The most exciting event for superyacht lovers worldwide is coming up – the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIB) – and one of the stars of the show is not a brand-new release, but one of the greatest builds by one of the top American yacht builders of all time, and it comes with special perks.
The United States (alongside Russia) is still at the top of the list when it comes to luxury yacht buyers, and although it could be argued that its superyacht-building industry isn’t where it should be right now, it’s still up there in terms of great luxury yachts built over time.
Many of the richest and most influential American celebrities choose Northern European shipyards that specialize in megayachts and innovative, groundbreaking design and engineering, but there are countless floating luxury toys available right here, in the US, boasting not only proven quality but the unique appeal of American shipbuilding heritage.
Silver Lining is exactly one-decade-old but it’s an excellent alternative to any new-build in the same size category (50 meters/164 feet). It will be present at this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, coming up on October 28, and it promises to be one of the most coveted pre-loved models.
Photo: Denison Yachting
This is not just one of the most impressive Christensen yachts, but the largest from this builder in terms of volume. At 164 feet, Silver Lining offers a massive 570 GT volume, translating to approximately 14 per cent more than the standard 499 GT benchmark for this size category. It is emphatically, but rightly described as “a 170-footer in disguise”, meaning that it offers the volume of a considerably larger yacht within a smaller frame.
It packs 11,000 square feet (1,000 square meters) from top to bottom and a luxurious configuration of six huge staterooms for up to 12 guests – which is not common for a 50-meter yacht. Built in 2016 and officially launched in 2017, Silver Lining became an instant American icon.
It’s said to have been originally owned by billionaire Forrest Preston, the man who founded Life Care Centers of America back in the 1970s, and is reportedly currently owned by real estate mogul JD Nichols. Whoever the current owner is, he had to be wealthy enough to deal with what can become one of the biggest hurdles for any experienced luxury yacht owner – the ten-year survey.
The ten-year anniversary of a luxury yacht means that it needs to complete a classification survey. This is a very thorough evaluation of all structural and mechanical components – anything that isn’t up to standard must be repaired or replaced in order to pass the evaluation. A yacht that already successfully completed its ten-year survey is officially ready for the next decade with no need for further investments.
Photo: Denison Yachting
In this case, Silver Lining has completed this milestone (its ten-year ABS/American Bureau of Shipping survey) this year, right in time for FLIB, where it will be looking for a new owner. Plus, it has undergone a significant refit in accordance with this survey, said to be worth around $1.3 million. In other words, its current owner had to pump more than $1 million in his pleasure craft this year alone, before he was able to bring it to the market.
This is excellent news for the future owner, because he’s practically getting a freshly-recertified, refitted luxury yacht that doesn’t need any extra money put into it, unless the new owner wants to tweak the interior style. Of course, we can’t ignore the intimidating $27.9 million price tag, but the 2026 ten-year ABS survey and refit are perks that make this yacht valuable beyond the price tag.
Following the refit, Silver Lining emerged with realigned engines and new engine mounts, rebuilt stabilizers, overhauled running gear, and a fresh bottom coating.
Style-wise, Silver Lining is a beautiful modern-classic flaunting the kind of elegance that makes a yacht timeless. Kimberly Graham was behind this elegant design centered around high-gloss Black Walnut woodwork that evokes classic American ocean liners, marble finishes, and precious textiles. A neutral color palette highlighted by the Black Walnut paneling is complemented by old-school mirrors and golden accents.
Photo: Denison Yachting
A full-beam main-deck owner’s suite is the crown pearl, boasting vast spaces for separate his-and-her bathrooms, two walk-in closets, and a private office. Two other huge staterooms (king-sized) and two guest cabins with twin beds and Pullman berths ensure flexible accommodation both for private cruising or commercial charter.
Spacious amenities and living spaces throughout make Silver Lining particularly attractive for families or large groups of guests in general. The main salon offers formal dining for 12, while the bridge deck provides a perfect area for al-fresco dining, complete with adjustable wind protection, heating, and cooling. Notable amenities also include the eight-person jacuzzi on the sundeck, with an aft touch-and-go helipad.
Starlink connectivity and an ABS-approved, 300-gallon auxiliary fuel tank for tender or helicopter operations are some of the more recent perks. Twin MTU engines and four Caterpillar generators keep Silver Lining cruising comfortably at 14 knots, with a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles at an economical speed of nine knots.
Quantum zero-speed stabilizers keep things comfortable for the onboard guests, and even the yacht’s original bulbous bow helps make the cruising experience smoother and more efficient. Silver Lining also comes with a proven charter track record, and is currently licensed for up to 84 days per calendar year.
Photo: Denison Yachting
This means that the future owner could start making money from this investment pretty much right after the purchase, and that’s huge, because a luxury yacht this size gobbles up several millions per year just in fuel and maintenance.
Silver Lining was one of those superyachts that stayed away from the spotlight, meaning that they had discrete owners, but some of the Christensen yachts built in the same era became instantly famous thanks to their celebrity owners. The 155-footer Privacy, launched in 2004, is owned by none other than Tiger Woods, and the 195-foot Casino Royale, launched in 2008, was built for John Staluppi and designed by Staluppi together with Carol Williamson & Associates.
Dave Christensen, the man behind Christensen Yachts, passed away in 2018, leaving behind one of the most successful and acclaimed luxury yacht builders in America. He founded Christensen Shipyards in 1986, after retiring from a successful career in the construction industry, and the young shipyard went on to specialize in custom composite superyachts, with hundreds of pleasure craft launched to this day.
In the early ‘80s, when he couldn’t find the builder that would create exactly the kind of yacht he dreamed of, this visionary man decided to build one himself. He partnered with Westport Shipyard for the hull, then completed the rest on his own. With this first yacht, came the decision to launch a yacht building company, and the rest is history.
Photo: Denison Yachting
To this day, Silver Lining remains the largest Christensen yacht ever built (in terms of volume) and the recent ten-year milestone means it’s ready for at least another decade of smooth cruising and unrivaled onboard comfort for guests. This iconic American yacht is currently asking for $27.9 million and it’s safe to say that it will attract a lot of potential buyers at the upcoming Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show starting next week.
