After years of breaking new ground on land, Rick Caruso has set course to sail new waters at sea.

The billionaire L.A. developer of the Grove and Americana at Brand wants to be one of the first to park a megayacht in Newport Beach’s harbor.

The 215-foot craft, named Invictus, was built in Seattle’s Delta Marine shipyard earlier this year and set to sea under Caruso’s ownership last month.

He has requested permission to moor the boat in Newport Beach’s harbor for several days for a christening celebration. If granted, Invictus would be the largest boat in the harbor – by perhaps as much as 65 feet. The boat is so big it could not fit in either marina in Long Beach, although it could squeeze into Marina del Rey.

Paul Blank, a Newport Beach harbor commissioner, said he hopes the city can accommodate Caruso’s request.

“It’s an extraordinary experience to have a boat like that around and we hope other high-profile-boat owners will make us a stop on the journey as well,” Blank said.

Others viewed the possibility similarly.

“I think it’s great for the harbor,” said Charlie Sharp, manager of the Newport Beach Yacht Club. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a ship in here that big and I think it would be pretty and people would like to see it.”

Indeed. Invictus, finished in walnut burl, crotch mahogany veneers and Italian marble, has 12 guest cabins, an on-deck gym, theater with stadium seating, fold-down cabana and sundeck with hot tub as well as a grand piano in the main salon.

The short-term request for mooring is unusual but the Newport Beach Harbor Commission said that it will discuss the request at its meeting this month.

Caruso could not be reached for comment. It was unclear where the yacht will be permanently moored.

– Jacquelyn Ryan