Conrad’s clients: how owners challenge the design process

“It’s really painful because we are not able to present this boat,” says Mikołaj Król Conrad Shipyard’s CEO (pictured below).  Guiding MIN around the highly-confidential third 144S in-build on the Gdansk site,  he expresses the frustrations of contracts – specifically in not being able to showcase all the hard work, attention to detail and craftsmanship his team puts in.

The team consists of 100-150 workers depending on the project stage.  Marine Projects (the parent company established in 1989) and Conrad Shipyard (established 14 years later as a yacht division) is about 500 people.

“If I had the opportunity to order the boat for myself, I would also treat it like my private space,” he sighs. “But it’s really painful because it’s a tool to use to promote to, and to get, other clients.”

Król details how Conrad has grown its offering, how proud he is of the work that’s produced and how the activities of the shipyard have developed in tandem with the builds.

When the shipyard began, Poland didn’t have a big yacht market “like in Italy or even other European countries.”  Within the local market, “there was not so many companies which could provide the services and the products for the yachts.”

This meant the shipyard developed its own furniture and stainless steel capabilities.  Those now help to encourage clients to be deeply involved in the build process.  

“We call our shipyard ’boutique’. This is the spirit of what we do. It’s kind of a journey, a relationship and really fun for both parties when we build the boat together.”

Król prefers working directly with clients rather than “a lot of representatives”. The latter is “not as fun.” He clearly enjoys the spirit and passion of the end-users.   

Client involvement in build process

And, he says, sailing vessel clients are typically more passionate and engaged than motor yacht owners.

“The sailing clients are more involved.  The yacht ‘s a place to realise their passion, their hobby. Mostly for motor yacht clients [the boat] is more like another property to spend time on.

“Sailing clients are deciding about almost everything. I like working with them because it’s really strong cooperation.”

Conrad is currently building a 42 metre sailing yacht designed by Frank Noble for a Swiss customer, which Król describes as an “unusual” vessel.

It’s expected to be very fast. A sloop, it has an aluminium hull and carbon superstructure and features a carbon mast.

Król says the owner loves to sail:  “He’s crossing the Atlantic every year.

“It is a fast boat, but the superstructure allows the big saloon, the space for him, and for his wife.”

Owners in the sailing community tend to be part of a society that encourages sharing images, he believes. The images below are courtesy of media4marine.

Chartering experience leads to design specificity

According to Król, the client for the first 144S was heavily involved in the design process (pictured below).  He’d been chartering for over ten years which meant he had lots of experience to draw from to get exactly what he wanted.

Launched in October 2022, the C144S model, Ace, is the largest motor yacht ever built in Conrad Shipyard’s history, as well as in Poland. In the C144S, the ‘s’ stands for a straight bow.

The second 144S was delivered in April 2024, and the one in build is scheduled for October this year – it was contracted in April 2023 and has an estimated price of circa €32 million.

It’s for a client from Qatar and will be a private yacht (rather than charter) so privacy has been paramount from the outset. The interior design is confidential although there will be a private presentation for workers, designers and media.

“The owner is very involved in meetings in Milan,” Król says. “This is very nice to see that you work for someone who will appreciate the job, who will enjoy the boat, who will use the boat.

“But the nicest moment is always when the client on the boat the first time.  To see the smile on the face.”

The build time for a 144S is theoretically 24 months but typically closer to 30 months (depending on changes made).  

Hull three will be equipped with a Zodiac rescue boat positioned on the bow, a Castoldi JT 21 measuring 6.5 metres stored in the garage, and two jet skis.

Król’s happy to continue building more 144S models. They’re easier and faster to produce than larger custom vessels, he says.

Conflicting aspirations can cause challenges

Although the yachts are built in Poland, Król says that sometimes challenges can be caused by cultural differences in design and execution.

He describes a previous situation where a decision was made to switch to bigger engines on a motor yacht. Seemingly the client’s Italian supervisor ‘pressed’ for an upgrade.

“It’s a really Italian way of designing.  The Italians have a spirit, to be fast and so on.

“When the contract was signed, suddenly it was a change order to go for bigger engines.”

Engineering modifications began.

“But one day the client started to think on his own. He called his naval architect. And after one hour discussion —  what are the pluses and minuses of it —  he decided he  wanted to have smaller engines.”

The decision to revert was made for several reasons: less noise and vibration, less fuel consumption, and the impact on the vessel’s speed was deemed insignificant.

Additionally, with the introduction of SCR (selective catalytic reduction) systems to meet emissions regulations, the smaller engines allowed for more compact SCR system in the engine room.  Larger engines may have created access problems or required engine room extensions, says Król.

“Some years ago it would be difficult to persuade the client,” he notes, but that need for speed is now changing as owners consider heavier engines and the cost of fuel consumption.

While engines might have been smaller in the case above, the Conrad facility is expanding.

Following the trend for ever-bigger yachts, a concept has been developed for facilities that could accommodate two slots for yachts up to 60 metres. And it’s already got a 100 metre floating dock which can be covered.

“I think sooner or later we will go, you know, for bigger ones,” Król concludes.

Marine Industry News was hosted by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) in Gdansk. Unless otherwise stated, images copyright ZBC.