Christensen Yachts

One of America’s biggest custom superyacht builders, Christensen Shipyards in Vancouver, Wash., is known for its artisans’ craftsmanship and painstaking attention to detail.

History of Christensen Yachts

Founder Dave Christensen’s first career was construction, which he pursued from the mid-1950s to the early 1980s, building both commercial and residential projects throughout the Pacific Northwest. After retiring from the construction business in 1982, he decided to build a yacht, but could not find a manufacturer that lived up to his exacting specifications. So he partnered with Westport Shipyard, which built him a hull, then personally completed the yacht’s fit and finish. The resulting luxury yacht was so successful, he incorporated Christensen Shipyards in 1986.

Dave Christensen continued at the helm for another quarter of a century, building ever-larger yachts, until he retired from his “second career” in 2008. The luxury superyacht shipyard he founded continues to build in his exacting tradition today under the management of CEO Joe Foggia.

Notable Launches

While Christensen has developed “series” hull moulds for composite yachts of different sizes up to 50 metres in length, each yacht it builds is fully custom and most feature the work of a noted interior designer. Recent notable luxury superyacht launches include American owner John Staluppi’s former 59.68-metre Casino Royale, which launched in 2008. The superyacht’s interior design was a collaboration between the Staluppi and Carol Williamson & Associates. Carol Williamson also created the interior design for the successful, black-hulled luxury charter yacht Odessa, a 48.77-metre Christensen custom yacht that launched in 2009.

In 2012, a new alliance between Ocean Alexander Yachts, Christensen, and interior designer Evan K. Marshall resulted in the launch of the 36.9-metre Ocean Alexander 120 Megayacht. This is the first in a planned series of tri-deck luxury superyachts ranging up to 47.2 metres.

Specialisations

Christensen Shipyards is known for its composite-yacht building technology. Of particular note as well is the elaborate stonework its artisans install in its superyachts. The shipyard is capable of building new custom yacht projects up to 56 metres, and also is collaborating on the Ocean Alexander semi-custom luxury superyacht range.