Twenty years can profoundly change the way a yacht is designed. Spaces, technologies, propulsion systems and the relationship between the owner and the boat all change. But so too do the processes behind a project: the dialogue between design, engineering and production, and the materials and tools through which an idea takes shape.
To recount this evolution, we have gathered the insights of Barbara and Rodolfo Amerio, who lead a company with deep roots in the history of Italian yachting. The Centro Nautico Permare was founded in Sanremo in 1973 by their father, Fernando Amerio, whilst the Amer Yachts brand was established in the early 1990s, marking the start of a journey that, over time, has transformed a family business into a recognised name on the international stage.
Today, Barbara and Rodolfo represent the second generation of the family at the helm of the company, on a journey in which tradition and innovation have always gone hand in hand. This synergy is naturally reflected in their vision of the yacht: Barbara observes the evolution of design and the way people experience the sea; Rodolfo, on the other hand, explains how the processes, technologies and production capabilities needed to turn that vision into reality have changed. The result is a joint interview spanning twenty years of Amer Yachts and, at the same time, twenty years of transformation in the yachting industry.
TYD When you look back at Amer Yachts’ models from twenty years ago and compare them with those of today, what changes best illustrate the evolution of yacht design? And which elements, on the other hand, have remained true to the shipyard’s identity?
B.A. ‘Models such as the Amer 82, 86 and 92, built between 2000 and 2010, were sleek and streamlined vessels. Speed was still a fundamental requirement, and the boats’ design – creative yet highly functional – was very similar across different shipyards. Craftsmanship was virtually all-encompassing, whether in the exteriors, interiors or fittings. Design components weren’t bought in; they were created. We, who have always been creative and focused on customisation, built iconic boats in birch and mahogany veneer, futuristic vessels with ultra-minimalist designs, and opulent boats: masterpieces of cabinet-making, with stylistic details that sometimes evoked styles of the past, always tailored to the owners’ tastes. These were boats with little natural light. Simple vessels, yet robust in terms of systems and engines, and strongly reflective of the owners’ style. There was far less focus on sustainability, although we were already striving to reduce fuel consumption by improving performance boat after boat, whilst ensuring they were also displacement-type vessels. This was a cornerstone of our philosophy, which subsequently characterised our boats. Nowadays, yachts are experienced differently. There is greater focus on sustainability and fuel consumption. Our research and new technologies allow us to explore this aspect in ever greater depth. What remains the same is the dynamic we establish with owners and crews, as we strive to make the yachts increasingly functional and unique for everyone on board’.
TYD Over the past twenty years, the concept of ‘living on a yacht’ has changed profoundly. How has this evolution been reflected in the design of the spaces – both interior and exterior – on your yachts?
B.A. “There has been an increase in the mixed use of yachts for both private and charter purposes, meaning the vessels are more sophisticated and exclusive. They must attract attention through their uniqueness: they are showcases of craftsmanship, featuring exquisite workmanship and ever-changing materials, alongside signature designs and works of art. We strive to ensure the comfort of guests, the owner and the crew, with standards exceeding five-star levels. The boats are wider, the interior spaces larger, whilst the exterior passageways are narrower or even eliminated in full-beam designs.
Glazed areas are increasingly expansive to let in as much natural light as possible and to maintain constant visual contact with the water. Externally, there are larger, better-organised and more versatile spaces. Protection from direct sunlight and larger shaded areas are incorporated to counteract climate change. The engine rooms and systems are a distillation of technology, and great care is taken with their aesthetic appeal too. Volume matters more than speed. The challenge is to achieve this whilst maintaining soft, balanced forms. We work closely with the crew to ensure functionality, and every owner is supported by a designer to identify the right choices and achieve a bespoke, unique product that also enhances the resale value.
TYD Whilst in the early 2000s design was primarily a matter of style, today it increasingly engages with technology, sustainability and efficiency. How have you balanced these aspects in the development of your most recent models?
