Somehow, the scene of a man in white linen, clutching a martini glass and a fat cigar in the very same hand and seated on the sunny deck of his private yacht, doesn’t seem fancy anymore. In fact, it seems like an unimaginative portrayal of a yuppie from a Hollywood flick. Yachts are commonplace; they’re usually the first things people buy when they have more money and lesser time.
The luxury now lies in the accessories which these yachts can be dressed up in. For those who feel like stepping into the waters, there’s the SuperPool, a safe netted swimming pool. In what looks like a playful DIY project, its inflated floor sections can be pieced together and a bimini shed can be screwed on top. Should you care for a game of volleyball, just turn on the uplights and stock the cool boxes with beer and sodas. It’s like a little island afloat along the beach.
Those chasing thrills must choose the JetLev-Flyer, which is a water-propelled jet pack. Although it operates on a similar working principle like the Jet Ski, wherein the jet propulsion system uses water from hoses to create the thrust, this device actually lifts the wearer skyward. In superhero discipline, the skier can rise high above the tides, holding on to the flexible hose that controls the throttle and responds to the body commands. The JF 250 model JetLev-Flyer can reach an altitude of 10 m, top speeds of 47 km/h and has a cruising duration of 2-3 hours, of course depending on pilot weight. The model that is completely made from carbon fibre, the Jetlev-Flyer JF 250 with an astonshing 250 HP, 4-stroke engine, is offered for sale at $130,000 by Dania Beach-based company, JetLev Technologies. The price for last year’s model JF 220 is a bit more affordable, at $103,000.
Maybe, just maybe, yachts could go beyond the lazy vanity of recliner chairs and soft massages in sea breeze. Eco Yacht Toys must have thought about that as they put in energy into the concept of yachting by creating the world’s first inflatable climbing wall that can be tied to the side of a yacht. To make sure this isn’t just a fun activity for kids, there are different levels of difficulty routes indicated by three colours. This is a competitive exercise for your charter guests: they can show off their core strength, keep scores and bond over a game. Even if there is a fall, it’s all reduced to a sweet little splash.
Once the volleyball game is over and inflated walls have been scaled, you can take your guests and be neck deep into the Hot Tub Boat. Engineered and built in Seattle by a marine carpenter who specialises in custom house boats, this one-of-a-kind vessel is an electric boat with an 8-foot long hot tub built into its deck, and positioned on the boat’s centre of buoyancy that provides stability. The Hot Tub Boat will accommodate a lucky group of six adults, who can then listen to music most befitting on its waterproof stereo system. There are flush-mounted 5-watt speakers that pop up from the deck. A teak swimstep will lead them into the waters around them. There is a 24-volt electric motor that propels the boat up to 5 mph on calm water. It can be easily steered via a joystick. Of course, there are ice buckets to store drinks while the journey lasts. The boat’s rechargeable battery bank provides up to 10 hours of power from an overnight charge using its built-in Smart Plug shore power connection and on-board chargers. It can be added to your Super Yacht for a mere $42,000.
Yachts seem to going through what private jets went through a few years ago. And, they seem more than prepared to take on the second wave.