Sports car or tender?
Monaco-based Dobroserdov Design has released details of its GT Tender bespoke 8.5-metre amphibious boat built by New Zealand-based Vaudrey Miller Yachts, and completed by NZ Tenders after the insolvency of Vaudrey Miller in October 2011. Evident in the styling of the exterior, the tender was inspired by a modern-day sports car...…
Monaco-based Dobroserdov Design has released details of its GT Tender bespoke 8.5-metre amphibious boat built by New Zealand-based Vaudrey Miller Yachts, and completed by NZ Tenders after the insolvency of Vaudrey Miller in October 2011. Evident in the styling of the exterior, the tender was inspired by a modern-day sports car. “There wasn’t a specific model of car that we were trying to follow,” explains studio director, Sergei Dobroserdov. “The client’s request was simply to design a boat in the spirit of a modern sports car. That's why our concept was named the GT Tender.”
Amphibious vehicles are nothing new:, in fact one of the first, if not the first, self-propelled amphibious vehicle—the Orukter Amphibolos—was designed and built by US inventor Oliver Evans, as early as 1805. A large number of amphibious vehicle and hovercraft designs have been created since for military, transport and personal use. Most vehicles of this type are usually better suited to one environment over the other, and are often not the best looking aesthetically. However, Dobroserdov Design has managed to avoid this issue by embracing many of the styling characteristics of a sports car. This has been achieved through the inclusion of features such as high and low beam headlights on either side of the foredeck, and recessed tail-lights at the stern.
Although not as amphibious as other vehicles such as the Gibbs Aquada—capable of achieving above 26 knots on water and over 100mph on land—the design of the 8.5-metre tender reflects its primary use, which is on water rather than to be driven on main roads. “The client's request was not to have an amphibious boat, as he does not like how they look, but for the boat to have the ability to go ashore,” reveals Dobroserdov. “It would mean he could go anywhere such as Monaco, Saint Tropez or say Como lake without any special help to get the boat out of the water.” The team set out to create a custom boat capable of achieving a maximum speed of 35 knots on water and six mph when on shore, with the ability to climb 15-degree boat ramps.
The carbon composite and epoxy resin structure—built using female CNC moulds—is capable of accommodating up to six passengers including the driver. Solid carbon epoxy laminate has also been used in the construction of all lifting arms and wheel components, which are deployed via hatches in the hull. “The hull bottom incorporates three recessed compartments to house the landing wheels and hydraulic arms,” explains naval architect for the project, Georgi Yankov of GY Boat Design. “They are closed off with hinged flaps, which aren’t watertight, so when resting in sea mode, these compartments are flooded.”
This feature acts as a natural damper, as the additional volume aids in reducing the boat’s tendency to roll when stationary. Using small tubes in the hatches, which act as a waste gate, the chambers are emptied when underway thanks to the venturi effect. “This design solution is perhaps one of the main differences and benefits when compared to some of the amphibious boats on the market, which typically have the wheels exposed out of the hull when in sea mode,” says Yankov.
Other features of the tender include side windows, which utilise car components, a mini fridge, basin, marine audio entertainment system, bow thruster and trim control, and a three stage carbon telescopic wheelchair boarding ramp. A deck shower, removable ski pole and a carbon fibre swim ladder have also been included aft of the boat. Beneath the tender’s ‘skin’ is a single D6 Volvo engine, producing 370ph, which is connected to a Volvo DPH duoprop. At 28 knots, the boat has a range of 200nm, and is powered by an air-cooled Kohler DKW 2204T engine when on land.
Dobroserdov has revealed that a similar project would cost in the region of euro 700,000.
The GT Tender, which was launched in March 2012, is expected to be exhibited at the 2012 Monaco Yacht Show in September.
Related Links:
Dobroserdov Design - company website
GY Boat Design - company website
NZ Tenders - company website
Amphibious vehicles are nothing new:, in fact one of the first, if not the first, self-propelled amphibious vehicle—the Orukter Amphibolos—was designed and built by US inventor Oliver Evans, as early as 1805. A large number of amphibious vehicle and hovercraft designs have been created since for military, transport and personal use. Most vehicles of this type are usually better suited to one environment over the other, and are often not the best looking aesthetically. However, Dobroserdov Design has managed to avoid this issue by embracing many of the styling characteristics of a sports car. This has been achieved through the inclusion of features such as high and low beam headlights on either side of the foredeck, and recessed tail-lights at the stern.
Although not as amphibious as other vehicles such as the Gibbs Aquada—capable of achieving above 26 knots on water and over 100mph on land—the design of the 8.5-metre tender reflects its primary use, which is on water rather than to be driven on main roads. “The client's request was not to have an amphibious boat, as he does not like how they look, but for the boat to have the ability to go ashore,” reveals Dobroserdov. “It would mean he could go anywhere such as Monaco, Saint Tropez or say Como lake without any special help to get the boat out of the water.” The team set out to create a custom boat capable of achieving a maximum speed of 35 knots on water and six mph when on shore, with the ability to climb 15-degree boat ramps.
The carbon composite and epoxy resin structure—built using female CNC moulds—is capable of accommodating up to six passengers including the driver. Solid carbon epoxy laminate has also been used in the construction of all lifting arms and wheel components, which are deployed via hatches in the hull. “The hull bottom incorporates three recessed compartments to house the landing wheels and hydraulic arms,” explains naval architect for the project, Georgi Yankov of GY Boat Design. “They are closed off with hinged flaps, which aren’t watertight, so when resting in sea mode, these compartments are flooded.”
This feature acts as a natural damper, as the additional volume aids in reducing the boat’s tendency to roll when stationary. Using small tubes in the hatches, which act as a waste gate, the chambers are emptied when underway thanks to the venturi effect. “This design solution is perhaps one of the main differences and benefits when compared to some of the amphibious boats on the market, which typically have the wheels exposed out of the hull when in sea mode,” says Yankov.
Other features of the tender include side windows, which utilise car components, a mini fridge, basin, marine audio entertainment system, bow thruster and trim control, and a three stage carbon telescopic wheelchair boarding ramp. A deck shower, removable ski pole and a carbon fibre swim ladder have also been included aft of the boat. Beneath the tender’s ‘skin’ is a single D6 Volvo engine, producing 370ph, which is connected to a Volvo DPH duoprop. At 28 knots, the boat has a range of 200nm, and is powered by an air-cooled Kohler DKW 2204T engine when on land.
Dobroserdov has revealed that a similar project would cost in the region of euro 700,000.
The GT Tender, which was launched in March 2012, is expected to be exhibited at the 2012 Monaco Yacht Show in September.
Related Links:
Dobroserdov Design - company website
GY Boat Design - company website
NZ Tenders - company website
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