B.A. “I’ve been with the company long enough to have witnessed first-hand the advent of electronic engines over mechanical ones, the wealth of electronics available today compared to the scarcity of instrumentation in the past, and the digitalisation that enables system integration and monitoring through home automation. We’ve gone a step further with sensor technology on the moulds, and by participating in European consortia for safety and cybersecurity to experiment with new projects. We have always championed values linked to sustainability, mapping and measuring our choices, supported also by banking institutions and incentives designed to facilitate the necessary investments. Italian shipyards are aware that they have made a significant contribution to the progress of recreational boating, which has made giant strides over the last twenty years.”
TYD Amer Yachts has been among the shipyards that have invested decisively in innovative propulsion systems and the pursuit of efficiency. To what extent has this choice also influenced the design language and styling of your boats?
“With the new propulsion systems, we have a compact engine room that leaves more space for the interiors and for tender and water toy storage. It allows us to carry out the installation much earlier in the build process compared to traditional engines; consequently, we can integrate the engine room more effectively with all the other components. We reduce the weight, which enhances performance, even though statistically speaking, the speed at which the engines are used is now below cruising speed: you don’t travel fast to reach a destination, but the holiday has a slow pace, where even the journey itself is a moment of relaxation and full enjoyment of the spaces. The boats are stabilised whilst underway and at anchor; vibrations have been reduced and they are quieter. Home automation and sensor technology help us to improve efficiency and well-being on board and to collect useful data for the continuous improvement of the product.”
TYD Over the past two decades, the profile of the yacht owner has also changed: new generations, new habits and new expectations. Which demands have had the greatest impact on the evolution of your yacht designs?
“It makes sense to reflect on this upcoming generational shift. The new generations are less inclined towards ownership and more towards usage, and they expect greater responsibility and commitment to green issues. Now the focus is on the experience; everything else fades into the background. We’ve moved from destinations designed to impress to new destinations waiting to be discovered – off the beaten track and immersed in nature. The yacht must have everything on board, because it is designed to inspire wonder and the discovery of new landscapes with a strong visual impact, perfect for sharing on social media. The paradigm is shifting; the product itself is being superseded by immediate access to the service. The loyalty to a brand that existed in the past is fading; if the experience disappoints or fails to inspire, people will abandon it without a second thought. This fact must be borne firmly in mind, because previously there was a loyalty that encouraged repeat purchases. The question is whether we are ready to engage with the younger generations.
The answer is that we need to change our approach. The old way of selling is outdated and no longer appealing. It is no longer about selling size or power, but about quality time, freedom and exclusivity to be shared with family and friends. Success will come to those who guarantee carefree on-board experiences and take care of everything, relieving the owner of all the hassle; this is why the charter market is growing. At Amer, the proportion of our production destined for charter has risen from 60 per cent to 80 per cent, and the shipyard is expanding its range of services to complement sales and after-sales support, so as to relieve the client of anything that might stand in the way of a pleasant and, as far as possible, carefree experience on board. Crews are also seen as key to the success of the holiday, which is why recruitment is more complex and both technical skills and soft skills are assessed. Young people, too, are captivated by the shipyard’s history, its values, and the balance between innovation and tradition; family-run businesses, with a heart and a human face, are naturally favoured in this regard.
TYD Looking at your production, is there a model you consider particularly representative of a paradigm shift in the way a yacht is designed? What innovations have you introduced, and why do you consider this a turning point?
B.A. “Our first metal-hulled yacht, the Amer 42 Explorer, marks Amer’s entry into the most prestigious segment and epitomises our philosophy: a displacement-type yacht with extremely low fuel consumption, using 60 litres per hour at 9.50 knots. An ocean-going vessel, Ice-class with a touch-and-go helipad, it demonstrates the extreme flexibility of our brand through a bold design with highly recognisable lines. The handling cranes integrated into the profile of the bow’s exterior lines are a masterpiece. A collaboration between the shipyard, Luiz De Basto and Optima Design that clearly illustrates the open-mindedness required to adapt to any type of project, whilst always prioritising quality and safety.”
