Following his participation in the American Superyacht Forum in Las Vegas in May 2013, naval architect Nick Boksa, president of Boksa Marine Design, was inspired to design new concepts to match the expectations as well as interests of the increasing segments of potential custom yacht buyers.
Those developing market segments include:
Baby Boomer Boaters – these are experienced owners in their 50’s and 60’s (executives, business owners, entrepreneurs, etc.) who have continually moved from bigger production boat to bigger production boat and are now ready to achieve their dream of owning a customized yacht to fit their needs.
They are owners who have reached a point where they are more interested in creature comforts, long-term cruising and enjoying the family oriented nature of yachting.
Silicon Valley and Wall Street Boaters – generally, these are younger buyers who are relatively new to the yachting lifestyle. They’ve made significant money in high tech, software and finance, and, with dollars to spend, are looking for statement purchases and investment options through chartering.
These owners need vessels that allow them to easily travel to and from U.S. hotspots as well as the many popular destinations of the Caribbean Islands.
The Right Yacht, For The Right Owner
While many in the industry are beguiled by the 200′ SuperYachts that gain so much media attention, most high net worth individuals will focus their attention on custom yachts in the 85′ to 125′ range.
Most owners are still looking for a ‘manageable’ and ‘owner-friendly’ yacht. They want a boat that meets their specific needs while offering a wide range of luxurious amenities. They want a vessel they can operate if desired and one that can transport them around the globe if needed.
At 85′ to 125′ experienced owners can still operate the boat or can more readily maintain a small crew. Importantly, they are also powerful enough to cruise to any location and, because of their size, can dock at almost any marina around the world.
Additionally, these yachts appeal to those wishing to charter the vessel as the size is marketable within the brokerage and charter community.
Why These Designs?
The intent of these designs by Boksa Marine Design is to present new styling and general arrangment options to potential owners, helping them understand that designs are scalable and that interiors, exteriors and arrangements can be matched to suit the needs and wants of the buyer.
Owners can build custom yachts that will look, feel and operate exactly as they want them to.
“It’s important for potential owners to understand that they can get the yacht they want. They don’t have to be locked in to what’s already available on the market. It all starts with an initial conversation about what the owner is looking for in their boat. That communication and interaction between designer and owner is essential and it’s what drives the process,” says Nick Boksa, president of Boksa Marine Design.
Boksa Marine Design, a naval architecture, design and engineering firm in Tampa, Florida set out to design boats based on what the market was signalling – designing yachts that are perfectly engineered, visually appealing and owner oriented.
Potential in the American Market
The American market is still more substantial than Europe and China in terms of potential buyers. The question has become how to appeal to to these potential buyers, either welcoming them into the yachting lifestyle or extending their experience.
“The market share among the super wealthy who are also yacht owners is still relatively low. Tremendous potential exists for both designers and builders to generate excitement in the experience of yachting and exploration,” says Boksa.
These new styles capture the essence of yachting, combining expeditionary elements with both traditional and contemporary styling. Styling details can be customized to suit individual owner’s tastes. The designs are also scalable up to 250′ and can be matched with various general arrangements, interiors and the addition of additional amenities and toys.
Design Solutions for Owners
“Our clients place a high value on getting the boat they want.” – Nick Boksa
At Boksa Marine Design, the designs they create are solutions to the wants, needs and challenges of their clients. The goal is to deliver yachts that are extraordinary and that the customers are excited to own.
For more information regarding custom yacht design and engineering solutions for your next vessel, please contact Boksa Marine Design at 813.654.9800 or nick@bmdinc.com.