifecycle emissions. Energy-efficient hotel systems, cruelty-free materials, and long-life finishes further reduce its footprint.
“We don’t need to reinvent technology,” said Bosse. “It’s already here — we’re just applying it thoughtfully.”
Following the Sun
The Maybach Ocean Club will adopt a follow-the-sun itinerary — cruising the Mediterranean from spring through autumn, then migrating toward the Caribbean, Central America, or Indian Ocean for the winter season. The focus will be on shorter passages and extended stays, reflecting the leisurely rhythm of true yachting.
The Road Ahead
Specifications for Beyond Horizons are complete, and Splendid Sea has invited tenders from several leading European shipyards. A build contract is expected following early membership commitments, with the maiden season targeted for 2029.
Key partners include:
- Mercedes-Maybach – Brand Partner
- Columbia Blue – The Leisure Group – Operations
- Dölker + Voges – Design
- Laurent Giles – Shadow Vessel Design & Engineering
- Ship Design & Consult – Technical Engineering
- AgencySacks – Marketing
- FINN Partners – Public Relations
- Sevengage – Club Development
With the Maybach Ocean Club, Bosse and Hehn aren’t just launching a yacht — they’re redefining what it means to belong at sea.
