About us

Now in our fifth decade at the forefront of naval architecture and yacht design, our team continues to create the most dynamic and cutting-edge designs in both sail and power sectors.

Founded by Rob Humphreys in 1974, our team at Humphreys Yacht Design has quickly grown from its racing roots into a leading international design studio, forging a spectacular path in both sail and power. Now with Tom Humphreys as co-director, his highly-qualified technical capabilities, discriminating standards and great attention to detail has augmented and underlined the HYD team’s already stellar reputation in both performance and leisure spheres.

Multi-generational, multi-skilled and multi-disciplined, HYD is more than a family business. Our commitment is to delivering optimum performance and efficiency, safety and manageability, and it’s is why we enjoy a reputation that speaks for itself.

Beyond design, our research, innovation, analytical tools and evaluation facilities drive our knowledge and understanding of the latest materials, equipment and hydrodynamic interactions, uniquely empowering us to push boundaries across disciplines for all our clients.

A legacy of world championship winning racing yachts, award-winning motor yachts, over 100 successful circumnavigations and innumerable trans-oceanic crossings, Humphrey's designs have been there, at the leading edge. The acquired knowledge and feedback that flows out of all this helps support our determination to keep shaping the cutting edge.

And now, as the global economy wakes up to the challenges and opportunities of a more sustainable future, our innovative and efficiency-rooted approach has seen us collaborate with forward thinking companies and individuals alike.

Rob Humphreys

Rob Humphreys Founder

Rob Humphreys founded Humphreys Yacht Design in 1974 and developed the company from its racing yacht roots into one of the leading international design studios, in terms of both sail and power. Reinforcing his vast Naval Architecture experience he has a degree in Industrial Design and has been product-oriented from day one. Rob has served as a member of the ORC’s International Technical Committee, the RORC’s General Committee and Technical Committee, the Whitbread Rules Committee, and when the America’s Cup transitioned from Twelve Metres he was Chairman of the Designers’ Group in the crucial IACC formation session.

Tom Humphreys

Tom Humphreys B.Eng. C.Eng. FRINA

Tom, as a Director and co-owner of HYD, not only represents a second generation but has given the company a big step up in terms of technical capability. With a First-Class B.Eng. degree in Yacht and Powercraft Design, Tom adds an academic grounding to his own practical experience. Whether working in the sail or power sector, he ensures that the company’s conceptual base is strong and the detail execution is to the highest standard. Tom is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow member of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects and has been a member of the RORC Technical Committee since 2012.

Duncan Fawkes I.Eng MRINA

Duncan has over 30 years’ experience within the marine industry. From studying Yacht and Powercraft Design at Southampton Institute, he has worked for some of the country’s leading boatbuilders, shipyards and design offices. For the last 20 years his work has focused on the superyacht sector, in the role of Naval Architect. He has worked on many large sailing yacht and motor yacht projects from concept development to final production.

Outside of work, Duncan’s interests don’t stray far from the water. Whether it be swimming, kayaking, surfing or sailing, the water is where the fun is. He also enjoys learning practical skills and is currently involved in the restoration of a classic wooden sailing yacht.

Duncan

Martin Chambers B.Eng

Martin graduated with honours from the Australian Maritime College in 2012 and has worked in a mix of commercial, defence, and leisure industries since. He has worked extensively on high speed aluminium power craft and been involved with all aspects of design from structures through stability. After moving to the UK in 2016 for what was originally supposed to be a 2-year secondment, Martin chose to stay abroad and now lives in the UK permanently. While not at work, Martin likes to spend his time mountain biking, walking his dog and playing ice hockey.

Martin v2

Timeline

  • 1973 First design launched Quarter Tonner Midnight Special 1973

    First design launched Quarter Tonner 'Midnight Special'.

  • IMG 0502 1974

    Robert Humphreys Yacht Design is founded

  • 1979 31ft Roller Coaster second at Half Ton World Championships 1979

    31ft 'Roller Coaster' second at Half Ton World Championships.

  • 1981 Gem top production boat prize in Micro Cup 1981

    'Gem' top production boat prize in Micro Cup.

