Paolo Dose (Vdy): “Beyond design with Atlante Yachts”

Trieste – Paolo Dose, yacht designer and founder of Vyd, offers SUPER YACHT 24 an in-depth overview of his design philosophy, market dynamics, and future industry trends. The discussion focuses on the Atlante Yachts project: an initiative that takes an innovative approach to semi-custom superyacht construction.

The Atlante Yachts project, which recently led to the launch of its first superyacht, could be described as a new model of collaboration in the semi-custom sector. How is it developing and what advantages does it offer?

Atlante Yachts was born from my over twenty years of experience in nautical design, gained through a deep understanding of the challenges owners face in realizing their "dream boat." The true innovation that Atlante brings to the industry is its unique nature: we are not just a design studio, but a "team" that oversees the entire process, from conception to delivery of the yacht. We act as intermediaries between the owner and the shipyard. Our model is designed to minimize friction and conflicts, often financial, that can arise during construction. This way, we ensure that the owner's original vision is never altered by construction or engineering requirements.

The project, born from a vision by our Vyd studio, is a dynamic consortium of professionals and builders. The team is tailored to the specific needs of the shipyard and the desired type of yacht. For the Classic 35M, for example, the team consisted of Mengi Yay Yacht Shipyard as builder, Vyd Studio for exteriors and interiors, Fatih Dalkiran at Turkish Maritime Consultancy as designer for design and production management, broker Mark Seaton, and Arrabito Naval Architecture for naval architecture.
The goal is to create "locked" semi-custom packages, selecting the best components on the market (engines, stabilizers, interior supplies) and thus offer objectively excellent products in technical, stylistic and financial terms, going beyond vested interests.

When selecting a shipyard, we aim to identify the best on the global market, based on the client's needs and budget. This includes seeking out emerging shipyards that offer exceptional value and outstanding features, while avoiding the prohibitive costs of large, established brands.
The full realization of this vision requires the owner to share the necessary financial commitment, ensuring an operating margin that makes the project attractive and sustainable for the shipyard.”

Based on your experience with Turkish shipyards, how do they compare in terms of quality to Italian shipyards, which are traditionally considered superior?

“In the past, Turkey has been associated with lower costs and perceived lower quality, but in recent years there has been a leveling of quality. Turkish shipyards such as Bilgin, Alia, Mengi Yay, and Turquoise are now considered on par with the most famous Italian shipyards, if not superior in terms of quality.
The price difference, with current inflation, has narrowed to 5-10%, but Turkey maintains a significant advantage in the construction of custom yachts under 500 GT. In Italy, large shipyards, such as Benetti or Sanlorenzo, tend to focus on larger series or semi-custom production, showing less interest in smaller custom yachts, which require a more tailored approach and a more direct relationship with the owner. I've been working with Mengi Yay for many years, and they were chosen as the shipyard for the first Atlante Yachts precisely because of their reliability, their willingness to customize even smaller boats, and their strong personal relationship.
I would, however, consider it interesting to see a revival of activity by Italian "micro-production" or "artisan" shipyards, capable of building one or two units a year, to restore Italian tradition and quality in the custom segment, where the human relationship with the owner is fundamental."

You trained in your profession with the most prestigious figures in the sector worldwide: how would you describe your design philosophy?

I could summarize it as a balance between maximum creativity in the concept phase and strong pragmatism in the implementation. The beginning of each project is characterized by maximum creative freedom, which also allows for "crazy" ideas, which are then gradually adapted to technical feasibility. The goal is to explore new, innovative solutions, such as imagining terraces in complex areas, and find a way to make them feasible with the support of high-level naval engineers. Our studio, Vyd, reflects this philosophy. It is essential to complete the project by understanding the construction requirements. Having trained alongside some of the industry giants like Nuvolari, Team Heywood, and Di Pilla, has taught me the importance of considering all aspects of construction from the earliest stages.

What trends and visions can be seen in superyacht design?

The current trend is to maximize length to stay within the 500 GT range; I would instead prefer shorter yachts with more functional and livable interior spaces, even exceeding the 500 GT limit, if necessary, to achieve more suitable spaces and a superior onboard experience, despite the increased bureaucratic and safety requirements.
Another goal is to create more open yachts, with sidedecks on the main deck and a more seamless connection between interior and exterior, moving beyond the "full beam" concept that can create windowless "cages." Projects like the 2019 Ocean King "Ducale" had already anticipated this trend with fully opening decks.
The mentality has also changed regarding crew spaces and engine rooms, which are no longer expendable. Today, a well-designed, tidy, and spacious engine room allows technical staff to work peacefully and is seen as a functional plus and a good selling point.

What do you think are the best solutions from an efficiency and sustainability perspective?

Efficiency and sustainability can be achieved through aluminum, which reduces navigation costs and environmental impact. Efficiency is also achieved through hulls optimized for cruising speed (10-11 knots), like the one designed by Studio Arrabito for Atlante Yachts, which ensures large interior volumes, low fuel consumption, and stability.

What are the next frontiers for yacht design you are working on?

“Our studio continues to collaborate with leading shipyards such as Ocean King, Mengi Yay and Heysea, among others, constantly developing new units and innovative concepts.
One of the most fascinating frontiers we're focusing on concerns megayachts designed to accommodate more than 12 guests. We've already developed a concept for a luxurious 120-128 meter megayacht designed to accommodate between 20 and 30 guests, thus exceeding the traditional limit. This type of project, which is similar to a luxury cruise ship, requires much more complex safety systems and dedicated technical spaces, and represents a real challenge both aesthetically and functionally.
The main objective now is to find a shipyard willing to build such a "prototype." It's a project that sometimes scares builders due to the significant costs involved and the complexity of finding a fair market price to make it sustainable. We strongly believe in this vision of yachts that, while maintaining standards of luxury and comfort, can accommodate a larger number of guests for exclusive experiences.

SUBSCRIBE TO FREE SUPER YACHT 24 NEWSLETTER

SUPER YACHT 24 IS ALSO ON WHATSAPP: JUST CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL AND ALWAYS BE UPDATED