How Do You Design for Charter Use?
With studios in London and Nice, H2 Yacht Design is entering a new phase. For Jonny Horsfield, designing for charter is not about following a formula, but part of a broader shift in how yachts are conceived.
"It's less about making a statement and more about how the yacht is actually used."
That shift has redefined the role of design. Where projects once leaned more heavily on visual identity, the starting point is now different: how people move on board, how spaces adapt, and how a yacht feels over time. "H2 has never really had a house style," Horsfield adds. "That's intentional. Every project starts with how it's going to be lived in."
Beyond a Charter Formula
Despite the growing importance of charter, Horsfield is quick to push back on the idea that it requires a fixed approach. "It's not about designing a 'charter yacht'," he says. "It's about making sure the yacht works for different people, in different ways." That principle shows up in quieter decisions. Circulation becomes more considered. Guest areas feel both open and private. Deck spaces shift naturally between quiet use and social settings.
"It's really about adaptability." In that sense, charter is less a category and more a test. A yacht that works well for charter tends to work well, full stop.
Across H2's recent work, the same thinking appears in very different ways. Angelique, the 87m flagship built by Turquoise, shows how a yacht can move naturally between private use and charter, with outdoor living, wellness and entertainment built into the overall experience rather than treated as add-ons.
The approach shifts again with After You. As a 60m Damen Xplorer, the priorities are less about volume and more about range, endurance and comfort over longer periods on board. "That project was about experience," Horsfield says. "Not just where you go, but how it feels to be there."
REV Ocean is a prime example of this philosophy in practice. Conceived as a multi-functional charter platform, the yacht incorporates a deliberately diverse mix of spaces — from a Formula One racing simulator to a cinema and wellness spa — ensuring the onboard experience feels as dynamic and layered as the vessel's mission itself.
Seen together, the projects suggest that designing for charter is not about applying the same solution each time. It is about understanding the role each yacht is meant to play, then creating spaces that feel natural to live in, whether the setting is a private retreat, an explorer platform or a vessel with a broader mission.
