cool modern yachts

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Video: See inside 9 of the most amazing modern sailing superyachts

• September 10, 2020

Sailing superyacht technology has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years - we take a closer look at nine of the most stunning examples...

1. Aquarius

The brief for Aquarius included that she should be, ‘an elegant, muscular sailing yacht with a classic profile for family enjoyment.’ But that barely scratches the surface of the main requirements for this giant ketch. The owners also wanted a yacht that would combine good seakeeping characteristics with performance, reliability and quality.

Essential features included relative simplicity, robustness of systems and a contemporary interpretation of elegant, classic lines, with a clean and uncomplicated appearance. Aquarius ’s graceful lines and timeless shape belie a rugged world cruiser configured to be self-sufficient for extended periods when voyaging well beyond the popular Med and Caribbean circuits. In addition, the yacht is welcoming for family and friends, while providing sufficient performance to compete in superyacht regattas.

Specifications

LOA: 56.18m (184ft 4in) LWL: 41.17m (135ft 1in) Beam: 9.51m (31ft 2in) Draught: 4.80m (15ft 9in) Displacement: 264 tonnes (591,360lbs) Mainsail: 520m2 (5,597ft2) Mizzen: 440m2 (4,736ft2) Blade: 430m2 (4,628ft2) Air draught: 58.50m (192ft 11in) Spars: Rondal carbon with Rondal/Carbo-Link continuous standing rigging Builder: Royal Huisman Launched: 2017

Photo: Baltic Yachts

2. Pink Gin VI

The Baltic 175 Pink Gin may have captured most of the headlines for her sheer size and cleverly engineered topside balconies, but below decks a collection of Cuban art and some phenomenal styling demand equal attention.

Mark Tucker’s team at Design Unlimited in the UK worked closely with the yacht’s owner, Professor Hans Georg Näder, with whom they had co-operated on his previous Pink Gin , to produce an unusual exercise in interior styling.

LOA: 53.90m (176ft 10in) LWL: 45.27 m (148ft 6in) Beam: 9.55 m (31ft 4in) Draft: 4.50-7.00 m (14ft 9in – 22ft 12in) Displacement: 250 tons (560,000lbs) Ballast: 79 tons (176,960lbs) Naval architect: Judel/Vrolijk & co Interior: Design Unlimited Builder: Baltic Launched: 2017

Article continues below…

Liara: The Baltic 112 superyacht designed to cruise the world in supreme comfort

Over the past decade we’ve been treated to the rise of the custom built cruiser-racer. Arguably inspired by the success…

Aquarius: Modern classic masterpiece makes for a surprisingly sensible superyacht

A demanding brief for Aquarius from experienced sailors has produced a masterpiece from some of the most experienced and talented…

The Baltic 142 Canova  may not be using the hydrofoils popularised by the America’s Cup , but her 29ft 6in long (9m) horizontal sliding foil employs the same principle of lift to reduce heel and boost speed. The designers of the Dynamic Stability System (DSS) say it could improve the performance of this super-cruiser by 20 per cent, delivering a sustained 25 knots – not bad for a superyacht that displaces 146 tonnes. This is the first time the DSS has been used in superyachting, but its benefits will be used for comfortable, fast long-distance cruising rather than gaining an edge on the racecourse.

With styling and interior design by Lucio Micheletti as well as the in-house team, Canova  sports a sleek, low deck saloon with a hard, fixed bimini extending over the forward cockpit area. Below, her vast deck saloon, providing panoramic views, forms the focal point of her luxury accommodation.

Unusually, the owner’s suite is located almost amidships, where motion is at its least, with further accommodation for six guests in three cabins. Other features include a Rondal rig with electric in-boom furling, a lifting keel and a propeller leg rotating through 180 degrees.

LOA: 43.3m (142ft 1in) LWL: 41.6m (136ft 6in) Beam: 9.m (29ft 6in) Draft: 3.8-6.5m (12ft 6in-21ft 4in) Displacement: 146.5 tons (328,160lbs) Naval architect: Farr Yacht Design Interior design: Baltic Yachts / Lucio Micheletti Exterior design: Lucio Micheletti Builder: Baltic Launched: 2019

Photo: Perini Navi

Part of the world’s largest sailing yacht series by length, Seven is hull number 3 in Perini Navi’s 60m ketch series, after Seahawk and Perseus 3 . Launched in 2017, she was feted for her groundbreaking interior lighting design throughout all five guest cabins. A powerful motor-sailer, her twin MTU engines and 47,000-litre fuel capacity mean a globe-trotting range of 3,600nm when motoring at 12 knots.

LOA: 60m (197ft) LWL: 50.4m (165ft 4in) Beam: 11.4m (37ft 4in) Draft: 4.3m-12.3m (14ft 1in – 40ft 4in) Mast height: 62.2m (204ft) Total sail area: 2,097 m2 (22,572ft2) Displacement: 575 tonnes (1,288,000 lbs) Naval architect: Ron Holland / Perini Navi Builder: Perini Navi Launched: 2017

Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget / Wally

This may be the fourth 100ft yacht designed to the Wallycento box rule, but it’s one that raises the bar with regard to combining form and functionality with outrageously cool aesthetics. Considering that Wally is yachting’s deity of style, that’s saying something.

Tango is at the very forefront of modern fast monohull design and advanced technology. Its stealthy black livery and long, low lines combine with a bold reverse sheerline to create a potent, powerful look. The ruthlessly clean deck is signature Wally. The image of the single helmsman on deck, with all that power and beauty controlled simply by the touch of a network of buttons on the pedestals, has become an icon for the Italian brand.

LOA: 30.48m (100ft) Beam: 7.20m (23ft 7in) Draught: 4.4-6.2m (14ft 5in-20ft 4in) Displacement (light): 47,500kg (104,720lb) Upwind sail area: 640m2 (6,889ft2) Downwind sail area: 1,398m2 (15,048ft2) Naval architecture: Mills Design Exterior design: Wally / Mills Design Interior design: Pininfarina Builder: Persico Marine Launched: 2017

Photo: Breed Media

The owner’s brief for Ngoni would be challenging for any size of yacht: “Build me a beast. Don’t build me a sheep in wolf’s clothing. This has to be an edgy and innovative weapon; fast and furious.” When the boat in question is a giant 58m (190ft) sloop with a displacement of nearly 400 tonnes this project was always going to push hard against existing boundaries of design, deck hardware and materials technology.

“The owner wanted me to take a fresh look at large yacht design,” Dubois recalled before his untimely death four years ago. “He wanted me to go back to my roots in the late 1970s and ’80s when we were designing race boats, but he also knew we had designed a number of high-performance yachts that were nevertheless seaworthy and comfortable cruisers. So I had to reset my internal computer, if you like, and look hard at how we could save weight and add strength.

“That’s how the reverse sheer came about. I was worried he might not like it. The next time we met in London I showed him the design and he loved it – in fact he gave me a big bear hug!”

LOA: 58.15m 190ft 9in LWL: 51.20m 167ft 12in Beam: 9.54m 31ft 4in Draught: 5.3m-81m (17ft 5in-26ft 7in) Displacement: 353 tons (778,224lb) Upwind sail area: 1,950m2 (20,989ft2) Downwind sail area: 3,093m2 (33,293ft2) Air draught: 75m (247ft) Naval architect: Ed Dubois Interior design: Paul Morgan / Rick Baker Builder: Royal Huisman Launched: 2017

Photo: Vitters Shipyard

Ahimsa is a 216ft sloop-rigged aluminum yacht, designed by the late Ed Dubois. Built with a combination of innovation and advanced technical craftsmanship, Ahimsa boasts a low superstructure and deck clean. Key features include the ability to hoist her mainsail in less than two minutes and tack the boat within 30 seconds.

The 83m carbonfibre mast is the largest ever produced by Southern Spars and had to be transported to The Netherlands in two pieces. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Ahimsa ‘s Code 1 sail is the world’s largest artwork on canvas, designed by the Norwegian artist Magne Furuholmen.

LOA: 66m (216ft 6in) Mast height: 83m (272ft 4in) Naval architect: Ed Dubois Builder: Vitters Launched: 2012

Svea , the newest addition to the now nine-strong J Class fleet, is one of the most outstanding new yachts of modern times – a harmonious meeting of historic and modern design; a blend of J Class lines and maxi grand prix yacht technology.

All Js dazzle on the water, but Svea simply stops you in your tracks. Her lines and deck are kept spectacularly clean, thanks to the compact wheelhouse, sunken wheel and wonderfully low boom.

Her dark metallic grey hull and black and red sail wardrobe lend her timeless lines a slightly menacing appearance – a purposeful racing look that belies the luxurious interior below decks. The aggressive aesthetics are in keeping with her name, a Viking word (it means Swede).

LOA: 43.6m (143ft 1in) Interior design: Pieter Beeldsnijder / deVos deVries design Builder: Vitters/Bloemsma Launched: 2017

Not only is Liara a masterpiece of style, thanks to UK-based super designers Malcolm McKeon and Adam Lay combining to stunning effect, but she clearly represents a formidable amount of experience. And that all stems from the boss.

This is the fourth Liara for British serial yacht owner Tony Todd, who is now in his seventies. His initial brief was for a safe, comfortable family cruising yacht for circumnavigating the globe , hence the deep and well-protected cockpit. However, Todd has been racing yachts all his life, and once his competitive side kicked in and the odd regatta was mentioned, the speed, weight and deck layout to make this possible became critical features. The result is Liara , the definitive multi-role superyacht.

Specification

LOA: 112ft 0in (34.14m) LWL: 105ft 0in (32.00m) Beam: 25ft 11in (7.90m) Draught: 13ft 0in-20ft 2in (3.95m-6.15m) Displacement (light): 88 tonnes (194,000 lbs) Design: Malcolm McKeon / Adam Lay Builder: Baltic Launched: 2019

• Cars, Jets & Yachts

The Best Eco-Friendly Yachts of the 21st Century

There are many options for enjoying these beasts of the ocean in a more responsible way.

By Elite Traveler

As yachts get larger in size, they generally also increase in fuel capacity and consumption, running costs and also environmental impact. However, in recent years, there has been a change in the world of superyachts. Today, we are witnessing more and more yachts take steps towards efficiency, reducing fuel usage and innovating when it comes to improving sustainability credentials.

Much like aviation, bio and sustainable fuels are becoming far more accessible and prevalent in yachting. There has also been an uptick in the use of hybrid propulsion — the use of a combination of different energy sources — most commonly this results in a combination of both diesel and battery power. There has also been a renaissance of the sail, with some owners looking to harness the power of the wind to aid their transportation. It also undeniably looks superb.  

As many yacht owners and potential buyers begin to focus more on the sustainability of these vessels, yacht builders are taking note. Here, Elite Traveler takes a closer look at some of the most impressive eco-friendly yachts to have hit the water during the last two decades. We will also be taking a quick look at what’s on the horizon.

Launched by Dutch yard Royal Huisman in 2008, 190-ft ketch Ethereal was a trendsetter that paved the way for future ‘eco’ superyachts. The first superyacht with a true hybrid system on board, she was the dream of owners Bill and Shannon Joy who set out to challenge the norm of yacht building. Together with the shipyard, naval architect Ron Holland and exterior/interior designer Pieter Beeldsnijder, the Joys worked to create a yacht that would have the lowest possible impact on the planet. The result was a technologically advanced design that delivered energy efficiency in a sleek and high-performance package.

