The Glider Yacht, the brainchild of the company’s founder, Rob McCall, has taken to the water for its official sea trials, although it is not officially unveiled until the forthcoming London On-Water, Yacht and Boat Show on the 4th May.
Managing director Richard Inwards said: “Gliders are unlike any other yacht in existence. With their unparalleled design and technological capabilities, they promise to be one of the most luxurious, high performance craft in the world.
“We are absolutely delighted to be part of this very exciting new British innovation that is set to revolutionise high speed luxury marine travel.”
Expect there to be strong demand for this iconic and unique looking craft. Prices have yet to be announced, but are rumoured to be around the cool one million pound mark for a special build to an owner’s requirements.
The Glider Yacht Super Sports 18 is the first of what will be a series of vessels between 18 and 80 metres aimed at the luxury end of the market. It has taken some eight years of design and planning to bring the Glider yacht project to fruition. The Glider YachtSS18 has been built in Southampton by Burgess Marine. They have utilised a lightweight combination of aluminium and composites. The craft features two wavepiercing hulls to give up to eight passengers a smooth ride, even in the roughest of sea conditions.
The SS18 is fitted with four 270hp supercharged Yamaha waterjet engines and is said to be capable of speeds in excess of 50 knots. There is an optional long-range fuel tank. The other majoy benefit is that with an extraordinarily shallow draft of just under 1 foot, this eye catching power cat can explore the kind of places that other larger crasft simply cannot reach.
A game changer? Time will tell.
