It’s a well-known fact that those who have too much money like to indulge in expensive hobbies, such as buying football clubs. When Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea FC he wanted his team to stay at number one. However the London club is currently in second place in the premier league. It seems time for a disappointed Abramovich to take more interest in his other hobby: yachts. His three luxury ships Pelorus, Le Grand Bleu, and Ecstasea are furnished to the height of luxury, but there are other yachts that are just a few meters longer. Which is enough of a reason for the Russian to try to set a new benchmark in this bizarre game of billionaire's rivalry, and order the construction of a brand new yacht.

At a shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, on a construction dock hidden from public view, workers are toiling away on a special boat. It's called "Eclipse." And if all goes according to plan, it will become the largest privately owned yacht in the world.

M/Y Eclipse is a luxury yacht currently under construction by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg, Germany. Thyssenkrupp is very close-mouthed about the project. No definitive statements about size or features have been made. The yacht is expected to be delivered to Roman Abramovich in 2009 and is rumored to be about 508 feet (155 m)-525 feet (160 m) long.[1][2] This would make Eclipse one of, or even the world's largest private yacht in existence.

Eclipse will have at least two helicopter pads, several hot tubs, one pool, three launch boats, a private cinema, a swimming pool, and a private submarine. For security reasons, Eclipse will also be fitted with bullet proof glass, motion sensors, and a special missile-detection system. Eclipse's interior designer is London's Terence Disdale Ltd.

When Eclipse is launched, Abramovich's private fleet will consist of four motoryachts; the Eclipse itself, Pelorus, Sussurro and Ecstasea. Previously owned "Le Grand Bleu" was presented to Abramovich's associate and friend Eugene Shvidler in June 2006.

But it's not completely certain that the Russian billionaire's yacht will be the longest in the world when it is completed. There is competition on the horizon. The emir of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, is having a new yacht built that will be 163 meters (534 feet) long. But Abramovich is sure to have a solution up his sleeve to make up those extra few meters somehow.

The next World Cup is due to take place in South Africa in 2010. Then Abramovich may be able to combine his two favourite hobbies once again -- it seems highly likely that he will bring the Eclipse to Cape Town for a few weeks.

The tournament's big final is taking place on July 11, quite possibly with a few players who are on Abramovich's payroll. As the billionaire's helicopter lifts off from the Eclipse in the direction of Johannesburg a very appropriate event will make his trip all the more perfect: On the day of the final, the southern hemisphere is due to experience a very rare total solar eclipse.