12 EXTREME FUTURISTIC BOATS AND SUPER YACHTS

Extreme Futuristic Boats & Super Yachts
By Avi Abrams, Dark Roasted Blend, 28 June 2013.

"Luxury on the water" is somehow more attractive than "Luxury on land."

Jeff Goldblum once said: "I love the ocean. Boats, not so much." Well, this collection of streamlined and luxurious modern pleasure boats may possibly serve to change his mind, or simply provide us with great summer "eye candy" diversion. In the first part of this series we've seen some vintage examples of cool boats, and today we are going to look at futuristic concepts and great modern examples of private boats and yachts.

1. The Ultimate Machine Room

Image via Reddit

Ever wondered what the high tech engine of the top-of-the-line super yacht looks like? Well, above is a pek into the engine room of Mangusta 165 Yacht equipped with MTU 16V-4000-M93L diesel engines.

And here is what the rest of this super-yacht looks like...not too shabby!

"Mangusta 165" is a US$50 million luxury yacht (by the way, here is a great list of world's super yachts, or how they are called, "expedition yachts"), a 50 meter palace, which just recently held the title as the largest open yacht in the world. [More info] [Overmarine Group website]

2. The Land-Crawling Yacht!

Images via Iguana Yachts

This is land-crawling model Iguana 29, made by Iguana Yachts - an evolutionary fish, if you pardon the expression, that smartened up and crawled out of the water...to become the world's first "ground boat."

Images via Iguana Yachts

Equipped with the retractable caterpillars on both sides, this capable machine can even crawl over rocks and easily navigate treacherous sand bars.

Images via Iguana Yachts

It's easy to imagine yourself steering this futuristic vessel across the desert...or the vastness of the High Seas.

3. The "Flying Yacht" Concept by Phil Pauley

Images credit: Phil Pauley

This great-looking "Cruiser Series" (consisting of three differently sized boats, the Yacht Cruiser, Sub Cruiser, Fly Cruiser and Power Cruiser) first uses hydrofoils to rise above the water and move with the impressive speed of 180 km/hr.

Images credit: Phil Pauley

...and then, it literally spread its wings, and flies (or rather glides) over the ocean like some stainless steel flying fish. Watch the video to see the transformation - and check out how the bigger boat transforms into a submarine and goes underwater.

4. The Volitan

Images via Bornrich

Another "flying fish" yacht concept is designed by Turkish firm Designnobis Studio - it's called "Volitan."

5. The Venus Project

Images via Colorcubic

This awesome retro-future catamaran concept is part of the larger futuristic "Venus Project" by Jacque Fresco which hopes to establish a worldwide "resource-based economy." [The Venus Project website]

6. Chevrolet Corvette ZR48 Speedboat

Image via Corvette Blogger

Here is a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR48 Speedboat (designed by Bo Zolland).

7. Swim-in Movie Theatre by German architect Ole Scheeren

Images via Bless this Stuff

This floating "Archipelago Cinema" is the only kind of Boat-In movie experience in the world, located at the shoreline of Yao Noi, Thailand.

8. The Orsos Floating Island

Super yachts? Not big enough. How about "Floating Islands"?

Images via Orsos Island

Speaking of "floating island" yachts, we find it hard to differentiate this concept from more commonly known "house boat" idea. Granted, there are levels of luxury not easily attained in a humble houseboat. Check out for example this concept by Orsos Island.

Images via Orsos Island

The deck is certainly wide and spacious.

Image via Orsos Island

The whole string of such yachts can easily morph into a luxury lagoon hotel, once moored in the appropriately spectacular spot.

9. The Floating Island "WHY" Concept

(If you have to ask "why?" it's been built, you clearly not from the right crowd.)

Images via WHY

Another "floating island" concept, the Wally WHY 'Floating Island’, was displayed in Abu Dhabi by yacht-manufacturer Wally and well-known luxury goods company Hermes. Viewed from one angle, it looks like a huge floating grand piano.

Images via WHY

Viewed from another angle, it does look like a boat.

Images via WHY

The interiors of this huge "floating property" closely resemble the layout of a big house, or a mansion.

Images via WHY

This "floating mansion" consists of three levels, with a private beach, huge 25-meter swimming pool and a movie theatre on top.

Images via WHY

And perhaps in glaring contrast to other concepts displayed here, this idea has actually been brought to reality: the above pictures show the floating island getting built.

