One
bellwether firm has ignored the trend in naming “star” designers, but still
attracts its share of new projects. Sparkman & Stephens, now in its 75th
year, is considered the oldest yacht design firm in the country, with perhaps
the richest heritage. But the company regards itself as a naval architecture
firm that designs yachts without sacrificing one element to the other. “Our
company is licensed for marine engineering, so we can do the total package,”
says Mitchell Gibbons-Neff, president. The firm, founded by legendary yacht
designer Olin Stephens, has created more than 2,800 new designs since 1929,
including multiple America’s Cup champions and the famous World War II
amphibious DUKW (Duck) trucks. Sparkman & Stephens is still on the
cutting edge of sailboat designs, and its recent motoryacht launches include the
Anson Bell, a 156-foot Palmer Johnson. As with the other designers mentioned
here, having the S&S name on the boat enhances the value, but in contrast to
the individual designers, no one person at the firm gets sole credit. “We use a
team effort here, just like when Olin Stephens was in charge,” explains
Gibbons-Neff. But he also knows the value of the S&S name. “I’m a believer
in pedigree. If you’ve never heard of the builder or designer, when it comes
time to sell,” he says, “you just won’t get the same money for it.” The Dream Team:
The world’s top designers and a sampling of their
yachts. Designer: Jonathan Barrett
Studio location: Seattle, Wash.
Design
credits: 410-ft. Octopus, 115-ft. Scorpio, 124-ft. Aerie
Designer: Claudette Bonville
Studio location: Fort
Lauderdale, Fla.
Design credits: 172-ft. Sea Hawk, 145-ft. Starship, 147-ft.
Silver Fox
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