The half-billion dollar yacht, designed to be the largest in the world at 417 feet, would have been too tall to clear the Koningshaven Bridge in the port city of Rotterdam on its way out to the ocean. Locally know as “De Hef,” meaning “the lift,” the bridge’s central span would need to be removed. That process would take about a day of work, according to city officials, and about a day to replace the section.

Once word spread to Dutch locals of the possible bridge dismantling, protestors took to social media to oppose the move. Some even advocated egging the boat to voice their disapproval.

“Calling all Rotterdammers: take a box of rotten eggs with you, and let’s throw them en masse at Jeff’s superyacht when it sails through the Hef in Rotterdam,” wrote event organizer Pablo Strörmann on Facebook.

Although the city council had initially okayed dissembling the top section of the bridge, they quickly backtracked after massive public outcry.

The 95-year-old De Hef was the first vertical lift bridge in the Netherlands (and all of Western Europe) when it was completed in 1927. Originally built as a connecting line for the Breda-Rotterdam Railway, it was the first structure to be rebuilt after the bombing of the seaside town during World War II. De Hef faced demolition in 1993 when the railway discontinued its use, but the bridge was already a major landmark in the area by that point, and protests resulted in the structure winning national protection as a Rijksmonument.

It’s no surprise that Rotterdam residents got their feathers ruffled at the mention of dismantling it for the sake a multi-billionaire’s new toy. In the wake of angry complaints, Oceano, the company building the superyacht, announced that it would no longer be applying for a permit to temporarily change De Hef.

“We’re happy it’s not happening,” said Marvin Biljoen, a city councilman for GroenLinks, the Dutch Green Party. “The bridge is a national monument, which shouldn’t be altered too much. That you could still do that with money anyway bothers us.”

But others feel like it is an opportunity wasted. Oceano and Bezos would have completely paid for the disassembly and repair of the bridge, and it would have been all over within two days.

“I talk to a lot of residents of Rotterdam,” said Dieke van Groningen, a Rotterdam councilwoman for VVD, the Dutch Liberal Party. “They’re incredibly proud that these kinds of ships sail through our city.”

Today, Rotterdam is the largest port in all of Europe and remains a major center of global shipbuilding.

“This is the Netherlands at its best,” Ms. van Groningen adds. “It’s about the image of the port, and you should be proud of that.”

Taking cover in the dark of night in early August, the still unfinished Bezos superyacht was towed out of the harbor to the friendlier dock of Greenport in Rotterdam, where it hopes to escape any lingering egg threats.

The post Jeff Bezos’ Unfinished Superyacht Slinks Away After Dutch Residents Won’t Let Him Dismantle Their Historic Bridge first appeared on Dornob.

The design draws inspiration from black holes, equating them with the mysteries of the deep. What looks like an eyeball is really a spherical glass dome providing guests with multi-level viewing platforms and uninterrupted 180-degree vistas of the ocean. The Zion is capable of hosting 20 guests in 10 luxury rooms, including a master suite on the main deck, along with 20+ crew members. A glass elevator travels from deck to deck, and a flybridge allows passengers to enjoy views “in all weather conditions.”

“The owners suites located at the main deck have electrically operated sky lounge balconies on either side,” the designers explain. “The main deck has open dining space connected to the glass bottom infinity swimming pool via hanging bridge. The lower deck has a large tender garage that allows for easy and safe deployment of tenders, jet skis, and other water toys. At the aft of the lower deck is a beach club with a dedicated gym and an open garden space. The beach club converts into an expandable sun bathing space through foldout bulwark terraces. The upper deck has a 12-meter helipad accessible by glass column elevator to all the decks.”

The glass bottom infinity pool is definitely a notable feature here, as is the nearly 40-foot helipad on the upper deck. Then again, are you even superyachting if you don’t have these? The main deck also has an open plan alfresco dining area adjacent to the pool, accessible via a sizable hanging bridge stretching beneath the helipad. The side terraces offer direct access to the water via ladders.

The Zion is currently just a concept, and Bhushan Powar Design says they created it just for fun. But we all know that billionaires love to collect outrageously expensive toys, so it wouldn’t be surprising at all if one of these were commissioned to hit the seas in real life. It would undoubtedly come with a very high price tag, but that’s nothing new.

The top 10 most expensive yachts in the world range from the $300 million Pelorus, owned by Hong Kong property tycoon Samuel Tak Lee, to the $4.8 billion History Supreme. The most expensive yacht of all time was designed by Stuart Hughes for an anonymous Malaysian businessman rumored to be Robert Kuok, founder of the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts chain.

Wondering what in the world would make the History Supreme so expensive? Well, let’s start with the 100,000 kilograms of solid gold and platinum used in its construction, including the base, deck, railings, and anchor. Then there’s the real T-Rex bone mounted on a wall made of meteoric stone in the main bedroom.

