Introduction to the Yacht Industry

Life is accelerating with technological advancements, driving the desire for faster lives, including faster transportation like super yachts. Traditionally made from heavy steel, these vessels are now being produced with lighter materials, notably aluminium, which has been widely used since 1895 and is now produced in excess of 57.9 million tons annually.

History and Evolution of Yacht Construction

The super yacht industry has adopted aluminium, with Dutch shipyard Heon Yachts being a pioneer in its use, founded in 1978 and initially building a 20m aluminium high-speed yacht. A shipyard built a revolutionary aluminium high-speed yacht in the mid to late 1970s, setting the foundation for their expertise in aluminium yacht construction.

The oil crisis in the 1970s led to a growth in high-speed yachts, particularly among wealthy Middle Eastern clients. One notable project was Octopusy, built for an American client in the late 1980s, which reached a record speed of 53 knots, equivalent to 95.4 km per hour, thanks to its hull design, making it the fastest yacht in the world at the time.

Hull Designs and Materials

There are three main hull designs: traditional full displacement, semi-displacement, and planing modes. Traditional full displacement hulls have a maximum speed limited by their waterline length, and increasing engine power only churns up more water without increasing speed. Semi-displacement and planing modes use engine power to lift the boat out of the water, reducing water resistance and allowing for higher speeds.

A third design, fast displacement, features long, narrow bulbous bows and a unique hull shape that achieves high speeds. Steel is a popular material for building large yachts due to its ease of use, but for fast yachts, aluminium is preferred due to its lightweight properties, requiring a highly skilled workforce.

Yacht Design and Construction Process

Having a yacht provides a unique experience of freedom, security, and quality time with family and friends, making it addictive for those who can afford it. Before construction, these yachts must be meticulously designed, both structurally and aesthetically, by a naval architect, who handles the exterior design, and later an interior designer.

An architect, such as Frank Lman, plays a crucial role in designing a space, understanding the client’s needs and expectations. The process begins with the architect creating a plan, making the client’s dream seaworthy, while the interior designer refines the ambiance, focusing on the client’s feelings and personal tastes to create a comfortable and meaningful space.

• Clients who want to build a yacht often lack experience, so they need guidance on design and functionality.
• Deciding between opulence and a focus on exterior-interior relationships, and balancing sun exposure with shaded areas requires a back-and-forth process with designers to understand their needs.

Advances in Yacht Technology and Tender Design

As super yachts grow in size, they often anchor outside harbors and use smaller boats, known as tenders, to transport guests, supplies, and crew. Pasco International is a leading tender company that has been in operation for over 15 years, originating from building racing hulls for power boat racing, focusing on creating lightweight and strong hulls.

Yacht owners need a practical and comfortable way to transport themselves and their guests to and from the shore, regardless of the weather. On a 50-60m yacht, space is limited, so a single tender must serve multiple purposes, including as a crew boat, owner’s tender, and workhorse.

• A typical package of four tenders for one yacht may include a Solas life-saving boat, a crew tender, an owner and guest day tender, and a limousine tender for special occasions.
• Limousine tenders have higher specifications than regular yacht tenders and are often customized to match the mother ship, reflecting the high standard of quality and luxury found on superyachts.

Underwater Exploration and Submarine Technology

Advances in technology and materials are changing the way people travel on and below water, making deep sea exploration more accessible with miniature submarines. Companies like Deep Flight, established in 1996, offer sleek and innovative underwater vehicles that are treated as tools for providing underwater experiences.

China is developing a submersible called Rainbow Fish that can dive to 11,000m, as part of its deep sea research program, aiming to explore the ocean and carry scientists to its bottom, an area that remains largely unknown to humans, with more people having gone to space than to the ocean’s depths.

• A company is pioneering submarine tourism, offering experiences for people to explore the ocean environment, with options ranging from shallow dives to deeper explorations.
• Deep Flight Adventures offers submarine tours at resorts worldwide, providing an immersive experience for those who don’t want to scuba dive, with a chance to see unexplored parts of the ocean.