Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates has just purchased an ultra-luxurious superyacht with a staggering $645 million price tag. The massive purchase from one of the richest person to have ever lived comes as a surprise for most, but there is likely some reason behind the Gates' decision.
For one, unlike any other yachts, the vessel that Gates purchased is powered entirely by liquid hydrogen. The second most surprising aspect of the deal is that the luxurious yacht has not even been built yet. The superyacht, which is still just a design concept, was originally unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show. The vessel itself is to be completed sometime in 2024.
Gates currently does not own any yachts as he normally rents them out for his vacations. The $645 million purchase is believed to be Gates' first one ever. Gates does currently own several luxury automobiles and multi-million dollar estates. As of this year, Gates has a net worth of roughly $110 billion.
Based on the design documents, the 370-foot yacht will have a total of five decks. It will feature rooms enough to fit up to 14 guests. The massive boat will also feature all of the latest amenities, including a fully equipped gym, a massage parlor, a yoga studio, and an indoor pool. Concept designs for all of the rooms were showcased at the Monaco Yacht Show last year, all of which were computer-generated images.
The main highlight of the vessel will be its unique powertrain, fueled solely by liquid hydrogen. According to engineers behind the project, the boat will use a special type of fuel cell that will convert hydrogen into electricity. This means that the yacht will essentially be a fully zero-emission vehicle.
However, being green doesn't mean that it will be slower compared to other fossil fuel-powered boats. The hydrogen yacht is expected to reach speeds of up to 17 knots with a distance of up to 3750 miles on a single full tank of hydrogen. This means that a single fill-up will allow the boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean with fuel to spare.
Designer Sander Sinot conceptualized the hydrogen-powered superyacht. The famous designer is hoping that his concepts will someday influence other shipbuilders to design their products to be more environmentally sustainable. Similar to how cars are slowly transitioning to electric power, Sinot hopes that boats will follow the same trend in the near future.
