Hercules Yacht: 50m Feadship Superyacht – Specs, History & Luxury Features

Imagine cruising the open sea in a 49m luxury yacht built by Dutch master builders Feadship. Meet Hercules, a Feadship superyacht launched in 1998 (originally named Iroquois) and extensively refitted in 2024 for modern comfort. For U.S. readers and global enthusiasts alike, the Hercules yacht represents the pinnacle of nautical craftsmanship. In this blog we’ll explore Hercules’s storied background, design and performance specs, sumptuous amenities, ownership and price details, and even charter considerations. As we cover each topic, notice how the keyword hercules yacht threads through the discussion.

Hercules was built at Feadship’s famous Aalsmeer shipyard. Feadship has long catered to American luxury buyers – opening a U.S. office in 1977 to serve high-end boat owners – so it’s no surprise this 50m vessel attracts U.S. interest. The yacht originally launched as Iroquois, later renamed Herculina, and now carries the name Hercules. Over the decades she has carried owners around the world; most recently she completed a major refit (including a full hull repaint and new systems) in 2024.

History and Ownership

Hercules’s journey began in 1998 when Feadship delivered the 163-foot motor yacht Iroquois. Her sleek lines and traditional profile were crafted under the design guidance of De Voogt, one of Feadship’s in-house naval architects. In the early 2000s the yacht was briefly renamed Herculina, and eventually she was rebranded as Hercules. The vessel has a pedigree of long voyages (Feadship notes she was built as a cruising yacht with a 6,100 nm range). Over 25 years of service she has circled oceans and hosted countless guests.

By mid-2025, Hercules appeared on the sale market. She is represented by top brokerage firms – listed jointly by SuperYachtsMonaco and Denison Yachting – and is currently located in Cannes, France. Denison’s listing highlights that the owners recently lowered the price by €750,000 to accelerate the sale. The current asking price is about €17,750,000. (According to Boat International, this price drop was noted as a significant move to attract buyers.) In short, the yacht is in turn-key condition with a new 25-year class survey completed, making her “ready to sail” for the next owner.

For Americans, it’s notable that Feadship has been the go-to brand for U.S. owners since the 1970s. The established U.S. sales office and service network mean that a new American owner of Hercules would receive full support stateside.

Design and Specifications

Hercules is a 656 GT, steel-hulled Feadship with an aluminum superstructure. Her key specifications are as follows:

• Length: 49.68 m (163 ft)
• Beam: 9.3 m (30.5 ft)
• Draft: 3.02 m (9.9 ft)
• Gross Tonnage: 656 GT
• Speed: Cruise speed ~15 knots; max ~16 knots
• Range: ~6,100 nautical miles at 12 knots
• Builder/Year: Feadship (Aalsmeer, NL), delivered 1998 (refit 2024)
• Naval Architect: Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects
• Exterior Design: Studio De Voogt
• Interior Design: Glade Johnson Design (refreshed 2023)
• Accommodations: 5 cabins for 10 guests (with 2 Pullman berths)
• Crew: Sleeps up to 12 crew members

This powerhouse is built to Lloyd’s ✠100A1 Yachts LMC class, underscoring top-tier safety and construction standards. A pair of Caterpillar 3512E V-12 diesel engines (each ~1,370 hp) drive her twin propellers. Even at anchor she stays rock-steady thanks to twin at-anchor stabilizers for comfort. These specifications make Hercules capable of world-spanning voyages in comfort.

Luxury Features and Amenities

Hercules combines those engineering specs with superyacht-level comforts. Her luxury amenities include:

• Fitness & Relaxation: A fully equipped gym and an on-deck Jacuzzi/spa pool for guest leisure.
• Sun Deck Entertainment: The top deck boasts a spa pool, full-service bar, and lounge, plus an open-air cinema screen.
• Interior Comfort: The interior (refreshed by Glade Johnson) uses a modern Mediterranean color palette. There is a full-beam master suite on the main deck with a private office, plus four lower-deck guest cabins (three doubles and a twin) each with ensuite baths.
• Tenders & Water Toys: Included in the sale are two high-speed tenders and a treasure-trove of watersport toys – 2 Seadoos, 2 jetskis, 2 SeaBobs, paddleboards, kayaks, dive gear and more.
• Stabilization & Comfort: Advanced at-anchor stabilizers and full climate control (WiFi, AC) keep passengers comfortable in any conditions.

These features make Hercules ideal for entertaining and adventure. A typical day aboard might involve sunbathing on the sundeck, enjoying cocktails by the pool, or watching a movie under the stars on deck – all while the skilled crew handles sailing. (According to YachtWorld, detailed listings highlight this combination of luxury and utility for prospective buyers.)

Charter and Usage

Currently, Hercules is not available for charter – she is a private yacht. (YachtCharterFleet explicitly notes she’s “not believed to be available for private charter”.) In other words, the only way to experience her lavish accommodations is ownership.

However, passengers can still enjoy a similar voyage by chartering comparable superyachts. For example, the 50m Benetti Air charters for about $200,000 per week. Another 50m Feadship might be slightly more or less. So if you’re dreaming of Feadship-level luxury on a trip, you’ll find options in that range via major charter brokers.

Backlinks from major platforms note Hercules’s market presence. According to Boat International, the yacht recently saw a €750k price reduction to entice buyers. Similarly, YachtWorld – a leading yacht sales marketplace – features Hercules’s listing, underscoring her prominence in the global market.

Conclusion

The Hercules yacht is a quintessential Feadship: classic in design yet updated for modern luxury. She offers a 6,100+ nm range and 656 GT of volume – ready for circumnavigations or extended cruises – along with every indulgence a mega-yacht can provide. Recent upgrades (2024 refit, new paint and systems) and a lowered price (€17.75M as of 2025) make her a very compelling offering.

For luxury buyers (often experienced owners or first-time big-yacht buyers in their 40s–60s), Hercules represents turnkey opulence. Even though she isn’t a charter vessel, her visibility in the market (noted by Boat International and YachtWorld) shows the strong demand for yachts of her caliber. In short, the Hercules is more than a boat – it’s a seagoing palace that continues Feadship’s legacy of custom excellence. Whether traversing the U.S. Eastern Seaboard or the Mediterranean coast, this yacht ensures any journey is as memorable as the destination.

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