The idea of commissioning a custom yacht for yourself can feel daunting when you are thinking about it for the first time. Much like building a custom home, it’s a major undertaking that raises some immediate questions:
Where do I start the process? Who do I call so I get the best advice and collaborators? How can I make sure things go smoothly and efficiently?
At Langan Design Partners, we’ve worked with many people on custom yachts, and our goal here is to demystify that process based on our experience. And what we’ve observed, as with most things, is that your ultimate success in a project like this comes down to people—finding the right ones, in the right order. So, let’s start there: Who do you call first?
Four Starting Points for a Custom Yacht
When an owner begins thinking about building a custom yacht, there are four typical entry points to get the project underway. Here they are, in no particular order:
Shipyards
Shipyards are where ideas become reality. Each yard has its specialties—construction methods, materials, and in-house expertise—that influence the design and build.
- You might be drawn to a yard based on the materials and methods it commonly uses (steel, aluminum, composite, cold-molded wood).
- Location can matter, especially for logistics, delivery, support, and your own access.
- Reviewing completed projects will give you a sense of the yard’s strengths, quality, and style.
Many successful projects start with a conversation with a yard, especially if the owner has had previous experience with them and has built a level of trust.
Project Managers
Project managers (PMs) are the professional orchestrators of yacht construction.
- PMs assemble and manage the team, coordinating between the designer, the yard, and the client.
- They help narrow down requirements, translate ideas into actionable plans, and ensure the project runs efficiently.
- PMs represent the client and their interest during the build.
- PMs handle the legwork—bids, schedules, regulatory and flag-state compliance, and environmental issues.
- Their industry experience and connections are often invaluable, providing oversight and continuity from concept to launch.
For many first-time owners, a good project manager can turn an overwhelming process into an enjoyable journey.
Designers
Designers are often the starting point for owners inspired by a particular look, a layout, or a specific design.
- A preliminary design is a relatively low-cost way to explore ideas and test your relationship with a designer before making a major commitment.
- Designers facilitate introductions to project managers and shipyards, helping you build the team early.
- Most projects begin with concept sketches and then evolve to pricing and schedule discussions as ideas solidify.
Even if some projects stop at the preliminary design phase, most progress to the next step: gathering rough estimates and refining the scope.
Yacht Brokers
Brokers are often an entry point to the conversation due to existing relationships, especially if the owner has purchased yachts through them before.
- While their primary business is brokerage, some yacht brokers are knowledgeable about new builds.
- Some specialize in connecting clients with the right designers and shipyards.
- Brokers typically guide clients toward trusted partners—though their recommendations may naturally reflect existing relationships.
For some clients, this is an easy, comfortable conversation that may begin with what you are looking for in a brokerage yacht and then shift to considering the possibilities of a new build.
Regardless of how you begin, successful yacht projects share several characteristics:
• A well-coordinated, experienced team.
• A shared commitment to representing your best interests as the owner.
• Awareness that personalities and ethical behavior on the team matter—they shape your entire experience.
Making the First Call
The bottom line in most cases is that clients start by calling someone they already know—a trusted name in the industry, a friend who’s been through the process, or a recommendation from a fellow owner. Who will you call? It might depend on what’s motivating you:
• A design idea you’re eager to explore? Start with a designer.
• A general concept, but you have questions about the schedule and cost? Talk to a project manager.
• A preferred shipyard based on reputation or past experience? That’s your entry point.
• You can’t find the boat you want? Talk with a broker who knows you well.
The key is understanding the incentives and roles each player brings to the table—and building a team that’s aligned around your goals.
What’s it Like to Work with Yacht Designers?
Speaking from our perspective as designers, the preliminary design phase is one of the most valuable steps in the entire process. It’s a creative process that is fun and energizing as we explore with you what’s possible. It also allows both the client and the designer to get to know each other and develop ideas without a major financial commitment.
In our office, we like to bring in a trusted project manager early in the process to help review the design, coordinate with yards, and gather rough orders of magnitude for pricing and scheduling. Now you’ve got two key team members in place: one focused on ensuring that your goals for the project are translated into a successful design, the other on the practicalities of getting the job done on budget and on time, with the right players. This collaboration ensures that the vision, budget, and build strategy are all aligned early—a critical ingredient as we move toward bringing your yacht into three-dimensional form.
What’s the Next Step?
For many first-time yacht owners, the hardest part of commissioning a custom build is simply picking up the phone. If you’re thinking about it, remember that the professionals you’ll talk to—designers, project managers, shipyards, brokers—do this all the time. They’ve guided many clients through the same journey and know how to make the process rewarding and transparent. If you start with trusted, experienced people, you’ll find the process far less intimidating—and much more exciting.
In the end, the first call may be the most intimidating—but it’s also the beginning of something extraordinary.