Delving into Design: Tony Castro Talks the Outstanding Nature of the Studio

Superyachts.com had the pleasure of speaking to Tony Castro, Founder and CEO of Tony Castro Yacht Design, to gain an insight into the outstanding nature of the studio. Delving into the company’s heritage, design processes and approach to the latest technological advancements, the studio and founder’s unwavering dedication to his clients is more than evident, alongside its pioneering position within the superyacht industry. 

So, tell us about Tony Castro Yacht Design: how did it come to life? 

I started racing boats as a young boy and, by my teenage years, had won numerous championships. These experiences were the bedrock of my understanding of boat dynamics, which proved invaluable when I started studying Naval Architecture & Yacht Design in 1971. In 1980, I set up my studio, breaking records just one year after its inception as JUSTINE III won the iconic ‘One Ton World Cup’.  To this day, she is still the first yacht to win all five races in such a championship. 

From this illustrious start, the studio won four further World Championships in different classes,  gaining commissions from numerous manufacturers and individuals wanting the Tony Castro Design stamp. Over the next four decades, this has led to a steady yacht design business that has received numerous awards for both power and sailing yachts. 

What are some of the studio's most notable designs which showcase the diversity of the design firm? 

The Tony Castro Design Team has become a formidable force in crafting significant yachts, boasting extensive experience in both series production and customised vessels. Over the years, we introduced a strong ‘Design for Manufacture’ attitude, resulting in exceptional value-for-money boats, some notable highlights being 102 sales made at a Southampton Boat Show and around 1,500 units sold of our longest selling sailboat SUNSHINE. 

Our portfolio includes yachts such as JUNO, BALTHAZAR and SPRING25, as well as power boats like Williams, and the 500 Fly model: the first such boat to ever feature balconies. On top of this, we have developed several bigger yachts, such as the 60m+ explorer yacht ESTRELA DO MAR for Lürssen, PERENNIAL for Denison Yacht Brokers and an impressive 125 metre. We have designed cars, watches, clothing, buildings and aeroplane and helicopter interiors, highlighting the extent of the studio’s expertise. 

What is the process behind building a custom yacht, from conception to delivery, with Tony Castro Yacht Design?? 

Building a custom yacht should be the realisation of a dream: every single detail must be exactly as the customer imagined it. The first thing is understanding the customer’s preferences and how they are planning to use the yacht. From conception to delivery, we pass through a process of debriefing on customer preferences as a team, as we believe that a bright idea often comes from discussions. We then establish individuals’ roles and proper schedules, ensuring we evaluate frequently the best solution for the customer. We create the prototype that is suitable for the concept, test it, and redesign it if needed, making improvements until the final product is realised. We then enter the Supervision stage where we follow the construction of the yacht, helping to decide the last few details of the exterior and interior design. Throughout this stage, we are the guardians of the DNA of the design the owner agreed to, and we work hard to make sure that it is not deviated from. 

What steps does the design firm take to ensure that the studio-owner relationship remains personable throughout the design process? 

The relationship between the studio and Owner is incredibly important; an outstanding yacht can only be achieved with an outstanding Owner. By strategically designing, the business can optimise the flow of the design from sketch until the service is delivered. This ensures that the right design reaches the shipyard and that it is built according to the Owner's wishes, maximising customer satisfaction.

We work hard to analyse the customer’s needs and set project objectives, from there identifying the best project team. With each team member's responsibilities in place, we evaluate major alternatives to accommodate every single requirement, before starting on the project execution. Once the Owner approves the concept, our designers start sketching the design and the team develops the prototype once it is approved. Having an agile framework with the customer allows the team to dedicate the right time to the project and adapt constantly to the Owner’s preferences.

So, leading on from this, when has Tony Castro Yacht Design met and exceeded client expectations? 

When a yacht is a winner, it tends to exceed the client’s expectations, as rarely do they consider winning an award as an outcome of their design. Having won five World Championships with our racing yachts, I know the pleasure of achieving this. However, the best example of a design exceeding the Owner’s expectations is one that they do not feel the need to replace. We are fortunate to have had Owners that have kept their yachts for more than 28 years. This is the best lifetime ‘award’ that a Designer can receive.    

How will Tony Castro Yacht Design continue to be an outstanding studio in the future, with regard to changing trends, sustainable demands and new technological advancements? 

Acknowledging technological change is essential for economic growth and sustainable development. At Tony Castro, we challenge and empower our team to adopt eco-friendly practices, optimising the resources and looking to use the latest technologies to harness rapid technological change. 

From an engineering point of view, hydrogen either as a fuel for the future or as an add-on for the present is an example of a new advancement, and we’ve started to explore partnerships with other companies in the industry to offer an innovative and integrated solution that allows our customers to explore the seas in a sustainable way.