Thanks to a twin hybrid electro-mechanical propulsion system, which recharges her battery bank, Ethereal can operate for long periods of time under the quiet stored power of her own resources. Every detail of Ethereal was examined for ways to reduce energy demands—from lighting to air-conditioning—and she delivers an impressively efficient performance when underway. Her open interior, with a warm and welcoming feel, invites guests in— fittingly, as her entire layout was designed to maximize spaces and allow those on board to spend quality time together. Since her launch Ethereal has traveled the world, treading lightly wherever she goes.

royalhuisman.com

The Rise of the Superyacht Marina

How Louis Vuitton Made the America’s Cup the Voyage en Vogue

H3: The Market’s Most Expensive Superyacht Debuts a New Design

Black pearl.

At 350 ft, Black Pearl is the largest sailing superyacht in the world. She is certainly not inconspicuous but, despite her size, she is extremely eco-friendly. Delivered by Oceanco in 2016, Black Pearl is said to have the capability to cross the Atlantic using zero fossil fuel. Plans for undertaking this particular feat were underway when Covid-19 hit and delayed this attempt, but her captain, Chris Gartner, says that the owner and the Black Pearl’s team are committed to going ahead with that as soon as possible.

[See also: Step Inside the Black Pearl Yacht]

Black Pearl incorporates features that ensure a lower environmental impact: propellers that can generate electricity when operating in ‘regeneration mode’ and, one of her most impressive features, her sails also double as a source of power. Measuring an incredible 31,215 sq ft, Black Pearl’s sails have built-in solar panels that create electricity that is then stored so it can be put to use elsewhere as needed. The DynaRig sails also allow the yacht to be easily operated under sail power as much as possible, greatly reducing the need for fuel.

Content from our partners

Plasencia Cigars: A Commitment to Heritage and Values

Hermes by Via Natura: The Epitome of Galapagos Cruising

The Best Climbing Spots in Spain

oceancoyacht.com

Savannah , built by Dutch shipyard Feadship and hailed as the first hybrid motoryacht at her 2015 launch, is also the world’s largest metallic-painted floating object. This beautiful yacht has collected many awards, including the coveted Motor Yacht of the Year at the 2016 World Superyacht Awards. Her ‘Breathe’ propulsion system delivers 30% fuel-saving economies, and she can cruise under diesel-electric or simply electric battery power.

Savannah set a precedent for other eco-friendly projects from Feadship, including the ultra-sustainable 308-ft Viva (Hull 817), which has made waves since her February 2021 launch. As attractive as she is innovative, her elegant, four-deck floating superstructure pairs world-class technology with timeless style; features include the ‘Nemo Lounge,’ where you can peek below the waves and marvel at passing sea life from the comfort of the yacht. The main deck has a 30-ft pool and two main salons that are divided by a video wall, and the owner’s stateroom boasts a skylight above the master bed for admiring the starscape above.

feadship.nl

The impressive 262-ft Artefact , designed by Gregory C Marshall and delivered by Nobiskrug Yachts in 2020, is a head-turner for more than one reason. Her striking exterior, which makes clever use of glass, is the most obvious, but her eco-credentials are her biggest asset. Built for visionary owners who specifically requested a yacht with a reduced environmental impact, Artefact’s many solutions for this brief include 248 ft of solar panels and a battery storage system that allows the yacht to operate without its main engines for extended periods.

[See also: Artefact: The Eco Superyacht that Changed the Game]

Added to that is her dynamic positioning system and Azipod propulsion system – these allow Artefact to easily hold her position without needing to use her anchors and reduce her emissions while also upping her efficiency. In fact, she was one of the very first superyachts built to meet IMO Tier III emissions regulations. For those wishing to enjoy pristine surroundings without interruption, Artefact is also capable of silent operations. This ‘greener’ superyacht certainly doesn’t compromise on comfort and on her launch was the biggest volume yacht of her size in the world. She perfectly pairs form and function… in other words, this award-winning yacht is the full package.

nobiskrug.com

Sailing Yachts

Originally launched in 1993, the 143-ft Juliet was reborn in 2021 after an extensive “go greener” refit at her original build yard, Royal Huisman. Newly transformed into a hybrid yacht, Juliet now bears technologies that will future-proof her for years to come. Her new hybrid system offers numerous benefits including silent operations, zero emissions, peak-shaving, shaft-generated power under sail and reduced fuel consumption. A brand-new gearbox, aligned with a sophisticated new electric motor/generator, will allow electric propulsion that is powered by either the main engine or alternatively the battery pack or generator. Meanwhile, a battery bank will allow Juliet to operate in ‘silent ship’ mode.

When stretching her legs under sail, the rotation of the propeller will generate electric power. When at anchor she can run on battery power so guests can relax without any noise pollution that might detract from their surroundings. With nearly a quarter a million miles logged since her launch, Juliet is now ready for the next quarter million miles to come.

Swan 88 Hybrid

Finnish builders Nautor’s Swan has joined the trend for hybrid yachts with its Swan 88 Hybrid model, which has a hybrid-electric propulsion system that marks a new era for the yard’s Maxi range. This new direction for the yard includes making greater use of eco-friendly materials in its designs. The Swan 88 Hybrid is the yard’s first attempt at a hybrid yacht, and the design has already borne fruit – in May 2021 it announced it had already sold the first hull.

Described by Nautor’s Swan as a “dual soul of racer and cruiser,” the Swan 88 Hybrid pairs comfort and performance and is an excellent ‘starter size’ superyacht that is spacious but manageable. The minimalist exterior design by German Frers is complemented by “a comfortable, harmonious and magical” interior by Misa Poggi. An easy-handle sail plan makes use of the brand’s long experience in ocean racing, delivering “efficient, uncomplicated and easily managed sailing”. The layout and design has been tailored to maximize guest comfort on longer trips – this first model will be able to travel the world with a lighter footprint thanks to her eco credentials.

nautorswan.com

Sailing purists the world over treasure the sight of a J Class yacht. Original J Class yachts raced in the 1930s under the Universal Rule, in events including the America’s Cup. There have been several replica J Class yachts built in modern times as well. Elegant Rainbow is one such replica and was built in Holland in 2012 by Holland Jachtbouw. Her design was based on the original Rainbow , which won the America’s Cup in 1934, and it paired the best of classic yacht design with all the necessary modern technologies and comforts.

Like many other eco-friendly sailing yachts, Rainbow is powered by a hybrid propulsion system – in fact, she was the first J Class to boast this capability. This means a welcome 30% reduction in fuel usage, as well as the option of silent operations when underway. As beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, Rainbow ’s luxurious interior makes use of elegant mahogany woods, sophisticated styling and plenty of space to enjoy.

y.co/yacht/rainbow

Built by Finnish firm Baltic Yachts in 2019, the 142-ft Canova takes the title of being the yard’s very first zero emissions yacht over 100 ft. This was a mandate of her owner, who wanted his long-distance cruising yacht to be as green as possible. Canova more than met the mark and carries an impressive line-up of modern technologies including a power regeneration system that, in theory, allows a never-ending supply for the yacht to make use of. An added first is that Canova is the first superyacht to be fitted with a transverse Dynamic Stability System foil, which delivers unprecedented comfort levels for a sailing yacht by reducing heel and motion.

Guests can relax on board Canova and enjoy nine hours of ‘silent’ mode made possible by an electric propulsion system that also charges the on-board battery bank. An easy-to-handle, yet powerful, sail plan ensures hoisting the sails is a breeze, meaning Canova can make the most of her sailing prowess (again cutting down on engine use). Large spaces and good indoor/outdoor flow make her a home away from home, with communal spaces including the large, sheltered cockpit with drop down glass sides. Canova was built to take her owner and guests around the world and will be venturing to a wide variety of destinations over the coming years.

balticyachts.fi

Sw108 Hybrid

First revealed in 2021, the SW108 Hybrid from South African shipyard Southern Wind Shipyard (SWS) is an exciting diesel-electric concept that has been designed with the planet in mind. It is the result of an impressive collaboration between SWS, Nauta Design and Farr Yacht Design. Featuring the ‘SWS Diesel-Electric Hybrid System,’ the SW108 Hybrid will allow for efficient consumption of fossil fuels and reduce harmful emissions.

[See also: Discovering the World’s Most Exciting Superyacht Concepts]

All this is presented in a sleek, elegant and reliable package typical of SWS. Key features include a plus-sized beach club and a garage with room for a 16 ft tender. Sure to appeal to sailors looking for a reliable and comfortable “greener” sailing yacht, the design is what the yard describes as “a more environmentally friendly approach to performance yacht sailing.” The shipyard takes its responsibilities to deliver more eco-friendly yachts very seriously and the SW108 Hybrid will likely set the tone for future designs from SWS.

sws-yachts.com

To the Future…

Now due to be completed in 2025, 640-ft REV Ocean will be the world’s largest research vessel. With construction well underway in Norway, REV Ocean is a state-of-the-art yacht that has been designed to ensure ‘one healthy ocean.’ As a luxury floating laboratory, her impressive facilities will allow her to undertake cutting-edge ocean science. She has an abundance of sustainable features, and her assets will include everything from a deep-diving submarine to a lecture theater for discussing discoveries.

[See also: Inside the Incredible Superyacht REV]

“ REV Ocean’s hull and propeller were designed for less resistance and more efficiency moving through the water, saving up to 15% on fuel consumption,” explains Lawrence Hislop of REV Ocean . “Additionally, lithium-ion battery packs, LED lighting, a heat recovery system, an onboard incinerator and DNV SILENT-R rating all contribute to the philosophy of making REV Ocean one of the world’s most sustainable research and expedition vessels.” Want to experience REV Ocean for yourself? She will be offering special, once-in-a-lifetime charters that allow guests to play their own part in REV Ocean’s important work.

revocean.org

The Arksen 85 — dubbed Project Ocean — the first self-proclaimed “ultimate marine exploration vessel” to be built by Arksen Yachts. Created to travel the world, with a stable, hardy design, the Arksen 85 is intended to explore with low environmental impact. She’s built in an eco-friendly way, with her hull and superstructure made from low-carbon, recycled aluminum. A range of up to 7,000 nm will give her plenty of scope for adventures, and her eco credentials include a solar array option for zero-carbon electrical power and a hybrid propulsion system.

Buying an Arksen yacht offers several bolt-ons such as membership in the Arksen Explorers’ Club, which helps owners make the most of their vessels, and an invitation to join the Arksen Foundation, where owners are invited to pledge 10% of their vessels’ sea time to ocean-exploration projects. The Arksen 85 offers luxurious comfort and large onboard spaces. This first build will include a full beam master suite, media room and children’s cabin. She is due to launch in 2022, and a large portion of her time at sea has already been committed to the Arksen Foundation.

Project AQUA

Project AQUA made headlines around the world when rumors started that she was being built for Bill Gates. This speculation was later dispelled but, in the process, the world got a good look at the 367-ft vessel and so too a glimpse of what the future of yacht design might look like. The work of Lateral Naval Architects in collaboration with Sinot Yacht Design, hydrogen-powered Project AQUA represents how yachting might one day achieve zero carbon usage.

