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Beiderbeck Designs charts new waters with megayacht

“A yacht so long it could act as a floating marina.” Those are the words of Beiderbeck Designs, which has released renderings of a £450 billion, 198-metre catamaran that it says has been designed to “shift the limits of what is feasible”.

Galileo will have a 400-metre outdoor pool – considerably larger than many yachts are in total size – and an “amphitheatre-style” openair cinema, according to the German design agency. A spokesman said: “We estimate the costs at around €500 billion without toys and with just the standard interior. If you want a luxury interior, there are no limits on what the price might be. We believe it is the greatest concept that has ever been developed for a catamaran.”

The catamaran will be powered by a methanol propulsion system and will “pioneer geothermal energy”. It will accommodate 38 guests. There will be a helicopter platform, with room to store the aircraft and a place to refuel, of course. Galileo has a top speed of 22 knots and a range of 19,000 miles, while the incredible onboard harbour, at 80 metres, has room for up to 25 water sports vehicles such as jet skis, submarines and boats.

With great size and numerous features comes the need for a large crew. At least 75 staff will be required to keep the vessel operational – including chefs, cinema attendants and bar staff.

Heesen completes second in hybrid series

Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, Heesen has announced the delivery of project YN 19510, now known as Amare II. It is the second in Heesen’s hybrid series with exterior design from Omega Architects.

“Delivering a superyacht during the Covid-19 pandemic was a challenge that Heesen rose to and overcame,” said the Heesen team. “This was achieved thanks to the swift reorganisation of the in-house work schedule, which was adapted to meet governmental regulations and ensure the safety of all staff and suppliers involved in the operations. Tests at sea were performed with minimum crew in order to guarantee the necessary physical distancing and extra safety measures were put in place.”

Amare II has now been given to its owners after sea trials in the

North Sea. It is 50 metres in length, eight metres wide and 499GT.

Designed by Van Oossanen and engineered by Heesen, the hull of Amare II was welded to high tolerances at the Heesen facility in Oss.

Seychelles island offers retreat for yacht owners

Six Senses Zil Pasyon is now available for exclusive use by up to 20 guests – the perfect retreat for those looking to get away from the mundane. It is found on the 652-acre Félicité Island, which is among the most beautiful of the 115 islands that makes up the Seychelles. With dramatic boulders, turquoise waters and pristine beaches, it also offers seclusion like few other destinations.

The resort comprises 28 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom spacious pool villas alongside two residences, which occupy one third of the island’s land total – the rest is unspoilt nature and wildlife. Six Senses Zil Pasyon is located 30 miles (55 kilometres) northeast of Mahé International Airport and is accessible only by a scenic 20-minute private helicopter journey or a one-hour boat trip on a private motor yacht. For private jets, landing permits are subject to government approval (and it is the sole responsibility of the client to obtain them).

Six Senses Zil Pasyon is available for exclusive use from €330,000 for a group of up to 20 guests for a one-week stay. It’s the perfect waterside location for yacht enthusiasts looking to spend a week on land.

Pelorus reveals Rimor design and underwater lounge

Pelorus has unveiled the design of Rimor-X, its state-of-the-art 96-metre explorer superyacht concept, developed in collaboration with Sturge Design.

Rimor, meaning ‘explorer’ in Latin, was developed in collaboration with designer Ben Julian Toth on the exterior styling, with Pelorus as technical adviser. The project highlights the technical innovation within the industry, offering space and uninterrupted views of the ocean, and all within a design intended to take travellers farther than ever before.

On board, the yacht will accommodate up to 14 guests across seven staterooms, including four double suites on the lower deck, two VIP apartments on the main deck and a dedicated owner’s deck with personal facilities. There will also be a large gym and a fully equipped wellness spa with an

atrium down to the ‘Mermaid Lounge’, a submerged lounge where guests can observe the underwater world.

“From the layout, it’s obvious that each of these spaces has their own intimacy and function,” said designer Toby Sturge. “This allows all family members to enjoy their own time on board while still being together all on one incredible deck stretching from stern to bow.”

Icona unveils futuristic electric catamaran

In one of the most futuristic, ambitious concepts we’ve seen, Icona Design Group has revealed the Fibonacci – an electric catamaran that looks like a piano.

Named after the Italian mathematician from the Republic of Pisa, who was described as “the most talented Western mathematician of the Middle Ages”, the 16.7-metre concept yacht marks the California-based design studio’s debut in the yachting world, and is the next step of invention after its award-winning Icona Nucleus, an autonomous concept vehicle.

“We wanted to apply once again a futuristic vision of transport, but this time on water,” said Samuel Chuffart, vice-president and global design director of Icona. The company has offices in Los Angeles, Shanghai and Turin, the northern Italy city that is home to Fiat and other Italian automotive manufacturers.

“Tomorrow’s boating experience will no longer be for just a few aficionados – with the technological evolution and sustainability now offered, boats should be designed differently to embrace a wider spectrum of people and uses,” said Chuffart.

“Yachting is very self-referential, so what attracted us to this project was that it brought us into contact with specialists in other fields such as automotive design and electric transport,” Sergio Cutolo, founder of Hydro Tec, told Robb Report. “The catamaran configuration, propulsion system and overall concept is the result of a collective effort to maximise the efficiency of the design and minimise energy consumption.”

High interest in private Maldives getaways

In the post-lockdown world, the paradise of the Maldives is recording unprecedented interest from holidaymakers looking to spend their days in the sun, away from the bustle of the real world.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives, Naladhu Private Island Maldives, Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort and Anantara Veli Maldives Resort are opening their doors to intimate groups who want exclusivity and luxurious accommodation. With Dhaalu Airport now open to private jets, you won’t have to share this idyllic destination with anyone else.

“The islands are a luxurious hideaway of poetic beauty – white sands, coconut palms, the jewel-toned colours of the Indian Ocean,” Naladhu Private Island Maldives said. “Your time on the islands – utterly bespoke and timeless.”

The indulgent getaway is customised based on guests’ requirements, but prices start from $40,000 per night.

Niyama Private Islands Maldives in the Dhaalu Atoll may also be one of the safest places on Earth – at the time of writing it has had no cases of Covid-19.