Terence Disdale Celebrates 50 Years of Iconic Design with New Book and Film
One of the most celebrated names in modern yacht design, Terence Disdale, is marking over half a century at the helm of creative innovation with the release of a new book and documentary film.
Terence Disdale: My Art of Yacht Design, published by Assouline, offers an unprecedented look at the designer’s visionary approach: a body of work that has shaped the very definition of contemporary superyacht elegance. The richly illustrated volume was curated by Daniela Zulli, managing partner at Terence Disdale Design, with Mark Hopper as art director and text by acclaimed yachting journalist Marilyn Mower, alongside contributions from Roger Lean-Vercoe and Stewart Campbell of BOAT International.
This book frames his life as a yacht designer through some of his most spectacular and challenging projects,” says Mower.
A Career That Defined Modern Yachting
Disdale, who quietly built his legacy avoiding trends and ostentation, has created some of the most admired yachts ever launched, from the 63-metre Pegasus IV (now Lady Haya) to Lürssen’s legendary 114.5-metre Pelorus and the 162.5-metre Eclipse. His designs are known for their natural balance between serenity and sophistication, redefining what true luxury at sea looks like.
“After 53 years of Terence Disdale Design,” he says, “I thought it was time.”
A Film That Captures the Spirit of Simplicity
Coinciding with the book, BOAT International Media’s B.creative Studio has produced a 25-minute documentary delving into Disdale’s philosophy and design process. Directed by Alex Conte with creative direction from Christopher Whale, and hosted by Stewart Campbell, the film captures Disdale’s humor, humility, and mastery.
At its heart are Disdale’s “Ten Commandments of Yacht Design”, principles rooted in restraint, timelessness, and practical beauty.
“Nothing dates quicker than ‘wow,’” Disdale remarks. “A five-star yacht doesn’t work without a five-star pantry.”
The film illustrates how his discipline of texture over pattern, light over ornament, and comfort over extravagance became the blueprint for modern superyacht design.
Industry Tributes
The documentary features tributes from leading figures in yacht design and shipbuilding, including Tim Heywood, Andrew Winch, and Peter Lürssen.
Lürssen, whose shipyard has collaborated with Disdale for decades, calls him “a true partner: practical, collaborative, and brilliant at simplifying the complex.”
At Abeking & Rasmussen, senior project manager Andre Jonker adds, “Terry is a hero in this industry. Everyone knows his designs, and after 50 years, the respect is universal.”
An Exhibition of Art and Legacy
Running through November 2025 at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, the accompanying exhibition offers visitors a rare glimpse into Disdale’s creative world from scale yacht models and original hand sketches to sculptures, lamps, and bespoke furniture pieces. Together, the book, film, and exhibition celebrate a designer who has spent five decades not chasing the spotlight, but mastering it.
