British studio Winch Design has partnered with brokerage firm Burgess to create a yacht concept called Project Ace. Touted as “the perfect superyacht,” this 72-meter vessel is the result of input from yacht owners, crew members, and shipyards throughout Northern Europe, Italy, and Turkey. The outcome is a semi-custom platform that appeals to both charter clients and resale markets, featuring several desirable leisure amenities, including a private owner’s deck, an office that can transform into a nail bar, and a 100-square-meter beach club and spa.
BOAT takes a closer look…
What is the ideal size for a superyacht?
72 meters, 1700GT, five decks
“For smaller sizes, there are numerous series or semi-custom build options available, which dominate that market segment. In larger sizes, we often find clients wanting to be more involved in developing the entire concept for the project, making this size a sweet spot for our approach.
“72 meters is the perfect size to incorporate the features and square meters requested by most clients. It also presents manageable tonnage regarding regulatory complexity, allowing shipyards to provide competitive build times and high levels of customization at attractive prices—factors that are crucial in today’s market,” said Jim Dixon, managing partner and creative director at Winch Design.
How has Winch Design’s “signature yachts” influenced Project Ace’s aesthetics?
A Winch Design yacht, Phoenix 2, was recently sold for a last known asking price of €124,950,000.
“Both the exterior and interior designs of Winch yachts have always featured a ‘signature,’ making them unique and instantly recognizable. Project Ace is no exception. The design is pure, balanced, and beautifully proportioned, showcasing a ‘blade’ signature along her long aft superstructure lines, which allows for unique exteriors with different material and color options. We hope this will appeal not just to one owner, but to a succession of multiple owners,” Jim Dixon explained.
How many shipyards were consulted with this concept? How did their feedback shape the design?
“We engaged with several shipyards from Northern Europe, Italy, and Turkey. Overall, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Firstly, the proposed design and technical platform are feasible and align with their own design philosophies. Secondly, the project resonates well with the current requests and discussions they are having with their clients.
A few shipyards suggested that a slightly larger version of the design might better suit their client base, and Winch Design is currently working on that. Keep an eye on this,” Ed Beckett, senior partner and naval architect at Burgess, added.
What level of crew input was included? How did their feedback influence the design?
The secondary exterior proposal by Winch Design
“[Project Ace] was developed in close collaboration with the Burgess Management team, composed of former yacht crew, including captains, deck officers, engineers, and interior crew members. We strongly advocated that a yacht with a solid operational setup would provide a better experience for the guests on board.
Aspects that could easily be overlooked for a few extra square meters of guest space have been prioritized in this project—appropriate crew numbers, the flow of crew and provisions throughout the yacht, and storage solutions—not just one large deck store, but well-distributed functional storage across the yacht. This is a fundamental component of designing a successful yacht,” Lucy Medd, partner and head of crew services at Burgess, stated.
Who else did you consult?
“We shared the design with several of our trusted clients who have experience in chartering, owning, and constructing their own yachts, considering careful commercial aspects in their designs.
Insights gained, known only through active yachting, included window heights for seated views, smart floor lighting for night, design-led accessibility options, guest pantries, hidden children’s activity tables, a ship’s office that can convert into a nail bar, flower refrigerators, beer taps, saunas, cold plunges, and larger galleys for chef’s tables or ‘kitchen party’ options. These were incorporated into the updated go-to-market design package for Project Ace,” Crispin Baynes, partner and sales broker at Burgess, revealed.
How have you enhanced Project Ace’s charter appeal?
“The layout of Project Ace focuses on the primary guest by providing a forward-facing master suite with 180-degree, floor-to-ceiling panoramic views. The ‘best in class’ 100-square-meter waterside beach club and spa is central to any great charter experience, as is the 5.2-meter deck pool above. In fact, the entire aft area of the yacht is dedicated to relaxation, socializing, and casual well-being. An important feature is the central elevator connecting the main deck to the sun deck, allowing guests of all ages to easily access their cabins,” noted Jim Dixon.
“Project Ace is also positioned in a ‘sweet spot,’ capable of achieving a high volume of charters while maintaining attractive charter rates compared to annual running costs,” Ben Harwood, senior partner and head of charter at Burgess, continued.
How have you maximized Project Ace’s resale value?
“This project features fantastic design elements without being too radical or polarizing, and its features and functionalities are top tier for a project of this size. We have ensured that Project Ace has global appeal, with a design and layout that doesn’t cater exclusively to one market.
Project Ace isn’t just an aesthetically pleasing design—it also incorporates a wealth of unique industry intellectual property, ensuring it functions effectively. This yacht is designed to be thoroughly enjoyed by both guests and crew,” concluded Ed Beckett.