A force of nature

The Modena-based brand unveiled a Tridente boat to accompany a pair of its electric cars at the anniversary presentation. The Tridente is built by Hodgdon Yachts, an arch-respectable, family-owned shipyard in Maine. It has been in business for over 200 years, and today its tenders transport guests to the most luxurious megayachts. The new product is most likely based on the Vita Lion, an electric boat of the same length, 10.5 meters. It is manufactured by Hodgdon's partner Vita Power, which has been invited to work on the propulsion system.

It is clear that the boat from Maserati will be purchased by no ascetics, but the prowess of demonstrative consumption is just off the scale here. Firstly (and secondly and thirdly), the price. In the basic configuration, Tridente will set a buyer back about $2.6 million, making it the most expensive product of Maserati. There is no need to be a prophet to predict: each client will add options and customize the appearance. The final price tag will be even higher.

Strictly speaking, the boat looks conservative. It is lightweight, gracefully streamlined, and made of carbon fiber. If you ask to make it dark blue, it becomes very dignified and noble in appearance.

But it could be the other way around. That first prototype body, which Maserati presented together with the Folgore cars, was painted rose gold. Even the glass is tinted, and the shine is accentuated by the creamy leather of the interior and seats. For logomaniacs, to whom the trident on the car could seem a little too small, now it is the name-heart day. The sharp teeth spread from the windshield almost to the nose. The plating strips diverge in rays to the sides, and the logo is in a flood of light. On the ribbed swim platform, the Maserati logo is etched in large, branded lettering. There's no mistaking it for anything else.

The two front seats and U-shaped sofa accommodate eight people. At the stern, there is a large sunbathing area and a bathing platform with a retractable ladder. In the bow, under the trident, there is a small cabin with a double bed, toilet, and sink.

The Tridente is powered by electric motors with a total output of 600 horsepower. The boat is equipped with a 252-kWh battery, allowing a range of 70 kilometers. Maserati claims that the Tridente has a top speed of 40 knots and can travel at 25 knots for approximately 43 miles (70 kilometers) before needing to be recharged. It will take just one hour to recharge.

First deliveries are expected at the end of the year. Tridente is a collector's curiosity and an interesting tender for the superyacht garage to bring guests aboard in a breezy, stylish, and quiet manner.

For comparison, let's take the example of the Frauscher-Porsche collaboration. They worked together to create the eFantom, an 8.5-meter-long electric boat. For the car giant, this was an opportunity to test on the water the technologies used for the production of the electric version of the Macan crossover. In turn, Frauscher gained access to new, more powerful batteries and drivetrain systems and improved the performance of its boats in general. And customers got a beautiful, powerful cruiser that can reach 41 knots. At different times, marine projects were given attention by Ferrari - the now rare “floating Testarossa” Riva Ferrari 32'; Lamborghini - the yacht Technomar for Lamborghini 63; and AMG - speedboats Cigarette. Lexus revealed in the spring the design for its second flybridge yacht, the LY 680, successor to the 2018 LY 650.

All in all, it is a common practice among the wealthy public to match a yacht or boat to a car. There are many examples where the customer of a yacht has asked to furnish its saloons in the same style. For example, the first hull of the Zeelander 6 is exactly the same color as the owner's Ferrari 812 SuperFast.