Project ICE superyacht is powered by a giant kite that sails 600 feet above water

Project ICE is a 64-metre (211-foot) motoryacht design collaboration between Red Yacht Design and Dykstra Naval Architects that uses a giant overhead sail to lift the vessel into a category of its own. This helps the yacht become much more fuel efficient, as the sail helps propel it through the water.

Both designers have a long history of innovative projects. Dykstra has created the naval architecture for many world-renowned sailing yachts, while Istanbul-based Red Yacht has designed a slew of superyachts, including notable projects Stella and the Superfly GTO 42.

Kite-sailing superyachts is more than just a concept, said Faith Sürekli, co-founder of Red Yacht Design. “German kite manufacturer SkySails has been integrating this technology on commercial ships for many years to reduce fuel consumption. We started with the notion that it would also work on a yacht created for circumnavigation. It will almost exclusively be used on the high seas – there is plenty of open water and no helicopters flying by.”

Dutch designers Dykstra, which worked with SkySails on the geometry of the kite, also designed low-resistance hull and dagger-board for ICE as part of the total package to make it operational. ICE also has an uber-efficient hybrid propulsion system for non-sailing days. The German owner plans to put the yacht in a fractional program so she can be used by multiple owners on her circumnavigations.

Aside from technical innovations, Red Yacht’s design brief requested for shapes from the ocean, Sürekli continued, “We wanted her to look like she always came from the sea. The main inspiration came from sharks and dolphins. We wanted the superstructure and bow to convey a feeling of majesty, with the aggressive look of a shark. Aft, the areas are more welcoming, with a friendly, dolphin-like feeling.”

The yacht contains a high percentage of class for a vessel of its size, Sürekli commented, “The main goal is to integrate enclosed spaces with more light while assuring a striking profile from the exterior.”

The Kite Lounge is the best example of walls of glass used to maximum effect. Its spherical glass ceiling was designed as part of an interior observation area to watch the kite sailing overhead, while the lounge can be converted into a dining area. The enormous glass area offers 180 degrees of visibility, with exceptional views of sky and water. Sürekli designed the main deck as one unbroken space that allows the eye to move freely from the main saloon in the rear, up through the transparent Kite Lounge and then forward through the windows of the pilothouse.

The five-stateroom layout includes four guest cabins for ten people and a full-beam master’s suite with an office, his-and-hers dressing rooms, lounge and direct access to the spa, the owner can even decide if they will be using the spa privately or if it will be open to guests.

The stunning ICE is designed in tandem with its shadow boat. The ICE Ghost is 25-metre (85-foot) vessel broad aft deck is designed to carry a wide range of toys, including an Icon A5 Airplane, U Boatworx Superyacht Sub, a custom RIB with a top end of 60 knots (also designed by Red Yacht), personal watercraft and diving equipment amongst a range of other toys.

Cleared of the equipment, the expensive deck tuns into an open party area for the owners and guests. The boats galley is located on the main deck for such occasions, the shadow vessel also has twin cabins for four guests or crew.

The owner is accepting bids from shipyards, so Project ICE could quickly become reality.

For more information, visit Red Yacht Design. Sign up to our newsletter to get the best of Yachting Pages delivered direct to your inbox every month.

 Source: Robb Report