  • 1984 Flash second in Half Ton World Championships 1984

    'Flash' second in Half Ton World Championships.

  • 1985 Jade II wins One Ton world championships member of the British Admirals Cup Team 1985

    'Jade II' wins One Ton world championships & member of the British Admirals Cup Team.

  • 1987 Appointed member of the International Technical Committee of the Offshore Racing Council 1987 95. 1987

    Appointed member of the International Technical Committee of the Offshore Racing Council (1987 -95)

  • 1987 Juno replace with this image 1987

    One Tonner 'Juno' winner of the Fastnet Cup; member of the British Admirals Cup Team.

  • Replace 1988 image with this one Blue Arrow 1988

    Designer for Peter de Savarys Americas Cup Challenge & Chairman of Americas Cup rule design group.

  • Ultra class formed in the UK. This fleet was a televised series on mainstream TV. 1989

    Ultra class formed in the UK. This fleet was a televised series on mainstream TV.

  • 1989 Ultimate 30 Flyer winner of Ultimate Yacht Race in US. 1989

    Ultimate 30 'Flyer' winner of Ultimate Yacht Race in US.

  • 1990 Rothmans finishes 4th in the Whitbread Round the World Race 1990

    'Rothmans' finishes 4th in the Whitbread Round the World Race

  • 1990 Apriori and Old Mother Gun member of winning British team in IMS European Championships 1990

    'Apriori' and 'Old Mother Gun' member of winning British team in IMS European Championships.

  • 1990 Member of the Whitbread Offshore Council developing the Whitbread 60 Rule. 1990

    Member of the Whitbread Offshore Council, developing the Whitbread 60 Rule.

  • 1993 Cyrano de Bergarac 128ft Cruising Ketch wins Showboat International The Most Innovative Yacht of 1993 1993

    'Cyrano de Bergarac' 128ft Cruising Ketch wins Showboat International 'The Most Innovative Yacht of 1993'

  • 1994 GibSea 414 voted Le Bateau de Lannee 1995 at the Paris Boat Show 1994

    Gib'Sea 414 voted 'Le Bateau de L'annee 1995' at the Paris Boat Show.

  • 1994 Whitbread 60 Dolphin Youth 1994

    Whitbread 60 Dolphin & Youth

  • 1995 Fremantle 8 awarded 1995 Australian Sailboat of the Year by Modern Boating The Australian Boat Building Federation 2 1995

    'Fremantle 8' awarded 1995 Australian Sailboat of the Year by Modern Boating & The Australian Boat Building Federation (2).

  • 1995 Megalopolis wins 3rd consecutive ISORA Championships 1995

    'Megalopolis' wins 3rd consecutive ISORA Championships.

  • 1996 Prefix developed by Humphreys Yacht Design wins Innovation award at the British Nautical Awards 1996

    Prefix™ developed by Humphreys Yacht Design wins Innovation award at the British Nautical Awards.

  • 1997 Oyster 56 sells eleven units before launch an Oyster record. 1997

    Oyster 56 sells eleven units before launch - an Oyster record.

  • 1997 Ocean Phoenix Phoenix 77 wins Heineken Regatta in St Maarten and is voted UK Yacht of the Year. 1997

    'Ocean Phoenix' (Phoenix 77) wins Heineken Regatta in St Maarten and is voted UK Yacht of the Year.

  • 1999 UPDATE HOD 35 Zarafa class winner of UK IRC National Championships 1999

    HOD 35 'Zarafa' class winner of UK IRC National Championships

  • 2000 Oyster 53 wins Yacht of the Year award UK 2000

    Oyster 53 wins Yacht of the Year award (UK).

  • 2001 Rob becomes part of the GBR Challenge design team 2001

    Rob becomes part of the GBR Challenge design team

  • 2001 Ellen MacArthur and her Open 60 Kingfisher finish second in the Vendee Globe 2001

    Ellen MacArthur and her Open 60 'Kingfisher' finish second in the Vendee Globe.

  • 2001 Twelve boat fleet of Humphreys designed BT Global Challenge boats successfully complete the 2000 01 race 2001

    Twelve boat fleet of Humphreys designed BT Global Challenge boats successfully complete the 2000_01 race.

