Conceptually Unique: Innovative Yacht Designs

Designers, as artists in their own right, are constantly creating innovative concept designs. These are some of the most interesting and pioneering blueprints coming from the drawing boards of top designers.

Breathe

Feadship’s in-house design team of De Voogt Naval Architects unveiled this future concept design at the 2010 Monaco Yacht Show. The design is inspired by nature and uses natural ventilation and cooling, exterior paint that reduces resistance, and solar cells based on natural materials. Her glass shells, meant to simulate animal skin and protect that yacht and its inhabitants against the weather, will regulate temperature, absorb sunlight and provide a transparent connection to the outside world. The air between the shells will be used as insulation between the warm air outside and cool interior in warm climates.

Solar panels set into the two-part hard top, which also creates a passive deck ventilation scheme utilizing the fact that warm air rises, should deliver another 30 kW of free power. Large windows sandwich photovoltaic film that creates enough electricity to convert the glass from clear to opaque at the touch of a button.

Other unique features include a forward beach lounge with large windows that is set slightly below the waterline offering underwater views, a dining room on the main deck that can be converted into a conference room and a beach platform complete with artificial sand beach.

Aurora

Aurora explores new ideas for multifunctional spaces and the connection between interior and exterior living spaces. Designed by Boat International Media’s Young Designer of the Year award winner Adam Vorhees, this 300-foot concept for Lurssen offers a 1,421-square-foot grand salon on the main deck with an infinity pool on the aft deck. More than 2,000 square feet of photovoltaics will provide power for hotel loads—a canopy on the sky deck that tracks the angle of the sun will maximize the efficiency of the photovoltaics, while at the same time providing shade from the sun. Hybrid propulsion systems are planned to add to the eco-friendly design elements.

Project Magnitude

Oceanco and designer Lukasz Opalinski have come together to offer a unique and inspiriing design – Project Magnitude, currently slated as a 295-foot vessel. While hinging on Jetsons-like, revolutionary designs, the concept is extremely calculated. A theme running throughout the design is the flow from interior to exterior and back in again. Opalinski has placed a balcony inside an en suite bathroom to produce a new experience for guests.

A retractable helipad not only offers the option of a helicopter on board, but also provides shade for the aft deck. Another possible feature, still an abstract part of the design, would be a watersports deck offering a running track around the aft deck. Opalinski also has considered a split-level owner’s suite with his design.

Strand Craft 122

For those craving the open road more than the open water, Strand Craft 122 has the vessel for you. Founder Kurt Strand has invited yachtsmen to have their superyacht—and their supercar, too. The sleek, high performance, open superyacht comes with a custom sports car as its “tender,” which is housed in the stern tender garage. Both the yacht and its tender will pack a powerful punch. Constructed of carbon fiber and fiberglass, and powered by twin 16V 4000 series MTUs with 4,610 horsepower, Strand lists the superyacht's estimated cruise at 45 knots. When optional 5,100hp Vericor TF50 or Rolls-Royce KaMeWa waterjets are added in, the 122 is projected to exceed 50 knots, topping out at 55. Like its mothership, the supercar is designed to be stylish and fast. Powered by an 880-hp twin turbo V12 engine, the carbon-fiber supercar is expected to have a top speed of 233 mph.

The design of the 122’s interior calls for Art Deco styling and four large, double staterooms. The Strand Craft 122 comes with an estimated price tag of $24 million, including the car. Plans are in the works for other Strand Craft models, including a 200-footer.

Formula Zero 43

With an average savings of 4,000 tons of CO2 a year, Formula Zero, a 43-meter carbon neutral superyacht from Sauter Carbon Offset Design, is on the forefront of green vessels. This catamaran is built with two Wingsails that feature the largest Solar Cell Array on a superyacht.

Soliloquy

Soliloquy is a 58-meter, rigid-wing, Solar Sailor vessel that utilizes wind power, solar power and offers hybrid marine power to ensure both luxury and eco-friendly yachting. Not only does she offer zero-emission capabilities, her multiple power sources provide for reduced running costs.