[See also: Hydrogen-Powered Yachts: What to Know]

“For Project AQUA we set ourselves an objective of using near-future technology,” explains Simon Brealey, principal mechanical engineer at Lateral. “Liquid hydrogen has the potential to be created from renewable sources via electrolysis and as such can be considered a zero carbon fuel with the only local emissions being water. Project AQUA demonstrates [that] the onboard technology to enable a zero carbon project is ready, and we hope that it acts to inspire superyacht owners, shipyards, the hydrogen infrastructure industry and the wider maritime industry.”

The Sinot team used “an integrated and highly poetic design approach” when creating her: Cascading exterior decks are paired with a minimalist Japanese beach-style interior that provides living spaces in perfect balance with the water on which the vessel sits.

lateral.engineering , sinot.com

Dutch yard Feadship now has a good number of eco yachts to its name, and 312-ft hybrid yacht Bliss is the most recent to have hit the water. Launched in May 2021, Bliss benefits from the very latest advances in technology with an all-new hybrid propulsion system. De Voogt Naval Architects were heavily involved in the design and engineering of the hybrid system, which will allow the yacht to sail in diesel-electric mode. In a win-win for comfort and for the world, “this package helps to protect the environment and provides premium comfort for all who step aboard,” says Feadship. Bliss also has Polar Code compliance – what better way to connect with the importance of protecting the health of our planet than by coming face to face with the icy majesty of the Polar regions?

Currently owned by founder of Snapchat, Evan Spiegal, Bliss features an exterior design by Jan Schaffers of Studio de Voogt and interior design by Remi Tessier. This team has created an elegant style that they describe as “natural and welcoming, inside and out.” Highlights include nine cabins, a gym and wellness space, a pool and a convertible helideck. Designed for family fun and to see the world this magnificent custom yacht is a timeless triumph.

Eco Explorer

A collaboration between Dutch yard Feadship and French design studio Merveille Yachting, the Eco Explorer concept is described by Feadship as “a genuinely eco-friendly superyacht.” The yacht combines all the best elements of motor and sail yachts in one efficient package. She features a mast system that has fully automated wings twice as powerful as a standard sailing yacht rig, while the use of sail power reduces fuel use as well.

Energy is also harnessed from a trio of onboard solutions including wind turbines, solar panels and underwater turbines. These, together with other reduction elements, add up to the use of an estimated 50-70% less fossil fuel, and more than three times the range of an equivalent boat. The 55-ft beam ensures plenty of space on board, with an inviting interior and vast beach club that includes a 49-ft swimming pool. The perfect yacht for seeing the world guilt-free, “the Eco Explorer is on the forefront of cutting-edge, environmentally friendly technology,” says Feadship.

feadship.nl , merveille-yachting.com

A mighty 328-ft sailing yacht concept, Vento is the brainchild of Nuvolari-Lenard. First revealed in June 2021 at the Venice Boat Show, this behemoth was created by design duo Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard to be a “manifesto for environmental protection” and a visual appeal to superyacht designers to create truly green yachts. This radical concept will use the wind as its main source of propulsion and its slipstream hull will ensure it moves efficiently through the water. Its Wing Sail sail plan is more efficient than traditional rigs, allowing for better performance. A diesel-electric system with variable speed generators and variable pitch propellors will allow operations to be adjusted to achieve maximum efficiency.

Nuvolari and Lenard both believe that it is not enough to design a yacht that is “greener,” and instead our entire mentalities and attitudes towards yacht design needs to shift. “ Vento speaks to a market sensitive to environmental issues, worried about the future of the marine ecosystem, which is ready to do its part,” they say. Vento is their testimony and, they believe, proof that a truly green yacht needn’t mean compromising on innovative designs and luxurious living.

nuvolari-lenard.com  

Project Crystal

The size of the 308-ft Project Crystal is an eco yacht option for buyers who can’t let go of the idea of a very large yacht. She, like the rest on this list, has been designed in a way that will allow efficient operations and energy savings. “As with all our designs, the impact of a vessel on its context is crucial — environmental considerations extend from the controllable pitch propellers which maximize efficiency, through the hydrodynamic optimizations of the hull, hybrid power systems and glazing arrangements that minimize solar gain,” says Nick Stark, naval architect at Nick Stark Design.

Project Crystal is named for the distinctive crystalline lattice that forms a striking part of the exterior profile. Designed to be a sanctuary, Project Crystal is a safe and relaxing space that is both beautiful on board and from afar. “We wanted to create an aesthetic that is celebratory,” says Stark. “The lines flow up and across, both lifting our gaze and also guiding it to what is around us: the people, the community and the environment”. The design is able to achieve swift global navigation and she has been crafted with a relentless focus on hydrodynamic fundamentals – the sleek unadorned underwater lines tick the boxes for both fuel efficiency and superb seakeeping. Not to mention she looks pretty exceptional too.

nickstark.design

Sunreef 80 Eco

The Sunreef 80 Eco catamaran design is described by Sunreef Yachts as “an eco-responsible luxury craft combining electric propulsion, superyacht living spaces, reliable sailing performance and the latest green technologies in the industry.” The Sunreef 80 Eco is the largest in the yard’s Eco range, which boasts a large number of appealing ‘green’ features. These include state-of-the-art batteries, sustainable interiors, wind generators and smart water management. In fact, the entire Sunreef brand has undergone a central shift and rebrand towards producing “eco luxury” catamarans.

[See also: Style and Sustainability: The New Sunreef 80 Eco Catamaran]

Sunreef Yachts have worked hard on developing their own proprietary solar panel system, which has been integrated into the Sunreef 80 Eco design, allowing for 1,765 sq ft of ultra-light solar panels installed around the vessel. Pairing comfort and green technology, she has been designed for long range offshore cruising in total silence and in harmony with her surroundings. The entire design can be customized to suit her owners, with plenty of light-filled spaces in close proximity to the ocean. The first Sunreef 80 Eco is currently in build and due to make her debut in 2021.

sunreef-yachts-eco.com

Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS) revealed its interpretation of an eco superyacht, the 265-ft Aegir 2.0 . The design house describes it as “the sailing yacht with the lowest possible environmental footprint.” A big claim indeed. The design has a wind-electric propulsion system that recharges her batteries as she sails. This means her range is theoretically infinite – the world will be her oyster. A Dynarig sail plan will ensure excellent performance, while the trimaran hull delivers excellent seakeeping.

Her eco credentials do not mean a sacrifice on comfort as Aegir 2.0 has plenty of luxury features including a swimming pool, beach club space and spacious rooms. A minimalist Scandinavian style interior pairs a subtle color palette with natural materials, complemented by large windows that fill all spaces with light.

tillbergdesign.com

Lürssen’s fuel cell yacht

There is little public information available about an exciting new project from German yard Lürssen Yachts, but it certainly warrants a place in this list for the feat of being the yard’s first yacht with fuel cell technology. Now in build, the yacht has been commissioned by a forward thinking and technology driven owner. This project is huge news as it represents a big step towards an emission free Lürssen superyacht. Flanking the traditional generators, the fuel cell will offer many benefits including the ability to anchor for 15 days or cruise 1,000 miles at slow speed with no emissions.

Complementing this new build project, the yard has set up an Innovation Laboratory that will “simulate and test the integration and operation of a Marine Hybrid Fuel Cell System on board a yacht powered by methanol.” Lürssen is certainly looking to the future and has ambitious goals to lead the field in the construction of emission free yachts.

lurssen.com

Elite Traveler

Latest in luxury, the explorer.

Thank you for subscribing to Elite Traveler.

• Subscribe Now
• Digital Editions

Most beautiful superyachts: 10 of the best as chosen by top designers

• Superyachts

What turns a superyacht into a thing of beauty? We asked scores of the world's leading yacht designers to list the 10 most beautiful superyachts ever built...

The only rules were that they couldn’t pick one of their own and they had to be luxury superyachts over 30 metres. With the votes counted, we can now reveal our definitive rundown of the most beautiful yachts in the world.

We’ve even enlisted some of those same designers to explain what makes the final ten yachts so special. Scroll down to see the full top 10 and read more about each model.

10 of the most beautiful superyachts of all time

10. Limitless

James Roy, managing director of BMT Nigel Gee believes her to be one of the most beautiful superyachts in the world and writes:

“One of the earlier breed of superyachts Limitless is in my opinion from a period when the volume of superstructures were not over imposing producing a well balanced yacht. These proportions coupled with the sheer line and well matched angles of bow profile and rake of superstructure ends all work together.”

Recommended videos for you

Certainly with her dark blue hull and glistening white superstructure she cuts quite a dash and at night her comprehensive array of on deck illumination and underwater lighting make her look nothing short of spectacular proving that yachts can have beauty 24 hours a day.

Year: 1997 – LOA: 96.25m – Builder: Lürssen – Exterior: Jon Bannenburg – Interior: Catroux

Article continues below…

Oceanfast 164 superyacht tour: Inside an incredible Bannenberg/Cavalli masterpiece

Rossinavi 50m superyacht tour: Inside a one-of-a-kind Italian superyacht

“It’s a great pleasure to pay tribute to an iconic thoroughbred such as Skat , still standing tall on the horizon,” says Tim Saunders of Rainsford Saunders Design. “Despite her military looks, this is a true superyacht, engineered as a ship at heart and built from the keel up, with every square metre fulfilling the owner’s brief. Skat is a unique design but has not broken traditional yachting rules for the sake of it.

She is a superyacht that has been devised to offer the owner a well-considered relationship between external and internal living spaces, and unlike many of her sisters, she doesn’t opt for maximum density. Skat ’s combination of poise, elegance and balance comes from a clever use of straight, angular lines, facetted surfaces and enhanced ship details.

Each component comes together in a harmonious relationship to offer a daring and bold statement that from a distance has the grace and elegance of something far more organic. She is a yacht that catches your eye from all angles.”

Year: 2002 – LOA: 70.7m – Builder: Lürssen – Exterior: Espin Oeino – Interior: Marco Zanini

8. Alfa Nero

“When we first saw Alfa Nero we were impressed by her smooth exterior lines,” say Mareid Moosbrugger and Georg Decker of Egg and Dart Design. “The superstructure is sleek and elegant without any angular or hard corners. We consider her to be one of the most beautiful yachts afloat today, and we can easily understand why our colleagues agree.

“Walking around her at the 2007 Monaco Yacht Show , we felt the three-dimensional use of space was harmonious with the elements, and there was a true balance between the inside and outside areas of the yacht, with the exterior spaces maintaining a close connection with the natural environment of the sea and sky.

“The decks are open and airy, yet there is a feeling of being safely cocooned, and the superb aft deck in particular maintains a feeling of being at one with the ocean, which is emphasised by the huge pool. The yacht impressed us as a gentle giant: on the one hand huge, voluminous and technically advanced; on the other, stylish, glossy and surprisingly cosy.

“The beautiful interior features a timeless but modern design with elements of Art Deco, and everywhere you can see that the smallest details have been attended to. This yacht is a perfect combination of design, functionality and vision, and offers a unique ambience.”