  • 2002 Ellen MacArthur wins the Route du Rhum on IMOCA 60 Kingfisher 2002

    Ellen MacArthur wins the Route du Rhum on IMOCA 60 Kingfisher

  • 2006 Tom starts full time at HYD after graduating in Yacht poewr craft design at Solent University 2006

    Tom starts full time at HYD after graduating in Yacht & power craft design at Solent University

  • 2007 interior oyster 2007

    Jo Humphreys initiated a major advance in Oyster interiors with the Interior Design of Oyster 655-04 Roulette, influencing future Oysters.

  • 2008 UPDATE Ermis 2 wins Showboat award most Innovative Yacht International Superyacht Society Best Power Yacht 2008

    'Ermis 2' wins Showboat award most Innovative Yacht & International Superyacht Society 'Best Power Yacht'

  • 2008 Team Russia Volvo 70 Kosatka for the 08 09 Volvo Ocean Race 2008

    Team Russia Volvo 70 'Kosatka' for the 08-09 Volvo Ocean Race

  • 2008 Toms first commission Oystercatcher XXVI wins Class 1 at Cork Week 2008

    Toms first commission, Oystercatcher XXVI, wins Class 1 at Cork Week

  • 2011 Oyster 885 Hull 1 Launched 2011

    Oyster 885 Hull 1 Launched

  • Elan 350 031 small 2011

    Elan 350 wins European Yacht of the Year

  • 2012 Oyster 625 wins Best Bluewater Cruiser Asian Yacht of the Year Award European Yacht of the Year award 2012

    Oyster 625 wins Best Bluewater Cruiser, Asian Yacht of the Year Award & European Yacht of the Year award.

  • 2013 Azuree 46 designed for Sirena Marine launched 2013

    Azuree 46 designed for Sirena Marine launched.

  • 20150728 my meserret 0085 Edit 2014

    HYD’s Interior division carried out a complete interior refit design for a classic 58m motor yacht.

  • 2015 Class 40 Credit Mutuel de Bretagne wins The Normandy Channel Race 2015

    Class 40 'Credit Mutuel de Bretagne' wins The Normandy Channel Race

  • 2015 Oyster 825 Maegan wins her class at the Superyacht Cup Palma 2015

    Oyster 825 'Maegan' wins her class at the Superyacht Cup, Palma

  • 2016 Tempus Fugit Tempus 90 design for Arkin Pruva Yachts wins her class at the Superyacht Cup. 2016

    'Tempus Fugit' Tempus 90 design for Arkin Pruva Yachts wins her class at the Superyacht Cup.

  • 2016 Azuree 41 designed for Sirena Marine launched 2016

    Azuree 41 designed for Sirena Marine launched.

  • 2018 Elan GT5 wins Best Midsize Cruiser for Cruising World Magazine 2018

    Elan GT5 wins Best Midsize Cruiser for Cruising World Magazine.

  • Fleet 1 2018

    HYD commissioned by Arksen for Naval Architecture and Exterior Styling of range of Explorer Vessels

  • 2019 Oyster 565 wins Bluewater Cruising Award at teh British Yachting Awards 2019

    Oyster 565 wins Bluewater Cruising Award at the British Yachting Awards.

  • 2019 Oyster 1125 launched 2019

    Oyster 1225 launched

  • barbar studio com ELAN GT6 253 Large v2 2020

    Elan GT6 Launched

  • Arksen Mountains 04 RBG 2 v2 2021

    First Arksen 85 sold

  • Oyster 595 Brochure Exterior 4 2021

    Oyster 595/01 Launched

  • Colour Image Web Page 50m Explorer 2021

    HYD 50m Custom Explorer Vessel - Build commences at JFA, France

  • Oyster 495 EYOTY Winner Bow Low Res V2 2023

    Oyster 495 wins European Yacht of the Year Award 2023; Luxury Cruiser

  • Arksen85 02 Launch 007 high res 002 2023

    Arksen 85 'Project Pelagos' is launched in Cowes, UK.

Press

Awards

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