Schwinge Superyachts

If you’ve been waiting for the day when we reach peak Elysium — you’ll remember the 2013 Matt Damon film, in which the 1% of the future orbit a ravaged Earth in the space equivalent of the Four Seasons — well, we’re one step closer, thanks to design firm Schwinge (really) and their new superyacht concept.

Lead architect Jonathan Schwinge’s design hinges on what’s known as “HYSWAS propulsion”: Hydrofoil Small Waterplane Area Ship, obviously. It means that the craft can glide on the water — or rather, hover above it, while tethered by an underwater hull — in order to provide faster, steadier travel. (See here for a more detailed explanation of the mechanics.)

According to Forbes, Schwinge’s superyachts are closer to reality than you might expect: The London-based designer is currently working with an undisclosed “superyacht shipyard” to develop the technology in private.

Better start saving those bitcoins.

Images via Jonathan Schwinge/Schwinge/Eyelevel Creative

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Diane Rommel

Diane Rommel has written for The Wall Street Journal, Outside, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Travel + Leisure, Wallpaper and Afar, as well as The Cut, Buzzfeed, Huffington Post and McSweeney’s. She once drove from London to Mongolia, via Siberia.