Year: 2007 – LOA: 81.27m – Builder: Oceanco – Exterior: Nuvolari-Lenard – Interior: Alberto Pinto

Designer Reymond Langton says: “At the time of her creation, she was the largest yacht that we had signed and would be the largest the yard had built. The client is a very experienced yacht owner and for him to have put his trust in us when we had nothing of our own in the water at the time was a massive vote of confidence.

“He allowed us to be a little experimental with the design – this was the first large yacht with a plumb bow. It was fantastic to have landed another contract where we were able to design the exterior and interior as it gave us much more control over the whole project, and gave us the scope to really harmonise the spaces.

“It also allowed us to work hand in hand together, which we thoroughly enjoy and believe delivers the best results for the client. We think she stands out because she has a very striking profile that is easily recognisable from a distance.

“She has a lot of presence on the water due to her powerful lines. Anyone who has been on board will tell you that the high-volume interior feels incredibly luxurious.”

Year: 2007 – LOA: 68.0m – Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen – Exterior: Reymond Langton Design – Interior: Reymond Langton Design

6. Carinthia VII

The Austrian supermarket heiress Heidi Horten replaced Carinthia VI (see below) with this very secret yacht rumoured to run at 26 knots. Voting her as his most beautiful yacht, Rupert Mann of Rainsford Mann Design said, “97m is a good length for a designer to work with, as it gives an opportunity to design longitudinally not vertically and therefore create an elegant yacht which appears low and sleek.

“What makes the design of Carinthia VII so successful is the enhancement of this due to the pure and elegant sheer line that draws your eye from the bow to stern so effortlessly. The clever trick of dropping the sheer line one deck down aft, gives it a dynamic and purposeful bow shape forward, as if carving its path with consummate ease.

The horizontal lines of the super structure are equally uncomplicated, in this instance resisting the addition of unnecessary detail such as fashion plates that often complicate a design. Ultimately I think the strength of the design manifests through its simplicity. It is the most successful of designs, which can be called a ‘timeless classic’.

“A design that will be successful in every genre modern or classic and in every decade, that even 7 years later still is relevant and pleasing to the eye. I would suspect it is this timeless styling and the sheer simplicity, coupled with the poise and balance of the whole composition, that is so appealing to so many of us.”

Year: 2002 – LOA: 97m – Builder: Lürssen – Exterior: Tim Heywood – Interior: Tim Heywood

5. Maltese Falcon

The designer Ken Freivoch, responsible for the way this beautiful yacht looks says, “We are delighted that our fellow designers should have included Maltese Falcon within their shortlist. She was designed without any attempt to be ostentatious or to conform to a set style – it was very much a case of “form follows function”, albeit with very careful attention to essential design principles, balanced proportions and uncluttered and purposeful shapes totally derived from the function they are designed to perform.

The yacht is significant in her innovative sailing system, and our studio took this as a clue to develop the design around such technology, with every effort to develop beautiful and unique solutions aimed at highlighting her unique rig. I can only surmise that a reason why she may have been selected by designers is that she is not a “trendy” design, but the result of going back to first principles, coming out with original and unique solutions, and achieve continuity of concept through from the external styling to the interior design.

A case in point would be the design of the “spider” feature at the aft deck – originally the result of a last minute request from the naval architects to achieve optimum separation between the bearings at the mizzen mast, the announcement from Gerry Dijkstra came something like: “Hey Ken, if we had to place the top bearing for the aft mast 1m above the deck, in the middle of the aft deck – would that be a problem?

“Can you come up with a way to do this, which Tom will not object to? We took this as a clue to design an elegant and purposeful set of arches or buttresses to shore up the bearing in question, and at the same time underline what a unique “machine” the Falcon is – express such function very much along the lines of a watchmaker showing the inner workings of a beautifully crafted watch. Maltese Falcon was a great challenge, exactly the type of challenge that our design team relishes.

For us, the thrill, the excitement and the ultimate satisfaction is to come up with totally unique, “out-of-the-box” solutions, and achieve a design which the owner can feel was truly conceived and executed in response to his brief, to his preferences and to the very specific requirements set out for the project.”

Year: 2006 – LOA: 88m – Builder: Perini Navi – Exterior: Gerard Dijstra – Interior: Ken Freivoch

Espen Oenio was at the time of the design working with Martin Francis and describes the commissioning owner – Mexican media magnate Emilio Azcarraga – as a wonderfully charismatic man. He remembers one meeting in particular early on in the project.

They were at the time sitting on board the owner’s then yacht Lady Azteca (now Achilles ), when he laid out what was to become the mission statement for the whole design process. He told the design team: “I am a very private man. I never spend time in port, I am always cruising. But when I do go into port, I want my presence to be felt through my boat.”

James Roy of BMT Nigel Gee is one designer who voted for Enigma . “It was not until I set eyes on her in the flesh at Cowes Week in 1999 that I really came to appreciate her beauty,” he says.

“The reverse sheer, the sweeping aft deck and those iconic windows – they all meld together to produce a yacht that visually works to perfection and is thoroughly striking even today, 18 years after her launch. It’s very different from anything else that is around.”

Theo Werner of Werner Yacht Design is equally enthusiastic. “When the design of this yacht was first published, I was stunned,” he says. “And when the first photographs appeared in the magazines, I was even more stunned.

“She introduced a new way of thinking that even surpassed the designs of Bannenberg, who I admire very much. Eco included many aspects that are foreign to other ships and yachts, yet Martin Francis managed to combine these with everything that make a ship pretty, such as sleekness, the suggestion of a low freeboard a small superstructure.”

She was subsequently sold to Larry Ellison and is now owned by the British businessman Aidan Barclay and his brother.

Year: 1991 – LOA: 74.5m – Builder: Blomhm & Voss – Exterior: Martin Francis – Interior: Francois Zuretti

3. Endeavour

“Endeavour is one of my favourite yachts for a number of reasons,” Ed Dubois told SuperYacht World . “Firstly, she is a J Class yacht – one of only a few ever built. This class epitomised the very peak of yacht design before World War II and remains still, in technical terms, a class apart. These yachts were extreme in every way and demanded technology that was then in its infancy.

“They were superb yachts to sail upwind, but they were also fast reaching and downwind. They demanded a very high level of sailing skill, and indeed a high level of boatbuilding skill.

“ Endeavour , I believe, is the most beautiful of all the Js built. Her purity of line is exquisite and I think the shape of the sheer is slightly better than any of the others including Velsheda (by the same designer).

“Charles Nicholson designed Endeavour in 1933 and she was used to challenge for the America’s Cup in 1934. It was universally acknowledged that she was faster than the defender Rainbow , and she won the first two races, but better sailing by the Americans allowed them to win overall.

“She has captured the imagination of so many people including, happily, Elizabeth Meyer, who acquired the yacht in the seventies and rebuilt her almost from scratch.

“I believe there is some original plate still present but the hull was rebuilt in the UK and then taken to Royal Huisman Shipyard to be fitted out. The interior, by John Munford, is beautiful – obviously not what was fitted originally when she was a pure racing yacht, but Munford created something that is entirely fitting.

“Endeavour is not a practical yacht to own. She can only be sailed in reasonable conditions, she requires a large crew to race her, most of whom by necessity must sleep ashore, and maintaining a yacht of this type, particularly with regard to sails, rigging, etc is not inexpensive. However, for sheer sailing performance, romantic appeal and beauty I believe she is second to none.”

Year: 1934 – LOA: 39.6m – Builder: Camper & Nicholson – Exterior: C & N – Interior: C & N

Designer Tim Heywood says: “When a client gives you carte blanche to create a design, it is a blessing and a curse, if you do not rise to the challenge, you will not gain the approval of your client or, eventually, the respect of your peers.

“ Pelorus was a great project for us and we are extremely pleased with the end result, as was the client. I was able to develop the internal general arrangement plan, the external global styling themes and the practical engineering details to a level I had not achieved before.

The organic curves & forms of the superstructure are echoed in the lines of the hull, tying the two forms together, to produce a harmony that is easy on the eye, was quite unique at the time and, hopefully, will not date.

“The belt line that runs forward from the stern and sweeps down towards the anchor pocket, is inspired by the armour plating of the light cruiser HMS Belfast , which still lives just up stream from our old London studio.

“If I succeeded in creating a yacht that is thought of as attractive, by my brothers in arms of the design world, I am very pleased. Informed comments from professional, talented designers and client, means more than from any other source, especially if they are not negative!

“My partner, Vanessa, came up with our project name, we always give a name to our yachts, rather than a sterile number, and the client liked the name so much that he confirmed Pelorus as the yacht’s eventual name. The yacht has changed hands, but we are very pleased to see that she has retained her original name.”

“If I succeeded in creating a yacht that is thought of as attractive by my brothers-in-arms of the design world, I am very pleased. Informed comment from professional, talented designers and clients means more than from any other source – especially when they are positive!”

Year: 2003 – LOA: 115m – Builder: Lürssen – Exterior: Tim Heywood – Interior: Terrence Disdale

1. Carinthia VI

Dickie Bannenburg of Bannenburg Designs say: “Famously, and perhaps notoriously, Carinthia VI owes her existence to the fact that her elder sibling Carinthia V survived for only a few months before ending her days several fathoms down in Greek waters.

:The unfortunate captain struggled ashore to find a phone to have an awkward phone conversation with Helmut Horten, his Owner. Mr Horten rang my father up almost the following day and told him to start work on her replacement which has now become, in an often over used phrase, a yachting icon.

“She certainly wasn’t an icon when she appeared out of the Lürssen shed for the first time. With dramatic superstructure on a slim frigate-based hull, grilles and that distinctive blue windshield forward of the wheelhouse, my father’s design scared the pants off people and the perception of him hardened amongst conventional designers and naval architects as a dangerous radical. But now her pared down lines and slender masculinity scream good taste, restraint and a sense of suave style that is rarely seen these days.

“Certainly her interior was purposeful, code for slightly austere, and by today’s standards there was not much interior volume for lavish living, not least due to the presence of three mighty MTU diesels. There are no swoops, no complicated fashion plates and absolutely no ability to walk down steps at the transom to a nice bathing platform.

“But all the better for it. Life on board was, I understand, conducted with a certain Austrian precision and Carinthia ’s elegant and taut exterior, with deep blue paintwork and her gold coachwork stripe cut an unmistakeable dash in the harbours of the Cote d’Azur as she still does today.

“My father was very proud of her. Of course I’m even more proud that his design of almost forty years ago has such an enduring impact.”

Year: 2003 – LOA: 115m – Builder: Lürssen – Exterior: Bannenberg – Interior: Bannenberg

First published in the January 2015 issue of Superyacht World.

The new ‘Transformer’ megayacht concept that expands at anchor

Revealed: the true cost of running a $3 million superyacht, the massive 278-foot explorer victorious will be the star at this year’s miami boat show 2024, latest videos, watch: parker sorrento sea trial: 50-knot cruiser with a killer aft cabin, watch: virtue v10 sea trial: €272k weekender, how to mark your anchor chain: 6 top tips from our expert, watch: galeon 560 fly sea trial – the best galeon flybridge you can buy.

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

The most extreme superyacht concepts in the world

BOAT takes a look at the most radical and otherworldy superyacht concepts guaranteed to inspire your inner designer. 

