While amphibious cars may never have really taken hold, there are plenty of examples of the automotive industry meeting its counterparts in the yacht-building field. Whether it’s the nautical-themed teak decking on a Rolls-Royce or a speedboat styled by Porsche Design, it’s a melding of worlds that we can get behind. And this superyacht design is one of the more enticing that we’ve seen.
The brainchild of budding naval architect Jim Robert Sluijter, the design dubbed Project Wingspan calls for a 65-meter motor yacht envisioned for a wealthy owner who also collects cars and doesn’t want to leave them all on shore. The interior of the large vessel is designed around a full-beam staircase that opens into a central atrium that also incorporates a pair of automobiles anchored to large hatches that open on either side. Although the design could theoretically incorporate just about any car the owner might wish, Sluijter went with a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta and Pininfarina Sergio. The latter is a concept car that has yet to reach production, but if you’re going to dream, you might as well dream big.
Because the grand central atrium and its spiral staircase span the full beam of the vessel, access is granted to the crew by separate staircases fore and aft, connected by a corridor down the starboard side of the boat. That way — and this is a vital element to enjoying a superyacht — the 12-member crew can go about their business without bothering or being bothered by the owners and their guests.
The cabin space includes a gym and spa, an eight-seat home theater, a medical center, a master cabin suite, three guest cabins and plenty of outdoor space on the decks for enjoying good weather. There’s also a water garage by the stern to stow three seven-meter tenders and an onboard submarine while keeping the exterior lines uncluttered.
Project Wingspan was designed for and submitted to ShowBoats Magazine’s 2013 Young Designer of the Year Award, where it made it into the final five. If we were in the market, we just might give Jim a call and see if he could lend a hand.
