Cohen casts off
Superyacht designer, Bernie Cohen is adding refits to his repertoire, looking abroad for all opportunities to overhaul ageing superyachts, convert ex-military and other vessels and contemporize outdated designs.
'Bernie Cohen with the superyacht under construction at the GCCM.'
Jeni Bone
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"There's plenty of scope in Asia, the US, Europe and the Middle East," he says, referring to the markets of the bulk of superyacht customers.
"As well as working on boats from concept to completion, I am keen to position my services as among the best available internationally for top quality refits."
For three decades, Cohen has been involved in massive projects for the world's elite clientele.
He started at the top echelon of the industry in the 70s under the tutelage of Terence Disdale, working on projects for various Middle Eastern clients, the original Azimut yachts, the first Princess 45, and since then, a host of commercial vessels, luxury liners, ferries and cruising yachts.
Currently working on a 116ft boat on the Gold Coast that has a budget of $12m, Cohen anticipates more than 200,000 man hours to convert the former charter vessel, Iluka, to a luxurious, state-of-the-art superyacht to be known as My Australiana, with a deadline of Christmas this year. 
"It's a superyacht, not a trawler or a ferry. It was blessed with a particularly beautiful hull shape which is a classic clipper bow and therefore, a great foundation.
'It has to be beautifully finished and impeccably crafted," Cohen explains, adding that his design ethos is to combine the owner's personal requirements with classic styling - "nothing faddish".
"It has to endure for many years. Styling must be timeless, like the E-type Jag, with classic lines and the forms you find in nature.
'I aim to produce a boat that stands out for all the right reasons: visually appealing to the eye and exceptionally elegant. It also has to be economical to run and retain capital value for owners."
More at www.berniecohendesigns.com
by Jeni Bone 
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North Sydney, NSW
