The Aeroboat London - Arab Today A craft inspired by history yet focused firmly on the future, the Aeroboat is a British-built super-yacht that draws on aeronautic and motoring influences to create something that will be unique whether on the high seas or moored in a marina for the summer. Well, maybe not totally unique, but certainly exclusive, as the company that has created the craft, British yacht design studio Claydon Reeves, intends to build 12 examples, the first of which is due to be unveiled for the first time at the Salute to Style garden party at The Hurlingham Club in London this July. The biggest single influence on the yacht's design is the World War II Spitfire fighter plane. The Aeroboat's air intake scoop and sweeping lines that taper into a tail are both nods to the fighter craft. Inside, the Aeroboat's throttle and switchgear design is also aircraft-inspired, and even the shape and position of the seats is based on the Spitfire's landing gear. However, most remarkable is that the Aeroboat will be powered by the same Rolls-Royce-built Merlin V12 engine that powered both the Spitfire and the US P51 Mustang fighter plane. Claydon Reeves has sourced 12 original units of the legendary 27-liter engine with full provenance, fully reconditioned each one, converted them to electronic fuel injection and slightly detuned them so that they only put out 1,100hp. Still, the Aeroboat is constructed from carbon fiber, Kevlar and lightweight wood veneer by British craftsmen so it is seriously strong and seriously lightweight. Meaning that the boat should be able to hit a top speed of between 75 and 95kts. And as Claydon Reeves points out, just like a Rolls-Royce car, as well as sublime craftsmanship, the Aeroboat will offer prospective owners carte blanche. Each element of the interior finish and even the tuning specification of the engine is open to bespoke customization. The Salute to Style garden party will run July 16-19 and will be held in The Hurlingham Club's 42-acre gardens in Fulham, southwest London. Source: Relaxnews