United States

Stephens Marine

The <a href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show - 2022">Fort Lauderdale Boat Show</a>, long touted as the ‘great American yacht show’, has served as the backdrop for watershed after watershed moments – but perhaps none as significant as when the 30-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5444" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Destiny30.0m (98'5&quot;)Westship Yachts1988">Destiny</a> (ex. Golden Delicious) made its world debut in 1988.&nbsp;Golden Delicious, as she was known then, was <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/217" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yachts (Company)">Westport Yachts</a>’ first delivery, and she paved the way for a successful dynasty that culminated in more than 150 deliveries. She broke new ground and was a thorny reminder that there’s more to yacht design than sex appeal. Yachts should be functionally-driven and designed for the purpose they’re intended for: a life on water. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/47562/image/large-fff0d1669cc39c30fe96357affda91f7.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/47562">This ethos, along with a vision to redefine the possibilities of composite as a build material, proved to be instrumental for the success of the now legendary US designer, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Ja</a><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">ck Sarin</a>, who was still very much in the infancy stages of his career when he walked the quays of the 1988 <a href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show - 2022">Fort Lauderdale Boat Show</a>.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Jack Sarin</a> founded his eponymous studio just eight years prior to the delivery of Golden Delicious, and the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/217" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yachts (Company)">Westport</a> yacht put his name on the map. “She was our break-through project,” Jack Sarin reflected. “We designed her as an all-composite build based on our multiple length/beam hull, which has since been used by a number of Northwest builders and is still being used for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/217" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yachts (Company)">Westport</a> 112’s.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/251211/image/large-f735b9a74a8766ff8a927376f0f09440.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/251211">It has to be remembered that composite was relatively new then, and only 13 yachts in the 24-metres and above category were constructed out of the material prior to 1980. In the decades that followed, as we all know, the number of builders opting for the lightweight and versatile material grew exponentially. But at that time, what <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Sarin</a> brought to the market was a practical, function-driven design that can be reproduced time and again, utilising a product that significantly reduces build time. It was a heady mix; a good, practical design coupled with a product that is cheaper and quicker to get to the market.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/189120/image/large-d942a303b464f5f8182b5c787c746661.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/189120">Golden Delicious may have been a major milestone for Sarin, but she wasn’t the designer’s first composite yacht. In 1987 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/371" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Admiral Marine Works (Company)">Admiral Marine Works</a> delivered the 27.04-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11788" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gloria 27.04m (88'9&quot;)Admiral Marine Works1987">Gloria</a> (ex. Crazy Horse), designed and engineered by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Jack Sarin</a> – a process in which <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Sarin</a> was very much alone. “When I requested prior engineering material, I was informed that we were the first design office to attempt this size using composite,” Sarin told SuperYacht Times. Perhaps it was a vote of confidence driven by Sarin’s sanguine attitude. But it was certainly well placed. “The boat still looks brand new,” Sarin cheerfully noted. And this is 35 years after her delivery!It wasn’t foresight alone though that brought <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Jack Sarin</a> and his studio to fame and stardom, it was hard graft. “If there is any secret to my success, it was the long hours of work, seven days a week in the first couple of years in business,” Sarin humbly explained. “It was also the emphasis on teamwork within our office and I’m particularly proud of the talent we assembled along with the communication they kept with the shipyards we worked with.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/102168/image/large-563ced93c31646b9f198f443af10fdea.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/102168">But it was also his staunch commitment to place function above all else; <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Sarin</a>-designed yachts just work. The numbers speak for themselves: just over 1,000 motor yachts 24-metres and larger have been built in the US since 1980, and around 10 percent of them are to a<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">&nbsp;Jack Sarin</a> design.From a young age Sarin was exposed to tinkering on fishing boats, an exposure he credits to his father, who was “always building a small boat in the backyard,” Randy Rust of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/217" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yachts (Company)">Westport Shipyard</a> reported in the Los Angeles Times back in 1996. Yet it wasn’t until he enrolled into further education that the young enthusiast discovered the virtues and values of pragmatism.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/167216/image/large-8f754144340e965284c57a63c9d73ad3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/167216">“While studying Industrial Design in college under the tutelage of Professor Frank Del Guidis of the legendary Walter Dorwin Teague design firm, I was introduced to the concept of ‘form follows function’,” Jack Sarin explained. “It was pounded into my head that first, before attempting any new or redesign, you had better have a firm grasp of what exactly was the purpose of the product, and how it would be used. This approach meant that you touched, felt, and used the product before even beginning a conceptual sketch on paper.”After graduating from the University of Washington with a B.A. majoring in Industrial Design in 1965, followed by a stint of military service, Sarin found himself back in the world of yachting. