In memoriam: Visionary yacht owner Jack Setton passes away

Legendary yacht owner and French businessman, Jack Setton, passed away yesterday, on 4 November 2026. Setton remains a true legend of the yachting industry – a brilliant, forward-thinking superyacht stalwart who inspired and supported new ideas.

Setton was the recipient of last year’s Legacy Award at the World Superyacht Awards, held in Venice, Italy, on 2-3 May 2025. The Legacy Award celebrates individuals who have made a lasting impact on the industry and, as then, today the industry pays tribute to a trailblazer whose yachts are bold declarations of what’s possible at sea.

“I am deeply saddened to hear about Jack’s passing,” said managing director of BOAT International Stewart Campbell.

“He was a true visionary and an inspiration for so many yacht owners. He showed us all what could be achieved with some imagination and a relentless drive to do something different. I am so pleased he received the thoroughly deserved Legacy Award at the World Superyacht Awards in celebration of this. Rest in peace, Jack.”

Having owned more than 60 boats throughout his lifetime, the hands-on yachtsman and prolific design setter was one of yachting's most distinguished owners, propelled by a relentless curiosity and consistently building highly innovative and influential yachts for over half a century.

The son of an exceptional sport pilot, Setton was fascinated by fast boats and cars from an early age. His introduction to design was alongside his father’s project, the Setton Bullit 298, which was designed in France and built under licence in Florida, before attracting the attention of the US Navy. The military was looking for a fast boat that could be dropped by parachute from a Hercules aircraft. The Bullit was the only one to meet the requirement.

The Frenchman’s fleet has long stood apart as lean, fast and uncompromisingly utilitarian, often challenging conventions and pushing the boundaries of what a yacht can be. He was ahead of the curve, building purposefully practical yachts that perform as intended in all conditions, long before the explorer-yacht category.

The likes of the iconic Pink Shrimp, a 32-metre former shrimping vessel refitted with jet drive units, are among his more unconventional and instantly recognisable projects.

From the radical conversion of a 77.7-metre deep-sea tug into the adventure-ready Simson S (now Sea Ranger) to the design of the rugged 57-metre Senses, likened by Setton to a maritime Hummer, his creations are built with intent, engineered for serious use, and inspired by a lifelong appreciation of the ocean.

Rest in peace, Jack Setton.