WERNER Yacht Design, the Netherlands

When I started Werner Yacht Design in the beginning of 1997, I was convinced that yacht designing had to be approached differently from what I had seen around me. The demands on the interiors seem to dictate the looks of the exteriors. Whereas, in extreme cases, styling would be the outcome rather than the starting point for the design, which is a pity. In my opinion one has to establish the styling first, and then design the exterior and interior layouts simultaneously, without preference for the one or the other.

So basically my approach is simple: find a style that fits the client and apply this style consistently and in harmony in the yacht’s design. And meanwhile respect the limitations of an optimum lines plan as well as the size of the human body with regard of dimensions for i.e. showers, settees, berths etc. When it is not possible to fit in all the client’s wishes, I always advise to scale up the overall dimensions of the yacht a little. Two or three percent extra in length can make just that difference inside, and you will still be able to retain good looking hull and superstructure lines. And that is what it is all about after all; whatever the styling of the design, the result should always be stunning. The yacht, once she is on the water, shall attract the eye of everybody passing by.

Designing in practice can be carried out in many ways. I have two main rules that I follow: Firstly, consider as many aspects of boat building as possible in the preliminary design, detect all problems that might occur in the design, and solve those problems directly. Secondly, as a basic practice I always divide the process of designing into four stages, as detailed overleaf. Every single stage is always completely finished before the next one is started. This means that the parameters for every stage are set. Consequently one only has to look forward.