The post Zion Superyacht Boasts an Observation Room Shaped Like an Enormous Eye first appeared on Dornob.

The city granted the request, and locals aren’t thrilled about it. “It’s the only route to the sea,” a spokesman for the mayor of Rotterdam told AFP. He added that Bezos will pay for the operation, but that’s beside the point for some residents, who plan to throw rotten eggs at the ship as it passes.

The Koningshaven Bridge, known to Rotterdam residents as De Hef, was first built in 1877. It was rebuilt after sustaining significant damage during World War II, giving it a midsection that could be lifted to allow ships to pass underneath. In 1994, the steel bridge was replaced by a tunnel and decommissioned.

The city wanted to demolish it at the time, but public protests saved it, and it became a national historic monument in the aftermath. Back in 2017, the bridge underwent a restoration, and officials promised at the time that they would never dismantle it again. But then along came one of the world’s richest men, seeking an exception for his 417-foot-long boat.

Plans to egg the ship began when Rotterdam resident Pablo Strörmann posted an event on Facebook titled “Throwing eggs at superyacht Jeff Bezos.” The event quickly attracted more than 4,000 confirmed attendees, with another 14,000 people saying they were interested. “Calling all Rotterdammers, take a box of rotten eggs with you and let’s throw them en masse at Jeff’s superyacht when it sails through the Hef in Rotterdam,” Strörmann wrote on the event page.

Strörmann told the NL Times that the event started as a joke, but “quickly struck a nerve” with the community, who were particularly annoyed by the insinuation that if you have enough money, you can buy anything in the world. “Normally it’s the other way around: If your ship doesn’t fit under a bridge, you make it smaller,” Strörmann said. “But when you happen to be the richest person on Earth, you just ask a municipality to dismantle a monument. That’s ridiculous.”

Local officials have responded to the criticism by insisting that the project will actually be good for the city and generating jobs. The price tag for the dismantling project hasn’t been publicly revealed yet, but it will certainly be in the millions, and will likely take months to complete. Shipbuilding is a major industry in the area, and while many superyachts have been constructed and sailed out to sea through the same route, they’ve all fit under the bridge just fine until now.

Once it’s complete, Bezos’ new toy will become the largest superyacht ever built in the Netherlands, and the world’s largest sailing yacht. Bezos is the third-richest person in the world after Tesla founder Elon Musk and French businessman Bernard Arnault, with a net worth currently hovering around $188 billion and climbing.

The post Locals Vow to Egg Jeff Bezos’ Superyacht if Rotterdam Dismantles a Historic Bridge to Let It Pass first appeared on Dornob.

And the future is now. Famed Italian shipyard Tankoa made a splash at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show with their concept design for a new superyacht. Dubbed Apache, the futuristic yacht is not only striking because of its size (a whopping 250 feet), it’s also a visual masterpiece loaded with luxe amenities for the discerning seafarer.

Clean, streamlined, and sleek, Apache is an emblem of modern design. Despite its massive size, the yacht doesn’t appear cumbersome. Rather, it seems to glide over the water. With an open design concept that allows for plenty of light to permeate the interiors and create unimpeded views of the surrounding seas, Apache is meant to stand out from its fellow luxury yachts not only in looks, but also in atmosphere. Designer Alberto Mancini recently described his vision: “Indeed Apache’s beach club design is not just an area for accessing the sea to be enjoyed only when anchored during the day; it is fully integrated with the main deck salon so it can be used day or night as an extension of the outdoor living space.”

Apache avoids the typical cave-dark effect of its fellow floating beach clubs through its unique attention to detail, which includes dynamic folding terraces made of one-way glass that surround the 1,345-foot resort space. These allow natural light to enliven the space while simultaneously enhancing the yacht’s exterior glamor and dynamic aesthetics.

Looks aside, the superyacht also stands out because of its amenities, which include a total of three (!) pools, and most notably one that has been dubbed a “flying pool.” Not actually flying of course, this pool is a glass-bottomed, suspended beauty located on the main deck, accessible via the owner’s private suite — the first of its kind to be featured on a yacht of this size.

Other supercharged amenities on the Apache include ultra-fancy accommodations for VIP guests, a gym, a socializing “hub” replete with a movie theater, a formal dining area, and observation decks that offer spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding water. The two additional pools would also add to the superyacht’s superior ambience and uber-luxe atmosphere.

The Apache is not the first ambitious project in the Italian shipyard’s dynamic oeuvre, which includes the launch last year of the mega-yacht Olokun, itself a floating behemoth measuring 164 feet long. The Olokun was lauded as one of the most exciting launches of 2020 because of its singular, custom design that drew comparisons to Darth Vader’s iconic get-up. Tankoa hopes the ambitious Apache will surpass last year’s launch in both size and grandeur.

