Steve Jobs' Apple inspired super yacht revealed in Netherlands - Page 3

I actually like it.  Very art deco.  Definitely has a 1920's look about it.

As for Steve Jobs, the billionaire with the modest lifestyle. Ha HA.  What with the private Jet and the New Mercedes SL55 every six months so he could avoid having to have a number plate.  I'm not actually being critical, I just dislike the over-use of rose tinted glasses and attempts at beatification.

An iPod shuffle was more a slap-in-the-face than a gift.  They should have been the Touch at the very least, or no gift at all would have been preferable.  What would Touch's have cost?  Let's see: a net worth of 11 B at 5% per annum, that's a bit over 1.5 M a day, or close to 63,000 each hour.  Shuffles at cost?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnocbui 

... An iPod shuffle ...
 

I suggest to the mods just banning anyone making these comments. Clearly trollish behavior, and we're never going to see a worthwhile comment from these people, so no loss at all to the forum to see them gone. Think of this article as a litmus test.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil 

 

I really don't see how it differs from many other yachts.

 

Specifically, interestingly, this'n.

 

Sounds like he knows exactly what he's doing, and you don't.

 Have you ever been on a boat, in the ocean?  Ever?  Maybe a small boat on a river or a lake?

Here's a hint:  Every ocean going vessel makes an attempt to avoid flat-shaped hulls, and minimize flat walls. 

Why?  Certainly a flat wall on a hull is easier to make than a curve.  Certainly it's easier to build the sides of a hull flat, than curved.

Unless you plan on sailing on mirror-flat seas, a flat hull will aborb the imact of a wave.  Curved hulls deflect some portion of this energy.  Flat walls are effectively large sail areas.  It's basic engineering - and this "ocean going" yacht appears designed to cruise a small lake, or simply be a floating hotel in a marina.  It's a yacht that doesn't appear capable of handling seas with waves of any significant size.  Additionally, the square sides will present a very large problem with maneuvering in any kind of windy situation.  This much is apparent to ANYONE with the most fundamental understanding of engineering - and not an Apple fanboi.

Even the material in the hull is going to be a poor choice.  Why do you suppose the metal used on ships is primarily iron and bronze (with sacrificial zinc bars on the interior?).  Aluminum corrodes, and salt-water is a highly corrosive liquid to use around Aluminum.  Aluminum is also susceptable to fatigue fracture; which is an undesirable trait for a ship surrounded by water.  Sorry, the ocean isn't going to stop moving, just because SJ designed a boat.

If you want to see a gorgeous Yacht, that can go just about anywhere - I would use the "Octopus" as the golden standard.  The ONLY impressive thing this yacht can boast is that it was largely designed by Steve Jobs.  This yacht is not something I would hold as a standard, in any sense of the word (well, maybe as a foolish way to spend an obscene amount of money on).

Fantastic design.

It mixes both Starks ideas with some of Jony Ive's (the iMac in the roofs).

A shame for the shuffle though...

Originally Posted by Commodification 
The gift is literally too small in this case.

You must be a dream to interact with. 

Funny thing about gifts: you don't get to decide that.

Originally Posted by anonymouse 
I suggest to the mods just banning anyone making these comments. Clearly trollish behavior, and we're never going to see a worthwhile comment from these people, so no loss at all to the forum to see them gone. Think of this article as a litmus test.

We don't really have a hard rule against trolling, so you see… too much of it. Write up an example of one in Feedback (with a poll, perhaps?) and if the response is great enough we could try to get its approval from the site owners.

Originally Posted by Hodar 
Every ocean going vessel makes an attempt to avoid flat-shaped hulls, and minimize flat walls. Unless you plan on sailing on mirror-flat seas, a flat hull will aborb the imact of a wave. Flat walls are effectively large sail areas.  It's basic engineering - and this "ocean going" yacht appears designed to cruise a small lake, or simply be a floating hotel in a marina. Additionally, the square sides will present a very large problem with maneuvering in any kind of windy situation.

I suppose you'll tell me this is different for some arbitrary reason. I see… about 900 feet of flat hull and about 300 feet straight up of wall. 

Having what to do with anything, exactly? No, really, explain.

Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton 
It's a shame when people think the Shuffle is not a worthy gift. Or else somebody is missing the point of a GIFT and expects to be showered in diamonds and retina displays. What a shame.

Anonymouse was absolutely right. This single point seems to have brought out the trolls more than even directly Apple-related stuff. 

It's pathetic. They should be ashamed. But, then again, we have a list of nearly 50 points. They've been doing a fair job of avoiding those points now that they know we know all about them, and it doesn't really leave them much to say otherwise that isn't instantaneously outed as being the stupidest thing imaginable.

On the other hand, the stupidest thing imaginable is usually pretty funny. 

