Stealth Yachts

South Africa isn't one of the places that has been big for yacht building in past years but lately the country has an increasing amount of boat builders and they are busting out some pretty innovative boats. A recent Reuters article alerted me to the recent sale of the second Stealth 540, a cruising catamaran from South African company Stealth yachts. The Stealth 540 costs $1.5 million and is one of the first powerboats in the world to be fitted with "Q-speed," a propulsion system that lets the propeller work when it is half-in and half-out of the water. The yacht has three or four cabins (plus a crew cabin) depending on the layout and cruises at up to 40 knots.

Catamarans, both sail-based and power-based like the Stealth yacht, are one of the largest growing categories for yacht building in South Africa. Stealth has a range of hydrofoil-supported catamarans starting with a modest semi-rigid inflatable boat. They offer both charter management and fractional programs for the larger yachts.