Marine

1,880-hp Superfly GT 42 retractable-roof super boat takes supercar style to the water

1,880-hp Superfly GT 42 retractable-roof super boat takes supercar style to the water
Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
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On board the Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
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On board the Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
The sofa converts in a matter of minutes
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The sofa converts in a matter of minutes
The sofa converts in a matter of minutes
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The sofa converts in a matter of minutes
The sofa changes over to forward-facing seats
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The sofa changes over to forward-facing seats
The fold-out table provides for some dining under the open sky
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The fold-out table provides for some dining under the open sky 
At the helm of the Superfly GT 42
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At the helm of the Superfly GT 42
Flying Flipper says it put effort into creating a driver-centric cockpit to give the captain the feel of a race car or spacecraft pilot
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Flying Flipper says it put effort into creating a driver-centric cockpit to give the captain the feel of a race car or spacecraft pilot
A look at the master cabin
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A look at the master cabin
The aft master cabin accesses the cockpit through its sliding door
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The aft master cabin accesses the cockpit through its sliding door
The bathroom aboard the Superfly GT 42
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The bathroom aboard the Superfly GT 42
Bathroom door
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Bathroom door
Forward cabin with dual single beds
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Forward cabin with dual single beds
A look at the living area and galley
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A look at the living area and galley
The Superfly GT 42 uses carbon fiber in its hull and in furniture like the kitchen countertop and dining table
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The Superfly GT 42 uses carbon fiber in its hull and in furniture like the kitchen countertop and dining table
Flying Flipper injects some racing history into its latest boat
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Flying Flipper injects some racing history into its latest boat
The Superfly GT 42 comes in a number of engine options
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The Superfly GT 42 comes in a number of engine options 
On the water, the Superfly GT 42 exudes speed and power
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On the water, the Superfly GT 42 exudes speed and power
Carbon fiber construction and plenty of engine power combine to give the Superfly GT 42 speed and performance
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Carbon fiber construction and plenty of engine power combine to give the Superfly GT 42 speed and performance
Flying Flipper highlighted the Superfly GT 42 at the recent Cannes Yachting Festival
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Flying Flipper highlighted the Superfly GT 42 at the recent Cannes Yachting Festival
Flying Flipper worked with Red Yacht Design to create the distinctive vessel
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Flying Flipper worked with Red Yacht Design to create the distinctive vessel
With up to 1,881-hp of engine power and 65 knots of speed, the Superfly promises a thrilling experience
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With up to 1,881-hp of engine power and 65 knots of speed, the Superfly promises a thrilling experience
Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
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Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
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Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
Flying Flipper offers everything from triple 627-hp engines to a hybrid combination of engines and electric motor
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Flying Flipper offers everything from triple 627-hp engines to a hybrid combination of engines and electric motor
Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
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Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
A design from several years ago, the Fusion shows that Red Yacht Design has an eye for blending supercar styling into boat design
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A design from several years ago, the Fusion shows that Red Yacht Design has an eye for blending supercar styling into boat design
Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
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Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
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Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
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Flying Flipper Superfly GT 42
View gallery - 29 images

The Superfly GT 42 from Sweden's Flying Flipper looks like a supercar built for the water. And with a retractable hard-top, high-tech cockpit with flat-bottom steering wheel, carbon fiber construction, and up to 1,881 hp of engine might, it sounds a bit like one on paper, too. This super boat is a little more comfy, though, offering two cabins, a full galley, a dining area, sofa seating and plenty of space to stretch the legs.

Over the years, we've seen a few boats styled to look like sports cars, including the Frauscher 1414 Demon and Revolver 44GT. We've also seen a few supercar badges, like Aston Martin and Bugatti, dropped into the drink for an extended float. But we'd say Flying Flipper does a better job of bringing the sharp, performance-forward beauty of a supercar to the water, and it doesn't even mention that as a goal.

But we suppose it doesn't have to say a word. The 42.7-ft (13-m) Superfly's sloped roofline, wraparound glasshouse, retractable glass roof, and intake-shaped overlaid hull work at the rear make the case that sports car imagery was top of mind – or at least somewhere in mind – as designers furiously penned the Superfly to life. Even the triple-outboard layout in back reminds us of a large sports car rear diffuser. The scalpel-sharp bow is necessarily not car-like, but it does lend to the look of all-out performance.

