PEGASUS 88M - WORLD'S FIRST 3D PRINTED SUPERYACHT

The Pegasus 88m is the world's first superyacht designed to be built entirely by robotic 3D printing. Conceived by Greek-American designer Jozeph Forakis, the 88-metre concept combines a zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell powertrain, a mirrored superstructure designed to blend into its surroundings, and an advanced construction method that promises to drastically reduce build time, material waste, and energy use compared to conventional yacht manufacturing.

The Design Vision: Invisible on the Water

Forakis developed the concept after spending time on the Greek island of Koufonissi. His brief to himself was to design a vessel as close to nature as possible, one that floated above the waterline like a cloud and became virtually invisible against the sky and sea. To achieve this, the superstructure is clad in mirrored glass panels that reflect the surrounding environment, effectively camouflaging the yacht from a distance. The multi-tiered wing-like decks reinforce the floating, weightless quality of the silhouette.

3D Printed Hull and Superstructure

The structural innovation at the heart of Pegasus is the use of robotic 3D printing to produce a mesh framework from polymer-alloy composite filament, integrating the displacement hull and superstructure in a single continuous build. Compared to traditional shipbuilding, this method significantly reduces material consumption, construction time, and the physical space required for assembly. The resulting structure is also lighter and stronger than what conventional layup techniques typically deliver at this scale.

Hydrogen Power and Infinite Range

Pegasus is designed to be fully energy-independent at sea. Solar panels generate electricity, which is used to convert seawater into hydrogen via electrolysis. That hydrogen is stored onboard and fed to fuel cells that convert it back into electricity, with lithium-ion batteries handling short-term buffering. In operation, Forakis projects zero carbon emissions and a virtually unlimited range, with no dependency on bunkering infrastructure. It is a concept aimed directly at the next generation of long-range, zero-impact superyacht ownership.

Why Pegasus Matters for the Future of Superyachts

The Pegasus 88m is a concept rather than a commissioned build, but its technical blueprint addresses real constraints facing the superyacht industry: carbon footprint, construction cost, and the environmental impact of very large vessels. Forakis and his studio have demonstrated that a coherent answer to all three challenges can exist within a single design language. For further technical detail, see the project overview at forakis.com and the analysis at Boat International.

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Photo: jozeph forakis... design