TYD If the first twenty years of Top Yacht Design have chronicled the evolution of nautical design, what themes will characterise the next twenty years? And how do you envisage the future of Amer Yachts within this scenario?
B.A. “Over the next twenty years, yacht design will focus on decarbonisation, total fluidity between interior and exterior spaces, and the use of zero-impact structural materials. The concept of ‘super-custom’ will gain momentum. The next two decades will shift the parameters of luxury from numerical performance to environmental harmony and the regeneration of the marine ecosystem, including through new marinas, new routes and on-board systems that will enhance the monitoring of functions. Artificial intelligence and robotics will be introduced into certain repetitive processes, as is already the case on automotive assembly lines, particularly for components. In some areas, such as the use of zero-impact materials, the expansion of ‘super-custom’ design and the integration of artificial intelligence, we at Amer are already taking the first steps. We are ready to face – and overcome – the challenges of the next twenty years.
TYD Over the last twenty years, the yacht development process has become increasingly integrated. How has the dialogue between designers, the technical department and production evolved within Amer Yachts? And to what extent does this collaboration influence the final design outcome today?
R.A. “As the project development process has evolved, the dialogue between all the professionals involved in the realisation of each project has also changed profoundly. Today, the secret to a build of excellence lies in the ability to create perfect harmony between the owner’s wishes, the architecture and design, and the production know-how. A continuous and synergistic dialogue between the shipyard and the owner, which enables a vision to be transformed into a concrete design, consistent in every detail and capable of fully expressing the yacht’s identity.’
TYD Amer Yachts is a family-run shipyard. How has the daily interplay between different skills and sensibilities contributed to the evolution of the design and the brand’s identity over the past twenty years?
R.A. “Our real evolution has been to expand our production beyond fibreglass to include steel, with extremely innovative and cutting-edge ideas capable of combining design research, technology and durability. This journey has enabled us to achieve excellent results and to stand out in a highly competitive segment right from the very first yacht delivered, the 42 Explorer. This achievement was made possible above all thanks to our team: young, skilled and constantly innovation-driven, with the ability to transform ambitious ideas into concrete, high-value projects’.
TYD Today, digital tools, simulations, advanced materials and new sustainability requirements are changing the way yachts are designed. Which technologies or methodologies do you believe will have the greatest impact on design development in the coming years, and how is Amer Yachts preparing to address this evolution?
R.A. “Artificial intelligence will become an increasingly integral part of our processes, both in design and construction, offering significant support in the analysis and optimisation of the entire chain of activities. We must not fear it, but learn to harness it, whilst always maintaining careful and indispensable human oversight. The real opportunity lies in the ability to capitalise on AI’s speed of analysis and diagnosis, drawing on a global knowledge base that is constantly updated and enriched, without ever compromising on people’s experience, expertise and intuition. We believe deeply in innovation as a driver of growth and, for this very reason, we are open and collaborative in integrating artificial intelligence into our day-to-day business operations, promoting its informed and practical use to support our activities and processes’.
TYD Entering the large-yacht segment represents a significant step for a shipyard. To what extent has this evolution required a rethinking of Amer Yachts’ design language, whilst at the same time maintaining a recognisable identity?
R.A. “As I was saying, entering the steel and large-yacht segments has represented the shipyard’s true evolution, opening us up to new challenges and opportunities, from a design, construction and market perspective. The investment in our new shipyard in Pisa, now fully operational, is a cornerstone of this growth. Our identity, however, will never change. Because, essentially, from the very beginning – first with fibreglass and now also with steel – every vessel we deliver is a truly bespoke creation, unique and built around the needs, desires and personality of its owner. A design may be deeply personalised, but in every one of our boats there is always a trace of the shipyard: a signature characterised by style, attention to detail, build quality and design expertise, which makes every Amer instantly recognisable despite its uniqueness.
Marta Gasparini
