Hmm.
Posted on 01/31/2015 11:31:22 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Any millionaire can buy themselves a fancy yacht, but if you want a conversation piece ... well, it helps if it has a story behind it, and the Lockheed Martin-built Sea Slice certainly does. Launched in 1996 by the US Navy as a military support vessel, the experimental watercraft features a unique hull design that reportedly allows it to remain as stable as a conventional ship three times its size. It cost US$15 million to design and build, but you can have it now for the low, low price of just $180,000.
The Sea Slice utilizes a variation on the SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) design.
A regular SWATH boat has two hulls, kind of like a catamaran. Whereas a catamaran's hulls resemble skinnier versions of a conventional single hull, however, a SWATH's are more like cylindrical pontoons that sit completely below the surface. The struts that connect those hulls to the rest of the boat are quite narrow, thus minimizing volume at the sea's surface, where all the wave energy is located. Because the hulls themselves sit deeper in the water, they're not affected much by the waves.
In the case of the Sea Slice, there are four shorter teardrop-shaped hulls – two on each side, one behind the other. Apparently this modification reduces waves caused by the boat, along with hydrodynamic drag. That drag reduction allows it to travel at higher speeds for a given amount of horsepower, as compared to other SWATH boats of a similar size and displacement.
The 105-ft (32-m) long, 55-ft (17-m) wide, 180-ton (163-tonne) watercraft features two 3,480 hp diesel engines, two 180-kW Caterpillar diesel electric generators, and (if its specs are still the same as they were when it was first built) a top speed of 30 knots (56 km/h, or 35 mph). There's no word on how many people it can accommodate, although judging by the photos, there are at least six bunks. It also has a full galley, shower-equipped bathroom, plus a washer and dryer.
... and it's now up for sale, in its current home port of San Diego. If you have an extra 180 grand lying around and are interested in acquiring a piece of naval history, just check out the link below.
Hmm.
Does it have a Phalanx to shred incoming cruise missiles and a .50 cal in case I need to repel boarders?
LOL! Just wonder if, since I’m retired LM of 36 years, there’s an employee discount? Wonder how I’d get it up to Lake Tahoe.
Until I saw that, I had never considered invading Costa Rica.
The Philippines is being increasingly threatened by Communist China and basically has no navy. Why doesn’t the US just donate things like this to them? Or why doesn’t the PI buy it at that ridiculously low price, for that matter?
Good point.
Good choice, since Costa Rica has no military they should be a push over. However Nicaragua next door does have plans on Costa Rica as they build their new China financed canal.
That’s cool. Wonder what the inside looks like
Thanks 2ndDivisionVet.
My brother has a 20-foot pontoon boat. I’ll send him a link in case he is thinking of an upgrade.
Will they take a check?
LOL! Please don't. I'm getting all my coffee from there.
/johnny
So, even though this is a one-of-a-kind, I still can get parts whenever I need from Lockheed Martin, right?
Thanks. That’s so cool. I’ll bet they have a bidding war and it goes for more than $180,ooo
Click through the link, there’s a few interior shots. I personally like the use of a drop ceiling, gives it that “ last minute, basement remodel feel”.
And do what with it?
We have a 27.5 foot ‘toon on order...
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