As custom yacht designers, we work with discerning owners and shipyards to develop smart, timeless designs that are elegant, buildable, and seaworthy. With a service philosophy of "first in, last out, " we support clients through the entire project lifecycle, from preliminary design concepts to full documentation, bid submittals, construction, launch, refit, and beyond.
Founded by Ward Setzer, our studio's award-winning superyacht portfolio today includes hundreds of vessels totaling over 10,000 feet of waterline, and resulting from 25 years of collaboration with dedicated owners and builders around the world.
Founded by Ward Setzer, our studio's award-winning superyacht portfolio today includes hundreds of vessels totaling over 10,000 feet of waterline, and resulting from 25 years of collaboration with dedicated owners and builders around the world.
Services
Our firm was founded in 1991 by Ward Setzer, who began his career in Palm Beach under the tutelage of American naval architecture legend J.B. Hargrave. With 25 years of experience, our multiple award-winning design portfolio includes hundreds of vessels constructed at premier shipyards around the world.
In honor of our 25th year in operation as an independent design studio, below we have recapped some of the most defining moments and project launches in our firm's history. Ward Setzer begins a design career in Palm Beach under the tutelage American legend Jack Hargrave. Technical drawings for the iconic 130' Buckpasser and 148' Calliope are completed by hand using ink on mylar.
Preliminary sketches and ideation exercises help clients compare concept alternatives before shortlisting preferred designs for further study. We continuously reference comparable vessel data from past designs, using our already proven concepts and hull forms as a starting point for new innovations.
We conduct market research, competitor analysis, and customer interviews to help identify emerging trends and under-addressed market categories. We collaborate directly with in-house design and sales teams, providing an outside perspective to help jumpstart and facilitate the creative process. Ideation exercises broaden and diversify the range of concepts under consideration before top designs are selected for further study.
We conduct on-site yacht visits, sea trials, owner and captain interviews, and usage assessments to identify and prioritize issue areas for design focus. A range of potential design solutions are explored through feasibility studies and concept sketches presented for owner review. Three-dimensional models and perspective sketches help clients fully visualize proposed changes at human scale before selecting final project priorities.
Reviews
Be the first to review Setzer Yacht.
Write a Review
