The London On-Water boat show (8th to 11th June) will be the stage for Glider’s debut model, the 18-metre SS18, named ‘M’. She will bring a new dimension in fast cruising, with high level of performance and comfort.
Glider SS18: two hulls, 8 years of development
It’s not a typo: Glider SS18 has been eight years in the making, with meticulous planning, design and engineering, using practice and expertise from Formula One and the aerospace industry, including a proprietary Stability Control System (SCS). This will enable much comfort whilst at anchor, cruising or at speed without the bumpiness associated with traditional sports boats, even in choppy waters. Even if it features two long, narrow hulls, it has nothing to see with a traditional catamaran, as the pictures clearly show.
Powered by four 300BHP supercharged engines, Glider SS18 will allow to bring previously out-of-range destinations within an easy reach: for example a trip from Monaco to Saint Tropez, or from Miami to the Bahamas, will take just 45 minutes. The shallow draft allows access to normally inaccessible waters, anchoring close to the shore or even landing on the beach. Glider’s unique hull form, propulsion and Stability Control System (SCS) actually tune to the sea conditions allowing her passengers to “glide” over the waves in unprecedented comfort at up to 50 knots.
Glider SS18: revolutionary she may be, different she is for sure
Dubbed by her builders as “the most revolutionary high performance craft available in the world today”, we leave to our readers to judge if she fulfills this definition. For sure she has unprecedented design and features.
SS18 incorporates Corbeau’s specially designed luxury sports seats, more akin to a racing car, which incorporate Glider Yachts’ atlantic blue in soft leather for the seat outers with light grey quilted Alcantara inners. The leather cockpit lining is coordinated with the seating in pale blue with a touch of grey for contrast in Alcantara. It includes chrome edging for that sharp finishing detail.
JL Audio‘s premium sound system has been acoustically engineered for the SS18, to gain a superior entertainment experience for her passengers. The SS18 is the first craft in Europe to be fitted with JL Audio’s MM100s MediaMaster head unit, and the bespoke audio system has been fitted to complement Glider’s minimalist interior.
Garmin has created a fully integrated bespoke dashboard, incorporating twin Black Glass Bridge navigational touch screens to control all of the vessel’s systems and navigation. The dashboard features embedded touch screens providing an uncluttered appearance with clear and easy control.
BlueFin Yachts, specialized in yacht finishing, has provided the high gloss finish for Glider SS18 using traditional processes and hand-finished coatings,while Aalco Metals supplied the highest Lloyd’s marine-grade Alcoa aluminium.
Robert McCall, Managing Director of Glider Yachts, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to finally show-off the first Glider to the world. She is one of the most exciting marine developments in recent years, with nine years in research, design and development, we’re incredibly excited to reveal her daringly different design and revolutionary performance. The SS18 is unlike any other yacht seen in the market to date, with unparalleled design and technological capabilities, so we’re sure she is going to be a real game-changer in the superyacht market.”
The launch of the SS18 will be closely followed by the faster Sports Xtra (SX18) powered by turbines, reaching speeds up to 100 knots. A range of luxury sports limos and the GT and SX-E range of superyachts up to 80 metres are planned.
The SS18 will make its world première at the London On- Water Show, St. Katherine Docks from 8-11 June.
Glider SS18 in numbers
- Length overall 18m (60ft)
- Maximum beam 5.3m (17ft)
- Draft @ 1/3 load 0.32m (1ft)
- Construction material Aluminium & Composites
- Fuel reserve 560 litres
- Engines 4x Yamaha 300 HP
- Total horsepower 1200 HP
- Speed 50 knots (92 kph)
- Range with additional tank 340nm (optional)
- Range @ 50 knots 130nm