Looks like a building, dropped on the side...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hodar 

Even the material in the hull is going to be a poor choice.  Why do you suppose the metal used on ships is primarily iron and bronze (with sacrificial zinc bars on the interior?).  Aluminum corrodes, and salt-water is a highly corrosive liquid to use around Aluminum.  Aluminum is also susceptable to fatigue fracture; which is an undesirable trait for a ship surrounded by water.  Sorry, the ocean isn't going to stop moving, just because SJ designed a boat.

 

Here is an image of another aluminum hulled ship. The littoral combat ship (LCS).

Quote:

Originally Posted by tasslehawf 

I build a yacht for Steve Jobs and all I got was this lousy iPod touch.

You mean in addition to the +2 years job with full pay & benefits building it...

Ahoy!

This yacht was not designed by me, or for me, in fact I had zero input WRT this yacht from concept to conclusion. Further, I have not spent one cent on it. Hmmmmm, I'm not really showing any standing here when it comes to criticizing, applauding, or even commenting on this yacht. Will that stop me? Of course not!

It's Job's yacht, it suited his taste, and he paid for it, which should be the end of the story. It is not a design that I would like, but then I'm not a minimalist. My preference would have been for a more traditional design. Naturally nobody cares WTH my preferences are, nor should they. However, this yacht has no nautical personality at all, IMO. I would not want to ride out a storm on this yacht, and of course that will not happen to Mrs. Jobs, and/or her guests, they would safely be miles away from such experiences, if the ship ever encounters them. This yacht looks like an oversized bathtub model, designed for the sake of design, more than the sake of a seagoing vessel. From it's appearance, it looks like it could have been created without so much as a visit to a chandlery. 

If somebody thought that this story was worth posting, then my comments are just as worthy of being read. This will conclude my efforts at wasting time, for now. 

I think the Venus design is notable.  It's not outrageous, nor is it mundane.  The more I see of it the more I like it.  Definitely unconventional as yachts go.

My personal yacht favorites are the Wally 118 and either of Giorgio Armani's yachts the Mariu or the Main.  The Wally looks like a weapon and has 17,000 horsepower from three gas turbine engines.  The Armani boats are elegant inside and out.  But mostly the inside - as beautiful as one of his suits.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suddenly Newton 


Shuffles are awesome music players, and you're acting like its some kind of insult. Sounds like that spoiled 16-year-old who complained daddy bought them an Acura instead of a Ferrari for their birthday.

No, not really.  Obviously any gift is always a nice gesture, certainly what I've taught my children.  I'm just more generous by nature and have certainly given nicer things for far less than this project.  I'm sure that they probably gave out a bunch of these as I'm sure there were a ton of workers involved, but I would have done something more unique and creative.  I'm certainly not ashamed or sorry to have this opinion, I'm sure most who read the article thought "wow, a shuffle, how cool is that!", but in the end it is the thought that counts.

My daughter learned something interesting on her summer job scooping gellato, some of the most well to do folks, were the most clueless and downright cheap.  Maybe that's how they made their fortunes, or maybe they've never scooped gelato for minimum wage, who knows.

Originally Posted by WelshDog 
My personal yacht favorites are the Wally 118…

"Flat wall sides. Terrible. Obviously not made by anyone who cares about boats." 

It's actually my favorite, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tasslehawf 

I build a yacht for Steve Jobs and all I got was this lousy iPod touch.

Do you really believe that?

What all of those yachts lack is deck space and the accoutrements that go with it. Nothing quite like a stroll on the deck, with drink in hand, passing the bathing beauties lounging in the deck chairs and chaises. They're just large boats, as opposed to yachts, IMO. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgmenke 

iShip = ugly

Looking forward to seeing yours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstone 
The thank you note certainly doesn't look very Jobsian with all CAPS.

(pssst... Steve is dead... he didn't write the note.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hodar 

Seems like it would be an awful sailing experience. Providing waves a flat surface means that the "Venus" will absorb nearly the complete force of each wave that hits it. The hull shape is a 'wedge' without a place to displace the upward energy of oncoming waves - which means that overall, not only will the crew and guests get to enjoy bouncing up and down, but they will also enjoy the sway of side to side - even in light to moderate seas.
Instead of calling it the "Venus", I think a more appropriate name would be the "Vomit". Conventional hulls are shaped the way they are shaped, for a reason. That reason is not that they are easier to make - but because HUMANS use them; something that SJ apparently completely forgot to consider.

Have you looked below the water line?  You see, boats actually float on water. They go up and down with the water.  Thus, it's below the waterline that counts. It's built by Feadship. Perhaps they could use some of your expertise as surely the most prestigious of yacht builders is lacking in the engineering department. 

If you are referring to breaking waves, no design is going to take them much better or worst. It's a pounding either way. That's why 99% of these boats time is spent on a dock. With the owners flying to them when they want to play boaters. 

I'm sure it's a fantastic yacht that performs very well and will be a pleasure for passengers and crew to experience and operate.

I'm sure it's very seaworthy and built soundly and of long lasting and quality materials.

I'm sure Steve would be happy with it and that his family will enjoy it (although it does seem a bit out of character for him.) On the other hand, he's lived a pretty low key life (for a billionaire) and good for him that he had fun with a big project before he died.

