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Photo: GreenJoy (Composite)
Luxury often isn’t associated with practicality, even though they’re not mutually exclusive. In this context, one of the most extravagant forms of luxury, the private superyacht, is about to receive an extraordinary boost in functionality.
GreenJoy refers to it as the Falcon Shuttle, a new concept for a tender vessel that aims to “revolutionize a part of the yachting sector by adding unmatched functionality that promises to transform how owners travel with their yachts.”
These claims aren’t just empty rhetoric when you view the situation through the lens of wealthy individuals who must leave behind their most treasured vehicles while spending weeks, if not months, at sea.
Tenders are smaller boats designed to ferry guests or supplies from shore to ship, particularly when the ship cannot dock near land or at a marina. Today, any respectable superyacht comes equipped with at least a couple of tenders: one for goods and another for guests, typically tailored to complement the mothership’s color and style.
Photo: GreenJoy
It’s obvious that larger motherships require larger tenders. A megayacht measuring 328+ feet (100+ meters) will necessitate a suitably sized tender, which is often a catamaran. Multi-hulls offer greater stability and efficiency than single hulls, making them a more suitable option for a limo tender while providing additional daytime boat capabilities.
The Falcon Shuttle is also a catamaran tender but designed for a purpose previously untried—at least not beyond initial conceptual design. This catamaran is exclusively intended for transporting your car, and therefore, it is crafted to match your vehicle in every critical detail. GreenJoy dubs it “the first direct-to-destination tender” that will ensure “absolute privacy and convenience.”
Founded by Philip Greenberg and Ivan Joy, GreenJoy is a U.S.-based startup established in 2023, and they are credited with the design. The first unit will be manufactured by Falcon Tenders, which specializes in custom superyacht tenders based in Southampton, showcasing the concept’s allure for car enthusiasts. After all, if you make an effort for your most valued possession on land, you’ll want its secure transport even while at sea, correct?
Photo: GreenJoy
Details about the catamaran remain confidential until its unveiling at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show later this month. Nonetheless, teaser images (or more accurately, renders) display a Rolls-Royce Boat Tail on a matching Falcon Shuttle, whose design echoes the vehicle it holds. The bow embodies the essence of Rolls-Royce, while the upper structure reflects the sportiness of the watercraft. Teak accents at the rear coordinate with the Boat Tail’s back.
From the visible features, the Falcon Shuttle will incorporate a hydraulic platform designed to lower the vehicle into the hull for secure transport at high speeds. Tinted glass bulwarks provide privacy from onlookers and shield against water spray while moving. While in transport, the vehicle remains enclosed; to load and unload the car, the platform is deployed.
Considering the size and the value of what it carries, it’s reasonable to expect that the Falcon Shuttle will feature space below deck for at least a couple of crew members and possibly additional passengers. Extra functionalities beyond simple automobile transport may also be integrated. There are currently no updates regarding additional amenities or the desired propulsion system.
Photo: GreenJoy
That said, Falcon Tenders has a track record of innovative diesel-electric hybrid constructions, which may suggest a commitment to a more eco-friendly approach. With increasing scrutiny on the private yachting industry and its substantial carbon footprint, many shipyards are already striving to develop vessels with reduced emissions and improved efficiency through hybrid-electric technology. Tenders are also evolving to be more environmentally friendly, and this could represent yet another step towards sustainable transport. This would undeniably enhance the overall appeal of the concept.
Mark Pascoe, founder of Falcon Tenders, expresses enthusiasm for the unconventional nature of the Falcon Shuttle concept: “GreenJoy Studios is an inventive startup introducing fresh concepts and perspectives to the superyacht market. This concept highlights the Falcon Tenders brand philosophy of crafting unique, special tenders for discerning clients.”
This final statement emphasizes that the Falcon Shuttle will be a premium product regarding price too. While no starting price has been confirmed, we’re discussing a custom, potentially hybrid or fully electric catamaran specifically designed for transporting collectible cars and styled to match them, measuring a minimum of 20 feet (6 meters) long with twin hulls. The Falcon Shuttle will certainly be a luxury investment.
Photo: GreenJoy
The 2024 Monaco Yacht Show will occur from September 25 to 28. In other words, the reveal of the Falcon Shuttle is imminent.