On the water, the Superfly GT 42 exudes speed and power
On the water, the Superfly GT 42 exudes speed and power

A bit of company history provides some insight into the GT 42's radically distinctive styling. As the company tells it, Flying Flipper began in 1970 as the racing boat project of boat racer and builder Sigurd Isacsson, growing into a leisure boat manufacturer that made racing expertise available to customers. Flipper's boats evolved over the decades, incorporating technologies like air stepped hulls and going on to win major races around Europe.

In 2014, Flying Flipper was purchased by entrepreneur and designer Michael Reimer, a visionary who aimed to fold the company's racing history into a "boat that looks like nothing else on the market," built for enthusiasts, by enthusiasts. He reached out to the Turkish design experts at Red Yacht Design, whose portfolio shows some experience with sports car-like boats, particularly the very Lamborghini-esque Fusion pictured below. Together, they've masterfully blended racing heritage into a stunning boat that looks quite unlike the typical watercraft.

A design from several years ago, the Fusion shows that Red Yacht Design has an eye for blending supercar styling into boat design
A design from several years ago, the Fusion shows that Red Yacht Design has an eye for blending supercar styling into boat design

Key to the Superfly's sharp look and on-water performance is what Flying Flipper describes as an aggressive, lightweight twin-stepped hull design. The aggressiveness is evident to the naked eye, and weight is reined in by the use of carbon fiber construction. As an aside, even interior furnishings like the kitchen countertop are made from carbon fiber.

Like any good super-vessel, the Superfly has the power and speed to put its performance-sculpted looks to good use. It comes in a variety of models, with the flagship 42-RS sporting three Seven Marine 627 outboard engines lined up at the stern for 1,881 hp. That equates to a top speed of 65+ knots (120+ km/h, 75+ mph). Lower-level models, like the 42-R and standard 42 have multi-outboard arrays putting out between 800 and 1,254 hp for listed top speeds between 44+ knots (81+ km/h, 50+ mph) and 55+ knots (102+ km/h, 63+ mph).

The Superfly GT 42 is a precisely-chiseled speed machine outside, but its real beauty is that things soften right up on board, providing comfort and entertainment for the whole family. Just aft of the enclosed deck area, through a sliding door, the spacious, air-conditioned master cabin sleeps two on a roomy double bed. The smaller forward cabin sleeps the kids with two single beds. Both cabins offer under-bed storage, windows, overhead lighting, and a variety of available materials to choose from, including teak flooring, wood veneers and leather.

A look at the master cabin
A look at the master cabin

The galley supplies passengers with plenty of countertop space, a sink, and an available microwave and refrigerator. A carbon fiber table with integrated swivel stools complements the carbon fiber countertop, and a sofa on the opposite side provides a more relaxing place to sit. The bathroom next to the air-conditioned living area includes a toilet, sink with shower tap and mirror.

The cockpit and deck area below the retractable glass roof is designed with a careful blend of driver centricity and onboard hospitality. The single pilot seat stands front and center facing a central windscreen panel, wraparound digital dashboard and central steering wheel flanked by additional controls. Behind the captain, passenger seats convert to a six-person U-shaped sofa in minutes. The captain's chair spins around to face this sofa, and a central fold-up table pops out at the push of a button, completing a dining and lounge area under the blue sky. A sound system delivers the soundtrack.

The fold-out table provides for some dining under the open sky
The fold-out table provides for some dining under the open sky 

In addition to the models mentioned previously, Superfly offers the 42-l, which relies on two Mercury racing inboards in place of outboards. The 42-E model is Flying Flipper's eco-friendly alternative with two outboard engines complemented by a Torqeedo electric motor, allowing for slow, silent, emissions-free cruising, along with the full speed and range of traditional engine power.

Flying Flipper showcased the Superfly GT 42 at the Cannes Yachting Festival last month. It says that only a few will be hand-built to order each year. Give it a thorough look-over in the video blow and our photo gallery.

Superfly GT 42 from Flying Flipper (Official release video)

Source: Flying Flipper

View gallery - 29 images
2 comments
2 comments
PhilippeHolthuizen
But I still don't understand how we are supposed to board this boat though. No ramp, no stairs.
Bob
I like it but there are a few problems. How do you get on deck to sunbath or even handle the boat when docking? My wife and sons always like to ride outside on deck when traveling at low speed. The lack of any railing would make this quite dangerous. Unfortunately, this boat is more style and mediocre performance than functional as a sleep aboard cruiser. It's like trying to cross a Corvette with a motor home. Looks nice but doesn't perform either function very well.