Known for their cutting-edge designs, Tankoa creates luxury experiences on the water that are memorable not only because of their luxe amenities and sophisticated technology, but because their yachts are sublimely futuristic and spark the imagination of those looking for the ultimate seafaring experience that even Styx would be proud of. Come sail away, indeed.

The post New Apache Superyacht Boasts Futuristic “Flying Pool” first appeared on Dornob.

The Super Yacht VY.01, designed by 3Deluxe, is the powerboat of the future, creating no emissions thanks to its hydrogen-fuel cell engines, and providing power to itself through zero-carbon solar panels. The vessel even includes an onboard greenhouse and vegetable garden to allow passengers to be partially self-sustaining in their dietary needs.

This concept, which was first unveiled at the Monaco Boat Show as an augmented reality experience, is being sold as a non-fungible token on the SuperWorld auction platform. If you’ve found it hard to wrap your brain around the NFT phenomenon (buying a digital certificate of authenticity and ownership of a virtual commodity) in the past, here’s what the purchase of this sleek ship idea entails, according to the SuperWorld site: access to two special renderings exclusive to the owner, an OBJ file of the 3D model of the ship, technical support for integrating the digital yacht in the metaverse along with the original movie file for use in augmented reality worlds, and a complete press release with hi-res images. The owner has full rights to the complete concept design and can also commission the vessel to be constructed in real life.

And what is this lightweight ocean craft that will be the envy of all your online friends? The specs are pretty enticing, actually. 3Deluxe, a company specializing in adventuring and luxury sea vehicles, aspired to make this yacht carbon-neutral, starting with the hydrogen-driven fuel cell propulsion systems. The required hydrogen could be refueled in port or produced locally from methanol, a more readily available and easier-to-handle substance. The design studio acknowledges that hydrogen fuel cell and bio-methanol technologies are still emerging and currently expensive but envisions a day when they will be popular enough to be more affordable.

Another environmental benefit of the superyacht’s electric engines is their silence. The boat won’t even produce any noise pollution as it traverses the globe.

Meanwhile, the interior and decks of the ship draw upon nature for their inspiration. The greenhouse garden produces not only fresh food for guests, but also fresh air thanks to its CO2-loving plants. All the water required for the vegetation on board is harvested from the ocean and put through a seawater desalination system, which is powered by zero-emission solar panels on the roof and side windows. Those photovoltaic panes also create the energy needed for the ship’s air-conditioning and lighting systems.

Included on the ship is a top-level loft space with a kitchen, bar, lounge living space, and the gardens. The master bedroom rests within the greenhouse, featuring an open ceiling to provide spectacular views of the night sky. A saltwater pool sits at the stern, along with a small marina to allow passengers access to the sea on smaller vessels.

The 3Deluxe team is hopeful that their masterful creation will be used by the new owner to educate as well as recreate. “Our aim is to use the project as a communicative platform for discussion of the complex challenges of our time and as an unconventional locale for summits, conferences, and think tanks,” the team says.

And if you feel bad spending thousands (or millions) on an awesome but intangible bunch of pixels, you can rest assured that your purchase is actually improving the world right now. Half of the funds raised will be donated to marine conservation group Sea Change Project.

“The Super Yacht VY.01 aestheticizes the idea of a technologically advanced, climate-neutral luxury toy that, unlike in the past, suddenly makes some sense, namely conveys a positive message, and is socially engaged,” the SuperWorld platform says. “VY.01 is an ambassador of a new, highly committed philanthropic spirit of our time.”

The post Zero-Emissions Superyacht Concept is Up for Grabs as an NFT first appeared on Dornob.

Bourgnon of all people understands how crucial such designs are for the health of the planet’s waterways. With 20 years of experience setting world-records in solo expeditions and transatlantic competitions, the Franco-Swiss ocean adventurer has observed a dramatic rise in ocean waste. In fact, Bourgnon had to quit the Trans Jaques Vabre yacht race in 2015 when his ship was assaulted by floating rubbish.

“During my racing career, I’ve missed out on records and broken my boat 12 times from hitting ocean debris,” he said in an interview with the Robb Report. “I’ve circumnavigated the world twice in my life, once at the age of 12 with my parents, and another 30 years later. The difference in the amount of plastic pollution was alarming. I knew something had to be done.”

“To fold your arms and say ‘No, we’ll do nothing, we’ll leave it, we’ll focus on dry land, we’ll leave the waste in the ocean,’ is totally irresponsible,” he added.

His solution? A185-foot sea-cleaning catamaran that will be partially powered by the garbage it eats.

Called the Manta – once its solar “wings” are extended, it resembles the swimming ray fish – the concept was developed in collaboration with an NGO thinktank of 58 engineers, technicians, and researchers that Bourgnon assembled in 2016.