Extreme feature: a spider-like exterior design with four legs

Realised by Christian Leyk of coquine![design], Tobiko translates from Japanese as "flying fish roe". The 40-metre concept, with its imposing arachnid-like design, is a SWATH (small waterplane area twin hull) vessel that gives the illusion of flying low over the water. Although the yacht has parts that remain below the sea's surface, the living platform is "virtually unaffected by the waves", according to the designer. Most of the hull of this extreme superyacht concept does not exist, with just a shield against the waves and tender garage clipped to it. Instead, the studio strengthened the backbone of its inter-deck space and put all the yacht's systems inside. There’s one lounge, two guest suites, a semi-open galley area and a small crew space, while the upper deck has a bridge and sundeck space.

Standout feature: hybrid superyacht-submarine engineering

Believing in the future of "submersibles" as a new category of private vessels, Migaloo PSY had designed a superyacht able to function underwater for approximately four weeks. The 165.8-metre can accommodate between 14-20 guests and 32-40 crew, dependent on the owners' preference in ratio. Leisure highlights include a 200-square-metre spa, an outdoor cinema and a helipad. There are also two "Midget Submarines" on hand for deep sea exploration, while a 12.5-metre limousine tender and two expedition vehicles facilitate adventures on the surface.

Extreme feature: a blimp docking station

Lazzarini Design Studio is the mind behind this 204-metre superyacht, constructed entirely in carbon-fibre with a build cost of $1 billion. Colossea functions as a floating docking station for an airship and is inspired by the airship Norge, the first aircraft to fly over the polar ice cap that separates America and Europe. The vessel can accommodate up to 44 guests and has incredibly spacious decks that lend themselves well to several sunloungers and swimming pools.

Extreme feature: asymmetric decks and its own personal port

Milan-based designer Enzo Manca is the mind behind this curved, military-style concept, designed "with the idea it should become the official flagship mega yacht of the [UAE]." UAE One was conceived with input from a Sheikh, with a focus on privacy and additional space for international meetings, as well as multiple transfer options, including a "mini-internal port" for tenders and a submarine. The 140-metre vessel also houses a spa, wellness centre and 18-metre swimming pool that sits transversely on the sundeck.

Extreme feature: an exterior constructed entirely in glass

Named after the Lakota word for "thunder", the 130-metre trimaran has a minimalist, bird-like silhouette courtesy of Turkish yacht designer Aras Kazar. Full-height tempered glass wraps each deck and allows natural light to fill the interior from all angles, with sculptural wave-like designs shielding the open main deck aft from the elements. Wakíŋyaŋ has also been loaded with electric and hydrofoil technology, giving it an impressive top speed of 32 knots.

Extreme feature: able to "fly" at exhilarating speeds

Plectrum is a 'flying' yacht concept that takes inspiration from the more contemporary America’s Cup sailboats - specifically the Luna Rossa design - and would be the largest example of foiling technology installed on a yacht. Designed by Lazzarini Design Studio , the yacht would have an eye-watering top speed of 75 knots thanks to three hydrogen-powered motors, capable of 5,000hp each. Plectrum is also envisioned with an adjustable beam of up to 20 metres that can be reduced to 15 metres when the yacht is berthed or at anchor.

Extreme feature: its futuristic hull shape

This 80-metre catamaran concept was designed by Andy Waugh Yacht Design, who took his inspiration from the automotive and aeronautical advances seen in the 1920s. The futuristic SWATH hull would allow for several technical developments, such as an estimated 70 percent reduction in pitch and roll movements compared to a conventional monohull superyacht, for greater comfort and safety while on board. Renderings also show retractable inflatable sails, suggesting that the yacht will benefit from added wind power.

Project Amplitude

Extreme feature: a set of computer-controlled sails

M51 and Anthony Glasson's 95-metre concept aims to combine the eco-minded features of a sailboat with the comfort, propulsion and range of a motor yacht of its size. The motorsailer is designed with two inflatable, computer-controlled wing sails, a newly developing technology that reduces the need for complex deck equipment such as winches and halyards. As it stands, this feature would have to be used in conjunction with the prop drive to reduce fuel consumption, but Glasson stated that “as technology improves, one day they could be used alone on a vessel this size.”

Extreme feature: can cruise underwater for six hours

With a depth rating of over 200 metres, Nautilus is a 37.5-metre underwater superyacht by Dutch submersible specialist U-Boat Worx . The diesel-electric model has a surface cruise speed of nine knots and an underwater speed of four knots and it will able to stay underwater for up to four days at a time. At cruise speed, the underwater endurance is six hours. The interior includes a 50-square-metre dinner and lounge area with four four-metre circular windows and elsewhere houses a pressure-resistant electrical tender called Aronnax, which may also be used for transporting five scuba divers underwater to the intended dive spot.

Extreme feature: an exterior inspired by a species of shark

London-based studio State of Craft has released designs for a 120-metre concept named Mako. The superyacht is an adventurous take on explorers and features long-range ice cruising capabilities. Inspired by the Mako species of shark, it will be powered by a propulsion system that combines hydrogen, fuel cells and electric engines to be able to operate with a zero-carbon footprint. Situated above the top deck is a "pavilion" space, intended to be used as an observatory, panoramic lounge, fitness studio or yoga space. Having already created numerous residential developments and private homes, Mako is the first nautical design from State of Craft.

Sponsored listings

7 Must-See Houseboats You Can Buy Right Now

While they may be small in size, houseboats certainly pack in the appeal. They allow you to live on the go and move as you please; they're usually more affordable than traditional houses; and let's not forget their adorable charm. If you've ever considered living the life aquatic, check out the seven delightful houseboats we've rounded up below. Ranging in space, style, and price, these floating abodes are sure to strike your fancy.

1)  An Airy Two-Story Abode With a Spacious Top Deck

Asking Price: $499,000

While the Andante has a nautical-inspired exterior, the interior is another story.

Known as the Andante, this 1984 houseboat was recently treated to a complete renovation earlier this year. Measuring around 812 square feet, it now features two bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, and a large top deck.

Clad in beautiful oak, the recently restored home has 812 square feet of bright interior space. The kitchen has Corian counters, stainless steel appliances, and a deep sink.

2) A Timeless Home Fitted With Reclaimed Furniture  

Asking Price: Approximately $211,200

Built in 2013, the boat has a large, timber-framed skylight that bathes the space in light, while creating the perfect place to grow plants.

Thoughtfully designed by its current owners, the Chinampa Houseboat includes a curated collection of antiques and reclaimed furniture. With four 130-watt solar panels, the home can even operate 100 percent off the grid.

A look at the front half of the boat. The galley kitchen has been assembled from a reclaimed chest, an iroko hardwood worktop from Retrouvius, and bespoke cupboard doors made from western red cedar.

3) A Two-Bedroom Boat With Exposed Wood Beams

Asking Price: $330,000

Currently moored in the heart of Lake Union, the Pied-A-Mer is conveniently located near downtown Seattle.

Named the Pied-A-Mer, this two-story houseboat features approximately 542 square feet of charming interior space. Unlike many floating homes, it features a recently remodeled kitchen complete with a full-size fridge. It also comes with a cozy built-in dinette, which converts to a double bed.

The boat's midcentury-inspired interior features beautiful exposed wood beams.

4) An Eco-Friendly Home With Darling Cottage Vibes

Asking Price: $425,000

A look at the boat's charming cottage-like exterior.

Built in 2010, the Eco Sea Cottage is yet another darling houseboat in Seattle. Floating off Westlake Avenue, the 728-square-foot property includes a beautifully designed kitchen (with a dishwasher), a quaint master bedroom, and a sleeping loft.

Inside, the airy home features a spacious living area with a fireplace. The 728-square-foot space makes a great city escape.

5) An Off-Grid Abode With a Minimalist Interior

Asking Price: Approximately $377,700

The minimalist boat is fitted with bespoke wall sconces and custom-made upholstery.

Currently moored in London's St. Katharine Docks, the Dusky Parakeet is a bright and modern off-grid houseboat designed by award-winning firm 31/44 Architects. The brand-new 60' x 12' wide beam canal boat features bespoke interiors that give off a Scandinavian vibe.

Putting every square inch to good use, the architects created an abundance of storage throughout the home to help keep clutter to a minimum.

6) A Two-Level House With a Spiral Staircase

Asking Price: $445,000

The 1,020-square-foot home features decks off the living room and both bedrooms.

The imPossible Dream is a turnkey, fully furnished houseboat that features an astounding 1,020 square feet of living space. With two bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths, a washer and dryer, and two decks, the home is move-in ready and has everything you need to live comfortably on the water.

Originally built in 1996, the home was recently treated to a complete overhaul. 

7) A Reimagined Home With Low Maintenance Costs

Asking Price: $275,000

The 212-square-foot Orca houseboat is delightfully trimmed in pink. It was originally built in 1982 and received a thoughtful renovation in 2017.

Another delightful waterfront oasis is the Orca houseboat. Recently remodeled, the home includes reclaimed bamboo flooring, butcher block kitchen counters, custom cabinets, and a new steel hull—which means it'll have very low maintenance costs.

The quaint yet highly functional kitchen features butcher block countertops, as well as a skylight which allows natural light to seep inside.

Related Reading: 14 Floating Homes That Make a Strong Case For Waterfront Living

Know of a home for sale or rent that should be featured on Dwell.com? Find out how to submit to Dwell.

Last Updated

Stay up to Date on the Latest in Tiny Homes

Discover small spaces filled with big ideas—from clever storage solutions to shape-shifting rooms.

• THE PRINCESS PASSPORT
• Email Newsletter
• Yacht Walkthroughs
• Destinations
• Electronics
• Boating Safety
• Ultimate Boat Giveaway

19 Outrageous Yacht Designs

• By Yachting Staff
• Updated: April 17, 2015

Most Outrageous Designs: Czyzewski-Design

Most Outrageous Boats: Pastrovich 55M X-Easy

Most Outrageous Desings: Glider XD18

Most Outrageous Designs: Hull Vane

Azzam: World’s Largest Superyacht!

• More: Design , Photos , Yachts
• More Yachts

Luxury Yacht Giants Unite: Nautor Swan and Sanlorenzo Group Merger

Halo 470 Reviewed

Superyacht Collision, Sinking Incident, Takeaways and Lessons

Riviera to Unveil 6800 Sport Yacht at Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

For Sale: Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge

KVH Expands Its Hybrid Network with OneWeb’s LEO Satellites

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Email Newsletters
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

672 Wine Club

• Motorcycles
• Car of the Month
• Destinations
• Men’s Fashion
• Watch Collector
• Art & Collectibles
• Vacation Homes
• Celebrity Homes
• New Construction
• Home Design
• Electronics
• Fine Dining
• Benchmark Wines
• Brian Fox Art
• Chase United
• Disneyland Resort
• Gateway Bronco
• Royal Salute
• Sports & Leisure
• Health & Wellness
• Best of the Best
• The Ultimate Gift Guide

The 10 Best Explorer Yachts for High-Seas Adventures

A 350-foot gigayacht or 60-foot cruiser size isn't what defines an explorer yacht. the devil's in the details when it comes to authenticity., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

• These Charter Yachts Let You Tag Hammerhead Sharks and Count Spirit Bears for Research
• These Luxe Villas Are the Place to Stay in This Retro-Chic Enclave on the Tuscan Coast
• The 7 Most Exciting New Superyacht Marinas in the World
• Share This Article

Unlike fashion trends that seem to move as fast as a Redbull F1 car, the yachting industry takes its time adopting new ideas. There seems to be one exception. Explorer vessels, born out of the owners’ desires to go farther and stay longer, without sacrificing creature comforts, is developing with some urgency.

