2023 is set to be an exciting year for the superyachting industry as it continues to strive to make a difference to the world around us. With advances in design, sustainability and adventure, The Superyacht Life Foundation have shared their predicted yachting trends with LLM – Luxury Lifestyle Magazine for this year.
Sustainability
Greener yachts are set to become an important trend going into 2023. The industry is on a continual mission to minimise the environmental impacts of yachting – more efficient hull designs to reduce fuel consumption is one such example of how this is being tackled, and there is an increasing focus on how to reduce energy consumption on board.
Diesel-electric hybrid yachts are in full swing and rapidly increasing in popularity, but it is the pioneering alternative fuels and hydrogen-powered yachts that are really looking to make waves in the superyachting industry, with revolutionary projects already in build at key shipyards in collaboration with committed clients.
Beyond the sustainable design advances of these yachts, superyachts will also continue to play a part in the preservation of the world’s oceans. Superyachting is a leisure rather than commercial industry and therefore, the owners, guests, crew and industry professionals have a deep affinity with and continually interact with marine wildlife and ecosystems. Importantly, the industry raises an awareness in and from time to time, driven by people who have the financial means to make a real difference and orchestrate change.
Eco-friendly and personalised interiors
The focus on greener yacht interiors is expected to be a top yacht trend for 2023, with ‘sustainable luxury’ rapidly becoming the new watchword. Re-purposed wood, recycled plastic materials, and more commonly available woods – which can be made into exquisite carpets, wall coverings, cabinetry or used for flooring – are just some examples of the materials that are going to be used more frequently in yacht interiors in the coming years.
Owners are also increasingly making these yachts a home away from home and designing them according to their usage with a less is more, classic and clean and increased open spaces design approach becoming the preferred interior.
Smaller yachts
Adventure and exploration are an innate part of superyachting and the draw of untouched and previously unattainable destinations is increasing. However, the impression that you need a larger yacht to reach these locations is being countered with a cascade of interesting and informed designs in more compact packages.
Yachts with a size range of around 30-40 metres that do not compromise on social spaces and special features can still offer the same amenities and facilities as larger superyachts. These smaller yachts have the added appeal of being able to venture into places that those larger boats cannot – fuelling the need for adventure and exploration – as well as offering lower running costs, and lower emissions.
Multi-skilled crews
The superyachting industry is seeing a younger demographic purchasing and chartering yachts. Their expectations and demands are different from the norm and this new generation of millennials are looking for yachts that have wellness offerings onboard; saunas, hammams, fully equipped gyms, spa treatments and yoga studios will become more of a standard feature in the coming years.
As such, multi-skilled crew members are highly sought after and 2023 will see crew attaining secondary certifications to double up as water sports and diving instructors, masseuses, fitness instructors, yoga instructors, aromatherapists and other health and wellbeing practitioners.
New destinations
Trending destinations include the Raja Ampat islands, French Polynesia, Scandinavia, Norwegian Fjords and Antarctica. Trans-Pacific cruising and extended stays in Australasia/Oceania will also likely grow in appeal now that international borders are fully open again.
There is also an increasing number of owners and charterers seeking ‘experiences’ rather than just traditional ‘jet-set lifestyle’ and this is also influencing where yachts are starting to visit.
Scientific endeavour
Participating in citizen science projects, hosting scientists on board, and getting involved in other marine conservation or community projects is growing in popularity among both superyacht owners, charterers and crews. Superyachts are the ideal platform for extensive research projects, citizen science projects and expeditions and with an increasing number of programmes to facilitate such projects, this is only going to take on more significance.
