If you’re lucky enough to afford a superyacht, you probably want to flaunt it. However, according to at least one yacht designer, the greatest luxury a boat can provide is the ability to vanish.
Take, for example, naval architect Elena Nappi’s latest superyacht concept. The hybrid vessel dubbed the Carapace, is designed to traverse the high seas both above and below the water: The 256-foot vessel may also be used as a submarine, diving to depths of 985 feet for up to 10 days at a time.
The Carapace would stand out even if it were just another classic superyacht, thanks to a stunning tech-meets-organic style with flowing curves that stretch from bow to stern. The yacht, like many of its counterparts, has various lovely on-deck recreational facilities, including a beach club with a pool.
But it’s Nappi’s boat’s light aluminum superstructure, which can be entirely sealed and operated underwater, that sets it apart. This capability, according to the designer, will provide travelers with a really private holiday. It could also appeal to powerful people who require extra privacy for key meetings.
“The world of luxury submarines is one of the last frontiers in the field of experimentation, and perhaps the hybrid will be the language of the future,” Nappi told CNN. “Very often yacht owners are looking for original solutions to be able to offer their friends and their family something special, and certainly that of a diving cruise of this type is something unprecedented in the superyacht market.”
The three-level boat will be fully equipped with all the luxurious amenities you’d expect from a superyacht, in addition to its underwater capabilities. Guests will have access to a lounge, huge dining area, bar, spa, and health club, among other onboard amenities, whether the boat is operating above or below the ocean. When the vessel is submerged, each of these rooms will provide jaw-dropping views of the surrounding marine life as a reminder that you are underwater.
The boat will also have excellent performance specifications. Carapace will be powered by a diesel-electric and fuel cell system with a range of 2,400 miles, according to Nappi. The boat would be able to reach a top speed of 16 knots on the surface and 12 knots below it with this powertrain.
Of course, Carapace is still only an idea. However, it provides a glimpse into a bright future for superyachts. It will also be expensive: If Nappi’s brainchild becomes a reality, anticipate it to cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