Several dozen builders and designers are now focusing on explorers, but they are also consulting with adventure travel firms that have a long history of using expedition yachts in remote parts of the globe. ICON Yachts, for example, collaborated with Cookson Adventures and the International Seakeepers Society on its Project Mission in both the overarching design and the details found across the yacht. Adventure outfitter EYOS employs its expertise routinely with Damen’s explorer vessels, most recently with the 190-foot Pink Shadow.   EYOS has a list of 50 features that separate authentic explorers from faux versions that might look the part but lack the necessary infrastructure and design elements.

Long-range cruising, system redundancy for autonomy at sea, and storage to carry specialist equipment like submersibles are some of the requirements that define expedition boats. There’s also deck configuration for the easy launch of tenders and toys, along with strong, ice-class hulls and climate-controlled areas comfort in extreme polar and tropic regions.

We culled through the latest fleet of explorers with multiple lengths and designs, selecting a single feature that we think makes it best in class. Here are 10 of our favorites.

Best Pilothouse: Doggersbank 77 Offshore

More than 700 Doggersbank motoryachts have been built since the 1960s, with the latest model scheduled for delivery in 2025. The robust, offshore vessels are designed by Dutch studio Vripack for long ocean passages, assisted by a high, flared bow. “It prevents green water from hitting the wheelhouse windows in rough seas, and together with the Portuguese bridge, ensures the captain’s view is not obstructed,” Joost Mertens, Doggersbank fleet manager, told Robb Report . “The yacht’s steel hull ensures the yacht sits better in the water making it less vulnerable to wind and high waves.”

Best Deck Configuration: Columbus Crossover 42

The Columbus Crossover 42 is defined by both straight and angled surfaces,  tapered stern sections and a concentration of volume in the bow that is becoming on many explorers. What is atypical is the yacht’s compact but flexible dimensions that accommodate a large cockpit tender and a 108-square-foot swimming pool with relaxation areas. Sold to an U.S. customer, it’s scheduled for delivery in 2025.

Best Multipurpose Stern: Bering B165

Turkish boatbuilder Bering Yachts revealed details of its new 162-foot flagship explorer yacht, the B165 , at the Dubai International Boat Show in March. The yacht can carry 18,400 gallons of fuel, which the builder says will give it a 4,000 nautical mile range when cruising at 12 knots. It also has a 2,640-gallon holding tank. What singles the B165 out among other explorers, however, is its multi-purpose stern area for both function and form. The elongated aft deck has a swimming pool surrounded by sunbeds. When the bulwarks are folded down, the space becomes an even larger overwater terrace. When the pool is not in use, it can be used as a covered storage area for water toys and expedition equipment. The yacht’s two tenders are also stored on the aft, making it a flexible space for both equipment and guests.

Best Family-Friendly Concept: Project Mimer

This 197-foot expedition concept by Tillberg Design of Sweden caters to family travel with a helicopter pad as well as multiple tenders and toys. It’s pitched by the studio as an introduction to true explorer yachting. It has a functional crew layout for efficient operations and an upper deck owner’s suite with a forward terrace and spa pool. With a hull that will be built to the Polar Code Category, the concept also has an optional helipad aft and long list of toys, from an electric luxury tender and two expedition RIBS to quad bikes, a submersible, Jet Skis, and, of course, an amphibious vehicle. The five-decked yacht sleeps 12 guests with crew quarters for 17 and an additional staff member, such as a nanny.

Best Ice Explorer: Damen SeaXplorer 105

Damen’s 345-foot SeaXplorer 105 is the largest model in the SeaXplorer range, with exterior design by Azure Yacht Design. The platform was developed under the guidance of expedition specialists EYOS Expeditions, who considered over 150 design criteria, from the hull form and bridge layout to the tender davits and Zodiac boarding arrangements. But it is EYOS’s expertise in the polar regions—it facilitated the first heli-ski charter in Antarctica and the first 3,200-foot sub dive to the Antarctic midnight zone—that gives the vessel its point of difference. The SeaXplorer has an ice-strengthened hull and a specially shaped icebreaking stern to maneuver through rough terrain.

Best Interior: Project Fox

On top of having a cool name, Project Fox has a bright, contemporary interior, courtesy of London’s Q Design, that is becoming more common on expedition yachts. The full-beam owner’s stateroom is also one of the yacht’s standout features, with its marble en suite and hardwood floors. The salon is also luxe, with white walls that brighten up travel even in areas that are sunlight deprived. Project Fox also has four other staterooms.

Best Autonomy: Project Master

ICON Yachts’s Project Master was a transoceanic offshore support vessel before the Dutch shipyard began a refit to turn it into an explorer yacht (see before and after inset). It’s equipped with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion, a wide beam for multiple tender spaces, a 7,200-nautical mile range, and flexible cabin arrangements for expedition crew. Other features include a science lab and a certified heli-deck. “The yacht’s helicopter and sub capability mean it can offer assistance in areas with challenging access and little infrastructure,” Micca Ferrero, owner of ICON Yachts, told Robb Report . “The design is for the demands of self-sufficient voyages.”

Best Use of Volume: Arcadia Yachts A96

The A96 mixes the lines, volume, and open-plan layout of Arcadia’s Sherpa series with the speed, joystick maneuverability, and quality of the yard’s A range. It’s the first Arcadia to have an Igor Lobanov-designed interior, as well as a high bow and high deckheads for traversing rough water. But its big differentiator is the 214 gross tonnes of volume and 24-foot beam that generate big volumes—4,300 square feet of usable space, which is 30 percent more than on other similar-sized yachts. Low bulwarks and lateral walkways emphasize the sense of openness.

Best Bow: Project Shackleton

This 351-foot build from Lürssen has an inverted bow that looks like an eagle’s beak. The shape is designed to slice through waves with much lower vibration through the hull, while also reducing rock and roll in rough seas. Unlike the quasi-research vessel exteriors of many explorers, this vessel is representative of the changing look of many in this growing segment. 

Best Multi-Mode Hull: Azimut Magellano 60

The Magellano 60 isn’t technically an explorer yacht. Think of it as a cruiser  designed for some long-distance travel. But it does have one very interesting feature, what its builder Azimut calls a “dual-mode” hull. The semi-planing shape is designed to optimize fuel consumption (and therefore lower emissions) by about 20 percent (compared to similar-sized vessels) at low and medium speeds. The yacht’s bow is also designed to cut through waves for better seakeeping at a range of speeds. The boat cruises very efficiently at 18 knots but will hit a top end of 26, thus delivering the performance of a planing hull with the benefits of a displacement hull.

Read More On:

• Expedition Yachts
• Explorer Yachts

More Marine

New Zealand’s Thrilling Win Gets the America’s Cup Off to a Rip-Roaring Start

This Revamped 161-Foot Trinity Superyacht Could Be Yours for $16 Million

Rescuers Find Remaining Missing Aboard the Sunken ‘Bayesian’ Superyacht 

Tech Mogul Mike Lynch and 5 Others Are Missing After a Yacht Sinks in Italy

Meet the Wine Club That Thinks Differently.

Receive editor-curated reds from boutique California producers four times a year.

Give the Gift of Luxury

Latest Galleries in Marine

10 Must-Haves That Will Make Your Yacht Trip Even Better

6 Electric Surfboards That’ll Help You Ride the New E-Foil Wave

More from our brands, jeremy allen white and calvin klein reunite for fall 2024 in americana-inspired underwear and denim campaign, wells fargo hires sports banking exec peter dorfman from truist, sag-aftra wins passage of california bill to limit ai replicas, christie’s will celebrate birth centenary of francis newton souza with non-selling exhibition, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors.

More From Forbes

10 of the coolest historical hood ornaments.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster

Hood ornaments have largely faded into obscurity thanks to modern safety regulations and ever increasing costs of production. Just like historical architecture, classic and vintage car design championed detail and elaborate flourishes that only served to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a creation. Taking a look back at some of the coolest hood ornaments, here’s 10 pre-war examples.

1926 Minerva AF Town Car

The Minerva brand takes its name from the Roman Goddess of wisdom. Its hood ornament is inspired by this etymology and saw several different iterations during the ‘20s and ‘30s. Minerva mainly focused on luxury cars but found its beginnings in bicycle manufacturing and once offered the cheapest car in the world at just $140 (£105). The Belgian company eventually went out of business in 1956.

1928 Pierce Arrow Model 81

Pierce Arrow’s helmeted archer first appeared on its cars in 1928. Soon after in 1931, the design was modified to remove the figure’s helmet. Like most automotive manufacturers of the period, Pierce Arrow produced other vehicles including trucks, bikes and motorcycles but ultimately the Great Depression proved too difficult to make its high end cars financially viable.

1930 Packard 740 Super Eight Convertible

Packard’s Goddess of Speed features a wheel between a woman’s hands with her hair blowing behind her. While it’s an elegant take on the hood ornament, it was nicknamed the “donut chaser” which trivialized the design instead of recognising it for the symbol of quality that it was intended to be. The ornament was first introduced in 1925 and in the ‘30s Packard added a stylised bird sculpture to its lineup.

1931 Cadillac 355A Victoria Coupe

Cadillac is one of the few manufacturers on this list that weathered the storm of the Great Depression and came out the other side. In the ‘30s the brand was fostering its image and launched its flying Goddess ornament alongside its Heron mascot seen below. The bird-based inspiration had a much shorter lifespan than the flying Goddess, only appearing for four years before the Cadillac Goddess became the brand’s symbol.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.

1932 Lincoln Model KB Coupe

Unlike some of the mascots we’ve seen so far which have drawn inspiration from mythology, Ford wanted to liken Lincoln models to the speed and grace of the greyhound. This sentiment was mirrored later in the automotive world by the likes of Jaguar and Dodge, choosing animals as their mascots as well. The story goes that Ford’s son Edsel commissioned the greyhound design to adorn Lincoln hoods.

1933 Hudson Essex Terraplane Eight Model KT

1933 Hudson Essex Terraplane

There were at least five automotive manufacturers who employed the griffin as their emblems: Vauxhall, Stoewer, Gardner, Hudson and the New Era Automobile Company. Just Vauxhall remains operational today, still using the griffin in its logo, while none of the other brands made it into the 21st century. Essex was a strand of Hudson which was created to offer affordable cars whereas Husdons were more upmarket. Later the Terraplane name was introduced and for a short period the Essex and Terraplane monikers coexisted.

1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Cabriolet

Founded around the turn of the 20th century, the Auburn Automobile Company was another manufacturer lost to the Great Depression. Before its demise though, its models were rivals for French Bugattis and British Bentleys. Auburn hoods held the company’s flying lady mascot which sees her hair flowing behind her in the wind. This particular example is thought to be one of the best surviving models and sold for $1,270,000 at auction earlier this year.

