If you have ever been to a drive-in movie theater or otherwise open-air movie, this is the luxury version. The owners and guests who cruise aboard this particular sailing superyacht can spread out all across the entire upper deck for a cinematic experience. Project Lotus will have a sail-meets-cinema setup, visible no matter where they sit to enjoy their popcorn.
The 289-footer (88-meter) is a twin-mast DynaRig design, part of a two-yacht package from Royal Huisman that includes an expedition motoryacht. Their layouts and functions complement one another, recognizing how owners and guests may enjoy pursuing different activities simultaneously that aren’t possible aboard just one yacht. (On a side note, Royal Huisman doesn’t consider the motoryacht a shadow vessel. She is an integral part of the entire concept.)
The cinematic experience comes from Yacht Intelligence, which tailors AV, lighting, and other systems for clients. The company has installed traditional movie screens aboard multiple yachts, including out on deck. In this case, the build and design teams decided an integral system was more aesthetically pleasing and practical. This way, the 14-person crew doesn’t need to rearrange furniture. Furthermore, stowage for the screen and projection gear doesn’t eat up usable space.
The way Project Lotus will have a sail-meets-cinema setup starts, of course, with the sails. Specifically, the lower part of the sail on the forward mast becomes the movie screen—nearly 58 feet (17.6 meters) diagonally. Yacht Intelligence even says it suits 4K projections, as well as early-evening picture shows. As for the projector, custom furniture conceals a lift for it.
Ensuring the audio sounds proper outside is important, too. To that end, Yacht Intelligence has spec’d 9.2 Surround Sound from James Loudspeaker products. (No need for large speakers to plug in on deck.) These will rise automatically from the top deck’s curved seating. Naturally, to complement the furnishings, the finish will match the seating materials. Finally, flicks from Annie to Zorro can be called up at the touch of a finger to an iPad.
Royal Huisman royalhuisman.com
Yacht Intelligence yacht-intelligence.com
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