Swift and Stylish Ice Cruisers: Ice Marine's Bladerunner 34 Steals the Show
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Each passing month, we handpick a badass watercraft, stealing the crown as the globe's coolest boat. This time around, we dive deep into the Ice Marine Bladerunner 34! You'd think the name alone is enough, right? But hey, let's see if it lives up to the hype.
This diamond in the rough is the brainchild of ex-world champ powerboat racer Jeremy Watts. Born from a 34ft speed demon, this beast was crafted for both offshore racing and laid-back cruising. It's Watts's powerboating background that catalyzed its inception.
After clinching the title in '95, aboard a Forgecraft aluminum monohull dubbed "bloody uncomfortable in the rough," Watts embarked on a quest for a more suitable design. That led him right to designer Lorne Campbell's doorstep.
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The Watts-Campbell Collaboration
Though Watts initially entertained no preconceived notions about hull forms, the specifications hinted at a vessel of at least 30 feet, with a focus on comfort. That ruled out catamarans but stressed the importance of stability and accommodation. A trimaran seemed like a fitting compromise.
Two years of testing and tinkering led to the boat before you, with mould construction for the Bladerunner 34 beginning in 1997. Technically a stable monohull rather than a true trimaran, all hydrodynamic lift originated from the central hull, while the sponsons maintained stability, and the wings provided lift above 50mph. A leisure version with sleeping facilities for two debuted at the 1998 Southampton Boat Show.
The inaugural sale went to a gentleman who enjoyed racing Ferraris, using the Bladerunner 34 for high-speed commutes between his Channel Islands residence and mainland Britain and France. Equipped with twin Mercury Promax 300hp outboard engines, the leisure version peaked at 70 knots, while the race iteration surpassed 90 knots.
Looking like a speed demon, even on the inside
The original 34 evolved into the BR35 and a RIB, but the coolest moment for the Bladerunner took place during the 2012 London Olympics. A customized version with dummy rocket boosters and illuminated water sprays was fitted with a special bow seat, carrying 16-year-old Olympic torch-bearer Jade Bailey en route to the Olympic Park. At the helm as it roared up the River Thames beneath a firework-bedecked Tower Bridge was none other than David Beckham, looking dapper in a suit, fresh from three days of powerboat training. To avoid any last-minute mishaps, Jeremy Watts took over for the final docking maneuver. In a nutshell, the world's coolest footballer on a boat with a cool name was off the charts.
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Ice Marine Bladerunner 34 Specs
Year: 1998 LOA: 34 ft (10.3m) Beam: 9 ft 6 in (2.9m) Power: Twin Mercury Promax 300hp outboard engines Speed: 70/90 knots Price when new: £80,000
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The Ice Marine Bladerunner 34, a fusion of luxury lifestyle and marine design, offers a unique blend of speed and comfort.
- Its well-crafted central hull provides all hydrodynamic lift, while the sponsons ensure stability and the wings offer lift above 50mph, making it a powerhouse on the water.*
The yacht's sleek design and catamaran-inspired wings captivate spectators, as they glide smoothly over the waves, embodying the epitome of modern watercraft innovation.
The deck, adorned with comfortable seating arrangements and sophisticated home-and-garden accents, serves as an appealing space for both leisurely cruising and high-speed racing.
This extraordinary vessel, born from the partnership of Jeremy Watts and designer Lorne Campbell, offers more than just a nautical experience—it's a refined expression of the lifestyle of an elegantly fast, modern-day mariner.