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2772" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Stephens Marine (Company)">Stephens Marine</a> in Stockton, California was looking for a budding designer to join its ranks, and Sarin jumped at the opportunity. He packed a bag and migrated from Washington State to California – and was hooked. He had found his forte.&nbsp;After three years, Sarin returned to Seattle to work in the design office of the noted NA Edwin Monk. “ I worked there for twelve years fulfilling my Engineer-in-Training requirements and obtaining a Naval Architect/Marine Engineer licence before opening my own firm in 1980” – which brings us full circle, and back to that pivotal <a href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show - 2022">Fort Lauderdale Boat Show</a> in 198<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/217905/image/large-b55d839db8cddc780271f515c22d9463.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/217905"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Jack Sarin</a>’s portfolio extends well beyond the 50 States of the USA, and shipyards around the world have built and delivered projects conceived in his studio. “We have had the occasion to build in Italy, Mexico, Taiwan, Mainland China, and New Zealand,” Sarin explained. “But, although we worked with a number of yards around the world through the years, we found that it was easier to work with the Pacific Northwest builders.”If there is actually a secret to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Jack Sarin</a>’s success, it lies in the studio’s commitment to nurturing and strengthening relationships, ensuring that communication is always open and that everyone is on the same page. “The Pacific Northwest builders that we worked with quickly gained understanding of the requirements and challenges surrounding the use of fibreglass and composite construction and, for the most part, shared with one another their solutions,” Sarin confirmed. “I am particularly proud to have worked with these builders and was always more than happy to direct potential clients their way for discussion.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/36650/image/large-935139f819d994d6fc71d2def526a180.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/36650">Shipbuilding in the Pacific Northwest is far from vacuous as the yards and designers have created a strong ecosystem, an instrumental factor in the region’s success. “When communication is good between the builder and designer, potential problems are limited. Problems only arise when the builder wants to do it their way and tries to limit input from the architect and/or owner,” Sarin confirmed.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Jack Sarin Naval Architects</a> instilled the trust necessary for the shipyards to ‘let go’; it helps that the studio is a one-stop-shop that not only delivers a design package, but also the naval architecture. This proved paramount. “Over the years, the amount of detail paid to the naval architecture and marine engineering within the design of any type of vessel has vastly increased,” Sarin explained. In short, functionality trumps. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/121584/image/large-3ffe51e251c038bfbccab6481afeb48a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/121584">“Styling by itself, without some incorporation of the old ‘form follows function’ concept and a heavy dose of boating experience, is a recipe for a poor design,” Sarin continued. “And almost all types of vessel are subject to some type of regulation or standard that need to be incorporated in the design.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Sarin</a> has fed this mantra directly into his studio; “over the years, our office has developed our own set of standard rules in areas where sometimes none might exist, for instance, in areas of stability and structure,” Sarin explained. While a number of U.S. shipyards have benefited from this method, the studio worked in later years almost exclusively with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave Custom Yachts</a>, before the firm officially retired in 2020. The shipbuilder has delivered seven yachts engineered by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Jack Sarin</a>, the most recent to hit the water was the 35.57-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9204" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Romeo Foxtrot35.57m (116'8&quot;)Hargrave Custom Yachts2022">Romeo Foxtrot</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/234908/image/large-5fd16da72dd5bac98223a0283ad117f3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/234908">“As several of my employees retired or moved on, I began to consider retirement myself, and was happy to narrow down our work to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave</a> office,” Sarin explained. “I had met Mike Joyce of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave Custom Yachts</a> many years before and had told him how I had admired Jack Hargrave since I first met him in the 1960’s at Stephen’s Marine as a young designer.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/234910/image/large-a05280293d79b3c33b2d9138b245679a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/234910">Looking forward, Sarin believes that the fate of North American yacht design is reliant on training. “As an old school guy, I believe a young designer must obtain as much hands-on training as possible, both in the building yard and in an educational setting. Unfortunately, though, I know of no school that provides this intensive combination of training … but, if one wants it badly enough, it can happen.” &nbsp;Jack Sarin has now retired and replaced his pen with a paintbrush, working on abstract pieces alternating between his winter home in sunny Arizona and waterfront home in summer on Puget Sound near Seattle.&nbsp;

In conversation with Jack Sarin 

Jack Sarin joined SYT to share his design secrets and to reflect on his long and successful career. 

