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For some superyacht owners, the process of building their dream
vessel is as enjoyable and enthralling as actual ownership and often leads to
serial projects. As a newcomer to boating, Steve Owen could not be sure how he
would react to either side of that equation when he embarked on his first
superyacht project three years ago.
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He had recently sold his business and was on an extended family
tour in Europe, but he soon tired of shuttling between villas and
hotels—particularly during peak season—as his clan moved around the
Mediterranean. Staring across the water at Positano on the Amalfi Coast one day,
Owen watched the yacht Kokomo glide into view from behind a rocky
headland. It was love at first sight. He determined then and there that he would
have a yacht like it.
After doing some research, Owen contacted Dubois Naval
Architects and commissioned a 37-meter sloop similar to the one that had stolen
his heart in Italy. "It was done on a whim," he recalls. "I always wanted to
build something without compromise."
 Zulu has a typical Dubois pilothouse, which
is heavily raked for aerodynamic efficiency. (Click image to enlarge)
Helios, built by Fitzroy Yachts in New Plymouth, New
Zealand, was sold before it was completed, robbing Owen of anything but the
briefest of ownership pleasures. He enjoyed the challenge of construction so
much that he was keen to start over again. Little did he realize that he was embarking on a venture that
would captivate him so much that he has since built a second Dubois yacht and is
progressing with plans for a third. It turns out that he is one of those people
who enjoys the process of building boats just as much as he enjoys owning them.
Owen’s second yacht, also built by Fitzroy, benefited from
lessons learned with the first. Recently launched Zulu is, he believes, a
significant leap forward. While he looks forward to savoring actual
ownership of Zulu—he intends to cruise the Med first, enjoy a
couple of superyacht regattas and display the boat at the Monaco Yacht
Show—his third project, a 45-meter flybridge sloop, is already on the Dubois
drawing board.
 The cockpit is
divided into three areas. (Click image to enlarge)
"After learning from Helios, we had the opportunity to review
everything we had done. We critiqued every aspect. By going two meters longer
with Zulu, we have made a huge difference," says Owen. "As forty-meter yachts go, I
doubt there is anything better in terms of look, style, finish and
specification." The additional volume gained from the increased length was not
democratically distributed throughout all areas. Instead, it was purposely
worked into the entertainment and accommodations areas. If anything suffered
from this choice, it’s the engine room, where space is somewhat compromised
although still perfectly serviceable. But that tradeoff is one of which only
the owner, captain and engineer are aware. Most of the additional volume went into the lower salon and the
aft accommodations areas, allowing for a spacious owner’s stateroom and a second
VIP suite. Other significantly redesigned areas are the upper salon and the aft
cockpit, both with a view to enhancing onboard lifestyle and
entertainment.
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