It has been an amazingly productive season for the prestigious design studio, Setzer Yacht Architects, this spring. Taking inspiration from a busy Caribbean yacht charter season observed from its newly opened studio in Antigua, the 22-year old company has been developing designs at a breakneck pace since winter. In addition to multiple design commissions as well as a refit project, Setzer Yacht Architects now boasts a collection of two dozen new yacht concept designs varying in size from 32 to 70 meters. Highlights from the collection will be released during the upcoming months.
Preview of 70m Mega Yacht Concept from 2014 Collection
“We now have more new designs under development than at any other time in our history,” says President and CEO Ward Setzer. “The Caribbean charter season has been a highly creative design sabbatical for us.” One key to the success of the effort was the steady ebb and flow of superyachts anchoring just off the studio’s front doorstep: “Anytime we found ourselves getting stuck, we could recharge with a quick lap around the docks, or a sail around the harbor,” says Setzer.
The next step for the Setzer team will be to narrow the new concept portfolio to a final collection of 12 to 14 designs. “We’ll be focusing on four market niches in particular,” says Joshua Setzer, Marketing Director. “Based on research we’ve conducted and feedback we’ve gathered in interviews with numerous owners, captains, and crew members throughout the Caribbean, we’ve identified these four groups as holding strong trend potential for 2014 and beyond.”
New Caribbean studio of Setzer Naval Architects based in the popular yacht charter destination - Antigua
Details on the four groups have not been released at this time, but Setzer says the collection will begin with a focus on “New American Motoryachts,” a category in which the team hopes to radically re-interpret vintage American design forms from the early tri-deck, raised-pilothouse, and classic commuter eras. “The goal for this group will be to nod heavily toward the leading-edge of global superyacht aesthetics, but to also remain firmly grounded in an American yachting and maritime history. Its a vision for a new era of American custom yacht design.”
Preview imagery from the series will be made available beginning in early summer, with the full portfolio of designs available for presentation by request to qualified owners, builders, brokers, and media. “Out of respect for the privacy requirements of future owners and builders, and in recognition of the considerable R&D investment we’ve made in this collection, we want to keep the portfolio under careful wraps,” explained Setzer. “Only a small portion of the full collection will be publicly available.”
Ward Setzer office in Falmouth Harbor, Antigua
Below is a gallery for the beautiful charter yachts with design by Setzer Yacht Architects.
Setzer Design Group Charter Yacht Images
