Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Luxury Submarines

[Michael Nace <mnace@rapidforms.com>]

Carsten--
   Yes, certainly the ultra-rich folk place those creature comforts like an on-deck
barbeque and diamond-studded shuffleboard above pure adventure and innovation - and
as you said, unless you were to invest in the Phoenix-class sub that US SUBS has in
mind, there really wouldn't be a means for separating the upper-crust from the
servents.
   But my current idea would be to purchase one of the smaller subs (like the Marlin
or Nomad, which are about 65' in length) and run them as a chartered vessels between
two vacation points. My Father-in-Law has a house on the beautiful Portuguese island
of Porto Santo, for instance, which is part of the archipelago of Madiera. Running a
luxury charter between Madiera and Porto Santo (perhaps promoting it through some of
the five-star hotels in Madiera) would be fun, and potentially lucrative I think, and
would afford people the opportunity to experience the luxury sub vibe without being
"trapped" on a small one for a ridiculously long amount of time (and also without
having to purchase and maintain one of their own). Also, it'd be a great opportunity
to freak out the people on the boat that goes from Madiera to Porto Santo: they'd
think that some James Bond villain had come to sink their ship!
   Future endeavors could certainly involve purchasing the larger subs for
transatlantic charters and ventures - it'd be a combination of a cruiseline and a
chartered jet-like company. I think the rich people would go for it - they're always
looking for new ways to spend their money. As as you mentioned, a female staff would
take things in an entirely different direction. ;-)
   The downside is that one would have to receive quite a large sum of financing -
and it may be just too much of a risk for investors. Also, can you imagine what the
insurance would be on a venture like this?! Still, one can dream.

Michael

Carsten Standfuß wrote:

> Michael Nace schrieb:
> >
> > Dear Psubbers,
> >    I'm new to the mailing list, and have joined it mainly because I have a real
> > fascination with this new notion of "luxury submarines." Though I've always
> > enjoyed boating, the idea of traversing the sea submerged has always been a
> > passion of mine (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea left a mark on me). But of
> > course, navy subs have no windows, so the navy didn't offer a way to quench
> > this thirst.
> >    As far as I can tell, US Subs is the only company even contemplating these
> > designs, and at quite a price. I'm curious to hear anyone's take on what you
> > think of their ideas, designs, and prices, and whether or not you think prive,
> > luxury subs will ever become a reality (have they even built one yet??)
> >    Sincerely,
> >     Michael
> >
>
> Dear Michael,
>
> with a serious yard for luxury yachts (200 footer) in the background
> we offer on the France boat show in Nice and Monaco some 6-7 years ago
> for this kind of vessel a project of a 100 foot double deck luxury yacht
> submarine.
> The intresst of journalist and the boat magazines were great. But not
> one serious
> client ask for a price. Not on the show - not later.
>
> At the moment the market goes that way that somebody order a bigger
> motoryacht
> - and a smaller submarine as tender. As I think USSubs offer bigger
> luxury submarine
> projects since 6 or 7 years - and have not sale one.
>
> Maybe one reason is that they more or less invisible in the harbour.
>
> Another reason is that a luxury surface motoryacht of this size offer
> about : 2-3 tenders, 2 waterbikes, surfboards, a small sailboat, a
> complete divestore,
> sun areas, barbeque areas, swimming pool, 4-5 double guest cabins with
> king size beths,
> owner cabin with lobby, libary, office, computer room, music studio,
> children's rooms,
> his and her bathrooms etc.. a helicopter pad (or two..) with helicopter,
> a gym, two galleys,
> some service space, dinning area, main salon, sky salon, observation
> launch, Laundry,
> linen store a crew of 8-14 in double cabins... - no submarine can do
> this job..
>
> Most people playing in this size want's there privacy very much - so
> most of this boats
> have two complete seperate areas - one for owner and guest - and one for
> the crew.
> Means two entrance areas, two main stairhouses etc. Only meeting points
> are the public
> areas in the dinnig room's etc. But privacy on a submaine is more or
> less a joke.
>
> Another point is thats owners wife has in general a great influence of
> the interior
> design of this kind of motoryachts - never heard that such a women has
> any intressting
> in the interior design of a submarine.
>
> Another point is more technical : A submarine has 80-90 % of this hull
> under
> the waterline - a medium size submarine of 250 foot has a draught of
> just >21 foot.
> That keep them out of many nice yacht harbours. Not very funny to
> mooring in the
> commercial harbour between all the ferrys, freighters and tug boats
> working day
> and night.. and 2 miles away from the harbour with all the nice white
> boats
> with the party ongoing.
>
> To have a submarine with transatlantic range means that you play at
> least in
> the >100 foot area. The now offered tourist subs projects in the 60 foot
> area
> convert to luxury submarines projects are complete useless for this job.
>
> But maybe someday one rich sports diver break the ice..
> .. a medium size 200 foot sub with a crew of 8-10 young womens - I am
> hopefully.
>
> Sabine (my wife) didn't want to see women crew members
> on board of CSSX.. ..no this was a joke - CSSX will get a women crew.
>
> But we still discuss that point - but the color of CSSX will be bright
> blue
> and not orange or yellow - as Sabine told me.
>
> Welcome here - Carsten