1935 Avions Voisin C28

Gabriel Voisin and his brother Charles produced airplanes during the first World War under the name Avions Voisin. Gabriel had a background in architecture and pivoted to cars after the war. The stylised bird ornament on the hood of the company’s cars was made of aluminum. The metal choice was deliberate to highlight that Voisin models were lightweight. This is perhaps the most simple design on this list which features riveted metal rather than smooth sculpted lines.

1935 Buick Model 56 Business Coupe

In 1933 a patent was submitted for this Buick hood ornament that granted protection over the design for seven years. It depicts a woman with her arms behind her, head tilted backwards and left knee bent forwards. Buick had several hood ornaments over the years but few were as detailed as the brand’s early designs. Later they became simpler and more streamlined. Since Oldsmobile collapsed in 2004, Buick is now the oldest American automotive manufacturer.

1941 Cadillac Series 62

Cadillac’s flying Goddess saw several different iterations but this is perhaps the most impressive. It was the chosen symbol to appear on the vast majority of Cadillac models from 1930 to 1956. The design was supposed to convey “the very spirit of unsurpassed swiftness and power, coupled with grace and perfect balance.” Initially, it was introduced on the Cadillac V16 signifying this as the most prestigious model but was later rolled out across the lineup.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. 

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

• False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
• Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
• Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
• Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

• Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
• Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
• Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

• Stay on topic and share your insights
• Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
• ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
• Protect your community.
• Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service.

90 Sunreef Power yacht honored with the Golden Crown in the category Discovery of the year on the Russian market

• Inspiration

Related News

Popular news this week, popular news this month, latest news.

• Yacht Charter & Superyacht News >

Written by Zuzana Bednarova

This image is featured as part of the article Sunreef Yachts to attend Moscow Boat Show for first time .

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "90 Sunreef Power yacht honored with the Golden Crown in the category Discovery of the year on the Russian market".

• Charity & Fund Raising
• CharterWorld News
• Classic Yachts
• Coronavirus
• Cruise Ship
• Ecological Yachts
• Expedition Yachts
• Expert Broker Advice
• Feature Superyachts
• Interior Design
• Legal & VAT Yacht Issues
• Luxury Catamarans
• Luxury Gulet
• Luxury Phinisi
• Luxury Trimarans
• Luxury Yacht Design
• Luxury Yachts
• Marinas & Harbours
• Marine Ecology
• Marine Electronics
• Marine Equipment
• Mega Yachts
• Modern Yachts
• Motor Yachts
• New Launch Yachts
• New To Charter
• Open Style Sports Yachts
• Private Jets
• Sailing Yachts
• Social Media
• Sports Yachts
• Superyacht Crew
• Superyacht Photographers
• Superyacht Products & Supplies
• Superyacht Refits
• Superyacht Reviews
• Superyachts
• Uncategorized
• Yacht Builders
• Yacht Charter
• Yacht Charter Destinations
• Yacht Charter Picks
• Yacht Charter Specials
• Yacht Delivered to Owner
• Yacht Designers
• Yacht Events & Boat Shows
• Yacht Fashion
• Yacht Industry News
• Yacht Photos
• Yacht Racing
• Yacht Racing & Regattas
• Yacht Safety Equipment
• Yacht Support Vessels
• Yacht Tenders
• Yacht Videos
• Yachting Associations
• Yachting Awards
• Yachting Business
• Yachts For Charter
• Yachts For Sale

Quick Enquiry

Superyacht news:.

Email Your Yachting News to: news @ charterworld.com

Sunreef Yachts’ international promotion and development

Upcoming Spring Boat Show Season for Sunreef Yachts

‘Discovery of the Year’ Award for 90 Sunreef Power Yacht at Luxury Lifestyle Awards

Sunreef Yachts strengthens its leading position as luxury catamaran builder in 2013

Abeking & Rasmussen’s 41-meter superyacht NURJA relaunched after refit

Aegean Yachts unveil 26m explorer yacht HEKATE

Late summer special offer on board 72m superyacht ARBEMA in the Western Mediterranean

The International SeaKeepers Society will host its 2024 annual Founders Event in October

OCEA delivers 33m motor yacht ARAOK II to her new owner

39m sailing yacht LINNEA AURORA launched by SES Yachts

A luxury charter yacht is the perfect way to encounter New England’s fall foliage display

A first look at 55m superyacht PROJECT AGNETHA from Heesen Yachts

Charter yachts offering citizen science opportunities around the world

44m superyacht ORION ONE reaches a construction milestone

44m charter yacht JEMS offers 9 days for the price of 7 in August in Italy

37m luxury explorer yacht OCULUS brand new to the charter market on both sides of the Atlantic

( Realtor.com )

Ohio Home Hits the Market for $1.6 Million—With a Wild Surprise Hidden Inside Its Walls

Traditionally, an Airstream trailer has been considered a “home away from home”—but the owners of one quirky Ohio home have flipped that ethos on its head by installing one inside their sprawling glass-walled property .

Located in Hinckley , the two-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom residence looks, at first glance, like the average American home.

However, upon closer inspection, several unique features give the property, which is on the market for $1,599,000, a bit of an edge.

Described in its listing as a “contemporary masterpiece,” the house sits on a 12.25-acre lot amid lush woodland.

Floor-to-ceiling windows in the open-plan “party room” offer incredible views of the natural landscape—that is if you can tear your eyes away from the shiny silver Airstream that is permanently “parked” within the space.

(Realtor.com)

The trailer has been artfully built into one of the glass walls and completely renovated to serve as a fully operational commercial kitchen.

“The party room is a wonderful surprise, located off the kitchen and incorporating a vintage Airstream trailer fitted with a commercial kitchen and tall glass garage doors open to the woods surrounding the home,” the listing states.

Truth is, the rest of this Ohio house is pretty cool, too—a contemporary design with high-end finishes surrounded by a very pretty landscape.

A limestone tower heralds this modern home’s entrance, which leads to a trio of open spaces for living, dining, and cooking. Salvaged wood beams add character overhead. Glass walls bring nature inside and give the place a distinct treehouse vibe.

There’s a fireplace and lofty barrel ceiling in the primary suite as well as a spa bath with a deep tub and double glass-topped vanities. Among the other high-end amenities are a home office, gym, lounge, and lower level with a bedroom, living room, and kitchenette.

The main kitchen is from the Italian brand Boffi and sparkles with endless granite and stainless steel. There’s also a Wolf range and Sub-Zero fridge-freezer and double wine fridges.

And if you have classic wheels you’d like to show off, the garage features a polished concrete floor and a glass door for maximum viewing. Clearly designed for entertaining, the garage can also be used, the listing states, “as an additional party space.”

Patios, a front courtyard, a pizza oven, and even a picnic spot in the woods complete this idyllic package.

• For more photos and details, check out the full listing.
• Homes for sale in Hinckley, OH
• Learn more about Hinckley, OH

Jennifer Kelly Geddes creates content for WhatToExpect.com, American Airlines Vacations, Oxo, Livestrong, and Parade.

Twitter Follow @jkgeddes

• Related Articles

Share this Article

• Work & Careers
• Life & Arts

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

They’re Putting Some Fun in Funerals

Modern, even hip, mortuaries around the world are hoping to answer one question: How do we commemorate death in 2024?

By Annabel Nugent

Reporting from London

In the affluent neighborhood of Crouch End in London, a new business is attracting some attention. The storefront’s blue-and-white facade is airy and minimalist. Three polka-dot vases on plinths sit in the window. To the casual observer, the space might look like an art gallery. But through the window is something a little more curious: a sea-foam-green box measuring 7 feet by 2 feet.

It’s generally upon noticing the box that passers-by will do a double-take of the shop’s signage: Exit Here. The polka dot vases aren’t vases. They’re urns. The box is a coffin. And in the back, unknown to them, is a 12-person morgue.

“We knew the name would be Marmite,” said Oliver Peyton, a renowned restaurateur, comparing the polarized reactions to his funeral home’s somewhat cheeky name to those elicited by the yeasty British spread. “You either love it or you hate it. My mother-in-law hates it.”

Mr. Peyton, who founded the first branch of Exit Here in the neighborhood of Chiswick in 2019 as a modern alternative to traditional funeral parlors, is a familiar face on the British hospitality scene: He was the founder of the Atlantic Bar & Grill, a West London hot spot that closed in 2006, and he served as a judge on the BBC show “Great British Menu.”

Mr. Peyton, 62, who is originally from Sligo, Ireland, became interested in the mortuary business while planning a funeral for his father, who died in 2010. He felt that there weren’t enough choices in the process. “Funerals are historically a hand-me-down business,” he said, adding that people tend to use the funeral parlor that’s closest to their home.

He also believes funeral planning is not so different from hospitality. “It’s still a service industry,” he said. “We’re taking care of people at a very heightened emotional period in their lives.”

Exit Here is among a small group of funeral homes around the world — like Sparrow in New York, Poppy’s in London and Altima in Spain — with a modern feel.

Exit Here’s new Crouch End space, with its velvet upholstery and curved archways, resembles a fancy members-only club. Altima, a chain with 40 homes around the Catalonia region, works with the architecture firm Batlleiroig to build parlors that resemble art galleries, featuring marble and lattice brickwork. The walls at Sparrow are dusty rose and forest green, and there is always incense burning.

For funeral homes, they’re surprisingly hip.

Looks aren’t everything, of course. These businesses also tend to offer nontraditional services like support groups for the bereaved and memorials personalized down to every detail.

‘It’s Going to Be Fabulous’

Steven Wilson, 47, discovered Exit Here in 2020 on a walk near his house in Chiswick. “What a brilliant name,” he thought to himself at the time. After being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, which he eventually learned was terminal, he returned in March to start planning his own funeral.

Past memorials Mr. Wilson has attended have served as cautionary tales. When his boyfriend died in 2014, the minister knew nothing beyond his name. “They played a nine-minute medley of ‘November Rain,’” Mr. Wilson said, adding that he “never once” heard his boyfriend play Guns N’ Roses. “The whole thing was just utterly impersonal.”

Mr. Wilson, who worked in philanthropy, said his own funeral was going to be “fabulous,” using an alliterative curse word for emphasis. On the top of his hand was a freshly applied I.V. bandage.

He saw it as a gift to have the time to plan his own funeral. “It sounds strange, but I want people to enjoy it,” he said. And so, sometime probably within the next six months, his friends and family will gather in his hometown, Aberdeen, Scotland, where his body will lie in a coffin draped in a rainbow flag.

Instead of traditional programs, memory books divided into eras of Mr. Wilson’s life (“Very Taylor Swift,” as he put it) will be handed out as Jo Napthine, a former West End star and a professional funeral celebrant, belts numbers from Mr. Wilson’s favorite musicals: “Bring Me Home” from “Les Miserables”; “Somewhere” from “West Side Story”; “Tomorrow” from “Annie.”

And later, at the crematory: “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.

The ‘Sweetgreen’ of Funeral Homes

For much of her life, Natividad Hawkins, who lives in Hillside, N.J., knew of only one funeral home in the Brooklyn neighborhood where she grew up. “It was where we all went when someone died,” said Ms. Hawkins, who arranged her mother’s funeral there in 2021. “The lady working there was very nice, but it was very much a transactional thing.”