10. The Mini Monaco That Floats

The ultimate in size...and tastelessness?

Images via Daily Mail

I personally think this concept is simply outrageous and even lacking in good taste. But others might find it appropriate and attractive. Inspired by the beautiful streetscapes of Monaco, this concept of a "floating island" yacht is slated to become the world's biggest personal yacht (at the time of writing, Roman Abramovich's "Eclipse" super yacht is said to be the most expensive personal yacht in the world) - more info.

Images via Daily Mail

"The 500ft-long boat - expected to cost up to £700million - also boasts miniatures of the famed Monte Carlo Casino, Hotel de Paris, Cafe de Paris, La Rascasse, the Loews Hotel as well as swimming pools and tennis courts." The interiors are certainly magnificent and worthy of a king's palace somewhere in France.

11. Schöpfer Yachts

Probably the most radical-looking super yachts ever...

Images credit: Schopfer Yachts

These beauties were envisioned by designer E. Kevin Schopfer, who also gives them evocative names like Oculus (above) and Infinitas (below).

Images credit: Schopfer Yachts

With shapes like this, Schopfer Yachts Company will have no problem selling one of these beauties to legendary Captain Nemo himself, don't you think?

Images credit: Schopfer Yachts

Even smaller boats designed by Kevin Schopfer are incredibly attractive. Pictured above are "AUDAX" (top) and "AUDAX 130" (bottom).

12. Another Beautiful Yacht Concept: Strand Craft 166

Images via Strand Craft USA

So sleek and incredibly attractive...proposed by the firm Strand Craft USA, it comes with its own brand of supercar. However, I doubt that sophisticated owners of this yacht would want an unknown car brand instead of much better known Aston Martins and Lamborghinis - more info.

Bonus 1: Sneak Peek into the Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's Super Yacht "Sirius"

These photographs were taken on board of his super yacht "Sirius" (costing the measly 40 million dollars) back in 2011.

This boat was previously known as "Leo Fun", so this is not a brand new vessel, but as you can see, the luxury level is high and it looks pretty impressive. [More info]

Bonus 2: The Red Square

Images via Edmiston

Another great super yacht is the "Red Square" (named in view of the prospective Russian owners?). It's been launched in February 2013 and has been put for sale for around US$80 million dollars - more info.

Top image: Superyacht SC166 - Strand Craft 166 Motor Yacht by Gray Design, via Charterworld. 

[Source: Dark Roasted Blend. Edited. Some links added.]

Related Post: Orsos: The Moveable Floating Island - Or A Boat That Looks Like A Floating Island

10 OF THE MOST UNIQUE CACTI

10 Of The Most Unique Cacti
By John Winner, Listverse, 1 July 2013.

The world of plants is often one of strange beauty and pure wonder. Coming in many shapes and sizes, plants are all unique in some way, yet cacti are some of the most amazing plants in the world. Protected by an outer layer of spines, cacti endure some of the harshest and demanding environments. Relying on their incredible water storage abilities and thick skin to prevent water loss, cacti are hidden deep in the driest deserts and even up in the peaks of some mountains. While cacti are certainly unique amongst other plants, some are bizarre - even by cacti standards.

10. Agave Cactus

Known as the Agave cactus, Leuchtenbergia principis is unique because of the straight, finger-like protrusions from its main stem. These “fingers” are tipped with small clusters of spines that, in older specimens, can grow into a tangled, protective web on the top portion of the plant. The agave starts off as any normal cactus seedling would and soon develops its points. As it ages, these form into its thick photosynthetic “fingers.” Once the protrusions have formed, the agave maintains its shape and gets wider and sturdier but remains a single plant. This is abnormal because most cacti will either start to produce small offspring at some point, or even “arms” in taller plants.

9. Ariocarpus fissuratus (“Living Rocks”)

Cacti are associated with spines, yet a few species have no spines or lose them once they reach adulthood. A. fissuratus is an extremely slow-growing example of spineless cacti. Some of them can take up to 50 years to reach 4-5 inches in diameter. As a seeding, these plants have very small, weak spines that grow from the points of its geophytic structure. As the plant ages, these spines fall off and no new ones grow to replace the original set. This results in a strange-looking plant with no defense, which seems counter-intuitive to the health of the species. Due to its lack of defense, A. fissuratus grows in hard-to-reach crevasses and similar locations and produces small amounts of psychoactive substances to prevent animals from eating it.

