AYD founder, Adam Younger originally studied ‘Yacht & Boat Design’ at college, a calling from a young age and a fascination of the performance and handling of powerboats in various sea conditions. Also, from spectating at the classic powerboat races of the times and crewing and driving classic powerboats from a young age.
After leaving college Adam worked in the design offices of the famous British yard of Souter Shipyard. Work here covered all aspects of design and various types of craft. Whilst mainly working in the commercial sectors the yard also built various low production craft from high speed powerboats to sailing boats.
The next stage in Adam’s career saw him forming his own business and working under contract for various design offices, boat builders and organisations. This being a really valuable time with experience being gained across many areas of the industry. Various private commission’s also being undertaken.
During these times Adam was also competing in Offshore Powerboat racing at National and International level. This was a great means to develop new designs and craft. The boats campaigned were also built, rigged and maintained by Adam and his team. Really importantly this combined design with building and racing. Also this proved to be very successful with Adam and the team winning many events and also becoming European and National Champions in the highly competitive outboard engine classes. Much of this success came with combining high speeds and rough water abilities. Something that still runs true with AYD today – with a premium always being placed on boats that can handle real sea conditions and have great handling too.
Design wise Adam was still contracting with some really interesting assignments from working in the offices of the RNLI to running the design office of Cougar Marine.
Increasingly private design work was building and the AYD brand very much grew up with the development of the modern RIB market and stepped hull craft.
From 2005 onwards the AYD design office has been independent and no longer taking on contract work. This has led to the success of many designs and brands of craft in many different areas of planning hull craft. We have seen many developments for the RIB market and also AYD expand work in the commercial, superyacht tender and ultra performance markets with designs for all types of hull forms. The office very much works on an associate basis with various experts working as part of the AYD team. This allows us to scale to suit a project but also be dynamic and forward thinking.
AYD now has an extensive back catalogue providing a great data base. But the quest to develop, innovate and develop new work is as strong as ever. AYD has never repeated designs and this is still true – but having our data base and associated programs gives an unrivalled basis to move forwards from.
The future provides extremely exciting prospects as we see engines and power supplies develop and change, build materials and processes change and a changing world where priorities and requirements also change. Then there are new design methods, prototyping potential and ways of validating. We look forward to new challenges and possibilities.
Currently we see AYD working globally with significant designs underway in many sectors. We have created special bonds with many of our clients and work on a common goal of providing the best boats on just above the water.