The sailing vessel is designed to be traverse the seas removing plastics and other garbage with its large nets that can span 151 feet across and three feet deep. It’s estimated that the Manta will be able to collect up to three tons of waste each hour. With a crew of 22 rotating in two 12-hour shifts, each haul will be pulled in (larger debris will get help from two onboard cranes) and immediately sorted: organic matter back in the ocean, glass and metal sent ashore to recycling facilities, and plastic turned into energy for the ship. The boat’s Waste-to-Electricity Conversion Unit (WECU) will melt the plastic, creating gas to power an electricity-generating turbine.

Additionally, the Manta will incorporate two wind turbines at the stern, 500 square meters of solar panels at the bow, and two hydro-generators under the ship, enabling it to be roughly 70 percent self-sustaining while creating enough power for sailing speeds between two and three knots.

With a goal of operating his sea-cleaner 300 days a year, Bourgnon says it could eliminate up to 10,000 tons of ocean trash every year. If 400 such boats were set to the task, he and his team guess they could clear one-third of the world’s floating garbage. And even though it is fully capable of negotiating ocean waters, the Manta’s focus will be on clearing the estuaries of the planet’s major rivers. Two smaller, more nimble cleaning boats, the Mobula 8 and 10, will be stored on the catamaran to navigate more shallow and narrow inlets.

“The 20 largest rivers in southeast Asia account for 60 percent of ocean plastic, so that’s where we’re concentrating our effort,” Bourgnon says. “We’ll be collecting dense areas of macro-plastic pollution before it sinks or disintegrates into micro-plastics. Hurricanes and tsunamis cause massive inflows of pollution into the ocean, and it’s imperative that this pollution is dealt with quickly before it drifts, sinks, and becomes irrecoverable.”

Bourgnon expects the first model to be finished in two years, with the Manta’s initial sea trials occurring in Europe before it begins its work in southeast Asia in 2025.

He also hopes the concept will encourage more innovation and similar fabrications. “I’m not in competition with other boat builders to be the only one with a Manta,” Bourgnon explains. “Our hope is that hundreds of Mantas will be built around the world to help with the great ocean cleanup.”

The post This New Yacht Eats Ocean Trash for Breakfast first appeared on Dornob.

The tricked-out “Land Rover Defender” was converted by the Polish shipyard for exclusive use by the Massai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWCT) to help in its efforts to protect the ecosystems of east Africa.

Sunreef’s founder took a special interest in helping to customize the rugged car. “The company’s leading position in sustainable yachting motivates us to share our knowledge and know-how with inspiring partners,” explains President Francis Lapp on the company website, adding that “the MWCT brings a fantastic vision to life: working with the proud Maasai community to protect Kenya’s unique natural heritage and wildlife. The definition of responsible travel that the trust promotes is one-of-a-kind and I feel Sunreef Yachts shares the same philosophy.”

Lapp’s firm got started in 2002, when his luxury sailing tour business was unable to secure enough suitable vessels for the clientele. He subsequently founded Sunreef Yachts to provide state-of-the-art sailing and power catamarans for the growing global demand. Mixing his “fascination with cutting-edge technology, safety, efficiency, and care for the environment,” the president and company unveiled their eco-yachts in 2019: boats that feature silent, zero-emission, electric propulsion engines and hundreds of roof and wall-mounted solar panels.

The new safari roadster is a product of Lapp’s love for the Earth, as well as his personal experience with converting off-road vehicles for his numerous 4×4 races (in fact, it was a motor race that first brought him to Poland and gave him the idea to start his business there). Getting his hands dirty for this worthy cause, Lapp worked with his team to cut out the enclosed back of the UK-purchased Land Rover, giving it a still-recognizable yet much more airy profile.

The company then attached solar panels to the roof, using the same revolutionary tech only found on Sunreef’s sleek eco-catamarans. The engine was also given an electric upgrade, with a commanding battery reservoir built to handle all the demands of the African landscape. The team notes that “the mechanical and electrical systems were specifically calibrated to respond to the needs of the eco-luxury lodges” based on the requests of the MWCT.

For the past 20 years, the conservation group has run high-end “responsible tourism” operations that focus on being green. Its Campi Ya Kanzi in southern Kenya is a boutique eco-lodge that makes use of rain cropping for water, photovoltaic panels for electricity, and earth-friendly charcoal stoves. The MWCT also runs the Chyulu Wilderness Camp, a program that gives international students a chance to both experience the beauty of east Africa and get involved in preservation undertakings like reforestation, working alongside the Massai people.

With the donation of this unique Defender, MWCT can now chauffeur the people on their safari tours around in sustainable style, more consistent with their core values.

And this cool Land Rover overhaul may not be the last crossover scheme to come out of the shipyard. “The Sunreef Yachts Eco technology designed for yachts is now applied to an electric car,” Lapp adds. “I am happy to witness this evolution and am confident it will lead to more exciting projects.”

