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74m 'flying' yacht concept Plectrum revealed by Lazzarini Design Studio

A 74 metre concept foiling yacht called Plectrum has been revealed by Italian studio Lazzarini Design Studio . 

The design 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. Top speed would be an impressive 75 knots and the yacht would be constructed entirely in carbon. 

The foiling superyacht was designed to reach her impressive top speeds by “flying over the waterline.” Instead of being pushed by the wind, Plectrum is lifted above the water and moves via propulsion from three hydrogen-powered motors capable of 5,000hp each.

Her hydrofoil technology has been 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. The draught would be 6.5 metres.

Finished in a striking burnt orange shade, Plectrum’s exterior design is defined by a smooth, streamlined silhouette with flat arched sides that form the side decks and garage openings.

The yacht's living spaces are split across four decks, with the main body offering six guest cabins and an owner's suite. Preliminary renderings also boast a helipad located on the bow and a large beach club on the aft complete with a pool. There is amidships storage for tenders, plus a garage at the stern for a car. 

Past design inspiration has been said to include the US’s first hydrofoil ship USS Plainview, which was launched in 1965.

Lazzarini has a number of head-turning designs in its portfolio, including the 169 metre Sovrano and an 150m airship-style superyacht concept powered by helium gas .

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Meet Air Yacht, a Bonkers Flying Superyacht Concept Powered by Two Helium Blimps

The vessel could “fly” for up to 48 hours at a top speed of 60 knots., rachel cormack.

Digital Editor

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Is it a boat? Is it a plane? Well, folks, Lazzarini ’s futuristic new concept is a bit of both.

The disruptive design studio, which routinely delivers extreme marine creations , has just unveiled a flying superyacht called Air Yacht that looks as though it’s come straight from a sci-fi flick. The vessel’s tech is at the bleeding edge, too, with helium being the main source of fuel.

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Made from carbon fiber, the Air Yacht has one main 262-foot hull sandwiched between a pair of 492-foot airships. These two “floating balloons,” as Lazzarini describes them, will be divided into hives to store helium gas. Think of it as a superyacht with two blimps that can lift it to the skies.

The Air Yacht can either fly or sail.  Lazzarini Design

The Italian outfit hasn’t gone into too much detail regarding how this propulsion actually works but says the compressed helium allows the Air Yacht to “fly” for up to 48 hours at a top speed of 60 knots. The cruiser is also equipped with eight counter-rotating electric engines powered by ultra-light batteries and solar panels. This setup enables the yacht to sail on the water at 5 knots with no noise or pollution.

“With the Air Yacht, there is a way to sail the sky without emissions damaging the future,” the studio said in a statement.

Lazzarini assures the vessel packs all the features of a typical luxury yacht as well. The central hull comprises a large dining area and living room, along with the master cabin which offers a large ensuite and sprawling panoramic views. To top it off, this hull features a helipad and swimming pool on the roof.

The futuristic superyacht still is equipped with a swimming pool, of course.  Lazzarini Design

The two accompanying airships, meanwhile, can be accessed via four separate bridges and each offer five ensuite staterooms with expansive windows to take in the vistas when in flight.

As for who will pilot the Air Yacht, Lazzarini says the vessel is not intended for “touristic purposes.”

The interior of the Air Yacht is fittingly modern.  Lazzarini Design

“It’s for a private owner who wants both a superyacht and evolution in aviation,” the studio adds.

Like all of Lazzarini’s creations, from the swan-shaped megayacht to the 276-foot superyacht with a giant hole in the superstructure, the Air Yacht will remain a concept until somebody chooses to make it a reality.

Check out more photos below:

Lazzarini Design

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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Meet the Foiler, a Flying Yacht

• By Kelley Sanford
• Updated: March 9, 2018

A flying yacht? Sort of. Say hello to the Foiler.

The 31-foot Foiler from Enata Marine has 4 carbon fiber hydrofoils that lift the vessel 5 feet off the water, which reportedly enable higher speeds with greater efficiency than a traditional yacht. The builder also boasts a quieter, smoother ride. Also referred to as “the flying yacht,” the Foiler made her world debut at the 2018 Dubai International Boat Show.

To hydraulically launch the yacht’s hydrofoils, the helmsman presses the “Fly Mode” button on the dashboard. The yacht reportedly has a 40-knot top speed. Hydro-foiling speeds start at 18 knots, however, with 7 guests plus the pilot aboard – though Enata says guests will first feel lift at 12 knots.

The United Arab Emirates-based builder claims that the Foiler virtually eliminates seasickness for guests, even in choppy waters. With foils launched, the yacht glides smoothly over waves as high as 6.5 feet. Should her owner wish to revert the yacht to a standard configuration (sans foils, that is), all one needs to do is press the “Float Mode” button.

Also, thanks to the Foiler’s hybrid propulsion system, the yacht can run solely on battery power for 10 minutes. That means for that length of time, and at 10 knots, the yacht cruises in silence, a benefit to your neighbors when leaving a harbor early or coming back late.. Her hybrid propulsion system is comprised of twin 320 hp BMW diesel engines, two electric generators and two Enata electric torpedoes. “The two BMW inboard engines drive two generators providing the electrical power,” Enata says, explaining how the hybrid system works. “The power is then delivered to two electrical torpedoes that drive the boat.”

The yacht’s hybrid propulsion provides less environmental impact than a diesel-only yacht and, at hydro-foiling speeds, has a reported 20 percent better fuel efficiency. Her decreased drag from a traditional yacht also contributes to that number.

The Foiler cruises at 30 knots, at which she can reportedly go 130 nautical miles off her 300-liter (79-gallon) fuel tank. Enata says that at 20 knots, she can make 260 nautical miles. And for those who will be behind the wheel, the builder says that “it’s easier to drive than a regular yacht as there is no lag between the steering wheel and the Foiler turning. The handling is very similar to a comfortable sports car.”

Enata points out that the Foiler can fit quite nicely into a superyacht garage, thanks to the fact that her foils and propellers can be raised when not in use. Additionally, the yacht has a 10-foot-10-inch beam and is 7 feet 6 inches high when in “garage mode” (all foils raised and stern foils slightly folded inward).

According to the builder, owner’s will get their Foiler delivered about 12 months after ordering. Learn more about the yacht here .

Quick Specs

Beam with foils retracted: 10’10”

Beam with foils deployed: 23’7”

Draft in non-foiling mode: 2’

Height for storage: 7’6”

Propulsion: 2 x 320 hp BMW inboard diesel engines, 2 x electric generators, 2 x ENATA electric torpedoes

Max Speed: 40 knots

Cruise Speed: 30 knots

Day guest accommodations: 8

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