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            Junior SeaKeeper students learn about water sampling from superyachts
            Junior SeaKeeper Program Wants Young Ocean Ambassadors

            July 20, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            superyacht company Northrop & Johnson is supporting Water.org
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            June 11, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            YachtAid Global, which works with superyachts, launched Operation Pearl to help the Philippines following Typhoon Odette
            Operation Pearl: Typhoon Disaster Relief for Philippines via YachtAid Global

            January 4, 2022 By Marie Cullen

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            Graceful is alleged to be among Russian-owned superyachts
            Imperial Yachts, Several Superyachts Added to U.S. Sanctions List

            June 3, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            a new Y.CO partnership with YachtAid Global will see superyachts step up for sustainability
            Y.CO Partnership With YachtAid Global Supports New Sustainability Efforts

            June 12, 2021 By Diane M. Byrne

            Bruce Brakenoff, Jr. and his team are now part of the Edmiston expansion in the USA
            Edmiston Expansion in America Sees Perini Navi USA Team Come Onboard

            September 5, 2020 By Marie Cullen

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            Golden Yachts’ Project X Delivered, Debuting at Monaco Show

            August 16, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

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            Codecasa Hull C127 One Year From Delivery

            August 15, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            fire aboard the yacht Aria SF
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            August 11, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

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            August 3, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

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            July 16, 2022 By Marie Cullen

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            August 15, 2022 By Ken Kremsler

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    • The Superyacht 6
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            The Superyacht 6: 6 Must-See Megayachts at the Fort Lauderdale Show

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            The Superyacht 6: 6 Editor’s Picks From the Monaco Yacht Show

            September 24, 2011 By Diane M. Byrne

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            Galaxy Refit Is Cosmically Cool

            April 28, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

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            Top Five II Taking Charters to Fun in the Sun (or Rain, if Needed)

            December 3, 2021 By Diane M. Byrne

            Tankoa Yachts' megayacht Olokun
            Olokun, by Tankoa Yachts, Is One With the Ocean: Photo Gallery

            November 16, 2021 By Diane M. Byrne

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            The Italian Sea Group has acquired Perini Navi sailing superyacht shipyards and assets
            The Italian Sea Group Hamptons Office Becomes Its 1st U.S. Presence

            August 11, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            Amsterdam Yacht Builders is refitting the superyacht Gio
            Introducing Amsterdam Yacht Builders

            June 30, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            the Silent 80 superyacht from Silent Yachts
            Silent Yachts Acquires Italian Shipyard

            June 25, 2022 By Marie Cullen

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            July 29, 2022 By Megayacht News Staff

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            July 21, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            Mykonos is popular for Greece yacht charter aboard superyachts
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            Kimberley cruising itineraries by superyacht should include the King George River
            Kimberley Cruising by Superyacht, for Wilderness Adventures

            July 14, 2022 By Megayacht News Staff

            Great Glaciers to See by Superyacht in Alaska include Sawyer Glacier
            Great Glaciers to See by Superyacht in Alaska

            July 8, 2022 By Megayacht News Staff

            Port Angeles is perfect for superyachts to stop and explore
            Destination Guide: Welcome to Port Angeles, Washington

            February 5, 2022 By Mary Brelsford

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            the Residences at Pier Sixty-Six overlook the superyacht marina
            The Residences at Pier Sixty-Six Sales Start Soon

            August 12, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            the IGY Trident superyacht program partly explains why MarineMax is acquiring IGY Marinas
            MarineMax Is Acquiring IGY Marinas, Expanding Marinas & Superyacht Services Footprint

            August 9, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            IGY Ibiza Marina accommodates megayachts
            IGY Ibiza Marina Becomes 24th IGY Marinas Property

            July 22, 2022 By Marie Cullen

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            JMS Yachting USA has superyacht headquarters in Fort Lauderdale
            JMS Yachting USA Yacht-Management Office Opens

            August 9, 2022 By Ken Kremsler

            David Ross heads the U.S. Division for Hamilton Marine International superyacht consultancy
            Hamilton Marine International Establishing U.S. Division With David Ross

            July 23, 2022 By Ken Kremsler

            Peter Hürzeler says The Role of the Sales Broker Has Changed a Lot
            “The Role of the Sales Broker Has Changed a Lot”

            April 25, 2022 By Megayacht News Staff

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            superyacht crew rotation impacts job satisfaction
            Junior Superyacht Crew Rotation Rising, But Could Be Better

            June 10, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            yacht crew salaries can range depending on the superyacht size
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            April 8, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            Tim Clark is the director of the superyacht crew recruitment company Quay Crew
            Megayacht News Radio: Quay Crew on Superyacht Crew Mental Health Crisis

            January 20, 2022 By Megayacht News Staff

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            Donald L. Blount left an indelible mark on superyachts
            Donald L. Blount, Renowned Naval Architect, Dies

            July 15, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            the Marco Casali Freedom Collection includes 500 superyacht NFTs
            Marco Casali Freedom Collection NFTs Minting Now

            April 15, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            Justin Olesinski says AI is supercharging superyacht design
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            April 6, 2022 By Georgia Tindale

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            Alexander Dreyfoos
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            September 6, 2016 By Diane M. Byrne

            Roberto Zambrini
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            August 1, 2016 By Michael Verdon

            Antonio Romano Hot Lab Yacht & Design
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            July 1, 2016 By Frances and Michael Howorth

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            the owner of Lady May is offering the superyacht to creditors
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            April 20, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            Vagit Alekperov, the president and CEO of Lukoil and the Heesen Yachts UBO (ultimate beneficial owner), is under sanctions related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; Heesen Yachts is under full Dutch ownership effective May 2022
            Heesen Yachts UBO Lands on UK Sanctions List

