Car design student from Cape Town wins global superyacht competition

Finn Lortan,24, studied yacht design in Cape Town

CAPE CHAMBER: You grew up in Cape Town. Have you always been interested in boats and /or design?  

FINN: I have definitely always been interested in design, in terms of how products work, look and are experienced. This passion was not limited to one aspect of design but covered a wide range of design categories . Everything from motorsport, fashion to interior design but the biggest attractions at the start for me in design was the automotive world.

CAPE CHAMBER: How did you end up in the UK, and am I correct that you are studying car design? Or is the course broader than just cars?

FINN: I was looking to study transportation design which was initially sparked by the love of the automotive industry, which led me to the University of Coventry in the UK. I am also extremely proud to have studied at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Los Angeles whose transportation design course is world leading. This course is heavily weighted towards automotive design and includes a yacht module which for me was a segue into boat design.

CHAMBER: I see at one stage you also did a Superyacht deckhand course. So you've always had an eye for superyachts?

FINN: I do have my superyacht deckhand qualification. I think this was definitely one of the starting points for my appreciation for superyachts and what amazing pieces of design they are. I think they are one of the highest forms of experiential design and something truly special to be a part of.

CHAMBER: You also spent time with the famous Du Toit Yacht Design. Was this subsequent to your studies in the UK? Was this a big influence in terms of design capability?

FINN: I had just spent a year in LA studying at Art Center College of Design Pasadena. After this I was looking for an internship opportunity where I was directed towards DTYD by some friends in the catamaran community after seeing my portfolio. The time that I spent at DTYD was invaluable and pushed my knowledge of boatbuilding and design to a level that I will be forever thankful for.  

CHAMBER: How did it come about that you entered the Boat International competition?  How did you hear about it?

FINN: After my time at Du Toit yacht design I returned to the UK for my final year of graduation where one of the course recommendations was an entry into the Boat International competition. This being an amazing opportunity for a young professional to debut their work to the best judges and yacht designers in the world, I eagerly took part.

CHAMBER: Have you designed other boats /cars?  Or was this a relatively new experience?

FINN: In terms of boat design I was able to be a part of many amazing projects at Du Toit Yacht Design but the two standouts that I was able to contribute to were The Askari 55 which is currently being built, and I can't wait to see in the water. The second being the Reflex 46 for which I believe tooling has just been sent off for - another amazing project led by Jonathan Jagot in conjunction with Du Toit yacht design. I’ve also taken part in many concept car design projects at Art Center with a few of the industry's leading professionals.

CHAMBER: How did you approach the design? Was it based on your own knowledge of superyacht designs?  Did you have a preconceived idea of the kind of superyacht you wanted to design?

FINN: The approach I took for the  Boat International submission as with many of my designs was experience-based. I did not have a preconceived idea of what type of yacht I wanted to design. I think it should always be tailored to the brief and buyer's needs and wants.

CHAMBER: In one media interview I read how you set out to prioritise a single main entertainment area where guests could mingle together — rather than being split front and aft. Was this a central feature of the design? What would you say are some of the other aspects that appealed to the judges?

FINN: Yes, I think one of the standout features was the unified entertainment area which was a key part of the brief, capable of entertaining 20 guests at once. I believe another one of the standout features that was appreciated was the innovative floor gyro system for the master suite, allowing the master suite to remain on the top floor and maximizing sea views while mitigating ocean roll -- as this was also one of the brief's big challenges.  

CHAMBER: Were you surprised at winning? Were you forewarned about the result, and were you present at the award ceremony? How did you react?

FINN: Winning the award was a truly proud moment. There is an immense amount of work that goes into these projects. I am so grateful it was able to pay off. We were not forewarned about the results of the competition; they were revealed at the first night of the awards ceremony after the industry awards had been received. An absolute honour to be able to receive this in front of a room full of the very best that this industry has to offer.

CHAMBER:  What now? This potentially is a great springboard for a young designer. Are you planning to stay abroad and work offshore?

FINN: I can’t thank everyone that was involved in the event enough for the opportunities it has brought along. The next step for me is applying to studios after my graduation in the beginning of May. I’ve started visiting potential offices in the last couple of weeks and am excited to be a part of this industry in the near future.

CHAMBER: You've designed a luxury vessel, but would you own one? Do you have any interest in cruising?

FINN: Obviously spending so much time thinking about and creating these designs and experiences, I would love to own one. Being Capetonian, spending time on boats combined with the a love for the ocean and all the sports that it has to offer, it is inevitable. So, yes, that is definitely part of the goal.

CHAMBER: What's your view on South Africa's boatbuilding & design sector? SA designs are doing well — six nominations in the latest Multihull of the Year competition. We seem to be punching above our weight. Would you agree and what makes us successful?

FINN: In terms of where we stand in the industry I think as South Africans the ocean is a big part of who we are. I believe this is where our accolades come from: a passion for the ocean. I think you can see that in the boats that come out of South Africa. They are not just meant for sitting in harbours, they are fully designed and built to tackle and enjoy the rough seas that we grew up on. These boats, similar to most of the things that South Africa does best, are built for experience and adventure, I think that’s what people appreciate most.