Cohen casts off

by Jeni Bone on 2 Jul 2008 Superyacht designer, Bernie Cohen is adding refits to his repertoire, looking abroad for all opportunities to overhaul ageing superyachts, convert ex-military and other vessels and contemporize outdated designs.

'There’s plenty of scope in Asia, the US, Europe and the Middle East,' he says, referring to the markets of the bulk of superyacht customers.

'As well as working on boats from concept to completion, I am keen to position my services as among the best available internationally for top quality refits.'

For almost three decades, Cohen has been involved in massive projects for the world’s elite clientele.

He started at the top echelon of the industry in the 70s under the tutelage of Terence Disdale, working on projects for various Middle Eastern clients, the original Azimut yachts, the first Princess 45, and since then, a host of commercial vessels, luxury liners, ferries and cruising yachts.

'Under Terence, I worked on the original Azimut yachts, the 43, 46 and 63. I helped get Princess started on their larger production boats, beginning with the Princess 45. Then there are all the commercial vessels, the luxury liners, ferries and cruising yachts. I guess I’ve done around 18 large projects on my own for royalty, US business people and many people I just can’t talk about.'

To précis Cohen’s register: there’s the $19m boat for Daikyo Corporation, owners of golf courses and resorts, the 65m cruise ship for NQEA which cost $25m, Renee Rivkin’s boat at around $8m, Blue Lagoon Cruises 50 passenger 53m ship at $25m, the Ansett Hayman Island 5-star ferry, and various superyachts, including the $28m 144ft boat for a Russian client and in the pipeline, a proposal for a 56m $40m boat for a US client.

Currently working on a 116ft boat on Australia's Gold Coast that has a budget of $12m, Cohen anticipates more than 200,000 man hours to convert the former charter vessel, Iluka, to a luxurious, state-of-the-art superyacht to be known as My Australiana, with a deadline of Christmas this year.

'It’s a superyacht, not a trawler or a ferry. It was blessed with a particularly beautiful hull shape which is a classic clipper bow and therefore, a great foundation.

'It has to be beautifully finished and impeccably crafted,' Cohen explains, adding that his design ethos is to combine the owner’s personal requirements with classic styling – 'nothing faddish'.

'It has to endure for many years. Styling must be timeless, like the E-type Jag, with classic lines and the forms you find in nature.

'I aim to produce a boat that stands out for all the right reasons: visually appealing to the eye and exceptionally elegant. It also has to be economical to run and retain capital value for owners.'

With the increased interest in superyachts from the Middle East, Europe and the US, the global market is buoyant.

'There are around 50,000 people around the world who are worth more than $100m. They’re the big boat buyers and the definitive superyacht customer,' says Cohen.

An internationally acclaimed superyacht designer, Cohen has an unrivalled depth of experience in the field, having designed boats for royalty, celebrities, magnates and the extremely affluent over the past 28 years.

Based on Australia's Sunshine Coast, Cohen is about to travel to Dubai, Taipei and Hong Kong to work with potential clients on refits and builds.

More at www.berniecohendesigns.com