            April 14, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            the arrest of Sailing Yacht A is the latest in a few superyacht issues related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
            Arrest of Sailing Yacht A, Tied to Russian Sanctions

            March 13, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

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            Dick Mulder (right) and Nick Mulder of superyacht builder Mulder Shipyard
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            July 27, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            Vagit Alekperov, the president and CEO of Lukoil and the Heesen Yachts UBO (ultimate beneficial owner), is under sanctions related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; Heesen Yachts is under full Dutch ownership effective May 2022
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            April 14, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

            Sunseeker clients are important to Andrea Frabetti as both yacht and superyacht buyers
            Sunseeker Clients Want “the Complete Family Wellness Environment”

            March 4, 2022 By Megayacht News Staff

  • Events
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            August 13, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            SeaKeepers honors went to Victor Vescovo, in front of yacht and megayacht owners
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            Victor Vescovo will receive the SeaKeeper of the Year award amid superyacht owners and conservationists
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            January 10, 2022 By Marie Cullen

    • Boat Shows & Seminars
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            August 5, 2022 By Marie Cullen

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            June 9, 2022 By Diane M. Byrne

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            March 27, 2021 By Marie Cullen

            YacvhtAid Global launched Operation Viti for superyacht owners and crew to aid Fiji
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            Operation Nasama, YachtAid Global Relief Fund for Vanuatu, is soliciting donations from megayacht owners, crew, and more
            Operation Nasama: YachtAid Global Relief Fund for Vanuatu

            April 18, 2020 By Marie Cullen

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            the Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 has high interest
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            April 12, 2022 By Marie Cullen

            NZ Superyacht Fishing Competition Coming in 2022
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            May 22, 2021 By Diane M. Byrne

    • The Superyacht Cup
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            TRANSCRIPT Yacht Charter for First-Timers: Daphne D’Offay of Ocean Independence Gives Guidance

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    • Yacht Videos
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  • About
Home / People / Designers / Designer’s Notebook: Espinosa

Designer’s Notebook: Espinosa

January 1, 2012 By: Diane M. Byrne

Editor’s note: With so many concept projects being touted these days, we got to thinking. How many designers have notebooks and “doodle books” packed with pages of designs that were solid ideas yet never came to fruition? Therein lies the idea behind the Megayacht News Designer’s Notebook series. Every other week, we’re spotlighting a designer and his or her superyacht project that has never been seen by anyone other than the designers themselves and the owners who commissioned them. For one reason or another, the design didn’t come to fruition: perhaps a sudden death of the client, perhaps a change in fortune. Regardless, the design can still be executed and turned into a yacht today. Therefore, the Megayacht News Designer’s Notebook gives designers the chance to have their “voice” heard: They explain, in their own words, what inspired the design and what some of the special details are. And, if you’d like to arrange an appointment with the designer to discuss the design in more detail, you’ll find a link at the end of each writeup.

Without further ado, here is the first Designer’s Notebook, featuring Espinosa.

 

 

J.C. Espinosa has made a name for himself designing production yachts and megayachts bearing fluid curves and flowing shapes. While classic commuter yachts do bear some curves, they’re far more linear than Espinosa’s signature style. That’s among the reasons why this 120-foot (36.6-meter) commuter-style megayacht is so interesting. As Espinosa explains here, the design was commissioned soon after he launched his studio—by a Japanese client, too, further making it unusual. It’s dramatically different than anything Espinosa had done back then, and remains so today. Yet, the styling and interior design remain timeless.

 

120’ Commuter Style Gentleman’s Yacht

“Many years ago, almost at the beginning of my career in yacht design, I was asked by Mike Kelsey, CEO of the legendary yard Palmer Johnson of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, to come up with a retro design for a 120-foot commuter-style yacht for a Japanese client of his.

“The brief was to style a yacht with the looks of the famed commuter yachts of the early 1900s. These boats were known for having massive engines in their quest for speed. Later in the century these speed boats evolution into what is now known as “Commuter Yachts.” These elegant vessels share the speed of the earlier speed boats but incorporated well-appointed interiors to pamper their owners. These vessels were mainly used for commuting between their owner’s residences along the water to the financial centers of Wall Street. A good example of this style vessel is Aphrodite, a sleek 74-footer owned by Wall Street financier John Hay Whitney and built by the Purdy Boat Company in 1937.

“The Japanese client wanted a yacht that will borrow the looks and speed of these commuter-style yachts but with all of the modern systems and appointments found on a modern luxury yacht. He also wanted a waterjet propulsion system, tied to large MTU engines. Palmer Johnson, known for their recent launch of the waterjet-powered motor yacht Time in 1984 and Fortuna for the king of Spain, had the knowledge and experience to tackle such a project. Tom Fexas was enlisted to provide the naval architecture for the project, and I was asked to come up with the style for the superstructure and the accommodations and interior design for this project. The interiors proposed were sumptuous and traditional, a reflection of a bygone era!

“The client was to use his new yacht for cruising the islands around his native Japan. Owner’s and guest accommodations were to be provided on the lower deck, and lounging areas were located on the main deck, with a large, open aft deck for lounging and dinning alfresco.

“Our challenge as designers was to bring styling cues from the past into a modern machine.  Soon after the proposal were submitted, the client passed away, and the project was stopped in the preliminary stages of design. It was very sad for the design team and builder not to have had the opportunity to build such a distinctive vessel, and we are still waiting for someone to bring it into existence.”

To arrange an appointment to discuss this project with the Espinosa team, please fill out this contact form.

Categories: Designers, PeopleTags: Espinosa, Palmer Johnson

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