KEY POINTS:
If you are cruising on the Waitemata Harbour or Hauraki Gulf over the next few weeks and you (briefly) see something large zoom past fast, you might be being buzzed by a low-flying Greek god. Or at least his namesake
ERMIS2 is a 38m (124ft) superyacht capable of blasting across the water at a 60 knots (for landlubbers who think in km/h, try doubling that and you'll be pretty close.) That's about the same speed as a small race-tuned powerboat or a powerful PWC (better known to most boaties as one of those "pesky jetskis".)
The latest creation of Mt Wellington custom yacht builder McMullen & Wing, ERMIS2 is rather aptly named after the ancient Greek messenger god Hermes (pronounced Ermis).
In addition to his other godly attributes, Hermes was apparently well known for zapping about the place at a great rate of knots; a reputation this new luxury speedster is sure to share.
From the board of Humphreys Yacht Design and launched on September 29, ERMIS2 will possibly be the fastest non-turbine private yacht of its size in the world.
Instead of that turbine, it will be powered by three MTU16V 4000 M90 series engines, generating some 10,900 bhp.
And, to ensure there are no propeller blades dragging through the water to slow the boat down, that power will be channelled through KaMeWa water jets.
Of course, all that horsepower comes at a cost: it's not light and, if you don't want to spend all your fuel dollars simply moving your motors around the ocean, you need to be clever with your weight control everywhere else on board.
And that is exactly what the design team at McMullen & Wing havedone.
They embarked on a programme to analyse every component of the vessel, looking to save weight without compromising structural integrity.
Vacuum infusion processes using carbon-fibre, kevlar and foam composite were used to build the hull and superstructure; as many deck fittings and hand rails as possible were built from titanium; and lightweight veneered foam panels have been used for the interior joinery.
Despite all that, ERMIS2 is no stripped-down racer. While it may boast breathtaking speed, ERMIS2 is most definitely a fully fledged luxury motoryacht with four staterooms, well-appointed salon and entertaining areas, and a generous array of navigation and communications systems.
ERMIS2 begins its sea trials this week and these are scheduled to continue well into November. It will then cruise in northern New Zealand waters through December and January before being shipped to the Mediterranean.
There, one imagines, the owner will enjoy spending time in his favourite anchorages and travelling rather quickly between them.