The post Sunreef Yachts Uses Eco-Tech to Trick Out an African Safari Vehicle first appeared on Dornob.

This apartment looks nothing like any cruise ship suite we’ve ever seen before. In fact, if not for a few tell-tale details, you might think you were looking at a well-appointed studio apartment in Manhattan. Rendered in soothing pale blue, the rounded built-in structures brimming with transforming features reference Le Corbusier’s modernist Unite D’Habitation housing project in Marseille, France, which was itself inspired by midcentury ocean liners.

“As a jumping off point for the project, we looked to Modernist architecture’s fascination with nautical design and cruise ships, which optimized for small-scale living, modular organization, and efficiency,” says Chen. “In particular, Le Corbusier’s belief that a home should be regarded as a ‘machine for living,’ his own multifunctional apartment and atelier at the Immeuble Molitor, as well as his fascination with cruise ships as models for self-sufficient, utopian apartment complexes, like his famed 1952 Unite D’Habitation, offered inspiration.”

The clients are an older couple who use the residence as a getaway for themselves and, occasionally, their adult children. They wanted the ability to expand the space from a one bedroom to a two bedroom as needed using extra tables and beds that fold away almost imperceptibly. Hidden behind surface panels are the components of extra sleeping spaces, two baths, a dressing room, a sitting area, a trunk room, and a “landing zone.”

The dining area converts into the second bedroom on demand, with the cantilevered folding bed tucked behind a fold-down table. When all four guests are present, a sliding screen divides the apartment to create privacy while maintaining access to the common living area, which itself faces a wall of glass that looks out to the ocean.

Chen adds that “concepts of motion and multi-functionalism underpin all aspects of the residence’s organization and aesthetic. In addition to disappearing tables and beds, MKCA has incorporated hidden lighting and integrated appliances that can be boldly revealed or neatly tucked away. Continuous aluminum ribs help conceal panel divisions, doors, and appliances, and also impart a sensation of height in the relatively low, eight-foot tall space.”

“Finishes across the apartment are either impervious or designed to patina over time. This dichotomy extends to the furniture selection, whose surfaces are highly tactile, shifting from polished metals and stones to more plush materials such as mohair, velvet, and suede, and serve as sculptural elements within the space.”

It’s obvious from the deft execution of this project that Chen is accustomed to designing small spaces. Micro living is a common theme in his firm’s portfolio, including the brilliant “Unfolding Apartment” and a 12×16-foot micro-housing concept designed for Häfele. Building on a ship presented a few new challenges, like restrictions on potentially flammable materials, but the resulting combination of warmth, simplicity, and nautical style is a refreshing take on both small spaces and floating residences.

The post Pied-a-Mer: Small Residence Onboard a Yacht Transforms to Accommodate Guests first appeared on Dornob.

The team began with a big idea and funneled it down to reality. Company director Rob McPherson explains: “The design theme called for a unique yacht that reflected the style and sophistication of the principality. We want[ed] to create a truly unique environment that could take the principality of Monaco to the ocean.”

For size and layout, they began with one of the most recognizable attractions in Monaco, the Grand Prix course, and modeled it to scale in hopes making it an onboard go-kart track capable of supporting three go-karts side by side. With the track hammered out, the designers turned their attention to replicas of the Monte Carlo Casino, Hotel de Paris, Prince’s Palace, Loews Hotel, Port Hercules, and La Rascasse.

The yacht is designed for the comfort of 16 guests in eight rooms, including seven guest suites that each include their own reception room, bathroom, dressing room, bedroom, and balcony. The larger VIP suites have the added luxury of a private office.

In a separate wing, the owner’s apartment covers three floors and 1460 square meters. It’s made up of multiple balconies, an office, bedroom, bathroom, his/hers dressing rooms, private courtyard, sunroom, and private sundeck complete with a jacuzzi and swimming pool. The apartment also benefits from a listening room and sitting lounge with fireplace. Even better, a private lift provides access to all three decks here.

A yacht this size (500 feet) is meant to be shared with friends, of course, so the designers also made sure to include public areas all throughout, including pools, cafés, a library, and a spa complete with a manicure and hair salon, private massage suites, sauna/steam rooms, and a large relaxation lounge featuring an accompanying spa pool and bar. “The Oasis” is located near the ship’s boarding area, where guests are greeted by a replica of the gardens right outside the Monaco Casino. This area also boasts a waterfall that spills over from the upper pools into the lower ones, as well as multiple landscaped paths and private sitting areas.

Get your game on with a battle at the yacht’s tennis courts, or hit the basketball court that doubles as a helipad for those guests that might have to fly inland for meetings. If helicopters aren’t so much your thing, you could always jump into the yacht’s submarine for an underwater adventure, or park a smaller yacht in the designated parking space and use it as your commuter vessel.