The iPod gifts were a kind gesture of thanks and if anyone got one and doesn't appreciate it, tough titty. Those of us who didn't get one, didn't do anything to deserve one and aren't involved (so who cares what we think.)

As far as "flat surfaces," you can be sure the hull is a continuously variable curve, as hydrodynamic shapes always are. Above the water line the hull is pretty straight, which probably makes it easier to use the interior space.

I really like a few design projects PS has been involved with (particularly the Ducati, his first motorcycle) but mostly I don't at all care for his aesthetic.

I've always been amazed SJ was into him, because PS's esthetic seems ostentatious and showy rather than elegant and functional in it's so called "minimalism." But Steve has always had a bit of that himself (Next box, puck mouse, cube Mac, etc.)

The styling on the yacht is interesting, but not my taste. I really dislike the polished metallic lead edge on the bow crest and the basically boxy look (typical PS) seems a bit elephantine. On the other hand, I do like old Volvos (they're boxy but they're good!") and I like some of the details like the anchors and some of the other fitting details (or lack there of.)

To me, the most interesting thing is the overall look of the craft. Despite its chunky size, it has a distinctly serene and placid feel about it that is elegant. "Serene and placid" are something I've never seen in modern yachts. Since the overall feel is a PS contribution, I would have to say it is a design success for him (even if most other aspects of the yacht are not to my taste.)

Wild looking ship. I'm curious what the design goals were. Optimized for radar stealth, speed, shallow water operation?  I need to read about this one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstone 

Here is an image of another aluminum hulled ship. The littoral combat ship (LCS).

Quote:

Originally Posted by WelshDog 

I think the Venus design is notable.  It's not outrageous, nor is it mundane.  The more I see of it the more I like it.  Definitely unconventional as yachts go.

 

My personal yacht favorites are the Wally 118 and either of Giorgio Armani's yachts the Mariu or the Main.  The Wally looks like a weapon and has 17,000 horsepower from three gas turbine engines.  The Armani boats are elegant inside and out.  But mostly the inside - as beautiful as one of his suits.

My personal favorite yachts, from the Royal Huisman yard, are Lethantia (nee Borkumriff III) and Borkumriff IV. Only 1072 hp on Borkumriff IV, but 1164 sq m of sail area. On a more human scale, Spirit Yachts builds some of the most beautiful boats being built today.

It's the Steve Jobs version of Noah's Ark so all the VPs can safely escape when Apple starts to take on water.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolipsismX 


The proper term is: Alloy!
 

Touché! ROFL 

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolipsismX 


The proper term is: Alloy!
What I suspected, it's a trimaran: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littoral_combat_ship

"Independence" is the trimaran, "Freedom" is a mono-hull. However, the biggie is "Zumwalt":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zumwalt_class

Cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin Huber 

The perpendicular bow angle is reminiscent of yachts from the late teens and 1920s. Consistent with that are the Frank Lloyd Wright style stacked offset flat roofs with deep overhangs. I'm not sold on the rather massive stern, but overall I find it distinctive and highly original. Modest in its lines compared to some of the floating monstrosities of the super rich. Refreshing. A boldly imagined amalgam of modern yacht technology with early 20th century minimalism. I like it. Very Steve, and a fitting floating monument to his single-minded artistic integrity.

I hate to correct you since I agree with you...all except the Frank Lloyd Wright bit.  And it's not "early 20th century minimalism".  It's actually called "Modernism" with a capital "M".  Minimalism was an Art movement, not architecture, and it came much later in time than Modernism.  What people call modern in this day/age is not anything remotely related to Modernism.  What you should call design of this era is "Contemporary".

This yacht design definitely was inspired by the master French Architect and Artist, Le Corbusier.  He called his houses the "Machines for Living".  Stripping away all decoration and anything non-essential and exposes and accentuating the core components of the building.  It's widely known amongst historians and Architects that LC's designs were highly inspired by steamers from the "Machine Age".  Now it seems we've come full circle with "Venus".  There were other Architects associated to this era, Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe to name a few.

Quote:

Originally Posted by antkm1 

I hate to correct you since I agree with you...all except the Frank Lloyd Wright bit.  And it's not "early 20th century minimalism".  It's actually called "Modernism" with a capital "M".  Minimalism was an Art movement, not architecture, and it came much later in time than Modernism.  What people call modern in this day/age is not anything remotely related to Modernism.  What you should call design of this era is "Contemporary".

 

This yacht design definitely was inspired by the master French Architect and Artist, Le Corbusier.  He called his houses the "Machines for Living".  Stripping away all decoration and anything non-essential and exposes and accentuating the core components of the building.  It's widely known amongst historians and Architects that LC's designs were highly inspired by steamers from the "Machine Age".  Now it seems we've come full circle with "Venus".  There were other Architects associated to this era, Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe to name a few.

 

Whelp, those images look as yachtsie as the Venus does.