Gary Grant Design, the American studio behind some of the most dramatic-looking superyachts, has a new proposal. It taps into the appetites for super-size yachts and cleaner propulsion. Simultaneously, the 502-footer (153-meter) is much like a sculpture on the water, in the studio head’s style.
Gary Grant (below), head of Gary Grant Design, has four decades of experience penning yachts, cars, and more. His yachting achievements include the 116-foot (35.4-meter) Margaux, for instance, from Advanced Ocean Systems in 1993. Additionally, he designed Adler, measuring 135’10” (41.45 meters) and built at Lauderdale Marine Center in 2005. More recently, he worked with the owner of Crazy Me, a 164-footer (50-meter) that hit the water at Heesen Yachts in 2013.
The yachts Margaux, Adler, and Crazy Me each bear distinctly shaped and sculpted lines. In fact, formed glass is a signature element. It’s especially notable as part of the particular look of Crazy Me. Similarly, Grant uses molded glass throughout the superstructure of the 153-meter concept. (He has not given the design a name.) The idea is to make every space feel like an immersive yet still-private retreat.
Although Grant has collaborated with interior designers on prior projects, for this concept, he’s penning the interior himself. He’s doing so to dramatic effect, too. Headroom in the main saloon, for instance, is a remarkable 17 feet (5.2 meters). It pairs with floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Enhancing the voluminous look and feel, rooms aren’t walled off from each other. Instead, they flow in an open layout, even from inside to alfresco spaces. Furthermore, the beach club can convert from an entirely enclosed to an indoor-outdoor entertainment and relaxation area.
Tying in to the ideas of wellness that Grant has infused throughout the interior, he’s planned a cleaner propulsion system. (Gary Grant Design provides naval architecture services, too.) Wärtsilä 31 engines, renowned for their fuel efficiency, work in conjunction with a battery bank and electric-drive-powered waterjets. Two more Wärtsilä waterjets rely upon twin Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines. Altogether, the hybrid propulsion system should deliver a top speed of 50 knots, Grant says. He adds that he evaluated numerous mathematical models and iterations over one year.
If she’s built, she’ll be the fastest yacht of her size. It’s worth noting that Adler hits 50 knots as well, while Crazy Me tops out at 21 knots, still swift for her size and era. The difference with the concept design, of course, is the possibility of emission-free operations due to the battery bank. Energy-management systems for the 153-meter should also reduce her environmental footprint.
Gary Grant Design amsgrant.com
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