Granturismo of the sea

The first Granturismo of the seas -- the unique Silver Arrows Marine 14m luxury motor yacht being styled in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Style -- has come a significant step closer to reality after the successful completion of its first sea trials.

"This was an exciting moment for Silver Arrows Marine and I am pleased to say the boat showed all the potential we expected, and more," said SAM Chief Executive Officer Jacopo Spadolini. "The boat looked solid, powerful and like nothing else afloat.”

The sea trials provided the first taste of how the innovative new hull performs in a variety of trim, load and sea states. Hi-tech data acquisition techniques were employed, with the results providing an invaluable basis for future development work. As befits a project that merges both marine and automotive worlds, many of the techniques used, including automotive-style data acquisition, have their origins in motor racing.

SAM Engineering Director Giorgio Stirano, who has run Formula One motor racing teams, said: “Boats are not racing cars but to use F1-style telemetry for data logging makes a great deal of sense. With equipment such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, along with GPS positioning, we have been able to build up a good picture of the boat’s abilities.”

The prototype used in the sea trials is an open hull and lacks the distinctive superstructure, with its many new design features, of the finished yacht. The trials included an offshore “racing circuit”, complete with virtual corners, so that comparable lap times could be taken to gauge how different set-ups affected the boat’s performance, handling and comfort.

Helmsman for the first trials, SAM Global Marketing and PR Director Paolo Bonaveri, said: “The hull is very new and different in terms of its profile and in certain sea states it impressed us greatly for its manoeuvrability and comfort.

“We liken our motor yacht to a Granturismo motor car: dynamic but with great comfort and luxury, and the trials showed we are on the right course.”

Designs and video simulations of the first Silver Arrows Marine yacht were first displayed at a special presentation in Monaco at the time of the Monaco Boat Show in September. We're told that more details of the yacht’s innovations and unique design, the result of a SAM partnership with Mercedes-Benz Style, will follow soon.