I
am passionate about sailing boats. I grew up with
them, I made models of them, I built them, I modified
them, I maintained them and raced them. I have a lot
of sailing miles behind me, and over the years I have
come to realise what features make a good yacht: how
to design a seakindly hull, how to make it efficient
under sail, stable and comfortable. How to best compromise
the conflicting requirements of performance, displacement,
range, accommodation and aesthetics.
It
is sad that today’s colleges of Naval Architecture
do not teach anything about famous designs and designers.
From childhood I have always studied yachts of the
past and the books by designers like Herreshoff and
Uffa Fox were my constant reading. This does not imply
copying old designs, but it does mean learning from
the knowledge of other people and acquiring a thorough
appreciation of aesthetics. Styles may change, but
a truly beautiful yacht has a timeless appeal which
transcends fashion.
I
was once described as “the most famous designer that
no-one has heard of”, but I am not bothered that my
design input has often gone unrecognised. Nowadays
I undertake only a few select design projects, which
allows me to have two luxuries that are extremely
rare in the yacht design business. I have the time,
inclination and commitment to listen and fully understand
what the client wants, and I can deal with every commission
myself personally. Every aspect gets my full attention
so there is a consistency which runs from the first
project meeting until the yacht is finally ready for
the client and his guests to sail away.
My
aim is to ensure that the first time the owner steps
aboard he will feel he is coming home.
