By its own admission, Strand Craft conceives outrageous super yachts, perhaps most notably those like the
Strand Craft 122 which come with a matching V12 supercar. Its latest wheeze is this Luxury Limousine Super Yacht Tender designed to get the world's rich and famous (and perhaps richly infamous) to their wonder yachts in style and comfort by floating them on a cushion of air … in hovercraft mode, at least. Strand Craft says that its dual-mode tender could operate as both a hovercraft and a hydrofoil.
Strand Craft says that the hull and deck superstructure of its 36-ft (11-m) craft will be made from vacuum-formed PVC foam, fiberglass and Kevlar composite which it claims makes it strong and light. Though Strand Craft hasn't released fuel consumption figures, it clams that the tender is 70 percent more efficient than propeller-driven craft. The tender will apparently use a water jet propulsion system. It says the tender can cover a variety of surfaces, suggesting that it is an amphibious vehicle. Apparently no davit is required so perhaps the company intends this to be parked in your yacht's garage a la the 122.
It has 12-ft (3.7-m) beam, and an internal 12-passenger salon 20 x 8 ft (6 x 2.4 m) in area and 6 ft (1.8 m) high which it can be styled according to your tastes (or lack thereof), as can the color of the exterior finish.
Inside there's apparently a touch-screen instrument panel, though an iPad can also be used, though what these control isn't entirely clear.
Another mystery is what stage of development the tender is at, but judging by the list of equipment included as standard, we imagine the final specs could be subject to change. But for now Stand Craft lists telescopic night vision, voice recognition, radar, 42-in satellite TV system, refrigerator, digital safe and cup holders as among the luxuries available.
Strand Craft says the base price of its Luxury Limousine Super Yacht Tender is US$750,000. A fully-specced model will cost $1.2 million. A release date is yet to be announced, but it may be that this dual-mode is simply is a concept with which Strand Craft is, if you'll excuse the phrase, testing the water.
