Boat Like James Bond… With Smarts, Style and Speed

Want to boost your summer boating style? Why not take a page from the book of Britain’s most beloved secret agent…

Today, we’re talking Bond—James Bond.

The silver-screen spy is perhaps best known for his sleek tuxedo, famous chase scenes and iconic catchphrase, “shaken—not stirred.” Bond’s Aston Martin is another familiar feature—but it’s not his only way to get around. For many viewers, in fact, his most memorable chase sequences happened not on land but on water, by way of stylish, decked-out boats and futuristic water gizmos—the kind of gadgets we dreamed of as kids, imagining a time when we’d be able to look almost as cool.

In today’s blog, we are exploring some of Bond’s most memorable on-the-water moments—as well as a few ways we can emulate his timeless cruising style. Take a look.

The boats

The James Bond universe is filled with too many iconic boat scenes to count—but here are a few of our favorite highlights.

Disco Volante

The Disco Volante from 1965’s “Thunderball” certainly makes an impact. The sleek white yacht-style cruiser—the property of the film’s villain, Mr. Largo—looks the epitome of luxury, and its high-tech “cocoon” system let the boat shed its outer shell for a quick getaway.

But, alas, this boat was the product of a bit of movie magic. According to production designer Ken Adams, the crew could not find a yacht that had both the size and speed they wanted, so they had a clever solution: bring together the hulls of a hydrofoil and catamaran, creating the illusion of a bigger boat and allowing for that sneaky “shedding” of the outer layer, all at the same time.

Glastron GT150

As are many of Bond’s swift maneuvers, on and off shore, this stunt is an example of “don’t try this at home” if there ever was one!

In 1973’s “Live and Let Die,” Bond makes his own getaway in high-flying fashion. At the helm of a Glastron GT150, the secret agent makes an impressive 120-feet jump over Louisiana’s Bayou des Allemands, evading authorities and wowing audiences in the process.

Q-Boat

One of our all-time favorite Bond boats has to be the Q-Boat, debuted on the River Thames in 1999’s “The World Is Not Enough.” Here, Bond took the quick, agile boat out in pursuit of an assassin in the film’s opening chase—and watching it move, even today, is a real treat. The specially-modified boat’s precise controls let it cross the larger boat’s wake and navigate tight jerks with ease.

(While you may not be able to ride the Q-Boat, you can certainly achieve a similarly speedy cruise on your own summer getaway. On your Vortex, for example, intelligent throttle control powers special settings such as Ski Mode, so you can move fast… and intuitively, too. On top of it all, the sleek profile, colors and lines of every Vortex provide the chance to sport something just as stylish as our silver-screen hero.)

The accessories

No agent is complete without the help of a few handy gadgets. These ones in particular stand out—in part due to their similarities with some of our own favorite water toys!

Wetbike

In 1977’s “The Spy Who Loved Me,” the Wetbike made its debut. Today, it may not look especially futuristic—especially since personal watercraft are so commonplace today—but back then, anyone who had their own PWC likely had a stand-up jet-ski, then made in a classically-seventies pea green. It was not until 1986 that Yamaha produced the first sit-down model of its kind, making Bond’s Wetbike look quite forward-thinking in hindsight!

Jetpack

Another product of “Thunderball,” Bond’s jetpack was an amazing innovation in the sixties… and it actually worked, too, though perhaps not perfectly. Today, now that the kinks have been worked out, consumers with a thirst for high-flying fun can buy or rent time on an aquatic jetpack-style device. It’s a fun chance to see the water in a whole new way.

The locations

A vacation itinerary inspired by Bond’s international travels is hard to beat. Here are a few choice locations he visited across the globe.

Corfu, Greece

Characterized by gorgeous, grassy bluffs, turquoise water and a backdrop of alluring Albanian mountains, the Greece island of Corfu (which stars in 1981’s “For Your Eyes Only”) is a stunning Mediterranean escape.

Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

In 1974’s “The Man with the Golden Gun,” Bond traveled to supervillain Scaramanga’s island, shot at Thailand’s picturesque Phang Nga Bay. The destination is noted for its peculiar limestone islands and cliffs that jut out of the vibrant blue water.

River Thames, UK

There are few skylines quite as iconic as London’s—so boating past the famous cityscape, just like Bond himself has done several times, is a real treat.

Bond’s sleek, futuristic gadgets and on-the-water maneuvers aren’t just the stuff of fiction. Hop on your Vortex and discover how you can enjoy a movie-worthy escape of your own.