The $15 million yacht features an iPad controller, luxury interior
Features aerodynamic 'wings' to help glide along water, cut fuel consumption
Space-age shaped vessel could spell the future of superyacht design
Editor’s Note: MainSail is CNN’s monthly sailing show, exploring the sport of sailing, luxury travel and the latest in design and technology.
(CNN) —
With her curved ‘wings,’ long pointed nose, and gleaming underbelly propped high above the waves, this space-age yacht might be better suited to the sky than the sea.
Just a few square meters of the futuristic vessel – valued at $15 million – actually touch the surface of the water, allowing it to skim across the waves with ease.
The innovative design, along with high-tech features such as an iPad-controller, helped glossy “Adastra” win three prizes at last week’s prestigious ShowBoats Design Awards in Monaco, including Best Naval Architecture.
The yachting world is clearly impressed. The honor follows a prize for the Most Innovative Design at the 2013 World Superyacht Awards earlier this year.
So could this alien shape – resembling something between a spaceship and the Concorde supersonic plane – be the future of superyacht design?
“The superyacht industry is pretty traditional,” designer John Shuttleworth, told CNN. “But the establishment has given a ‘yes’ to this idea which is a huge step forward.”
“Inevitably, there has to be a trend for reducing fuel consumption – and I think superyachts will have to look something like this in the future. Initially I don’t think economics will drive it – these are wealthy owners and cost isn’t an issue. Instead, it will be from an ethical, environmental point of view.”
Billionaire’s toys
Billionaire shipping magnate Anton Marden is believed to be the proud owner of the plush 42.5-meter vessel, which took more than five years to design and build.
The Hong Kong-based mogul and wife Elaine will be able to remotely control their luxury yacht from up to 50 meters away, simply by sweeping their hand over an iPad.
If you want to appeal to the mega rich, such flashy gadgets – and room to house them – are now an essential part of superyacht architecture.
“We have recently seen an increase in new and exciting superyacht toys on the market and clients are increasingly looking for more space to house these,” said co-exterior designer Orion Shuttleworth.
“Our new designs incorporate lots of space to accommodate jet skis, sailing boats, kayaks, paddle boards and other toys.”
Speed machine
With just 20% of the enormous 52-ton boat submerged in water, Adastra is able to glide along the waves without the same drag as traditional superyachts, hitting up to 43 kilometers per hour.
It also means the vessel, made from a super-light glass and carbon material, consumes a lot less fuel – around 14% of a conventional superyacht the same size.
“Adastra’s longer, slender main hull has extremely low drag, which is why she is so fuel efficient,” explained Orion.
“The smooth, seamless, unbroken surfaces also help to reduce weight,” he said of the boat, which can travel up to 6,400 kilometers – the same distance from London to New York – without refueling.
Photos: Celebrity superyachts available for hire
Beyonce's ride —
Introducing Asfar, the 30-meter superyacht used by pop princess Beyonce during a holiday in Dubai. For around $100,000 a week, you could sailing the Gulf in the very same boat.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Belevari Marine
Photos: Celebrity superyachts available for hire
Luxury lifestyle —
Many wealthy superyacht owners use their luxury vessels just a few times a year. And if you've got cash to splash, you could hire the same elegant boats used by the world's A-list celebrities, such as this one used by Beyonce.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Belevari Marine
Photos: Celebrity superyachts available for hire
Style and Grace —
If you've ever wanted to be treated like a princess on holiday, this is the superyacht for you. The iconic M/Y Grace was the vessel of choice for Princess Grace and Prince Rainier of Monaco during their honeymoon in 1956.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Quasar Expeditions
Photos: Celebrity superyachts available for hire
Fit for royalty —
Today, the luxurious boat has been refitted with nine staterooms and a top-deck hot tub. Guests can enjoy fine dining as the yacht winds its way around the exotic Galapagos Islands.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Quasar Expeditions
Photos: Celebrity superyachts available for hire
Cruise control —
Musician P. Diddy knows how to holiday in style, chartering opulent superyacht Solemates. The high-tech vessel features an iPad controller, aromatherapy shower and an award-winning on board chef.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Luxury Yacht Group
Photos: Celebrity superyachts available for hire
Celebrity lifestyle —
The spectacular boat is not for the faint hearted, costing $686,00 per week in July and August. Then there are expenses, estimated at around $137,000.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Luxury Yacht Group
Photos: Celebrity superyachts available for hire
Sweet spot —
If only the Honey Fitz could talk, the stories this presidential yacht could tell. Built over 80 years ago, the pretty wooden boat has served five U.S. presidents and after a recent makeover is now available for hire by the public.
