This year, Naval Yachts has been shortlisted in the Motor Yacht Under 25 Metres category at the prestigious International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2025, organized by design et al.
As part of the finalist spotlight, our founding partner Dinçer Dinç was invited to share thoughts on design philosophy, inspiration, and the future of yacht building.
Here’s the full interview, now shared with our community.
Tell us a little about your background in the sector.
I studied naval architecture and started my career working in various positions at different shipyards. Over the years, I had the chance to be involved in the construction of numerous superyachts, both in Istanbul and Antalya.
After gaining great experience, I established my own design studio and began providing services to several shipyards. It was a great period of growth and learning for me as a designer.
Four years after starting the design studio, my brother and business partner, Barış Dinç, and I decided to take things a step further. In 2012, we converted our business into a shipyard — that’s how Naval Yachts was born.
Since 2012, Naval Yachts has been building innovative and custom yacht projects for clients all around the world. We’re proud to be part of such a dynamic and forward-thinking industry.
How would you describe your design ethos?
At Naval Yachts, our design ethos centers around creating explorer yachts that are built to go anywhere — from crossing oceans to navigating through rough waters. Functionality and technical capability are always at the core of our work. But what sets us apart is that we don’t stop at performance — we place a strong emphasis on aesthetics as well.
While many brands focus solely on utility, we believe that a yacht should not only be seaworthy but also visually compelling. The world is evolving, and so are design expectations. At Naval, we’re constantly adapting to these changes. Our mission is to design yachts that are both technically advanced and truly handsome — capable of withstanding the toughest seas while turning heads in any marina.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
The original exterior design of the XPM78 series was created by Dennis Harjamaa from Artnautica Design. We built hull number one for an American couple in 2021. The second hull, Vanguard, features some refinements and customizations from our in-house design team — building on Dennis’ beautiful and functional base.
The philosophy behind the XPM78 is to create an efficient, ocean-capable hull using advanced naval architectural principles, while also developing a superstructure that fully supports long-range cruising. It’s a challenge to combine a rugged, practical explorer yacht with refined aesthetics in a single project — but we believe we’ve achieved that balance.
In what direction do you feel that design is moving in a general sense?
The world is evolving rapidly, and design across all industries is changing with it. Whether you're looking at toys or car designs, it's obvious — we're no longer in the 2000s. The same applies to yacht design. When you see an older yacht today, it’s easy to recognize it as outdated. That’s because design trends are progressing so quickly, and every product needs to adapt.
We strongly believe that technological advancements like hybrid propulsion systems, smart onboard technologies, and even AI will not only enhance functionality but also influence the exterior styling of yachts. Our vision at Naval Yachts is to design the near future — combining efficiency, user-friendliness, and aesthetics into each of our projects.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in the future.
1. Sustainability: Minimizing environmental impact will be at the forefront of future design. Criteria such as recyclable materials, energy efficiency, and reducing carbon footprint will become as important as aesthetics.
2. Technological Integration: Smart systems, artificial intelligence, IoT, and automation technologies will not only influence how things look but also how they function. Technology will become a functional complement to design.
3. User-Centric Design: User experience, ergonomics, and intuitive usability will take priority. A good design must not only look appealing but also be user-friendly and accessible.
4. Timeless Aesthetics with Flexibility: Designs that are trendy yet timeless will become increasingly valuable. Flexibility through modularity and customization will also gain importance.
5. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Innovative and integrated solutions will emerge from the collaboration of diverse fields —from architecture to software, engineering to art. Design will no longer be a solo act but theresult of a collective vision.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to designing, what would it be?
Always start by thinking through the foundational elements of the project — and dedicate around 40% of your time to building that base. A strong foundation leads to a successful design. And never try to force an existing design to fit your valuable requirements. Instead, let your requirements guide and shape the design from the beginning.
What projects are you currently working on?
Right now, we're focusing on a new generation of explorer yachts and megayachts — a segment where Türkiye is rapidly gaining recognition. We're collaborating with top naval architecture firms and world-class designers to create yachts that combine outstanding design with maximum efficiency, always guided by our clients' unique requests.
One of our most exciting developments is the LXT Series, which will be our next line of models to showcase and present to the market.
Voting closes 4 June – Your support means a lot.
Both XPM78 and Greenaval47 are proudly shortlisted in the Motor Yacht Under 25 Metres category. Voting for the International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2025 remains open until Tuesday, 4 June at 12:00 PM BST.
Thank you for your continued support.