Brief
Institut Le Rosey adds $17 million solar‑electric catamaran for marine‑science classes
The vessel, named Ipharra, will host two‑week voyages for up to ten teens as part of the school's Excellence Camp.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Switzerland’s ultra‑exclusive Institut Le Rosey has bought a 94‑foot solar‑electric catamaran called Ipharra for its marine‑science programme, according to the New York Post.
The former director, Phillipe Gudin, acquired the yacht at the 2026 Monaco Yacht Show for $17 million and said it was delivered to the school in October. The vessel will serve as a floating classroom for ten students aged 13 to 16 during a two‑week voyage that forms part of Le Rosey’s Excellence Camp.
Sunreef Yachts built the custom catamaran with six guest cabins, a panoramic glass‑walled salon that can transform into a movie screen, and a range of water toys including water‑skis, snorkeling kits, scuba gear and deep‑sea fishing equipment. Interior finishes feature natural‑linen sofas, authentic oak flooring, an oak dining table that seats the whole class, and a coffee bar. Bedrooms are fitted with exotic wenge wood from the endangered Millettia laurentii tree.
Parents, who already pay roughly $200,000 a year in tuition, must pay an additional $20,000 for the two‑week voyage. A full‑time staff of five runs the programme, providing instruction and supervision on board. Gudin told a press conference after the yacht show that the boat offers “a real platform for giving those young people an opportunity to discover something new, and perhaps to find a passion.”
The Ipharra’s design includes a retractable movie screen, an Ocean Lounge with fold‑down balconies that create a waterside beach club, and ample deck space for diving and sailing dinghies. Gudin said the large outdoor area was intended to make diving and sailing activities easy for students.
Key facts
- Institut Le Rosey purchased a 94‑foot solar‑electric catamaran for $17 million. (nypost.com)
- The yacht, named Ipharra, will host ten students on a two‑week marine‑science voyage. (nypost.com)
- Parents must pay an extra $20,000 for the voyage in addition to the $200,000 annual tuition. (nypost.com)
- The vessel was built by Sunreef Yachts and includes six guest cabins, a panoramic salon, and a retractable movie screen. (nypost.com)
- A staff of five will run the programme on board. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Billionaire boarding school drops $17M on superyacht for science class”