In conversation with Jack Sarin: The designer behind 10% of U.S. motor yachts

As part of our history series from revered in-house yacht historian, Malcolm Wood, SYT takes a closer look at yacht builders that are, for one reason or another, no longer in existence. This issue we cross the Atlantic ahead of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show to Stockton, California, to take a look at the yachts built by Stephens Marine. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/16262/image/large-32b9ae56db130d55bb3ef1c5a3cbf422.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/16262"> Vida Mia&nbsp; Founded in 1902 by Theodore and Robert Stephens as Stephens Brothers Boat Builders &amp; Designers of Stockton, California, their first vessel was the sloop, Dorothy. A year later they had progressed to constructing motor yachts up to 15-metres and as a result re-located to a more permanent site on the Stockton channel that could accommodate future expansion.One of their specialities was the design and construction of fast speedboats one of which, the Fred F. Lambourn completed in 1912, would enhance their reputation as builders of high-speed craft of high quality.By 1929 the company had built their largest yacht to date, the 18.6-metre Vida Mia that survives today in excellent condition. Her hull number #580 would suggest that almost 600 boats had been launched by that time, the majority being private pleasure craft. In 1933, brother Thod (Theodore) died unexpectedly leaving Roy (Robert) to manage the company. Production continued apace until 1941 when the building of pleasure craft was suspended as the company started a major contract with the US government to construct minesweepers and air-sea rescue craft.Many of these were converted to yachts following the end of WW II and I believe that there are currently several still giving sterling service today.Roy Stephens decided to retire after the cessation of hostilities after successfully running the company after his brother’s death by handing over to his three nephews, Barre, Dick and Theo.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/16261/image/large-628931c31511d9c3769337e6a4468010.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/16261"> Westlake in 1951Whilst production continued strongly in the postwar period utilising Stephens’ standard hulls with custom designed interiors, there was an increasing call from customers for individually designed yachts. One of the largest and most notable of these was the 26.9-metre Westlake (#900) built in 1951 for Californian developer Henry Doelger.A further military contract was awarded to the company in 1953 for more minesweepers and air-sea rescue boats for the US Air Force. In the meantime yacht production continued as the company’s reputation for high quality had become well established - hull #1,000 had been delivered in 1958.In 1960 the company was sold to the Wrather Corporation of Jack Wrather, entertainment industry magnate and a collector of Stephens built yachts. The name of the company was changed to Stephens Marine Inc. at this time. This development however only lasted three years before the company was re-acquired by the Stephens brothers. Two notable yachts of 25.9-metres, Miss Budweiser and Elmax, were delivered in the early 1960s to the Anheuser-Busch Corp. and R.T. McDermott respectively.Stephens built their yachts of wood until the introduction of aluminium and GRP as alternative materials for boat building became popular in the late 1960s and the company launched its’ last wooden yacht in 1974. From the mid-1970s onwards Stephens concentrated on the larger (18-metre plus) yacht market including a handful of sailing yachts. One interesting motor yacht originally built in 1974 and later lengthened to 30-metres was Bravo (ex: My Way).<img src="/uploads/store/photo/16264/image/large-035cdafd69aa1ec05764af2bcf8f0062.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/16264"> Bravo in 1974 (ex: My Way)However, production from 1977 until the company closed its doors a decade later would only result in another 20 yachts being delivered. Stephens would stick to aluminium as their preferred construction material that would result in their inability to compete with the lower quality fibreglass yachts being constructed by numerous recently established yards. In total, Stephens built 1,200 vessels making it the most successful yacht builders in California and possibly in the USA. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/16263/image/large-4d3d0571b46ced6ccee80eb7bfd7750d.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/16263"> St. Elias in 1958Stephens built yachts are highly collectable today with an annual Stephens Rendezvous organised by the Classic Yacht Association’s Northern California branch. Such was the build quality of these classics that a large number are still sailing today lovingly cared for by their proud owners.<a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title=""><img src="/uploads/store/photo/13976/image/large-0479ea0b23567c145bad5ee46c7a49e8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/13976"></a> This article is featured in the latest edition of the SuperYacht Times, published today.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Subscribe now&nbsp;</a>to receive your copy straight to your door and never miss another issue.&nbsp;