Burgess 50: The evolution of superyacht design

The evolution of yacht design has always been defined by pushing boundaries – whether in terms of luxury, technology, or the ways in which yachts can transform the experience of life on the water. Over the past few decades, the focus has shifted toward creating extraordinary spaces and integrating innovative technologies that enable owners and guests to explore more, play harder, and live their wildest adventures.

To get an inside look at how these innovations are coming to life, we spoke with two members of the Burgess Technical Services (BTS) team – Rory Boyle, Partner and naval architect, and Neville Harrison, Partner and marine engineer – who are at the forefront of this exciting evolution.

From excess to refined elegance

Over the past few decades, superyacht design and engineering have evolved dramatically as the industry's priorities have shifted. Rory reflects on this transformation, noting, ‘What’s quite interesting is that we’ve gone past the excess, and we’re now slightly on the retrospective slope.’ Gone are the days of ostentatious excess from the late 90s and early 00s, where bigger was always seen as better. These days, it’s more about refinement. ‘It’s jewel boxes, not wedding cakes,’ says Rory, highlighting the move towards elegant and considered vessels, with owners opting for yachts that don’t just stand out but are beautifully crafted yet aim to be more practical.

When looking to the future, your first thought might be that superyachts will continue getting larger and larger, but as Neville explains, that’s not the case anymore. ‘There was always a saying that the sweet spot used to be between 80 and 90 meters, which was a good-sized, comfortable boat.’ But the larger the vessel, the more difficult it is to support their needs. Port space has become limited, and many of these giant yachts have found themselves struggling to moor safely in some of the most popular destinations.

Now, owners are reconsidering size, opting for vessels that are slightly smaller in volume but just as luxurious. ‘They are certainly more refined and more attractive in that respect,’ Neville adds, indicating that, while the lengths may still stretch, the focus has shifted towards efficiency, elegance, and better proportions.

As well as a shift in size preferences, Rory predicts a change in ownership strategy. ‘Rather than building one big boat, I think owners will move towards having smaller yachts located in different regions.' This idea of ‘the fleet’ will allow owners to enjoy a more personalised experience and increased flexibility. ‘So I think it will be smaller but multiple rather than singular and unwieldy,’ Rory concludes.

Client demands and the changing role of designers

But one of the most significant changes isn’t the yachts themselves: it’s the way they’re designed. Rory reminisces on when hand-drawn sketches were the norm: ‘25 years ago, this was a hand game and there was very little in the way of 3D computer design.’ Designers would sit down with clients, sketching out ideas on the spot and quickly adapting based on feedback. But with the rise of digital tools, the industry has transformed. 3D modelling has taken the lead, allowing designers to craft intricate details and structures before they’re ever built. Yet this shift has come with its own set of challenges.

Sanctuary over opulence

As the world of superyachts has evolved, so too have the demands and expectations of clients. Rory points out a significant shift in how people view their cabins: ‘20 years ago, guest accommodation was a cabin; it wasn’t a place that you were going to spend time.’ It was a functional space, with the design philosophy coming from a secure berth for somewhere to sleep at sea. This harked back to sailing yachts where this remains a concern, but today’s clients are looking for more. ‘Now you’ve got to have a full beam cabin, Empire bed, twin bathrooms, and more space than ever before,’ Rory explains. Today’s superyacht owners prefer luxury at every level, even if these features aren’t used to their full potential.

‘Clients are looking for privacy and to go somewhere with their family,’ Rory says. The need for opulence is still present, but it’s now tempered with a desire for peace, quiet, and meaningful experiences. Improvements in the ability to communicate, allowing remote working, has empowered yacht owners to live on board for extended periods.

Adding to this increased time on board, Neville describes a growing desire to explore. ‘There’s a distinct trend of going further afield,’ he observes. While the Mediterranean and Caribbean have long been go-to charter spots, clients are now venturing to more remote destinations. ‘All of our boats have worldwide capabilities, with some being specifically designed to function in the polar regions, but so many people just sit in the Med and the Caribbean. But this shift is great because it means people are actually using the boat to its full potential,’ Neville says. Clients are no longer simply chasing luxury – they’re chasing adventure.

