Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Island Pilot Hybrid Luxury Yacht Unveiled
Private yachts are somewhat synonymous to luxury, but does that ever mean that they cannot get ecofriendly? No is the answer from Island Pilot LLC, who have unveiled the first ever hybrid luxury yacht dubbed the Island Pilot DSe Hybrid 12m, powered by diesel fuel, solar energy, and electric power.
The vessel is 12 meters long (39.5 feet) and can cruise at 13 knots on diesel fuel and 7 knots when in zero-emissions mode. A zero-emissions level is achieved with a 6 kW solar array and a 20 kWh battery bank.
The yacht is the first-ever production motor yacht with zero emissions in America, according to Reuben Trane, president of Island Pilot, LLC.
The hybrid yacht boasts state-of-the-art on-board luxurious amenities, including an on-deck master stateroom with a “sleigh bed” and a 270-degree panorama view, guest stateroom with island queen that converts to twins, and a spacious galley that has two settees, a high-low table, a 26” HDTV and a Bose home theater system.
Tech facilities include a Garmin 15-inch touchscreen with Garmin HD radar, Tecnautic Fly by Wire controls and gyro autopilot, 4 zones of air conditioning, hi-tech refrigeration with ice maker, and a KVH Satellite TV antenna with DirecTV receiver.
To be a proud eco owner of this green machine, you would have to pay $600,000; Island Pilot is currently taking orders.
Unveiled yesterday at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (October 30 – November 3), the first green yachts are expected to hit the water in early 2009.
“But why would anyone think the addition of solar power to a yacht would somehow detract from its luxuriousness?
Perhaps this is one of the problems with alternative energy—some people have an inherent mistrust of anything unfamiliar. Hopefully the increasing accessibility of solar, wind, and geothermal will alleviate these concerns.”
Source cleantechnica / yachtingmagazine.
Eco Holidays : Kandalama Hotel
There’s a new blog in town, called SustainableModern and we really like it. This five-person team of architects and designers focuses on both eco-friendliness AND modern design.
Their latest post is about the Kandalama hotel, designed in 1991 by acclaimed Sri Lankan architect, Geoffrey Bawa – a principal force behind the architectural movement, dubbed ‘tropical modernism.
The tropical hideaway of the Kandalama Hotel allows visitors to explore the many wonders of Sri Lanka.
This modern eco hotel is designed to blend into the jungle with a green roof and planted facade.
Tucked away in a virgin tropical jungle overlooking the Kandalama tank and the range of knuckles hills, lies Kandalama Hotel occupying one of the most exotic sites in the heart of the Cultural Triangle.
Archaeological, cultural and wildlife interests a bound. Tropical jungles, calm waters and the mountain rock countryside of Kandalama offer the eco-friendly visitor natural absolute luxury.
Palmer Johnson’s eco-friendly superyacht concept
Palmer Johnson is preparing to take on the world with a 82-meter (267-foot) Ice Class expedition yacht designed by Nuvolari & Lenard, aptly named the “World”.
Having acquired the Norwegian shipyard Flekkefjord Slipp & Maskinfabrikk’s, PJ has now positioned themselves to build “world” class expedition yachts.
True to the Palmer Johnson identity, Italian designers Nuvolari-Lenard have ensured the six-deck interior and exterior living areas provide the highest degree of comfort.
Focusing on well-being, healthy living and relaxation, large open spaces are emphasized and extensive panoramic sea views create an open environment for ocean voyages.
PJ World uses the latest diesel-electric propulsion package from Rolls Royce to achieve DNV “Clean Class” status which also ensures peak performance, endurance, low ownership costs and greater operational flexibility.
Besides the technical specs, the yacht is a luxury wonder with its six-deck design and is equipped with a certified Heli Deck, Heli hangar, an optional garage designed for a six man Discovery submarine and, a superior Rolls Royce at-rest stabilization system to keep it anchored environmentally sensitive or restricted areas without actual anchors.
One of the first features to be seen on this Superyacht is the novel aft beach house which looks forward onto an outdoor swimming pool deck.
Adding to the list of luxuriant features are a fully equipped gym, spa with Hammam, sauna with treatment room, cinema, piano foyer and infirmary.
Crew and staff living areas comprise a separate galley, mess two lounges and dedicated gymnasium.
The yacht is fully guarded - security features include water cannons, forward scanning sonar, thermal imaging, closed circuit television and acoustic shields.
The vessel can run with full hotel load at full speed on the main diesels without requiring generators - 13 knots on one main engine or at 6 knots on one auxiliary generator set.
PJ World is destined to be another truly iconic Palmer Johnson design.
By providing environmentally friendly solutions that heighten performance whilst reducing costs and utilizing robust, reliable systems proven in the most extreme North Atlantic Seas- PJ World promises to be a game changing feat of engineering and design excellence.
Palmer Johnson World will transform the conventional concept behind exploration-style vessels and introduce a revolutionary ocean voyager for the future.
Source: YachtForum
Solar Sail Luxury Yachts
Alastair Callender took luxury yachting to all new highs with his recent project, the “Soliloquy,” which is not only a luxury yacht, but also an eco-friendly one.
It is run by wind, solar and Hybrid Marine Power technology.
“The use of renewable and hybrid-electric energy will bring zero-emission capabilities and result in greater savings in fuel costs”.
“The innovative overhead beam not only adds to the overall aesthetics, but also houses three automated and pivotally mounted, rigid-wing solar sails.”
For 12 hours under the sun, Soliloquy can run to nearly 8 knots on solar energy alone according to BornRich.
Solar Sailor Holdings Ltd. will exhibit a scale model of the super green luxury superyacht in Majorca on June 25.
Via Trendhunter
World’s most expensive curry
A London curry house has celebrated the DVD launch of Slumdog Millionaire by creating a curry that costs more than $4000 a plate (£2,000).
The Samundari Khazana curry, meaning Seafood Treasure, is a mix of caviar, sea snails, a whole lobster and even edible gold.
The posh nosh is being served up at upmarket London eatery Bombay Brasserie (pictured below).
“There are still people out there with money to spend and this curry is a real experience,” head chef Prahlad Hegde told The Sun.
The chef prepares the dish with Devon crab and white truffle, while his assistant painstakingly presses gold leaf to half a cherry tomato filled with Beluga caviar.
He then places four sea snails - abalone - which cost almost £300 a kilo, into a sizzling pan.
Another chef coats an £80 Scottish lobster in gold, while a third deftly hollows out four shelled quails’ eggs before filling them with more caviar.
Bombay Brasserie, Courtfield Close, Courtfield Road, SW7 4HQ. Tel. +44-20-7370-4040 or click on bombaybrasserielondon.com.
