New Gold-Plated Charter in Dubai

If you’re looking for a gold-plated charter, consider the 136-foot AK ROYALTY superyacht, a 2009 Palmer Johnson. The hull was repainted earlier this year with custom paint containing real 24-karat gold dust that glitters in the sunlight.

The yacht’s owner, Aaron Fidler, who founded (and sold) the high-tech company Furrion with his brother, said he wanted the yacht’s hull to match the color of his Lamborghini. The Fidlers had a Numarine 78 earlier, but Aaron Fidler said he always wanted a Palmer Johnson. He bought AK ROYALTY earlier this year (it had a traditional white hull then) and spent millions on a total refit, inside and out.

Now, to match the gold-plate theme, the yacht’s Jet Skis are also painted with the gold dust. The luxurious interior has gold fittings, Fendi carpets, lots of mirrors, and silver tiger sculptures in most of the rooms. It has five cabins for 12 guests plus more for seven crew. The full-beam master suite includes a new large marble bathroom with a steam shower, sauna and full-size tub.

AK ROYALTY is ready for a party from one end to the other. A DJ booth with state-of-the-art speakers is on the main deck aft, and AV systems, with iPad controls, are throughout the yacht. The foredeck is an expanse of sun pads and lounges and it can be set up as an open-air movie theater.

For relaxing, a six-person Jacuzzi is on the sun deck, where there’s also gym equipment and a massage table. Indoor and outdoor dining tables seat up to ten guests. The yacht has zero speed stabilizers so guests will be comfortable even at anchor.

For fun off the yacht, guests can try SEABOBs, in addition to the Jet Skis, plus a water slide and a 12-person inflatable trampoline. The charter crew includes a pro wakeboarder, a pro spear fisherman, and a dive instructor.

When AK ROYALTY is not in charter, Fidler, who now lives in Dubai, plans to cruise the Med with his family. The yacht has a top speed of about 33 knots.

An Australian, Fidler studied computer engineering at Lake Joondalup College, just north of Perth. He and his brother worked on superyachts, and started out making power cables and attachments for them, eventually founding Furrion in 2007 and selling it in 2021.