Originally designed as lightweight vessels to chase pirates in the 17th century, the yacht has morphed into the ultimate symbol of success and excess in the modern world. The turn of the 21st century saw a massive explosion in the number, size and popularity of mega yachts. In 2010 the launch of Eclipse, a 165m $1 billion super yacht was a new benchmark in the world of seaborne recreation: to some the ultimate retreat, to others a sign of a broken system of reward and a world out of balance.