What are the categories of yachts? And what does it mean when a yacht is "production", "semi-custom" or "custom"? These terms describe the different construction processes and levels of personalisation within the superyacht building industry.
Each type has its pros and cons, including shorter or longer delivery times, flexibility (or lack thereof) in individual customisation and limits in size ranges. BOAT takes a closer look...
What is a production yacht?
A production yacht is a standardised model mass-produced by large yacht manufacturers. They are built using pre-designed plans and production processes, meaning the design is fixed. However, there is occasionally flexibility in interior finishes or the option to choose from a collection of pre-designed interiors. No structural or layout changes can be made to the yacht.
Pros of a production yacht
- Economies of scale mean this type of yacht is more affordable compared to custom or semi-custom options. The builder is producing multiple yachts at once which reduces overall costs.
- Shipyards often build these types of yachts "on spec" (which means without a commissioning buyer), so the yacht will be delivered to her owner much faster. The standardised design and building process also expedites the delivery time.
Cons of a production yacht
- Limited customisation options
- Limited size range, as yachts that are 30 metres or more typically begin to fall into the semi-custom category
Notable builders of production yachts
Beneteau, Jenneau and Fairline
What is a semi-custom yacht?
A semi-custom will offer a balance between the standardisation of production yachts and the full customisation of bespoke builds. These models will be built from a standard "platform" (base design), but clients will have greater flexibility, able to personalise interior layouts (such as the location of the accommodation), finishes, materials and certain technical features, like the engine type. The builder will essentially offer a range of options within the parameters of the model's design.
Pros of a semi-custom yacht
- More personalisation options
- Potentially easier to resell as they are popular and proven designs, versus full-custom builds which may be more niche
Cons of a semi-custom yacht
- Production time is longer because of the customisation process, but shorter than a full-custom build
- More expensive than production yachts, but less expensive than full-custom yachts as the yard is still working within a standardised design
Notable builders of semi-custom yachts
Sunseeker, Azimut and Princess
What is a full-custom yacht?
A full-custom yacht is completely bespoke. Every aspect of the design, from the hull to the interior finishes, is tailored to the owner's preference. In this category, the yacht can be designed with any leisure or luxury feature the owner desires (if technically possible). Some real-world examples include a golf training room (as on the world's largest superyacht Azzam), a snow room (as on the 96.6-metre Sophia) or even an Art Deco piano lounge, as on the 90-metre Phoenix 2. This process would involve working with a larger team – naval architects, designers and shipyards – to create the yacht from scratch.
Pros of a full-custom yacht
- Full control over the outcome, with almost unlimited customisation options
- The result will be a one-of-a-kind build tailored to the owner's needs and lifestyle
Cons of a full-custom yacht
- Longest production time, with the design and build process expected to take several years
- The most expensive option, though the client is paying for complete personalisation and specialised craftsmanship
- Potentially harder to sell because of cost and the niche market. Though many spectacular custom builds have no trouble finding new owners, as was the case with the 95.2-metre Whisper (previously Kismet), and the 115.1-metre Ahpo, which marked the most expensive brokerage sale of 2023.