PHOTO:
Courtesy www.myhoneyfitz.com
Photos: Celebrity superyachts available for hire
Camelot's captain —
The Honey Fitz's most famous owner was John F. Kennedy, who would spend Easter and Christmas holidays on the yacht in Palm Springs, Florida.
PHOTO:
Courtesy www.myhoneyfitz.com
Photos: Celebrity superyachts available for hire
Branson's boat —
Business magnate Richard Branson's elegant 32-meter catamaran includes four luxury suites, a roof-top diving board and scuba equipment.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Virgin Limited Edition
Photos: Celebrity superyachts available for hire
Underwater adventure —
The state-of-the-art vessel also includes three-person mini sub, "Necker Nymph," for underwater exploration.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Virgin Limited Edition
Photos: Futuristic underwater hotel
Deep space —
It might look like a spaceship, but this remarkable design is in fact a luxury underwater hotel.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Deep Ocean Technology
Photos: Futuristic underwater hotel
Surreal seascape —
The brainchild of Polish designers Deep Ocean Technology (DOT), the futuristic building features saucer-like lounges connected to 21 underwater bedrooms.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Deep Ocean Technology
Photos: Futuristic underwater hotel
Magnificent Maldives —
The sleek design, which can cost up to $50 million, is now set to be built on the remote tropical island of Kuredhivaru in the Maldives.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Deep Ocean Technology
Photos: Futuristic underwater hotel
Water world —
"The biggest challenge is to sink the hotel," said designer Pawel Podwojewski. "In this case, we'll take care of the construction, which means the underwater hotel will be completed in Poland and shipped to Maldives."
PHOTO:
Courtesy Deep Ocean Technology
Photos: Futuristic underwater hotel
Sky-high opulence —
The unique structure may plunge 30-meters below the water, but its luxury facilities are sky-high, including a helicopter landing pad, opulent restaurant and rooftop swimming pool.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Deep Ocean Technology
Photos: Futuristic underwater hotel
Room with a view —
Guests can enjoy views of vibrant coral reefs and sea creatures, all from the comfort of their bedroom.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Deep Ocean Technology
Photos: Futuristic underwater hotel
New depths —
More adventurous guests can dive straight into the water from a special airlock compartment, including its own decompression chamber.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Deep Ocean Technology
Photos: Futuristic underwater hotel
Stairway to heaven? —
The lounges are connected by a glass tunnel. In an emergency, the doughnut-shaped underwater room can slide to the surface of the ocean.
PHOTO:
Courtesy Deep Ocean Technology
Photos: Futuristic underwater hotel
Next stop...Dubai? —
The unique hotel may soon be built in the United Arab Emirates, with Dubai construction company Drydocks now in negotiations with designers.
In fact, the three-pronged design – featuring a slim hull and two ‘wings’ – is similar to the world’s fastest sailboat Hydroptere, which broke the speed record in 2009 at 95 kilometers per hour.
Step inside the sleek Adastra and you’ll find all the luxury of a five-star hotel, including five elegant bedrooms and four bathrooms.
The plush yacht also features a saloon, a lounge and an industrial kitchen. The rear deck has an open-air bar, allowing guests to gaze out at the water while they enjoy a cocktail.