Mercedes-Benz and SAM present the Silver Arrow

by Gianluca Poerio on 24 Dec 2012 Designs for a new 14m luxury motor yacht that fuses marine and automotive influences, setting it apart from all other boats for its innovation and elegance, have been revealed by Silver Arrows Marine in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Style.

Unlike anything else in its class in form or function – as images and video simulation shown for the first time in Monaco today confirm – the 'Silver Arrow of the seas' is the fulfillment of a dream going back six years for a different, more useable and welcoming class of motor yacht for a clientele unwilling to accept traditional yacht compromises.

Due to come on to the market in 2013, Silver Arrows Marine (SAM) brought in Mercedes-Benz Style designers and two of the most accomplished yacht designers working today, Martin Francis and Tommaso Spadolini, in a unique collaboration to bring its vision to life. SAM is a UK-registered company with international backers and offices in London and Monaco.

SAM chairman Ron Gibbs said: 'Mercedes-Benz is admired the world over for many of the most wonderful cars ever made; Martin and Tommaso have between them created many of the world’s most exquisite and capable yachts.

'Together they have interpreted SAM’s ideas and research and come up with designs for a 14m luxury motor yacht that is more stylish, more innovative and more useable than anything currently in its class.'

Gorden Wagener, Head of Mercedes-Benz Design, said: 'Giving shape to a boat was an exciting challenge for automotive designers like we are. Our task was to explore how to apply the Mercedes-Benz design language to the particular proportions and specific requirements of a boat.

We wanted to create something special and what we have come up with is indeed unique. The ‘Silver Arrow of the seas’ embodies pure emotion and stands for luxury, style and pleasure.'

Likened to a seagoing Granturismo and built just as much for comfort as speed, the first SAM yacht boasts obvious automotive influences. With a profile dominated by its long 'bonnet', raked-back windscreen, arcing roofline and short tail, the motor yacht invokes many of the design cues associated with a particularly elegant and dynamic car. In profile, the curved daylight opening is immediately reminiscent of the lines achieved by the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz coupés, while highly sculptural body surfacing is similarly inspired by the premium automotive sector.

In the true spirit of Granturismo motoring, the SAM motor yacht will offer long distance touring in great style at a cruising speed – around 30 knots – chosen for maximum comfort and efficiency.

At the heart of the new yacht are innovations in layout and functionality that will transform the onboard experience, tearing down the walls of conventional yacht design for an openplan layout that offers a revolution in light and space for a yacht this size.

Ideas being worked on include 'morphing' windows that extend skywards like a bird’s wings, conferring a look unlike anything else on the water and, together with an opening roof section, effectively merging outside space with inside space.

and innovative control systems – many of them inspired by the automotive sector – will be used to keep weight down and ensure the highest standards of quality and reliability. In 'open' form the yacht offers a single large and welcoming entertaining area with walkaround access to all parts of the boat. When needed, the cabin is additionally able to transform to provide a dining area for up to six people or spacious overnight accommodation for two, with all the facilities required by two people.

One of the yacht’s most stunning features is the 'terrace by the pool', an aft deck that extends to the water’s edge offering unimpeded access for swimming and watersports. Illustrating the boat’s intelligent use of space, this innovative functionality is achieved by twin sections of superstructure lowering to near water level when the boat is moored, offering a low and flush deck with walk-in access to the water. At around 15 square meters, the extending rear deck offers a uniquely large and easily accessible relaxation area for this size of boat.

SAM’s insistence on luxury in its broadest possible sense – not for showing off, but integral to every facet of owning and living with the yacht – has had an effect in every area of the new boat. Low NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) is a priority for luxury according to SAM, along with a good ride and easy handling.

Good vision is crucial – and the yacht offers a 360 degree view from the cockpit – as is easy boarding and disembarking. A vast amount of research and design work has gone into the ergonomics of the boat, including the layout of the double console, offering plenty of space and comfortable seats for both driver and co-driver. Other details scrutinized include the precise angle of recline of the built-in loungers in the forward sun deck.

Materials, fittings and furnishings will all be of the highest quality. 'Everyone at SAM has been associated with the sea all their lives and knows how details such as these can make or break a boat,' added SAM Chairman Ron Gibbs.

With an innovative new hull profile created by Martin Francis for optimum comfort and stability in all seas, and a power system tailored for maximum refinement and low fuel consumption and emissions, the Silver Arrow Marine Concept Motor Yacht is designed to be sailed anywhere in the world by all, irrespective of their powerboat experience.

'This is a new class of motor yacht for a new class of owner,' said Silver Arrows Marine Chief Executive Officer Jacopo Spadolini. 'It is not just for seasoned sailors but also for people new to luxury yachts who are unwilling to accept traditional compromises.

'Whenever I walk around a boat show I see lots of motor yachts with interesting elements, but all with something missing, something that restricts how the boat is used. We do not accept that people should have to compromise in this way, so while our solutions may appear radical and provocative, each is designed with a specific purpose.

'Form and function come together in our yacht, just as science and our passion for the sea have come together.'

SAM Chairman Ron Gibbs concluded: 'The first SAM motor yacht is the result of the closest collaboration yet between marine and automotive companies.

It is this merging of two worlds, with their respective design language, technologies, materials and ideas, that will result not just in a new boat but a new standard of boat.'

The first hull is currently in construction and prototyping of the boat’s innovative new features, such as the morphing windows and extending rear platform, is ongoing. Construction of the first 14m Silver Arrow is expected to start in 2013, with a market introduction later that year and first deliveries in 2014. Its home port will be the world-class marina of Porto Montenegro in the Balkan state known for its spectacular sailing and world heritage sites.

More at www.silverarrowsmarine.com