Obviously a luxury superyacht designed to replicate the city of Monaco isn’t for everyone —especially if you can’t cover the estimated $1 billion price tag. However, if money is no concern to you, you stand to own one of the most expensive — and likely the most original — boats in the world.

The post Superyacht Design Perfectly Recreates the Streets of Monaco first appeared on Dornob.

Danish architecture firm Waterstudio.NL made this dream a reality with “Arkup,” a new avant-garde floating home. Designed to combine the best qualities of yachts, houseboats, and modern residences, this double-decker creation stands on retractible hydraulic pilings that can raise it 20 feet into the air when needed, making it as stable as any conventional house. It’s also rated to withstand Category 4 hurricane winds of up to 155 miles per hour.

It doesn’t spare any details when it comes to feeling like a real home, either. There’s nothing cramped about it. Measuring an impressive 4,350 square feet, the Arkup is even more spacious than a lot of urban residences, and it has all the bells and whistles you’d expect to find in a high-end townhouse. In fact, everything about it looks more like a house than a boat.

When you’re ready to move, all you have to do is pull up anchor and start the engines: a pair of 100 kW (134 hp) electric azimuth thrusters, to be precise, which allow the 75-foot-long houseboat to reach speeds of 7 knots. Dock at a metropolitan marina for access to city amenities, or take a cruise down to a quieter and more scenic setting. The prototype is currently docked at Vice City Marina in Miami, Florida.

The Arkup is self-sufficient, producing its own power via a 36 kW solar panel array and a 1,000 kWh battery bank. Rainwater is collected from the roof and purified to make it safe for drinking, though it’s unclear how waste is dealt with. A smart communications system includes satellite TV and Wi-Fi antennas to keep it connected at all times, and all technical elements are stored within its modular hull. All the houseboat’s glazing ensures spectacular views of the water wherever you’re docked. A boat lift at the stern makes it easy to dock a jet ski, and the sun deck can be immersed and turned into a sea pool.

The Waterstudio team explains that “you can lie at anchor in a marina or a bay. You can cruise silently in waterways, bays, or open sea. You are free to move your home as you want. Enjoy the freedom and the variety of scenery. Live in comfort and luxury in total independence and make your life between the sea, the sky, and the city. No matter the weather conditions and high winds, surge and floods are no longer an issue thanks to this self-lifting system, making you feel 100-percent safe and protected. The four spuds allow your livable yacht to be completely stabilized and even lifted out of the water, avoiding any sea-sickness.”

“There’s just something about living on the water and coming home to the light shimmering on the surface after a long day in the city. It’s an experience you’ll never forget. Live ecologically while being self-sufficient with water and electricity. Enjoy living off-the-grid and feel the satisfaction of minimizing your carbon footprint.”

The firm adds that it plans to produce more Arkups for sale to private owners, 1/4-shared “fractional” ownership similar to a time share, and as hotels. If you go the fractional ownership route, Arkup maintains management services, taking care of details like insurance, dockage, maintenance, and even concierge services. They suggest generating revenue by chartering the vessel when you’re not using it, renting it out for four days per quarter at $2,500 per day to offset the expense of recurring operating costs.

As you might suspect, all of this still comes at a significant cost. The total cost to own an Arkup is $5.5 million USD, and fractional ownership sells for $1,375,000. But the company intends to make an “affordable version” too, whatever that means.

The post Solar-Powered Yacht Villa Can Rise Above High Water on Demand first appeared on Dornob.

Lazzarini Design Studio has proven their ability to dream big with this superyacht and its intimidating price tag. It’s hard to call anything “complimentary” when you’re writing a check that large, of course, but what’s another $3 million gadget in the grand scheme of things? So, in the ultimate BOGO, purchase the Xenos, and enjoy a complimentary Bugatti Chiron.

Of course, if you have a fancy car and an even fancier yacht, they have to go together, so the Xenos is equipped to house your ride in an on-deck garage, complete with an accompanying folding ramp for quick offboarding when you reach your destination.

Glamorous lifestyles are often associated with wastefulness, but the designers of this yacht made sure to include roof-mounted solar panels to help humble this mammoth 130-feet beast. Owners can also opt for a completely hybrid version for more sustainability. Plus it’s smart, with windows that automatically tint when it becomes too bright or hot.

Don’t let the size and eco-friendly features fool you though — the Xenos is also made from lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum for a streamlined body and high-speed capabilities. The 15,000-horsepower beast is estimated to top out at 90 knots, which is just over 100 miles per hour. If the concept actually comes to life, it would be the fastest 130-yacht on the planet. Even better, it can fly — sort of — with the company offering both standard and hydrofoil versions of the vessel.

While the outdoor features of this boat might reel you in upfront, its interior design is what makes it truly inviting. The Xenos offers a variety of layouts and endless finishing touches to make your $39 million toy a full-fledged home. Isn’t that how the saying goes? Configure yours with cushy sofas, hidden storage, a lounge, televisions and other electronic entertainment, workspaces, or a reading nook. Whatever you pick, just be sure to capitalize on the copious windows providing views of the passing land and seascapes.

