In a bid to offer its clients a new "streamlined" approach to yacht design, Dutch shipyard Oceanco has presented a new series of 17 individual 80-metre superyacht proposals.
Called "Simply Custom", the approach aims to simplify the commissioning process to offer clients a proven naval platform by Lateral Naval Architects, with a distinct exterior character that can still be customised significantly by an owner, plus a full-custom interior.
"We have owners who are time-poor and [some clients] have less desire to focus on every detail in the process," explained Oceanco’s group marketing director, Paris Baloumis. "They expect to entrust technical matters to experts like Oceanco and our partners. And, perhaps most importantly, they want building a yacht to be simple and fun".
The new approach was presented during the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and sees collaborations between the shipbuilder and a number of esteemed designers including Espen Øino, Harrison Eidsgaard, Sinot and Nuvolari Lenard.
Each yacht will measure 80 metres and sit between 2,500 - 2,700 GT. Explaining the reasoning for this, Baloumis said that Oceanco had a number of 100+ plus yachts in build or in order, and they didn't want to be pigeonholed into this market. "Plus, the 80-metre sector is our bread and butter," he added, pointing to yachts like Alfa Nero and Aalto (ex Amevi ). He also noted that in certain Mediterranean countries, cruising restrictions are tighter for superyachts measuring in excess of 80 metres.
Five interior design studies are working with Oceanco on the Simply Custom collection far, including Laura Sessa, Njord by Bergman and Dasha Moranova Design. "The idea is that we show clients an example of our work," explained Njord co-founder Sarah Colbon. "So that when a client comes, they can be inspired".
The 17 initial concepts will also be fitted with "an electric propulsion architecture" and will "harness the latest innovations into our technical foundation" according to Baloumis.
Oceanco's initial Simply Custom collection includes...
Vega by Harrison Eidsgaard
Pegasus by Oceanco
SS80 by Sorgiovanni Design
Dunes by The Touch Studio
Aeolus 80 by Taylor Design
Carinae by Pascoli International
Silver Ocean by Enrico Gobbi - Team for Design
Sauvage by Sinot
Proteus by The A Group
Domino by Nuvolari Lenard
Clarity by Espen Øino
Superleggera 80 by Hot Lab
Interstellar by Lobanov Design
Aurai by Bozca Limitless Design
Reverie by Winch Design
Ani by Vallicelli Design
Storm by H2 Yacht Design
“The process of customising every little detail on a yacht can be hugely rewarding for those with a passion for it, but some owners look to us, as experienced practitioners in this field, to help streamline the process. As a smart person once put it, everything should be as simple as possible, but not simpler,” explained James Roy of Lateral.
However, Oceanco is keen to highlight that it will not sacrifice its full-custom "landmark" projects, either. “Custom building is a core part of our DNA; we will always create yachts that are uniquely tailored to each owner. And we see Simply Custom as a logical development for Oceanco, sitting alongside our fully custom yachts and Life Cycle Support refit service, which will always be a part of our offering. The feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive, and we have experienced a definite appetite for this new way of buying an Oceanco in an approachable, fun and streamlined way,” said Marcel Onkenhout, Oceanco’s CEO.