The SYA 1 Speedboat was designed for the exclusive use of the owner and his wife as a private escape boat without any crew to operate her.

As a fast and powerful vessel, it allows for quick day trips for private picnics or sunbathing, or to blast away the cobwebs and clear the mind. Reminiscent of a 1930’s gentleman’s speedboat, construction is carbon fibre and finished to the highest quality. The foredeck rises on electric actuators to form a sunroof above a luxurious leather lounger, containing a refrigerator for refreshments, and a substantial sound system.

The hull is a medium to deep vee, with spray rails, chines and multiple hull steps, designed to run at medium speed in moderate sea conditions up to an impressive 53 knots in flat water. To achieve a pure clean appearance there are no visible hardware details, all openings are purely shut lines with hidden hinges and catches. Likewise, there is no evidence of deck jewellery, hardware, or outlets, and whilst this achieves a clean simple look, it was extremely challenging from a design and construction perspective.

Compounding this is the limited tender space in the garage, requiring the engine cover fin to open outwards reducing its height and exposing the aft lifting point.

DESIGNER: Philippe Starck

NAVAL ARCHITECT: Brett Bakewell-White