It was only last year after attending the funeral of her childhood best friend, held at Sparrow in Greenpoint, that Ms. Hawkins realized there were other options.

According to its founder, Erica Hill, people have been known to wander into Sparrow, which opened in 2021, thinking it’s a spa. The home has a morgue and two “celebration rooms,” as they’re called, for memorials, as well as a shop, where candles and condolence cards with line drawings are sold.

Ms. Hawkins, who is now in her 50s and works in tech, was struck by how beautiful the space was and how uplifting the service for her friend turned out to be.

When her brother, Francis Ortega, died in October, Ms. Hawkins knew where she wanted to hold the funeral. “As a self-aware control freak, I appreciated the fact they were never like, ‘This is how we do it,’” she said. “It was always, ‘What do you want?’”

Ms. Hill, 61, said Sparrow’s services were aimed at people who were looking for something that feels “warm and inviting.”

She likened her business to Sweetgreen or SoulCycle. “They repackage something, rebrand it and make it look cool,” she said. “What we’re doing is in the same realm.”

Nicola Tuer, the former chief operating officer at Sony Music in Britain and Ireland, was so taken with Exit Here’s branding that she referred to it on the mood board for the funeral of her husband, Tim Tuer, when he died of a brain tumor in October. The memorial was held at the celebrity chef Rick Stein’s seafood restaurant in the neighborhood of Barnes in London, in what was the eatery’s first-ever funeral. There were personalized bottles of wine — “ Have a drink on me. Château Tuer 1961 ” — and lovingly prepared memory books that bore the same typeface and color palette as Exit Here.

“I know it’s a silly thing to say, but we liked beautiful things, as I think a lot of people do,” Ms. Tuer, 58, said. Her husband was buried in a “gorgeous” Scandinavian coffin. “He’d have been happy to be there.”

Doing Death Differently

Aesthetic developments seem to be a reflection of changing conversations around death. “Younger people especially are getting more comfortable talking about it,” Ms. Hill of Sparrow said. Look at the rise in popularity of death doulas , who provide support for the dying — and in some cases, the grieving, too. In the United States, end-of-life planning sites like Lantern and Cake, which are marketed toward millennials, easier to navigate and more transparent about their pricing, have sprung up.

Which is not to say that so-called traditional or mainstream funeral homes are not adapting. In recent years, Co-Op Funeralcare, one of the largest funeral services providers in the United Kingdom, has changed its tune. Advertisements are now geared toward not only personalization, but also fostering openness around death. In July, the company worked with Channel 4 on a television show called “Celebrity Send Off,” in which stars and their loved ones plan and test-run a funeral.

Gill Stewart, the company’s managing director, reiterated the importance of evolving alongside its clients. Co-Op has introduced more colors for its coffins and has started offering unconventional hearse options, like a fire truck or a double-decker red bus.

A recent study conducted by Co-Op, which involved 4,000 people in the U.K., found that 68 percent of participants see funerals as celebrations of life as opposed to somber occasions. Ms. Stewart said that it was important for families to have options at their funeral homes that reflect those beliefs.

Sparrow hosts events that reflect the evolving attitudes about funerals, like grief circles; a death-themed comedy show; guided meditations; and several death cafes, where people who are dying or coping with grief can eat pastries and connect. Exit Here, too, holds regular coffee gatherings for the bereaved.

Similar initiatives are underway at Poppy’s, a funeral home the color of a clementine in South West London. An ad campaign for the company last year involved plastering tube stations around the city with posters that read: “1861 called. They want their funeral traditions back.” The vehicles used by Poppy’s to pick up the recently deceased are a soothing shade of lilac. They’re also electric.

“Whatever you end up choosing or wanting for the funeral, you want to be treated like a human,” said Poppy Mardall, 41, who worked for Sotheby’s before pivoting to the mortuary business. You don’t want to be “upsold on packages when you are grieving,” she added.

The Price of Death

Of course, amid all this is the looming matter of cost. Mr. Wilson, for example, is using a “very nice” six-figure insurance payout, from a critical illness policy he took out a few years ago, to execute his funeral vision. “I’m extremely fortunate to have that money,” he said.

But what all these places reiterate is that whatever the budget, they can typically make it work. “The perception, which drives me slightly mad, is that a place that looks nice will cost more,” Mr. Peyton said.

In reality, personalized services do tend to come with a higher price tag — but not always. For example, in addition to Exit Here’s signature wooden coffin, which has a retail price of 1,950 pounds (about $2,500), there is also a biodegradable cardboard model that costs 570 pounds (about $730). As for the funerals themselves, prices are as extravagant as the service permits.

Last year, as found by the insurance company Sun Life in its long-running “Cost of Dying” report , the average cost of a “basic” funeral — burial or cremation; funeral home fees; a midrange coffin; a limousine; and celebrant fees — in London was 5,171 pounds (about $6,640).

In the U.S., according to a 2023 study conducted by the National Funeral Directors Association , the median cost for a funeral with a coffin and burial is $8,300 (then there is the burial plot itself, which can range from the hundreds to the tens of thousands, depending on the state and whether it’s a public or private cemetery); if you choose cremation instead, that median cost comes down to $6,280.

Exit Here’s pricing falls around that estimate, with an equivalent funeral starting at 5,819 pounds (about $7,500). At Poppy’s, the cost is lower: A basic service starts at 4,448 pounds (about $5,700). And although it’s not as stylish, Co-Op Funeralcare is even more affordable, with starter packages going for 3,900 pounds (about $5,000).

Growing the Clientele

Mortuaries, of course, will never lack for customers. But how do these modern homes attract business? Places like Exit Here rely mainly on word-of-mouth recommendations, largely because funerals tend to be private affairs. They aren’t exactly shareable moments — though that could be changing, too.

When Exit Here organized the funeral last year of Poppy Chancellor — the artist and daughter of the “Downton Abbey” star Anna Chancellor — who died at 36, guests shared photos of the “leaving party,” as the service was called, on social media. Inside the West London crematory were big, beautiful banners emblazoned with slogans like “Embrace joy today” and “I want to see you dance again.” In one video, guests were doing the limbo to the silky vocals and pulse of Beyoncé’s hit song “Heated.”

In 2024, the question of death is very much alive. And how we choose to answer it, well, that’s a personal matter.

Explore Our Style Coverage

The latest in fashion, trends, love and more..

The Most Wanted ‘Girl’ in Fashion: How did Miu Miu become fashion’s biggest success story  — halfway to $1 billion in sales for 2024?

Hairstyle Heat Relief: On a hot day, getting hair off the back of your neck  is often the simplest way to start cooling down. The sweeping movement is instinctual, but it is also deeply personal.

Putting the Fun in Funerals: Modern, even hip, mortuaries around the world are hoping to answer one question: How do we commemorate death in 2024 ?

A Shoe That Goes 65 M.P.H.: Our reporter and photographer hit the road for a trip from Maine to Massachusetts in L.L. Bean’s Bootmobile , a promotional vehicle that takes the shape of the company’s duck boot.

The Harris-Walz ‘Visual Age’ Gap: They’re the same age, but pundits and voters can’t stop talking about how much older Governor Tim Walz looks  than Vice President Kamala Harris. It’s not the only way he seems to be absorbing some of the scrutiny usually heaped on female candidates.

fully drivable eccentrica V12 pulls in monterey car week 2024 as modern lamborghini diablo

Eccentrica v12 lamborghini diablo at monterey car week 2024.

At The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering during Monterey Car Week 2024 , Eccentrica unveils its V12 hypercar, a modern twist on the classic Lamborghini Diablo. The San Marino-based restomod manufacturer already has a similar hypercar in 3D printed titanium , but this time around, the restomod hypercar is fully drivable. From the aesthetics to the engine, the Eccentrica Lamborghini nails the ’90s vibes and era, starting with its 5.7-liter V12 engine.

It comes from the original 1990s Diablo model, and t he difference is that this restomod can produce 550 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque. That means the vehicle can speed away with boosted power and speed. The car’s engine has been paired with a new, custom-built six-speed transmission. This new setup includes updated gear ratios, so the car can perform better and more efficiently. There are only 19 models available for this version, each of which can be customized by the owner. Eccentrica says that the first deliveries will begin in the summer of 2025.

Restomod hypercar with v12 engine for more horsepower

Unlike the original Lamborghini Diablo, which didn’t have power steering, the Eccentrica V12 restomod has an upgraded power steering system that makes it easier to handle for modern driving. There are new parts in the engine such as the camshafts (which control the engine’s valves), an electronic throttle (which handles the engine’s power), and a refined flywheel (which helps the engine run more smoothly). These updates give the car 55 more horsepower than the original engine, making it even faster and more powerful. It can now reach an estimated top speed of 335 kph (208 mph), which is 10 kph (6 mph) faster than the original Diablo.

Technical upgrades turn up within the Eccentrica V12. Composite materials help strengthen the restomod hypercar’s chassis for a strong and lightweight frame. The vehicle also has a double-wishbone suspension system, which can maintain the hypercar’s stability, especially when driving fast or turning. Some advanced shock absorbers, called active dampers, are in place too, made by a company called TracTive. The driver can adjust these shock absorbers to three different settings, so they can choose how stiff or soft the ride feels. There’s also a front axle lift system that helps the car get over bumps or steep driveways without scraping the bottom.

first Eccentrica V12 Lamborghini Diablo delivery in 2025

The Eccentrica V12 Lamborghini Diablo features an exhaust system. The company Capristo has developed it to enhance the revving sound when driving the restomod hypercar. For stopping power, the car uses a high-tech braking system from BREMBO. It includes unique matte-painted brake calipers, the part of the brakes that clamp down on the wheels to stop the car. Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires fit in well in the vehicle, which offer better grip on the road, especially at higher speeds. It also has new custom-made 19-inch wheels made from aluminum alloy for a lighter, larger, firmer, and more controlled driving experience.

Inside the Eccentrica V12, the cockpit retains the retro-futuristic style of the original Lamborghini Diablo, giving the interior a vintage look but with the latest technology. The upgrade also shows up in the steering wheel, dashboard instruments, and control surfaces, and there’s also a new digital infotainment system for the control center, music, navigation, and more. There’s also a rear camera displayed on the rearview mirror, and the restomod hypercar comes with an audio system made by Marantz for a custom-designed, high-end sound experience. So far, the delivery of the first Eccentrica V12 Lamborghini Diablo is scheduled for the summer of 2025.

the Eccentrica V12 restomod has an upgraded power steering system for easier modern driving

the cockpit retains the retro-futuristic style of the original Lamborghini Diablo

project info:

name: Eccentrica V12

company: Eccentrica | @eccentrica_cars

• car design (831)

lamborghini (57)

• monterey car week 2024 (9)

PRODUCT LIBRARY

a diverse digital database that acts as a valuable guide in gaining insight and information about a product directly from the manufacturer, and serves as a rich reference point in developing a project or scheme.

• luca trazzi (10)
• porsche (107)
• architecture in new york (592)
• pools (119)
• water filtration systems (25)
• automotive curiosity (300)
• electric motorcycle and scooter design (326)
• paris olympics 2024 (30)
• artificial intelligence (384)
• climate change (154)