Superyacht next gen: Millennial owners, designers and builders on the future of yachting

I was raised in a family of sailors, so I always felt connected to boats and life at sea. I always knew I wanted to work in this industry and now I am creating my own way to do so, combining my two passions: yachts and art.

Here’s what shouldn’t change about the yachting industry – that it’s like a big family. What could be improved is to make it more accessible.

In the future, considering the environmental and political changes worldwide, yachts will be used more as a genuine escape – or even built for that.

Embroidered black dress, POA, dolcegabbana.com; Link white mother of pearl dial steel watch, with bezel set with 48 diamonds, £3,600, tagheuer.com

My entry point to yachting was winning the Young Designer of the Year 2008. I’ve been into boating since childhood, so that was the cherry on top.

We need more fresh blood in the industry, and designers need to listen to clients without any ego steering their own philosophy or style.

In 20 years we’ll see smaller yachts, but yachts that are more individualised – and more extreme designs pushing the limits in terms of technology.

Soft leather jacket, £4,460, brunellocucinelli.com; denim jeans, £350, ralphlauren.co.uk; C1 Grand Malvern 5 Day Automatic watch, £1,495, christopherward.co.uk

I grew up in yachts thanks to my father, so yacht design was in my DNA.

My career rapidly took off after I won Young Designer of the Year in 2013 for the Granturismo project.

We have to look to architecture, car design and aviation, and start a dialogue between disciplines.

Yachts in the future will feature more “crossover” between different types and styles. They will be hybrids – maybe both in design and propulsion.

Millennials want more flexibility: we don’t want boundaries between the exterior and interior. We want dynamism: tenders, gyms, social life, but also the possibility to hide away.

Linen and silk herringbone jacket, £1,400, trousers, £390, both ralphlauren.co.uk; shirt, £145, dunhill.com; Superocean 44 Special black dial watch, £3,190, breitling.com

I’m the sixth generation of my family to be involved in this business and am passionate about that heritage and history at Hodgdon Yachts

Equality will disrupt the industry. While I don’t feel that women are excluded in yachting, I would like to see more balance across all areas – builders, captains, owners, designers, yacht managers. We approach situations differently and bring different strengths. I think this diversity would make for a superior industry.

In 20 years, more private yachts will be used for environmental research and ocean conservation. There will be increased sustainability without sacrificing luxury and there will be a renewed interest in sailing yachts because of this.

Leather bomber jacket, £2,700, leather dress, £1,790, both tods.com; ultra-slim watch in rose gold, £9,290, blancpain.com

Bernardo: My sister and I could not work without each other. I’m more inclined to the creative and stylistic side while Martina prefers to deal with the distribution of space, interior style and décor.

Environmental issues will have to be taken more into account in the coming years. I’m talking about not only propulsion but also new materials, with an eye to recycling and disposal as well.

Martina: In 2013 we created a new brand, dedicated exclusively to superyachts, Zuccon SuperYacht Design. The idea is that Bernardo and I will end up managing the whole studio.

R&D is a must for future progress – we have to stay updated on technological innovations because these will open up whole new scenarios when it comes to yacht design and function.

Bernardo wears cashmere jumper, £690, ralphlauren.co.uk; T-shirt, POA, dolcegabbana.com; Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer (43mm) in stainless steel with a rubber strap, £8,450, watches-of-switzerland.co.uk. Martina wears embroidered jumper, £550, moncler.com; RM 07-01 ATZ white ceramic jade limited edition watch, £109,500, richardmille.com

Following a stint working on a very large superyacht, I realised how completely fascinated I was by how boats functioned and looked.

In 20 years, design aesthetics will evolve around new environmentally conscious technology. Ideas such as surfaces being made from solar cells to harness the sun’s energy, will influence the shape of superstructures, or clear glass will be a solar panel. For years we’ve had wristwatches that power themselves by the movement of our hand, so why not draw energy from waves or the movement of a boat when under way?

Our generation wants to feel connected. We want new experiences, to feel involved, but we also want peace. Yachting will answer these needs.

Joyce dress in stretch cotton, £1,750, loropiana.com; Elite Lady Moonphase (33mm) watch in stainless steel with black alligator leather strap, £4,700, zenith-watches.com

My family has a proud naval tradition, so the water is close to our hearts.

Form undercuts function in many production yachts today. There needs to be more allowance for the increasingly specific and well-informed needs of owners.

My generation is inspired by light, space and feeling in touch with the marine environment, and I think in the future we will continue to see the beach club and structural glass trends taken to new levels. There will be a push from buyers towards more efficient engines, more energy efficient materials and sharper profiles.

Zip hooded jacket, £495, moncler.com; cashmere trousers, £1,195, loropiana.com; Classic Fusion Chronograph in titanium, £9,900, hublot.com

I grew up sailing and I always knew I wanted to go into interior design, so when I discovered the industry it seemed perfect. My job is very varied, and I am lucky to get involved at all levels of the design, client facing and project management.

Superyachts should be at the forefront of technology. Keeping up with the rapid evolution of tech is a challenge due to build time, but if this can be improved, it would bring the yachting industry up to speed.

When I first joined the industry, it was all about extreme opulence and now it’s more about comfort and adventure. Maybe in 20 years’ time owners will use yachts as homes and superyacht offices more permanently.

Parker, £850, canadagoose.com; Solo-32-LC watch in rose gold, £7,995, bremont.com

It all started with my passions – sailing and racing. Working on the award-winning designs of (and sailing on) yachts such as Nilaya, Nikata and My Song was a dream come true.

A shift needs to happen in the yachting industry, where there is constant R&D, to more sustainable yachts and production chain. Yachts in the future will surely have less impact on the environment. There will also have to be more functions combined in single areas. We will see the use of new materials and building techniques to explore new fields and geometries.

My generation wants to be at sea, with the option to be connected to the rest of the world at an affordable price.

Trench coat, £1,295, dunhill.com; cotton shirt, £370, brunellocucinelli.com; silk neck tie, £145, ralphlauren.co.uk; trousers, POA, dolcegabbana.com; Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Automatic Acciaio 45mm watch (PAM00627), £9,900, panerai.com

I started my career in the financial sector, but shipbuilding is in my DNA and it drew me back to the family business that my grandfather established in 1927. I’m a people person, so I enjoy working with our clients.

Yachts in the future will have to be much more autonomous. Owners will be jetting in and out, expecting perfectly organised activities anywhere in the world. So life will get even tougher for the crew. We have to support them with capable designs that show a deep understanding of logistics and routing as well as aesthetics.

Ownership is less of a goal for future generations. It’s a means to an experience. As a yacht builder, it means we have to offer fast delivery with great service, but also demonstrate how investing your own tastes into a design can enhance the overall experience.

Cape, £1200, nadyashah.com; cashmere jumper, £690, ralphlauren.co.uk

Hair and make-up by Maria Comparetto at Emma Davies Agency. Special thanks to the Hotel Kitzhof Mountain Design Resort, Kitzbühel.