The point of a concept is sort of that you get to use it as inspiration to create the “hyperyacht” of your dreams, as Lazzarini labels it in a promotional video. After all, at this price point, luxury is the name of the game, so you can expect doors that slide open automatically, a TV that retracts into the floor, and an abundance of other crazy cool conveniences.

Xenos is all set to rival the new-age look of any boat on the sea, with its ultra-polished exterior, risers that lift it above the water, and automatic garage door. Then there are the deck lounging options, with modular furniture sitting atop that garage and additional lounge chairs just an arm’s length away.

Considering everything this superyacht has to offer, it still seems pretty tough to let the invoice price ruffle you. Get that checkbook out!

The post The Xenos Hyperyacht Comes With a Free Bugatti, and a $39 Million Price Tag first appeared on Dornob.

The flurry of print and online fodder came almost immediately after the story was leaked. Although it’s unclear who was the first to put it out, UK paper The Telegraph was early to announce that Gates had made a deal to purchase the yacht from Dutch company Sinot. Soon after that, every worthy (and questionably worthy) news source around did their part to get the story trending within hours.

The following day, however, the real story started surfacing, with Sinot adamantly denying any relationship with Gates or deal to sell him their “Aqua” superyacht. “Aqua” isn’t actually even a yacht yet, but rather an impressive design concept the company released at the most recent Monaco Yacht Show.

It’s not surprising nobody thought to question whether or not Gates actually commissioned the futuristic ride, considering his well-known (and arguably obscene) amount of wealth. Plus, Gates is also outspoken about his environmental passions, so a vessel like the Aqua would be a perfect fit for him. That’s because even though Aqua features all the luxury anyone could hope for, it’s true ‘coolness’ factor comes from the hydrogen fuel cell technology that powers it. Widely considered the greenest fuel option around, the superyacht would be powered for up to 3,750 nautical miles by liquid nitrogen stored in two tanks at -423 degrees Fahrenheit. The only by-product of the process is water, which can go directly back into the ocean without polluting it. And while the yacht could easily travel across the Atlantic, longer trips would require a back-up diesel engine to complete the route (mostly because there aren’t many dockside hydrogen refill stations just hanging around).

The design concept for Aqua is noteworthy for the hydrogen fuel alone, but considering the opulent touches, anyone who coughs up the estimated $644 million to own it likely wouldn’t even care what powered it.

The 370-foot Aqua really does look like something out of a sci-fi movie. Sinot explains that its exterior inspired by ocean swells, the movement of the tides, and weather out on the open seas. Its five decks are equipped to comfortably accommodate 14 guests and 31 crew members, though they also feature a gym, yoga studio, beauty room, massage parlor, and cascading infinity pool on the rear deck. Best of all, passengers can enjoy the ocean air on cool nights while keeping warm next to eco-friendly gel-fuelled fire bowls.

The goal, according to Sinot, is for the Aqua to show the potential for the future of the superyacht industry. So while the company continues to deny any contract with Bill Gates, they are encouraging other, similarly wealthy individuals to invest in the idea. Regardless of who ends up writing the check, the earliest estimated sail date wouldn’t be until sometime in 2024.

All images courtesy of Sinot.

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If you’re ever torn between purchasing a boat or an RV and you’ve got roughly $1.2 million dollars in the bank, here’s a solution that gives you the best of both worlds: a luxury RV that can be driven straight into water. The Terra Wind Amphibious Motorcoach looks like an ordinary recreational vehicle to the point that passersby often panic when they watch the owners prepare to plunge it into a river or lake. What they don’t know is that this thing doesn’t just float, it cruises effortlessly along at up to 7 knots.

The 42.5-foot RV-yacht combo features an aluminum hull, a porch that doubles as a swim deck, a padded leather dashboard resembling an aircraft cockpit, an onboard computer docking system with internet access, GPS, moving maps and navigational charts.

The interior of this amphibious vehicle is fully customizable in terms of floor plan, floor coverings, cabinetry, electronics, entertainment systems and built-in furniture, and includes a fully-loaded kitchen and home theater. You can even have a mirrored ceiling, if so desired.

All of the vehicle’s heaviest components, including the diesel engine and fuel tanks, were installed in the lowest part of the hull to prevent it from capsizing, and the three-section hull is specially designed to make it stable in the water. You might imagine that all of that extra weight would make this thing crawl on highways, but it can reach speeds of up to 80 mph. The most basic model starts at $850,000.

