Up until now the real measure of a superyacht’s desirability has been whether or not it’s capable of carrying a helicopter. But Russian designer Vasily Klyukin has just made helipads passé—his latest yacht project, dubbed the Monaco 2050, has its very own private jet. The futuristic vessel is designed to allow a small private jet to hover above a specially-built deck so that it can take off at a moment’s notice. Though it sounds a bit far-fetched, Klyukin is known for bringing sci-fi-inspired projects to fruition. In addition to yacht concepts, the Monaco-based billionaire has also designed several high-tech skyscrapers.
“I truly believe that we (can) create a future giving…engineers direction to think,” Klyukin told CNN. “The upper deck is part of the yacht and the independent aircraft at the same time. If necessary, it will rise upwards with the help of the screws embedded in the wings, becoming a helicopter. (It’s not possible) to cross the Atlantic or to fly to Hong Kong by helicopter. Therefore, after gaining the necessary altitude and speed, it’s possible to turn on the jet engines and even go overseas.” So when might this impossible-sounding vessel be built? The name—Monaco 2015—certainly provides a hint, but Klyukin simply says it can become a reality in the next few years. No doubt that’s true if someone throws enough money at it…
