A 78 metre concept motor yacht called 船 (He) has been revealed by M51 concepts. Inspired by the great wooden junk sailing ships of Chinese explorer Zheng He, the motor yacht would be built with a steel hull, aluminium superstructure, 13.8 metre beam and 3.8 metre draught.
船 (He) takes its distinctive bow and stern lines from the early Ming dynasty vessels. With subtle design cues from traditional architecture, the superstructure design echoes Chinese temples and gives the explorer a unique look.
Meanwhile, subtle interior furnishings will feature a minimalist feel thanks to monochrome fabrics, carved wood and delicate motifs - tying together the organic feel of the yacht.
The yacht will offer accommodation for up to 12 guests in eight cabins, comprising one owner, four VIP and three twin cabins. The upper deck will be home to a shared entertainment area, with outdoor seating for 32 diners, ideal for large family occasions. A mah-jong and karaoke bar is planned inside.
Elsewhere on the main deck, port and starboard tender bays will be separated by a glass-enclosed walkway. The open space gives the impression of a “dragon's gate,” which is an architectural design feature that is inspired by feng-shui philosophy.
The glass-enclosed walkway leads to connecting forward main deck accommodation and an aft galley dining and lounging area.
The foredeck incorporates a touch-and-go helipad, but the design can be altered with an alternative configuration with the hangar aft, sacrificing the aft lounge for more toy storage.
船 (He) will boast a partially enclosed sundeck with Jacuzzi under a glass ceiling. The design gives an impression of a “dragon's back” thanks to its scaly appearance.
The explorer yacht has been envisioned with a range of 6000+ nautical miles.