“Catch 23” Michael Jordan Amazing $8 Million Viking
When most people think of Michael Jordan, they picture him soaring through the air on a basketball court. But these days, the NBA legend spends his time on a different kind of court – the open seas. His incredible fishing yacht “Catch 23” has become just as famous as his basketball moves.
A Floating Masterpiece
Jordan’s yacht is truly something special. The “Catch 23” is an 80-foot Viking sportfishing boat that cost him $8 million. But this isn’t just any ordinary fishing boat. It’s a floating palace that shows off Jordan’s love for the finer things in life.
The name “Catch 23” is pretty clever. It plays on the old saying “Catch-22” while mixing in Jordan’s famous jersey number 23. Plus, it hints at what he loves doing most on this boat – catching fish!
What Makes It So Special?
The most eye-catching thing about Catch 23 is its amazing wrap design. The entire boat is covered in elephant print graphics. These designs match Jordan’s famous Air Jordan 3 sneakers from 1988. His private jet has the same elephant print too. It’s like his signature style floating on water.
The boat was built by Viking Yachts in New Jersey. Viking is one of the best yacht makers in the world. They know how to build boats that can handle rough seas and still look amazing.
Power and Performance
This yacht doesn’t just look good – it can really move. Two powerful MTU diesel engines give Catch 23 some serious speed. The boat can hit 40 knots (about 46 mph) at full throttle. That might not sound super fast, but it’s pretty quick for a boat this size.
When cruising around, Catch 23 usually goes about 30 knots. This gives everyone on board a smooth, comfortable ride. The boat can travel more than 500 nautical miles without stopping for fuel.
Luxury Inside and Out
Step inside Catch 23 and you’ll find pure luxury. The interior has white leather seats and beautiful hardwood tables. There’s a full kitchen with white marble countertops that would make any chef happy.
The boat can sleep up to 10 people in total comfort. The master bedroom takes up most of the sleeping space, but there are other rooms too. There’s also space for a 2-person crew to help run everything.
IMAGES COURTESY OF SUPERYACHT FAN
Built for Fishing
While Catch 23 is certainly luxurious, it’s built for serious fishing. The cockpit (that’s the back part of the boat) is huge – 216 square feet of fishing space. It has everything a serious angler needs:
- Live wells to keep bait fresh
- Fish wells to store the catch
- Plenty of tackle storage
- Ice chests for drinks and food
- A transom door for easy fish handling
The boat also has state-of-the-art fishing equipment. This includes the latest fish finders, GPS systems, and communication gear.
Jordan’s Fishing Success
Michael Jordan isn’t just playing around on his yacht. He’s seriously competitive about fishing, just like he was about basketball. The man who won 6 NBA championships now wants to win fishing tournaments.
And he’s been pretty successful too. In 2020, Jordan caught a massive 442-pound blue marlin at the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in North Carolina. That’s a fish almost as tall as Jordan himself!
He’s also caught a 25-pound mahi-mahi (dolphin fish) and won first place at the 2021 Buccaneer sailfishing tournament in Florida. When Jordan sets his mind to something, he usually finds a way to win.
The High Cost of Luxury
Owning a yacht like Catch 23 isn’t cheap. Jordan paid $8 million for the boat, which was about $2 million more than a standard Viking 80. Why the extra cost? The custom elephant print design and rising boat prices made it more expensive.
But the real shock is the yearly cost. It costs about $1 million every year just to operate Catch 23. This includes fuel, maintenance, crew salaries, insurance, and docking fees.
For most people, that would be impossible. But Jordan has a net worth of about $2 billion, so $1 million a year is pocket change for him.
Home Base in Florida
Catch 23 is based in Jupiter, Florida, where many wealthy boat owners keep their yachts. Jupiter has great access to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream, making it perfect for deep-sea fishing.
From Jupiter, Jordan can easily reach some of the best fishing spots on the East Coast. He often takes the boat to tournaments in North Carolina, Maryland, and other coastal states.
Why Fishing Matters to Jordan
You might wonder why someone who dominated basketball would care about fishing. Jordan has explained that fishing teaches him patience – something that doesn’t come naturally to such a competitive person.
“Now, the challenge is to calm those nerves. That is why I do a lot more fishing now,” Jordan said in a 2021 interview. “I would have never thought I would get on a boat and go fishing, but the combination of patience and trying to catch a fish, trying to be patient. It’s not gonna happen.”
For someone who was always in constant motion on the basketball court, the slow, quiet nature of fishing provides a perfect balance.
Tournament Life
Jordan takes his fishing seriously. He regularly enters major tournaments like:
- The White Marlin Open in Maryland
- The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in North Carolina
- The Buccaneer Cup in Florida
- Various other East Coast fishing competitions
These tournaments often have millions of dollars in prize money. The White Marlin Open, for example, has awarded over $10 million in recent years.
Recent Updates
Jordan’s love for fishing has only grown stronger. He recently added another boat to his fleet – an 82-foot Bayliss sportfishing yacht. This new boat also has the elephant print design and is worth about $15 million.
Having two serious fishing boats shows just how committed Jordan is to this hobby. Most people would be thrilled to own one boat like Catch 23, but Jordan wants the best equipment for every situation.
Technical Specs
For boat lovers who want the details, here’s what Catch 23 offers:
Size: 80 feet 5 inches long, 21 feet 5 inches wide Engines: Twin MTU Series 2000 diesel engines Power: 2,635 horsepower each engine Top Speed: 40 knots (46 mph) Cruise Speed: 30 knots (35 mph) Range: Over 500 nautical miles Fuel Capacity: Large enough for long-range fishing Guest Capacity: 8-10 people plus 2 crew members
The Elephant Print Story
The elephant print design isn’t random. It comes from one of Jordan’s most famous basketball shoes – the Air Jordan 3. These shoes came out in 1988 and were huge hits with basketball fans.
The elephant print became one of the most recognizable patterns in sneaker history. By putting it on his yacht and private jet, Jordan is showing his connection to the brand that made him incredibly wealthy.
What This Means for Boating
Jordan’s involvement in boating has brought a lot of attention to sportfishing. When the world’s most famous athlete shows up at fishing tournaments, it gets people talking.
His success has also shown that fishing can be just as competitive as any other sport. The tournaments Jordan enters are serious competitions with skilled anglers from around the world.
The Bottom Line
Michael Jordan’s Catch 23 superyacht is much more than an expensive toy. It’s a symbol of how success in one area can open doors to entirely new adventures. The $8 million price tag might seem crazy to most people, but for Jordan, it’s an investment in his passion.
The boat perfectly captures Jordan’s personality – competitive, luxurious, and always striving to be the best. Just like his basketball career, Jordan isn’t content to just participate in fishing. He wants to dominate.
From the custom elephant print design to the state-of-the-art fishing equipment, every detail of Catch 23 reflects Jordan’s commitment to excellence. It’s proof that some people never stop competing – they just find new arenas to conquer.
