Many superyacht owners now favour independence, self-reliance and freedom over the desire to be waited on by their crew, according to a new report from Boat International . That, in turn, has brought a greater desire for access to remote destinations and uncharted territories, to be at one with nature while still experiencing premium home comforts.

According to the article, this modern approach to ownership is changing how people use their vessels. Designer Luiz De Basto states people now require “a little more independence, more privacy” and he puts this down to a new generational approach. “They are not showing off to friends,” he adds. “They want experiences and are more self-sufficient.”

Traditional superyacht culture is all about smart uniformed crew, ever-present onboard, carrying out their duties with the owners having limited involvement in planning itineraries and activities. However, modern technology and modern yacht design is increasingly catering for a more hands-on approach, giving the opportunity to be far more autonomous.

The report quotes an example of yacht owner Jeannine Schröder, who has recently set sail on a world voyage with her family. They plan to shop and cook independently, rather than having everything served up by a crew and she says: “Our preference is very clear. We like to take care of things ourselves on board.”

Vessels are now being created with these preferences in mind, and the Arksen 85 is a good example. Engineered with the capability to be handled by limited crew, it was described by Boat International as having ‘the anatomy of a Tesla, the elegance of a Rolls-Royce, the spine of a K2 Mountaineer and the silence of a free diver…’

Designed with modular customisable layouts, it can be tailored to meet the owner’s precise requirements – one, for example, chose family adventures in warm climates, so designed a spacious saloon with informal dining outside; another was more focused on entertaining, so turned the saloon into a flexible banquet hall with wrap-around glass.

To cater for full autonomy, the Arksen 85 is also designed with home cooking in mind, with a fully specifiable galley kitchen. It contains a flexible space for all the modern conveniences, allowing owners to select their preferred appliances, from the style of a coffee machine to the specific pieces of equipment required to cook their favourite meals. 

THE MORDERN EXPLORER

The article puts the change in approach down, in part, to buyers getting younger, with Basto stating that “the new generation is a little bit different.” That understanding has always been key to Arksen’s approach, with founder Jasper Smith being a modern explorer himself, having travelled the world since birth.

“Arksen exists to inspire a new generation,” explains Smith. “In a world of extremes, where technology continues to advance and expand our opportunities, we live where the engineered meets the elemental. We exist to help people go out and be inspired by the beauty of our world.”

The shift to more independent ownership has also seen a change in the perception of luxury, with flashy gold-plated fixtures and cold marble surfaces replaced by natural fibres, woods and a variation of textures. In the Arksen 85 ’s case, that extends to a zonal approach, where different moods are even catered for in different areas of the vessel.

That all flows into the modern concept of experience-driven owners, with premium quality focused not on materials but on flexibility. Now, it is important to have the right features to hand when stepping onboard after a dive; the ideal amount of storage for long-term food supplies; and, dare it be mentioned, enough space for rubbish to be stored between stops.

These aspects were once far and away from the considerations of the traditional superyacht owner. Now, however, they are front-and-centre. Yacht owner Josh Golder, for example, told Boat International: “I want to do stuff. I prefer family-style (service) and shorter meals. I don’t think it compromises meal quality.”

REVISIONING LUXURY

The article points out that being elaborate is no longer necessarily ‘good’, while equally, being casual is not seen as ‘bad’. It quotes Golder further, adding: “I believe a lot of things in life are wrapped up in a fake formality to have a higher presentation value. I try to cut through all the noise, then it becomes, what is actually quality, what is good?

“As I see it, people now want to have fun; they want to do stuff. It’s not stuffy like it used to be. In society now, you have younger people making more money than older people, through technology and social media. And younger people, for the most part, don’t like the formal things.”

The answer to that question ‘what is good’ is changing. No longer is a four-hour premium lunch the focus; now it’s swimming in the ocean every day with a tender for support; diving in coral reefs with minimal impact; or arriving in a remote location and having the skills and equipment to head out and explore further.

That demands a new approach to boat ownership and Arksen’s Explorer Yachts – whether experienced through full-ownership, co-ownership or charters – offer unique access to overland vehicles and remote cabins and a connection to an entire community of expert guides, scientists and filmmakers to extend the adventure beyond the ordinary .

Smith concludes: “The spirit of adventure brings out the best in us all and our focus is on what it is to be human – at our playful, most creative and free selves. Our vessels are engineered beyond industry standards to deliver exceptional capability, but the adventure is made by what goes beyond, and that is where we make the difference.”