[brian eiland]

Originally Posted by AMG

Something aspiring to be a Designer Yacht is evolving from Foster & Partners in London. Their first attempt is presented on http://www.Yachtplus.co.uk/fleet.html

It is not yet a really realistic yacht, but if the concept of fractional ownership will succeed this time, I am sure they can buy the knowledge of yachting as well..

I'm not really a power yacht person, so maybe I shouldn't even be contributing here. But a few of these recent postings were brought to my attention, and I read thru this subject thread real quick.

Just my observation from an aesthetics point of view, what an ugly vessel that Foster & Partners design is. I much prefer "Limitless" from thread # 1, and I think "Lady Sheridan" at http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/14281-post4.html is rather nice as well.

[KCook]

We are on the same wavelength there Brian

Kelly

[Innomare]

There seem to be two different meanings for building "on spec".
Contrary to Lars, I believe it means "on specification". Which means that it is a one-off, built entirely on the clients' demands. These are usually written in a specification, which is the guideline for the design and the construction of the yacht. So actually almost the opposite of "on speculation".

I also believe that the way Feadship and Amels are going with their semi-custom designs (F45 e.g.) is not the right way. I don't see a real price reduction, so the only advantage to the client is the shorter waiting time, but that will be annihilated by the general increase in demand. Soon you'll be on a 3 year waiting list for a semi-custom as well.
Apart from that, I think Feadship and Amels are doing harm to their brands by offering "production boats". (let's face it, all production boats over 100 foot are actually semi-customs)
If I could afford a mega-yacht, I would cough up the extra percent or two-three it takes to have truly unique yacht. A client's input in a yacht is so much more than just the interior design (range, speed, sea-keeping, exterior styling, general arrangement, ...). And the concept design (if done well) is definitely the most enjoyable part in the construction process for an owner.
If I wouldn't want the three to four years waiting, I'd find a unique pre-owned yacht (maybe a designer yacht?) from the aft sections in the magazines and refit it to my preference.

Bruno

[AMG]

English is not my first language, but I think people in this biz is talking of yachts built ON speculation or built TO specification. As an abbreviation my dictionary says that SPEC alone means speculative/speculation.

On the semicustom yachts coming from Feadship and Amels I agree with you. There might be a significant price advantage, but nevertheless it is not the kind of Brand building we are used to from these shipyards...

[KCook]

At least here in the US the term "spec" in the context of a commercial project is most often taken as "speculation". Per the definition Lars gave. Though you will certainly see "spec" as "specification" in a plans context. Really can be confusing.

I don't have a position on the new quickie yachts by Amels and Feadship. Let the market decide. If they get a bunch of orders, then I would call this a success.

Kelly