The new WIG boats, the Flying Yachts, currently in development by the Canadian company Flying-Yachts Inc. are revolutionary. They combine a wing design with a much longer chord than airplane-based WIG’s. Futhermore, the Flying Yachts represent a mixture of the ground effect lift as well as partial aerostatic lift, allowing for cruising altitudes of 30 – 90 meters (100 – 300 feet).
The Flying Yacht - a new and uniquely versatile craft
Flying Yachts have a huge internal space that can be configured in multiple ways. They can also be fitted with sizeable external decks and/or balconies.
The Flying Yacht Interior
Part of the floor can have a glass bottom, providing an underwater view when in boat mode.
Interior with partial glass bottom floor
The Flying Yachts can also be multi-hulls, catamaran style, a design that doubles the interior space and, in addition, provides extensive external deck space.
The multi-hull Flying Yacht
External decks and balconies are for more than sightseeing – they are actually part of the wing design and help provide lift.
The Flying Yacht - external decks and balconies
The upper deck is enormous, over 1,000 m2 (11,000 ft2).
The Flying Yacht Upper Deck
The vast interior could easily be fitted with a restaurant or bar.
The Flying Yacht Spacious Interior
Cruising at 30 to 90 meters (100-300 feet) above the waves, passengers can enjoy great views in superior comfort, paired with excellent stability, making it unlikely to cause sea/motion sickness.
Spectacular views from the Flying Yacht
Boarding and disembarking can be done at a suitable quay or wharf.
The Flying Yacht Quay
When the Flying Yacht is at anchor passengers can be transported to and from shore with a small boat.
A small boat for passengers´ transportation
The Flying Yachts are new and uniquely versatile crafts.
Examples of suitable utilizations are:
– Sightseeing craft
– Passenger/cargo ferry
– Luxury Yacht
– Marine life studies
– Geophysical surveys
– Search and rescue
– Disaster relief craft
– Anti-piracy patrolling
– Military applications
They can be operated by onboard crew or unmanned, remote controlled and/or autonomous.
The Flying Yacht demonstrator, only about half the size of the commercial versions, is now nearing completion. Its bridge deck serves to insure great visibility for the Captain and is designed in the bow of the Flying Yacht.
The Flying Yacht Bridge Deck
The bridge deck for the commercial versions will be based on this design, albeit larger and more refined. Visibility to the rear and sides are by video cameras, monitored on the bridge.
The Flying Yachts have unique requirements for propulsion, and generally available standard propulsion systems are not an option.
“The potentials are limited only by the imagination”
