Define The Brief

The first stage is understanding what the yacht will be predominantly used for, and how. Rather than discussing designs and shipyards, the process begins beforehand by establishing your goals, lifestyle, and intended yacht, so it is clear what the yacht needs to achieve.

There are various aspects to drill down into, such as where you will cruise, the typical number of guests on board, what the spaces need to deliver, and priorities regarding sustainability, budget, and timeline expectations. IYC's knowledge of the existing fleet and wider market means the team can benchmark your brief against yachts already operating, helping you set realistic expectations.

Find The Right Team

Once you have the brief, the next step is to find the right team to deliver. In terms of shipyards, there is no best one; the right choice ultimately depends on the type of yacht, budget, customization levels and technical requirements. The available build slots and delivery timeline, after-sales support, and overall reputation will also play a role in the decision.

Alongside the shipyard, there will be naval architects, exterior and interior designers all involved. It is important to assemble the entire team to work on your new-build project from the earliest stages. IYC works with various shipyards, designers and technical partners and can direct you on the right combination for specific briefs.

A Viable Project

Once the team is in place, the project begins, and ideas for how you want to use the yacht are translated into a concept that balances your preferences with practicalities. This is where decisions around general arrangement, accommodation, crew areas, technical spaces and amenities come in.

The possibilities can be extensive, as a new-build project offers the freedom to rethink the established layout, introduce new technologies, and create spaces around a specific lifestyle, but each decision has a consequence elsewhere in the design. This is where IYC can help you navigate these decisions, drawing on experience across both brokerage and new-build markets and explaining how certain choices may affect the yacht’s performance and usability. The earlier important decisions are made and questions asked, the easier it is to control cost, weight, space and schedule later in the build.

Negotiate The Contract

In terms of the commercial side of the project, a new-build contract is a major legal and financial commitment, so specialist advice is extremely valuable. The contract will cover items such as the price and payment milestones, specifications and change orders, the delivery schedule, performance guarantees, and warranties.

IYC advocates for you as a yacht buyer, helping in negotiations and coordination, alongside specialist legal and technical professionals.

The Build

Once the contract is in place, the project moves into the build phase. A yacht can take several years to progress from the hull through to completion, with thousands of decisions and variables along the way.

Changes inevitably arise, whether due to newer technology, an original design decision not working, or shifts in preferences, so it is important to maintain flexibility throughout the build process. Communication between you and the various parties involved is key to ensuring you are informed of everything without having to manage the details.

Details can span from regular build updates and meetings to approvals, changes, and schedule and budget monitoring. IYC works on your behalf to maintain the communication and updates throughout the process.

Sea Trials And Splash

As the yacht nears completion, attention shifts from construction to proving that everything works correctly. During sea trials, the yacht’s systems will be tested, performance analyzed, and any defects noted.

Sea trials are an important step in the new-build journey to identify and resolve any outstanding issues before final delivery. Once the yacht leaves the shipyard, after registration and all documentation is in order, you enter the yacht’s operational phase: onboarding crew and planning for use. IYC can continue supporting you after delivery through our charter, management, and yacht services capabilities, depending on your requirements.

The ultimate goal of a new-build project is to build the right yacht for you, with decisions made along the way to support how you intend to cruise, live, and spend time on board. Contact IYC today to turn your dream into a reality, and begin your new-build yacht project.