Despite all reassurances, you’d probably have to put a lot of trust into the manufacturer that this thing isn’t going to tip over or sink in the water, given how rare vehicles like this are. Plus, you can really only enjoy the water from one narrow doorway on the back end, unless you climb up onto the roof. One also has to wonder just how poor the gas mileage is on a vehicle this cumbersome. But obviously, there are some folks out there that want  to purchase the Terra Wind Amphibious RV and vehicles like it. Would you?

The post Amphibious RV Goes from Land to Sea first appeared on Dornob.

One such gush-worthy vessel is a hybrid cruiser and racing yacht by master boat builders Baltic Yachts. The boat is called “My Song” and, according to the company, is nothing less than “a state of the art, multi-role custom superyacht combining performance and light displacement with a stunning contemporary interior [to provide] an immensely comfortable cruising platform.” First launched in 2016, My Song has gone on to win many prestigious accolades, including that of Best Yacht at the World Superyacht Awards.

The beauty of My Song is that it combines the best of both worlds, simultaneously acting as a powerful high-speed racing beast and a luxurious, impeccably designed cruiser. For that reason, designers Mario Pedol and Massimo Gino affectionately refer to it as a “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” boat. The yacht took almost two years to build and was a collaboration between naval architects Reichel/Pugh and Nauta Yachts, who were respectively responsible for crafting the exterior structure and interior cabins.

Some of the boat’s most impressive specifications include “interchangeable mainsails for cruising or racing and Baltic’s latest retractable propulsion system, which rotates through 180 degrees to double as a stern thruster and a keel fin more akin to maxi raceboat design. The Baltic 130 custom’s plumb bow and wide transom exploit the speed benefits of a long waterline and powerful stern sections to meet the owner’s demands for a really effective race boat.”

Above all else, My Song’s designers were concerned with keeping the boat as light as possible so that it would be able to serve both functions — a mean feat in the world of sailing. This was accomplished using lightweight materials in the finishings of the open-plan interior, including linen composite floor, wall, and ceiling panels and carbon cable trays, heads, and countertops.

The boat’s owner, Pier Luigi Loro Piana, says, “My vision for the latest My Song was for a yacht that would be extremely lightweight, fast, and easy to handle: a real superyacht regatta contender [with a] welcoming, comfortable, and luxurious interior.” The lifting keel of the yacht further improves performance by shrinking the surface area of the boat that ever comes into friction-inducing contact with the water. The design of both the interiors and the upper deck were closely monitored by the owner, who insisted on seeing full-scale mock ups of all the finishings before deciding to incorporate them into the actual yacht. The result is clearly a labor of love, pride, and talent.

The post Inside the My Song Luxury Yacht first appeared on Dornob.

In addition to its impressive collection of amenities and services, the UNStudio-designed marina also functions as a work of art. From its alluring bronze exterior to its unique funnel system and meticulously conceived framed views, this is truly a site you’ll never forget.

First Impressions of the Marina

As you approach the clubhouse, the feeling of boarding an opulent yacht envelops you. The bronze tones of its aluminum panels glint in the sunlight before fading into shimmering highlights that accent the gentle lines of the architecture. The resulting atmosphere is both tranquil and stimulating.

The waterfront facade is glazed and comprised of balconies, glass fins, and shiny panels that reflect light as well as the smooth surface of the water.

The trip from the main entrance over the bridge is accompanied by images of water, boats, decks, and stunning horizons.

The landscape that borders the building has various plateaus that provide clear views of the Xi and the rolling Shenwan countryside. Smart architectural planning protects the privacy of residents from curious visitors.

As you delve deeper into the interior, the space starts to spread out in a natural flow of fan shapes that appear to emanate from the bridge. This creates an environment that feels alive, accents the marina views, and subtly guides visitors to various destinations.

Fantastic Funnels and Voluminous Views

Staircases wind through the buildings, forming open “funnels” that make exploration inviting and simple. The smooth lines create the illusion of seamless transitions between the body of each building and the surrounding water. Spaces are separate and defined more by activity than rigid walls or dividers, making all the interior rooms feel connected despite their being dedicated to different tasks.

A big skylight lets natural illumination from the east and west create a welcoming atmosphere full of ever-changing shadows and lights. The marina’s rich wood paneling pays homage to the luxurious ambiance of the yachts moored just outside.

These ingenious funnel spaces guarantee clear views wherever you are in the complex. Gaze in one direction to savor the picturesque lines of the yachts aglow in the harbor. Look another way and marvel at the hills and valleys just northeast of the complex. No matter which way you turn, there’s something incredible to see. These funnels also create an idyllic natural breeze that keeps the whole place at a comfortable temperature during warmer seasons.

UNStudio co-founder Ben van Berkel explains: “The way the wind is guided through the building in order to cool down the interior is also metaphorically articulated in the design. Within the internal wind funnels, it is almost as though you can see the wind swirling around within the architecture that surrounds you.”

The post Keppel Cove Marina: A Marvelous Mingling of Light and Shadow first appeared on Dornob.