Espen Oeino: “In the future, yachts will be less ostentatious.”

How did you come to work in the yachting world?‍

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I am originally from Norway, where I grew up and started sailing on small sailing boats. One of the countries in the world with the highest proportion of boats per inhabitant, of the order of 1 million units for a population of around 5 million people. I have always been fascinated by merchant ships and everything that sails. Chance and my student background meant that I discovered the Côte d'Azur in my youth, the region that is home to many yachts. In the early 1980s, when I arrived in Antibes, I was immediately fascinated by its port, its landscapes and everything that revolves around it. I studied marine engineering in Scotland, but my first real professional project really started in 1986 in Antibes. I worked with Martin Francis on the project of a motor-yacht called “Eco”, when I always dreamed of designing sailboats!

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‍20 years ago, you chose to settle in Monaco in an office that brings together 25 people. Why has the Principality become so important in this world?

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‍Today, we have the privilege of working in this place which has become, in a few years, the yachting capital in Europe and even in the world. In addition to the famous Monaco Yacht Club, the Principality offers an incredible range of hotels, restaurants and luxury shopping addresses. It is also a safe city that remains a major asset for this yacht clientele. But let's not forget other cities such as Cannes, Nice, Antibes and all the ports of the Côte d'Azur, which remains the favorite destination of “yachtmen” from all over the world.‍

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What are your recent achievements?‍

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We have just launched a new small motor boat, the SR 40, designed based on my own experience on the water. A dayboat from the Windy shipyard that is close to my heart, because it is a Norwegian brand. At the same time, we are working on a larger project: the REV Ocean. A revolutionary 183-meter ship whose technical design began in Norway before joining the Damen shipyard in the Netherlands where it will spend two years to be “nursed” and become an exploration yacht. It is an impressive ship with facilities for ocean research, capable of taking on board 35 scientists or technicians. On board, there will be an amphitheater, classrooms to accommodate students, and an opening that will allow a submarine to be launched into an icy sea. Designed by a Norwegian industrialist who is passionate about the sea like me and very committed to this project, the REV Ocean has no equivalent in the world today. We are also collaborating on an even bigger floating private homes project. Designing a 12-meter Windy boat or the REV Ocean demonstrates all the diversity of our work. Both are equally exciting!‍

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How do you see the future of yachting?

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We are the first witnesses of climate change and are forced to try to reduce energy consumption on board boats as much as possible. We are trying to design thinner hulls that require less energy and create boats that consume less when stationary. For example, we know that a yacht consumes an average of 50% of air conditioning in port or at anchor. We are working on geometries, insulations that reduce interior temperatures, like the houses of yesteryear that did not have air conditioning. We are working on hull colors or creating ships that can be ventilated naturally... There is always a breeze at sea! The boat of tomorrow will offer fewer indoor spaces, but more outdoor spaces, sheltered from wind, rain and sun. We also look at what happens with foils, like those in America's Cup cats, to reduce fuel consumption and friction. In the future, yachts will be smaller, and less ostentatious...

Photos: Rev Ocean © RR

Cover: © Guillaume Plisson