Catamarans have become increasingly popular over the last year or so. This one is the creation of Swedish design and engineering firm Vizualtech (designer : Bo Zolland), which was contacted by a customer from Dubai who was seeking a new design for a race boat. Starting with an R8 as its inspiration, Vizualtech set about creating what it is now named the Biocat R8 racing catamaran.

According to the Swedish designer, the 8.8 meter long R8 speedboat has been designed to use a V10 biodiesel marine engine or two smaller 320 HP diesel units helping it to achieve a theoretical top speed of 110 MPH.

The R8 Catamaran has an Audi inspired design and equally impressive technology that goes with it. The boat comes in a number of cool colors like metallic gray, black and red.

Vizualtech exec Bo Zolland is yet to confirm whether the Biocat will be produced but states that the original customer that commissioned the design is very happy with the initial concept.

Source : motorauthority

Made by CrossCurrent Marine, the U.23 Carbon is the market’s first rigid inflatable boat constructed of proprietary carbon and Kevlar epoxy composite. Lightweight and ultra-durable, the U.23 Carbon is well equipped for coastal cruising or excursions in open water.

Designed for the elite individuals seeking acquisitions of the highest caliber, the U.23 Carbon is the ultimate in luxury inflatables. Capable of achieving speeds of 45-knots, the U.23 maintains stability and a comfortable ride at high speeds under reasonable load and conditions.

The U.23 Carbon is currently available for order directly from CrossCurrent Marine, and has a boat and motor starting price of $109,000. A list of custom options is available.

Imagine touring the world, 300 ports in 150 countries, from the comfort of your own exclusive, floating home. The new ultimate in luxury is purchasing a condo on the world’s largest private residential cruise ship, the Magellan.

The 860-foot long ship features 210 units, including 16 penthouses, to keep up the tradition of exploration in the modern world aboard a 76,000-tonne, 15-deck residential cruise ship. Life will become one long, leisurely dream for the Magellan’s 1100 passengers who will be pampered by 350 crew and backed up by four restaurants.

Residences start at $2.34 million for full ownership and the two best suites, each with four bedrooms, cost $17.3 million apiece. In addition to the purchase price of each apartment, owners pay a hefty maintenance fee amounting to between 5 and 6 percent of the purchase price. Magellan also offers the unique opportunity to buy fractional ownership of one month or two weeks per year, starting at $140,000.

For many owners this is a third home and one that most use for just weeks in any given year, choosing the part of the world they want to visit or for some special occasion, including family get-togethers.

The Magellan will operate much like a cruise ship with most of the amenities one would expect to find on a luxury vessel, such as tennis court, retractable marina that goes into action as soon as the ship berths, two putting greens, an observatory, four fine dining restaurants, an all-weather heliport, Aqua Spa, casino, gourmet marketplace, microbrewery, 430-seat Broadway-style theatre, two pools and more… Owners can reach the Magellan via the ship’s two executive jet helicopters, Venetian tenders or at ports.

The Magellan will circumnavigate the globe every two years. Scheduled ports include Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Istanbul, Stockholm, New York, Miami, Rio de Janeiro, Acapulco, Vancouver, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Sydney, Bali, Honolulu and Alexandria.

The ship will be built at Aker Yards in France and is scheduled to set sail in 2010.