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Setzer calls on his skills and passions as a naval architect, master yacht stylist and a lover of all things aquatic to translate his clients’ dreams into a buildable plan, and then guide the plan through construction to final launch. Even beyond the christening and initial sea trials, his relationships with the boat and its owners often continue for years. “We become like family,” he said. “It’s part of our responsibility to design vessels that are not only one-of-a-kind works of art, but safe and seaworthy as well – the old naval term is ‘duty of care,’ and we take that as seriously as we do the art of comfort and luxury.”
   
One example from Setzer’s portfolio of custom superyachts is a recent design commissioned by an owner who wanted a vessel to take him, his family and friends to the world’s best surfing locations.  Setzer, an avid surfer himself, designed the 150' yacht to nimbly negotiate challenging coastal reefs and underwater hazards, and included enough on-board jet skis and motor launches to reach the breaks. A special room was also designed to accommodate the surfers’ boards, wet suits and other gear to make the experience as complete and thought-through as possible.
   
So what makes a good boat, and how does one determine what kind of yacht is best for them?  As in all design, according to Setzer, it’s in the bones.  Below any beautiful skin there must be a well-designed seagoing hull form. There must be advanced engineering, electronics, systems and safety features. Add to that a proper balance of exterior and interior details that are both practical and distinctive, in keeping with the owner’s vision and personal style. 
   
“A great boat to one person may not be so to another, so the purpose and intended use is key,” said Setzer. “The environment of one of our vessels in Fiji is totally different than that of one based in south Florida, just as a boat based in the Mediterranean is specifically designed for that location. It all starts with listening to the client and knowing what kind of experience they most desire.”
   
Today, approximately 6,000 yachts are under active commission around the world, a number that has doubled in the last 10 years, according to a magazine report. Roughly 100 new yachts will be launched this year, ranging in price from around $5 million for an 80' vessel to an average of $20 million for a 150' superyacht. The average cost of the vessels on www.forbes.com’s recent list of the 10 most expensive yachts in the world was $64.37 million (noticeably absent from the list were two of the world’s largest yachts, 400+ foot behemoths owned by competing software moguls Larry Ellison and Paul Allen).
   
Owners spend at least an additional 10 percent of the purchase price in annual maintenance and operating costs, plus captain, crew, fuel and supplies.
   
To Ward Setzer, it is not a question of how big or how expensive a boat is, but how well the design will enable and enhance the quality of the experience the owner has envisioned.  
   
“Our philosophy isn’t concerned with how many or how big,” Setzer said, “but rather with putting original masterpieces out there – unique to their owner’s requirements – while being objects that do not visually pollute harbors around the world but rather enhance them.”
   
Setzer admits, however, that worldwide demand is growing for bigger and bigger yachts.  This spring he unveiled the design for a new 210' megayacht, his biggest ever. The exclusivity of the yachting industry, with affluent clients seeking the ultimate in quality, luxury and uniqueness, affords the yacht designer the opportunity to provide a level of engineering, innovation and artistry limited only by one’s skill and imagination. “As designers,” he said, “we are in the right place at the right time to practice a craft we love.”
   
Owning a yacht of any size is a commitment only to be undertaken with the most trusted professional guidance. That guidance can come from a designer such as Ward Setzer, a shipyard, a boat captain, a yacht broker or another owner. 
   
Be advised that signing with a yacht broker in the process of buying a boat is similar to signing with a real estate agent. If you sign with a broker, the broker is entitled to a commission on the sale whether he had anything to do with the sale or not.  Thus, there are brokers who will hard-sell any potential buyer to “list” that individual, should he move forward in the process. Caution and good judgment are critical when considering representation in the boat-buying process. “Do your homework,” Setzer advises.
   
Likewise, Setzer insists, do competitive research if you are considering a yacht charter.  Safety, comfort and service while on the water are essential for you and your friends, family or business associates to enjoy the yachting lifestyle to its fullest.  

For more information on Setzer Design Group, visit www.setzerdesign.com

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