I've heard of an owner who whilst in port, made his crew wear a uniform and cap, standing in formation on deck legs slightly apart and with hands clasped behind their back during a F1 race....just in case the TV helicopters caught his yacht on film. Heaven forbid the cameras picked up on some soot on the hull or finger prints on the windows
Whilst its a valid point re cleaning etc, there are ways that you can incorporate elements into the styling that will help the crew with this task. Sail track is a common fixture on larger yachts...the crew sit on boards dangling from the tracks as an example....incorporating various ledges and recessed steps (using non-slip surfaces) to facilitate access to otherwise inaccessible areas (the very top coachroof or a large permanent hardtop for example, is incredibly hard to access for cleaning, but gets just as dirty). Sat / Com / Radar gear needs access too, however precarious it may be. If the original designer / stylist doesn't attempt to work these features in from concept, the crew will attempt to fit them after commissioning...no offence to skippers and crew, but I'm sure most designers would shudder when they see sail track / guide wires / pitons plastered all over their once virgin white, beautifully clean lined superstructure.
Large windows....I was being serious there, we are talking about the glazing having to be tested and proved to be able to withstand rather incredible heads of water pressure. I find it rather sweet that RINA for example currently expect a rear facing patio door (certain charter rules) to withstand over 6m head of water, when there is usually a large flybridge above the doors anyway...quite how they foresee 6m head being actually physically possible in that situation, I dont rightly know. But they do, its the rules, and you can perhaps understand how these tested forces increase for a hull side window that sits between a wall of water and 1000 tonnes of yacht. From a styling point of view, if a large exterior window suits the exterior look, does it have to be as large on the inside ? One sure way to get the look but reduce the strength required is to have the internal clear opening far smaller than the exterior size...the authorites are mainly interested in unsupported glass area, or the clear opening size...internal frames and stiffeners could be used to break the large panel up without spoiling the exterior aesthetics. Curved window panels can be proven through testing to withstand higher pressures than flat panels of identical thickness.
I know from bitter experience how *******ised a designers pure vision can become when, even after the structural and engineering challenges are solved, the mandatory rules and regulations of class hit you like a hammer.
I also know from experience that these rules, like the sea itself, are a force to work with, not against
