26.06.2026 · Builder & Brokerage · By Joe Smith

What do Elon Musk and Global Boats have in common?

What do Elon Musk and Global Boats have in common?

--> read the disclaimer below first. 😊 ❤️


Introduction What do Elon Musk and Global Boats have in common? They both love space that no human has entered before.

We love people who think exceptionally and perform exceptionally.

This is a true story.

I was on a very long drive when I listened to a podcast. The person impressed me so much that I thought: “I should contact this man. Good guy.” Then days and weeks passed. The daily processes and routines took over, but suddenly the name was back on my desk.

It was Dick Beaumont.

Before I tell you who he is, I need to lay out another reality.

Most sailing yachts are toys — especially those from mass production. They are basically moving showers and kitchens with a touch of romance. We are not falling for the narrative that Beneteau, Bavaria and the like build boats you can sail around the planet 30 times.

These boatbuilders have to serve an unspoken reality: swim platforms with sugar scoops and massage benches. If we were CEO of one of these mass producers, we wouldn’t always have to make easy decisions.

But Poseidon doesn’t care about any of that. And we know what the Black Pearl really looks like.

Torn sails, masts half-broken — and this is what the ocean truly looks like: The ocean is full of dangers. Sandbanks, storms, reefs, shallows, trash, debris, tree trunks, shipping containers — just steel garbage floating in the sea.

Jambo, a German YouTuber, had to learn this the hard way. A container or a barrel in the middle of the Atlantic at night, between Brazil and South Africa, destroyed his rudder. Water came in. Survival time: 16 minutes. What saved him? A sat phone. Thank you, Iridium! Big shot. Must have.

Now back to one of the most experienced sailors on Earth: Dick Beaumont. He knows it. He knows the dangers. He doesn’t build simple sailing yachts.

He builds compressed experience. He probably builds some of the best sailing yachts that currently exist on this planet.


Section 1: Who is Dick Beaumont?

Dick Beaumont is one of the most experienced and respected bluewater sailors and yacht builders in the world.

He is the founder of Kraken Yachts, a British company that builds heavy-displacement, ocean-cruising yachts designed for serious long-distance sailing — not for coastal weekend cruising. Before founding Kraken, Beaumont completed multiple circumnavigations and has sailed well over 200,000 nautical miles in some of the most challenging oceans on the planet.

He is known in the sailing community as a no-nonsense, highly experienced sailor who has seen (and survived) almost everything the sea can throw at a boat: extreme storms, groundings, equipment failures in the middle of nowhere, and long passages in heavy weather. His philosophy is simple: build boats that can take a beating and still bring their crew home safely — even after multiple circumnavigations.

Unlike many production boat brands that focus on comfort, interior luxury, and marketing, Dick Beaumont designs Kraken yachts from the perspective of someone who has lived on the ocean for decades. His boats are known for:

  • Extremely strong construction (full GRP with massive layup)
  • Excellent bluewater capabilities
  • Practical, seaworthy layouts
  • High safety standards

He is the kind of person who doesn’t just talk about ocean sailing — he has done it at the highest level for many years.


Kraken Yachts – The Design Philosophy

Dick Beaumont’s design philosophy is radically different from most production yacht brands. While the mainstream industry often focuses on maximizing interior volume, luxury finishes, and marketing appeal for marina hopping, Kraken builds boats for the real ocean.

Here are the core principles of Kraken’s design philosophy:

1. “Built for the Worst, Ready for the Best” Beaumont designs every Kraken as if it will have to survive multiple circumnavigations in heavy weather. The boats are over-engineered by normal standards — extremely strong hull layups, robust keels, and massive structural reinforcements. The idea is simple: if the boat can survive the Southern Ocean, it will be comfortable everywhere else.

2. Safety First, Always

  • watertight bulkheads
  • strong collision bulkheads
  • redundant systems
  • heavy displacement for better motion in waves

Beaumont has repeatedly said that comfort comes from safety, not from adding more cushions.

3. Real-World Seaworthiness Over Marina Appeal Kraken yachts have:

  • Protected center cockpits
  • Excellent all-round visibility
  • Practical deck layouts for short-handed sailing
  • High freeboard and strong guardrails

They are not the prettiest boats in the marina — but they are among the safest and most capable when the weather turns ugly.

4. “No Compromise” Approach Beaumont openly criticizes many mass-produced yachts as “floating caravans.” He refuses to sacrifice structural integrity for interior volume or lower production costs. This makes Kraken yachts more expensive, but according to him, you pay for the peace of mind that the boat will look after you when things get serious.

Kraken Yachts is not trying to be the next Beneteau or Jeanneau. Dick Beaumont builds boats for people who actually go far — not just talk about it. His philosophy is clear: Build the boat you would trust with your life and the lives of your family on a multi-year circumnavigation.

Disclaimer:

😊 ❤️

Important Note This article is completely independent and based solely on our own research and analysis. We are not sponsored by Kraken Yachts or Dick Beaumont.

However, after deep examination of their philosophy, design approach, and real-world reputation, we believe this brand and this man have carved out a very special and respected place in the global bluewater sailing world.


https://krakenyachts.com/


--------------------------

Dear Dick,

Thank you.

Thank you for being different.

Thank you for following your own insights instead of following the market. In a world full of mass-produced floating caravans, you chose to build real ocean-capable yachts — boats that are engineered for the harsh reality of the sea, not just for the marina.

Your experience, your uncompromising philosophy, and your refusal to take the easy path have created something truly special. You’re not just building boats. You’re building trust for those who actually go far.

Respect and gratitude from someone who deeply appreciates what you stand for.

Fair winds,

Joe