Information Overload; Best in Class 140' to 160' Yacht?

Mike. It is always a problem getting too much info at the beginning. Don't believe all you are told....There is a lot of choice and as they say "you get what you pay for". You only refer to builders......... This may not be the best starting point. Look at what designers are considered the best and perhaps try this approach. Get the designer to develop a design to suit your requirements then go out with a proper design, specification and invite tenders from 5-6 builders. This way you compare "apples with apples" and will probably get what you want rather than what the builder/broker wants to sell you. Look at which designers are getting most recognition. A good design will always attract a premium when you want to sell.... which you will one day, erhaps to move up to a larger yacht. I have some considerable experience in this field. It should be an enjoyable experience first and foremost. Good luck.

Getting some rain in Dallas?

First, charter before you buy to learn what you like and do not like.

Second, new build or pre-owned?

Third, trans-oceanic for worldwide cruising (displacement) or do you prefer speed (coastal/Med) and are willing to use yacht transport to move your yacht to the various cruising areas?

Fourth, if new build, do you want to have a yard in USA or in Europe for the 3 year process?

Finally, make sure it is fun every step of the way. The secret is working with like-minded professionals who want to give YOU what YOU want and NOT what THEY want. However, let your team know that you want them to tell you when you are making a bad decision. There is taste and there is right and wrong in building anything. Your taste is always right, your ship design ideas may not be.

Good Luck!

Well if it's important that the yacht come from North America then I suspect the list will not be very long. Message boards are a bit of a ramble by nature. Not nearly so focused as the counsel you would benefit from by Hardy or a designer. But for fun here is some more of our ramble -

what makes a yacht a white elephant/rogue

World's best Designers?

Just pulled in

Composite Vs. Aluminum Vs. Steel

Kelly Cook

what yacht

like some ideas?
This are models inspired by such babies so i get them as a showcase.
Don' know any quality, only looking for shape and nice lines/strangeness
all around 40m-50m
TS
TSOE.com

Word Of Advice

You'd better be careful how much you pressure your wife to attend. FLIBS is a big show and it takes ALOT of energy to do it right. You might want to research some alternate activities for your wife because if she isn't terribly enthusiastic it will be overwhelming for her. There are nice beaches and malls. Also, Wellington is the horse captial of the southeast and is only 40 minutes north.
Stop by the Curt C for a cold drink (you'll also need that) if you do make it. We will be at the Camper & Nicholson's display at the Las Olas Marina (north end of the show).
Good Luck,
Ken

Dear BandB

These are very good comments; still i want to contribute with some of my own experience. I am recently building a custom boat and have owned a number of production boats so far.

I would like to tell a small story. We have a mythological character in Turkey. He is the funny wise guy. One day he fells down from a tree and folks run to help him. Everybody has a different opinion and the wise guy after a while shouts out and says "bring me somebody who has fallen from a tree"

No doubt, whether one is experienced or not, still wants to ensure that he has a good decision. In this context my opinion is to find the right project manager/consultant. So, if I were you I would look for somebody whom you can trust in terms of giving good advice all through out the process. Whether you buy new, second hand, production built or custom built does not change this fact.

Your dealing with the consultant could be on a fixed payment base for several steps of the project. So you will be free to take whatever decision you like as ideas develop. Of course the trick is to choose the consultant who will not take you for a ride, but I am sure that you will feel this once you start meeting different personalities who would be offering their service to you. In my opinion sheer knowledge is not good enough, he/she should be somebody who wants to listen and develop your ideas. Then you can move forward with designers, yards, charters and project managers/crew. Hope you enjoy the process as much as I do.

Nilo

For someone who is brand new to mega yachts, a new build is staggering. There are many qualified consultants and project managers who work with the best yards in the world, but for someone new to this they do not know the right questions to ask. Many times these projects are successful as the buyer likes the challange of the build, but not always.
There are many yachts available for sale right now that could fit your needs, and can be available to be purchased and used this winter instead of two or more years from now. You can start your true learning process with a yacht only a few years old, that already has a crew, and will let you enjoy yachting now. Then as you travel you can meet other yacht owners and see their yachts, and learn more of what is right for you, to have a custom build done in the future.
Tucker Fallon