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

In our new regular photo-series, we spoke to the yacht owners, designers and builders of tomorrow during the Superyacht Design Symposium to find out what matters most to them, and how it will inform the superyacht industry. The environment, new materials and flexibility all emerge as growing themes, but there is one thing everyone agrees on: this is a generation that does not like limits.

Timur Bozca

I grew up in Kaş on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, and boating is a kind of lifestyle there.

Everything is changing around us and we need to allow the technology that’s already affecting form and function to push more boundaries in the yachting industry as well.

In 20 years we will have many different kinds of hull, and the amount of glass used on superstructures will increase. Engines and technical equipment will also take up less space, so interior areas will increase in size. Also, I think new types of multifunctional yachts will launch, like a submarine and yacht combo – a subyacht.

The next generation was born into technology in every aspect of their lives. And this is a generation that doesn’t like limits.

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Yachting needs to be more out there in terms of propulsion, energy usage and new materials.

In order to boost new builds in the future maybe we could have something inspired by the sharing economy where one entity would handle the whole thing – sell shares before they start building, save the owners from the hassle of the build and then manage every aspect; for those who want the ownership experience without the capital investment, a bit like NetJets.

Our generation want a boat to use in many situations and that is easy to maintain. We need to rethink construction and materials so there’s less that can break.

Dark washed denim suit, £730, tods.com; shirt, £145, dunhill.com; Radiomir 1940 3 Days GMT Automatic Acciaio 45mm watch (PAM00627), £9,900, panerai.com

My father’s love of maritime heritage, and how he brought Columbia back to life, really changed my understanding of what yachting can be.

The industry needs to incorporate more advanced, functional technology in yacht design.

Technology is integral to everyday life and increasingly integral to luxury. Millennials want yachts to be more than beautiful things. We want more technologically stellar, functional and sustainable machines that can take us anywhere.

Dress, £255, bodyfrock.co.uk; shoes, POA, dolcegabbana.com