Custom Yachts: The Process of Designing Your Dream Yacht

A dedicated team can help you build your yacht from scratch, fully customized to your preferences.

In the world of luxury and exclusivity, few experiences can compare to the creation of a yacht that is uniquely yours. Custom yachts represent the pinnacle of maritime achievement, offering not just a means of navigating the world’s waters, but a personal sanctuary that reflects the individuality and taste of its owner. Building a custom yacht is an in-depth journey from conception to reality. Denison brokers can work together with a dedicated team of designers, engineers, and craftsmen to create the yacht of your dreams.

Denison yacht broker Alex G. Clarke is a pro at all things custom yachting. He has worked with clients far and wide to build the superyacht of their dreams, and was a critical part of starting Denison’s superyacht division. He explains that when starting a new build project, a client has a few options for how to build their yacht. “As a yacht owner’s experience and requirements grow, a client might consider ordering or building a new construction project where they typically have three options: a production model, semi-custom, or full custom.”

“A production model is exactly that–a turn-key, production vessel with limited customization options offered to the buyer, but the benefit being a proven model and available for immediate purchase and delivery.” This option is great for clients that want their yacht “now” (or soon). What’s great about production models is that they’re tried and true–you know what you’re going to get because it already exists.

Examples of semi-custom new builds would be projects offered from shipyards like Amels, Heesen, Benetti, or Numarine. These consist of fixed hull and superstructure platforms, Alex says. The client then can choose from a variety of interior and exterior deck arrangements and has the option to customize the interior décor. “This approach saves time by shortening the delivery period because of the pre-engineering that has already been completed with the hull design, yet the end result can be a unique project catered to the needs of that individual client. A reduced delivery period can be extremely appealing to a buyer, as most are not willing to wait 2-3+ years to take delivery of a yacht. So, if that time period can be cut in half, it has its advantages over a full custom.”

This leads us to full custom projects. According to Alex, this is a project that is designed specifically for a client and would be a one-off yacht. A client can either go directly to a shipyard–like Feadship, Benetti, Amels, Oceanco, or Lurssen, for example–and engage that shipyard to commission them a unique yacht at their request. Alternatively, a client can engage their favorite designer–like Bannenberg & Rowell, Nuvolari Leonard, Winch Design, or Espen Oino, for example–who can create the proposal which can then be bid out to a number of different shipyards who will be commissioned to deliver the bespoke yacht. He explains that this approach is more time-consuming as it requires custom engineering and naval architecture from the hull design, superstructure, propulsion systems/machine spaces to unique design elements that will make the client’s yacht uniquely special. “Feadship has really patented the term ‘uniquity’ into their marketing campaign and one can understand why when looking at their portfolio of completed projects.”

“There is no wrong or right approach to taking delivery of a new yacht,” Alex says. “It’s what works best for the client’s budget, time frame, and requirements. There are gorgeous production yachts as there are semi-custom and full custom. Pricing is obviously a major deciding factor, but for some clients who have worked their entire lives to be able to afford such a luxury, the expense of purchasing a yacht and being able to travel the world creating lasting memories for family and friends is an expense worth every penny.”

Yacht broker David Johnson is also one of Denison’s big players when it comes to new build projects. “Very few yacht owners get the opportunity to design a custom yacht from scratch,” he says.” Most yacht owners that have made the decision to start a full custom new build project have already owned one or two other yachts, so they are experienced and know what they want. In my opinion, the process is extremely enjoyable and rewarding as long as it is done right.  Flying around to visit shipyards in multiple countries sounds like a lot of work, and it is, but it is something that not many people get to experience. Each shipyard has a specialty, or DNA, that is only discovered by visiting the shipyard, seeing the yachts that are currently under construction and meeting with the team that might be building your next yacht. I always suggest to clients that they visit at least three shipyards in a couple of different countries.”

Once the shipyard has been chosen, David explains, the owners then have to choose the interior and exterior design team, as Alex also mentioned. “This is another daunting task that is challenging but also enjoyable. Sometimes it is as easy as looking at each design firm’s website and requesting to see their catalog of past designs. I often suggest a one-on-one meeting with the designer, as it is someone that the buyers will be working with for many months to possibly years. The designer will work with the clients to ensure that every single wish the clients have is included in the build. They will agree with certain requests and will definitely have their own opinions that are based on past experience. In the end, though, the designer will bring additional value to the project and is worth every penny. The fees for a designer can start at $100,000 and quickly exceed one million dollars, depending on the scope of the work and size of the project.”

“The last big hurdle is to work with the shipyard, designer, project manager, and maritime attorney to create the build spec that will be used to build the yacht to the exact standards that the client wants. The build spec on a custom project will outline every single detail of the project, and is a legal document that will follow the duration of the construction of the project.”

“Once the preliminary work that is mentioned above is completed, there is often a long period while the naval engineering is completed, all of the metals (steel/aluminum) are ordered, and the keel is laid.  This may take a few months, or much longer, depending on the project. During this period, the clients are usually working with the interior design team to choose the colors, fabrics, and veneers that will be used throughout the interior and exterior. This is the serious decision-making time. The attention to detail is amazing and many clients end up spending more time focusing on the minute details of their yacht than they will on their own home.”

Once the hull has been completed and the interior joinery work has started, David says, it is time to order all of the audio video and navigation equipment. It is never a good idea to order that equipment too early in the build, as the technology improves so quickly.

Upon completion of the build, the shipyard will perform a series of pre-delivery sea trials to ensure that all of the vessel’s systems are operating properly. The class inspectors will be onboard and technicians representing the major components, such as the main engines, generators, navigation systems, and more will be onboard during the sea trials to test their products and confirm that all of the systems are operating per the build specifications. Upon completion of the sea trial, the shipyard will make any last-minute adjustments that are required and then the vessel is ready to be delivered to the client.

The process of designing a custom yacht represents a thrilling journey that blends individual desires with the pinnacle of maritime engineering and design aesthetics. From the initial phase of conception to the intricate details of engineering precision and artistic flair, each step is crucial in bringing a personalized superyacht to creation. The collaboration between the yacht owner, broker, designers, naval architects, and shipbuilders is fundamental, ensuring that every detail reflects the owner’s vision, lifestyle, and aspirations. As the ultimate expression of personalized luxury and freedom, a custom yacht offers an unparalleled experience on the water, promising adventures that are as boundless as the horizons it navigates.

Interested in purchasing a new build project? Contact a Denison yacht broker to get answers to any of your questions and start your journey to owning a new yacht.

Speak With a Superyacht Specialist: