British studio Winch Design has collaborated with brokerage firm Burgess on a yacht concept known as Project Optima. Billed as "the perfect superyacht", the 72-metre is the culmination of feedback from yacht owners, crew, and shipyards from across northern Europe, Italy and Turkey. The result is a semi-custom platform with charter and resale appeal and several desirable leisure features, including a private owner's deck, a 100-square-metre beach club and spa and storage for a 9.6-metre limo tender.
BOAT takes a closer look...
What is the perfect size for a superyacht?
72 metres, 1700GT, five decks
"At a smaller size there are a large number of series or semi-custom build options available, which are dominating the market in that sector. At larger sizes, we find that our clients are often wanting to get more engaged in the development of the whole concept for the project so for this approach this really sat in a nice, sweet spot.
For example, if a client wants a traditional or plumb bow, or the elevator to also serve the lower deck cabins and beach club, this has already been considered and can be included, together with any other client-specific requests and customisation requirements." (Crispin Baynes, partner and sales broker at Burgess).
"72 metres is the perfect size to accommodate the features and square metres requested by the majority of clients. It’s also a manageable tonnage when it comes to regulatory complexity, whereby shipyards can offer a very competitive build time and a great level of customisation at an attractive price – all factors which are important in today’s market." (Jim Dixon, managing partner and creative director at Winch Design).
How has Winch Design's "signature yachts" influenced Project Optima's look?
"Both the exterior and interior design of Winch yachts have always been characterised by a 'signature', making them unique and instantly recognisable. Project Optima is no different. The design is pure, balanced, beautifully proportioned, and carries a 'blade' signature along her long aft superstructure lines, which enables an individualised exterior with different material and colour options. We hope this will appeal to not one, but a succession of multiple owners." (James Russell, head of exteriors at Winch Design).
How many shipyards did you go to with this concept? How did their feedback inform the design?
"We discussed the design with a number of shipyards ranging from northern European, Italian and Turkish yards. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Firstly, the design and technical platform proposed are feasible and in-line with their own design philosophies and secondly, the project aligns well with the requests and discussions that they are having with their own clients at the moment.
A couple of shipyards felt that a slightly larger version of the same design may suit their client base and Winch Design have been working on that. Watch this space." (Ed Beckett, senior partner and naval architect at Burgess)
What was the level of crew input given? How did their feedback inform the design?
"[Project Optima] was developed hand in glove with the Burgess Management team which is filled with ex-yacht crew, from captains and deck officers to engineers and interior crew. We drove the mantra hard that a yacht with a good operational setup will deliver a better experience for the guests on board.
Things which can easily be overlooked in favour of few additional square metres of guest interior have been driven into this project – appropriate crew numbers, flow of crew and provisions around the yacht, storage - and not just one large deck store but good functional storage distributed around the yacht. This is an absolutely fundamental part of creating a successful yacht." (Lucy Medd, partner head of crew services at Burgess).
Who else did you speak to?
"We sent the design to a number of our trusted clients who have experience chartering, owning and building their own yachts, or multiple yachts, with careful commercial considerations in their own designs.
Tips we garnered, that you only know from active yachting, ranged from window heights for seated views, to smart floor lighting at night, design-led accessibility options, guest pantries, hidden kids’ activity tables, a ship’s office that can convert to an office or "beauty room", flower fridges, beer taps, sauna and cold plunges, and bigger galleys for chef’s table or ‘kitchen party’ options. Which we baked back into the current go-to-market design package for Project Optima." (Crispin Baynes, partner and sales broker at Burgess).
How have you maximised Project Optima’s charter appeal?
"The layout of Project Optima places attention on the principal guest by offering a forward-facing master suite with 180 degree, floor-to-ceiling panoramic views. The "best in class" 100-square-metre waterside beach club and spa is also at the heart of any great charter experience, as is the 5.2-metre deck pool above. In fact, the entire aft area of the yacht is dedicated to relaxation, socialising and casual wellbeing. Another important feature is the central elevator which connects to main deck to the sundeck, allowing guests of all ages to connect easily from their cabins." (Jim Dixon, managing partner and creative director at Winch Design).
"Project Optima is also in a 'sweet spot', able to achieve a high volume of charters whilst also securing a very attractive charter rate versus annual running cost." (Ben Harwood, senior partner and head of charter at Burgess).
How have you maximised Project Optima’s resale value?
"The project has a fantastic design edge without being radical or too polarising in opinion and the features and functionality are top drawer for a project of this size. We have taken care to ensure that Project Optima has global appeal and that the design and layout isn’t skewed particularly towards one market.
Project Optima is not just a design that looks good – it comes with a huge amount of unique industry IP so it will work well too. This yacht is one that will be thoroughly enjoyed by the guests and the crew alike." (Ed Beckett, senior partner and naval architect at Burgess)