Disappointment in Yacht Designs...

As a tugboat designer, I would expect form over function to be your last protocol yet you are disappointed in today's yacht designs that are embracing fluid dynamics to increase efficiency, stability and increased interior volume?

It begs the question... why do you make tugboats so ugly?

I have become very good friends with a housing contractor here in St Augustine, who at one time was chief engineer on a large private owner Feadship. We look thru some of the publications I still receive in the mail,....and marvel at the number of ugly designs compared to yesteryear,...just lacking in 'class'.

This fellow really knows how to draw a good line,..
https://www.yachtforums.com/threads/mike-kajan-yacht-designs-iv.31369/

I believe that the fault (as it is perceived) lies as much with the buyers as the designers.

What happened to the concept of a yacht designating identity preference as a "she?" The boat in Pascal's photo looks "mean." My taste in yachts is varied and one of my categories that admire is tough or rugged or go-anywhere. But these macho boats don't look mean or angry, they look purposeful. Boats are supposed to be happy. I love it when a yacht makes me smile just from looking at it.

Sheer Beauty

...from a reply letter I sent to Soundings a few years ago

Just finished reading your article about Ray Hunt in the June issue of Soundings, I wanted to write and let you know how much I truly enjoyed the article.

You captured not only the factual history, but more importantly, some of the essence of being involved with yachts and yacht design itself….. “the measure of total understanding of the nature of a boat.”

And most importantly, you included the oft forgotten element, the sheer line. What a terribly important factor! Romantically stated, but oh so true, “it is simply her sheer … sheer beauty that is. She enters the harbor like a beautiful woman entering a room. Her sheer is the line we try to get right when we doodle boats.” So many of today’s boats lack this beauty, and correspondingly, some of the essence of yesteryear’s yachting.

this could also be applied to the bow lines.....ah those beautiful clipper bows

In recent decades, it has become fashionable to do something new, and it doesn't have to be beauty. Each buyer has his own view on the question of beauty. However, I like the designs on your link.

To me, the three biggest issues are:
- Concave vs convex bow. I totally understand how a convex line allows more room inside but it just looks ugly
- Way too much superstructure (three decks on 50 ft boat, hard top, etc. is just outrageous)
- Too many staterooms for a given size creating a super cramped space with no room to move

On the other hand, there are some advantages of the new designs:
- Much bigger heads with separate showers (improves the experience significantly)
- Much improved stern/swim platform access

Keep in mind that over time, we will get accustomed to the new looks.

Yes some of the newer designs just look ...wrong., However, I just saw a pic of that Mulder 2200 ( Oscar ) and fell in love so maybe its just Old Dogs new tricks syndrome. I'd still choose an old Mathis/Trumpy no matter what was docked next to it.