There is, however, a big misconception that you need a really rugged-looking yacht to go off the beaten track. As Rory explains, ‘there are plenty of yachts that have been around the ice or up into Alaska or through the Northwest Passage.’ One example is VAVA II, a yacht sold and overseen by BTS that has circumnavigated the globe several times without specialised ice-breaking features, showing that with the right design, almost any yacht can adapt to become an explorer vessel capable of crossing diverse landscapes.

Defining moments in superyacht history

When asked about the yachts that have truly defined their eras, Rory recalls CARINTHIA V with her elegant and narrow hull: 'Delivered in 1971, she was an absolutely iconic yacht.' The 1980s saw the birth of AZTECA and PARAISO, radical with their faceted superstructures and avant-garde approach. The philosophy is aimed at being in the same space in a different place, something carried on by the STARGATE and CONSTELLATION pairing.

Moving into the 1990s and 2000s, the monumental PELORUS made waves at 115 metres, earning its place as the icon of its time: ‘If you show her to anyone, they’ll know who she is.’ In 2008, motor yacht A broke all expectations with its unconventional inverted bow. And then came Steve Jobs’ futuristic VENUS in 2012 and another RWD Design icon FAITH in 2017. ‘She's timeless, elegant, and universally admired,’ says Rory.

Sustainability: a new horizon

Advances in sustainable materials are making waves in the superyacht industry, ushering in a new era of design and eco-consciousness. One game-changer is the development of glass. As Rory describes, ‘It’s had a real impact. You walk into a yacht now and it’s just a huge expanse of light.’ It’s no longer just about being on the water – it’s about feeling it, seeing it, and embracing it fully.

Fuel is another big topic of conversation. While alternative fuels have great promise, they still face practical challenges. As Neville explains, ‘There are no systems fully developed for them, so we have to manage people’s expectations.’ The logistics around alternative fuels are still developing, but there’s hope on the horizon. Rory points out that HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) could be the breakthrough the industry needs. ‘It sits as an equivalent to diesel so it’s likely going to become standard for some shipyards like Lurssen who are heavily researching the use of HVO as a feasible alternative.’ With infrastructure already in place, it’s ready to go, making it a powerful contender in the race for greener fuel options.

The changing world of tenders and toys

The world of tenders and toys is shifting gears. Jet skis – noisy and guzzling fuel – are losing ground to sleek, battery-powered alternatives. But while eco-friendly toys are gaining traction, they come with a catch: high costs and certification hurdles. Meanwhile, simple pleasures like kayaks, paddleboards, and inflatables remain effortlessly fun. Diving, once a staple on every yacht, is also fading. ‘Every boat used to have a dive set-up,’ Rory notes. Now, many yachts see the benefit of sourcing local experts to provide local knowledge and the most modern equipment. This certainly benefits the yacht insurance, too.

Pushing the limits of design: projects that defy expectations

When asked about the projects they’ve worked on that pushed boundaries, Rory’s immediate response was again VAVA II. 'The main deck saloon is incredible as all the windows draw forward and stow away. It’s a brilliant transformation of indoor and outdoor living. And it involved an entirely new view on the weathertight boundaries on board.' On a separate vessel, 'we were the first to put a snow room on a yacht as part of a spa developed in conjunction with one of the world’s top spa manufacturers.’

For Neville, it was BRAVO EUGENIA. The propulsion plan was a huge leap forward – she could generate electricity off the shaft and use an additional motor for propulsion. Plus, she had a stored battery power system as well.'

Next, he mentions DILBAR, the largest yacht by volume. 'We designed the engines so they worked independently. If you lost the forward engine room, you could still run the yacht from the aft engine room. The same applied to the pod system – two 12-megawatt drives that could run independently from the front or the back.'

And finally, AZZAM. 'She had the world’s largest water jet – 2.3 meters in diameter. Two 27-megawatt gas turbines and a 54-meter shaft line. Just dealing with the sheer size of the equipment was mind-blowing. As a piece of engineering, she’s right at the top.' As well as these yachts, our team have worked on some incredible new builds. To see all the yachts delivered by the Burgess Technical Services team, you can take a look here.

What’s next for superyacht design?

As Rory and Neville look to the future, they predict a world of exciting innovations. Rory kicks things off by pointing out that we’ll likely see the end of domes: ‘With innovations like Starlink, the lack of domes is the next thing.’ Sacrificing on board satellites means guests won’t have to sacrifice effortless communication.