The most extreme superyacht concepts in the world

Steve Kozloff has lifted the lid on an 170 metre superyacht concept that comes complete with foldable masts and its own dedicated aircraft hangar. The masts represent a groundbreaking feat of engineering that would be able to rotate, tilt, heat up to avoid icing and set their own sails. The yacht is a luxury vessel first and foremost, but it has also been designed with scientific research in mind and will boast an ice-classed hull.

Combining the flying capacities of an airship with the luxury of a superyacht, the AirYacht is truly in a class of its own. The first unit is set to be launched in 2026, and will give guests the chance to fly through the skies and sail across the seas in one single vessel. With design by noted yacht designer Franck Darnet, the AirYacht comes complete with three decks, a large swimming pool and generous terraces.

Servo Yachts and Shuttleworth Design teamed up to present the 45 metre Martini 6.0 concept, which features two hulls connected to the superstructure via an electro-pneumatic suspension system. The height of the vessel can be adjusted to 4.5 metres through the waves, eliminating seasickness as it goes. 

The entirely carbon-neutral 110 metre VY-01 was revealed by German studio 3deluxe and comes complete with a "garden-like" interior. The concept will be powered by fuel cells driven by hydrogen and recharged by bio-methanol alongside silent electric engines, for a range of 3,240 nautical miles. Described by the studio as "a floating garden of Eden", the interiors benefit from sensor-controlled louvers that wrap around the superstructure.

Lazzarini's 69 metre Shape concept is characterised by what the Italian studio defines as a 'gaping hole'  in its superstructure. The eccentric design allows ample space for guests to sun bathe, while still remaining covered from the elements. A large glass-bottomed infinity pool sits on the upper deck and dips into the hole, which is accessed via a door on the bow. 

Dutch yard Oceanco teamed up with design studio Pininfarina on the 90 metre hybrid superyacht concept Kairos, which features an entirely symmetrical profile. Described by Oceanco as a “floating, living island which frees those onboard to live fully in the moment," the concept features an E-Hybrid propulsion system that uses batteries as its primary source of energy. According to Oceanco, as a result there is "no noise, lower vibrations and zero local emissions”. 

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, Lürssen's 98 metre, emission-free concept features five decks and was revealed at Monaco Yacht Show 2021. The concept, named ALICE, includes an unusual, fully-open main deck and is powered by fuel cell technology. Jim Sluijter, who penned the exterior design, said: "With lots of yachts what you see is the and superstructure connected to each other. I separated the two so you have the hull, the superstructure and an interesting exterior deck in between."

Codecasa's futuristic 70 metre aircraft inspired superyacht design, the Codecasa Jet 2020 is packed with stylistic features “borrowed” from the world of aviation design, including a sundeck that extends aft to recall “the tail of an aircraft”. Additional inspiration is present in the yacht’s air inlets, which are designed to recall a jet engine, and radar antennas inside carbon fibre domes replicating those on AWACS airplanes. Other features include “huge exterior and interior spaces”, swimming pool and covered gym.

The 144.2 metre sailing yacht concept named Lucaya was unveiled by studio Kyron Design and features DynaRig sails. Designed to cruise the Bahamas, stand out design features include a three masts, a dedicated helipad and a beach club with an open-air bar and aquarium behind the cocktail station. 

This futuristic carbon neutral concept from the boards of Luca Dini Design & Architecture is fitted with a fully electric propulsion system and roof top solar panels, ensuring "total respect to the environment". Dini penned the 28m design after working on a protected marine area in the Middle East for a company that required a vessel that could travel around the area without impacting the environment. Cetacean is designed with a number of uses in mind, including a shuttle, mobile hospital, cargo carrier or even a private vessel. The concept has a cruising speed of 12 and carries a total of 25 people on board, as well as five crew.