F*ck sailing: superyachts could soon ‘fly’ across the ocean, if one Italian design company gets the funding it’s after…
If you thought superyachts weren’t wild enough, what with their helipads, spas, ironed bed sheets and million-dollar toys, then prepare yourself for a shock: one Italian design company wants to create a ‘flying’ superyacht.
Now, before you go all Isaac Newton on us, or throw your complete works of Albert Einstein at our heads, we don’t mean flying like a 747. It’s more like flying on an e-foil (think: a zinced-up Mark Zuckerberg in Hawaii, except on acid and a trillion tonnes heavier).
The concept is called Plectrum. It’s described by the design company, Lazzarini Design Studio, as a 74 metre (242 foot) long “foil superyacht” made up of dry carbon fibre composite materials. According to the company’s website, the foil superyacht will have a pool, the capacity to store an Aston Martin, a fancy tender, a bunch of outdoor sofas/lounge chairs and hectic foiling capabilities. It will also have a top speed of 75 knots.
The designers say that after 15 knots the yacht can lift above the water’s surface. They also said Plectrum was “a different super yacht configuration which will allow much faster sea travelling than conventional smaller size ships” and “the foil can be adjustable depending on the cruising needs and can change in the width from 15 metres of beam up to 20 metres of beam.”
They also say the design was inspired by the foiling hulls from the America’s Cup (Prada’s 2023 model). The foil superyacht (concept) is that it will run off three hydrogen powered motors with 15,000 horsepower between them and – according to CNN Travel – “the designers say it could be constructed within two years at a cost of around $87 million ($121 AUD million) if a buyer is found.”
Before you get all incredulous, the company’s website also points to 1964, when the ship building industry “was already capable of similar vessel’s construction.” Watch the video below to learn more.