8. Astrophytum caput-medusae

One of a kind in form, A. caput-medusae grows as its name implies, like the snake hair of medusa. Recently discovered, A. caput-medusae was first put into its own classification until it was discovered that its flowers were identical to those of the Astrophytum genus, as well as its small tufts of soft wool-like hairs from its stem. This secured its place as an Astrophytum species. Producing brilliant yellow flowers with red centres, A. caput-medusae readily produces some of the largest seeds among cacti, measuring between 1/8th and 1/4th of an inch across.

7. Peyote

One of the most well know and well regulated cacti is the Lophophora williamsii, commonly known as peyote. Illegal to grow or own, peyote is known for its powerful psychedelic effects thanks to high concentrations of mescaline. It’s only legal for use by members of Native American tribes because peyote has long been a central aspect of Native American rituals. According to these tribes, use of peyote would often result in the understanding of spirits and other intangible entities.

6. Discocactus horstii

When mature, the discocactus develops a cephalium - a densely spiked growth - from which its large, white flowers bloom. While it is green in the early stages of its life, discocactus eventually develops a red tint. Although it looks like a standard desert cactus while young, they grow at elevations of around 304 meters (1,000 feet) above sea level. Discocactus can be difficult to grow since they have a tendency to rot if over-watered and to dry out completely if left without water for shorter periods than what most cacti can endure.

5. Hylocereus undatus

When someone brings up flowers, cacti don’t immediately spring to mind, even though cacti flowers can be enormous and beautiful. The H. undatus flower can exceed 35 centimetres (about 14 inches) in length and 23 centimetres (about 9 inches) across. The H. undatus blooms only at night, and each flower opens only once before seeding and becoming a dragon fruit or falling off and dying. The flowers give off an extremely potent vanilla fragrance that can be overwhelming if the flower is smelled directly.

4. Pereskiopsis spathulata

Some cacti are in a primitive enough state that they actually have both leaves and spines. The P. spathulata is one of these: with small spines, gloichds, and leaves sprouting from a single point. Tropical and extremely fast-growing by nature, P. spathulata is often used as a grafting base to speed the growth process of seedlings of slow-growing species. While still capable of flowering, it’s rare to find a P. spathulata that is being grown for its appearance or flowers. Most specimens are simply cuttings that were rooted from a mother plant, resulting in numerous clones that can also be cut and replanted.

3. Turbinicarpus subterraneus

When we think of cacti, we often think of tall, thick-stemmed plants that are coated in spikes, but (as this list has already shown) this is often not the case. With T. subterraneus, the true surprise is below the soil’s surface. The small, club-like heads are supported by a tuberous root - often the same size as the exposed stems. This root allows for the T. subterraneus to survive long periods of drought by storing large quantities of water. Being below the surface also allows it to be cold resistant enough to endure short periods of exposure to temperatures as low -4°C (28.4°F).

2. The Atrichoke Cactus

Commonly referred to as the artichoke cactus, it the only species in the Obregonia genus. Similar to the Ariocarpus and Leuchtenbergia genus, the artichoke cactus grows in a geophytic manner, having its body points spiral from the growth point. While it does have spines, they often shed from the plant - resulting in sparse patches of spines on the ends of the areoles. This spiralling combined with the type of stem results in the signature artichoke shape. Small flowers bloom from the tips of young growth in the summer, resulting in an edible, fleshy fruit when fertilized and ripe.

1. Blossfeldia liliputana

Often growing between rocks in the Andes mountains, B. liliputana earns its name from the the land of Lilliput in the novel Gulliver’s Travels, where all of its citizens were tiny to Gulliver. This because B. liliputana is the smallest cacti, maxing out at 1.3 centimetres (half an inch) across. Their size, as well as their growth patterns, make these small wonders especially unique. Cacti often have a rounded growth point, yet B. liliputana grows from an indent at the centre of the plant. Flowering during the summer months, B. liliputan self-fertilizes and produces seeds that are so small they easily blend in with the surrounding rock and sand.

Top image: Ariocarpus fissuratus. Credit: Gürke & Vaupel Schumann and Peter A. Mansfeld/Wikimedia Commons.

[Source: Listverse. Edited. Top image added.]