MYS 2023: Guido de Groot on the Importance of Being Diverse

Diversity is at the heart of Guido de Groot Design, the Founder describing the range of yachts currently being worked on, including its first carbon-fibre vessel, classical designs as well as more stylish and aggressive yachts. 

A ‘sweet spot’ for the studio is custom yachts between the 30 and 45 metre range. Guido attributes this success to not many designers focusing on this market and not a lot of shipyards being able to build them. This means that: ‘The shipyards we work with that are in that market are very successful because the demand is there.’

The firm is currently working on a 112m Oceanco concept, Guido believing that concepts are incredibly important to the industry at the moment due to changing attitudes surrounding sustainability. He commented that: ‘Style-wise, it doesn’t always have to be futuristic-looking’, describing that recent concepts include designs based on boats from the 1930s. Instead, ‘the thinking should now be that the industry is more sustainable.’ 

Sharing his wisdom, Guido recognised that a lot of designers only have one idea, but that ‘you have to be diverse, explore, there’s so much to do in the yachting industry.’ He also articulated the importance of listening to clients, stating that they also have a lot of experience, so it’s essential to listen to what they want. 

In terms of growth, Guido commented: ‘I’m not saying we want to grow, but we want to keep having a lot of fun.’  With a new team, new energy and evolving ideas, Guido de Groot Design is set to have an exciting future, taking the past 25 years of exceptional experience and attributing them to the forever-changing industry. 

To find out more, watch the full interview above.