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Boat design was in Alan Warwick's blood and there was seldom a moment when he wasn't thinking about new concepts and challenges.
Alan Warwick, right, with fellow One Ton Cup winner Chris Bouzaid. Photo: Sail World.
Warwick passed away recently and made a big contribution to the yachting and boating communities as a sailor and boat designer. A commemorative service was held at the All Saints Anglican Church in Ponsonby before the celebration of his life continued at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Warwick studied as an architect and but he soon moved into boat design to follow his passion. He had been a sailor of some note, competing internationally in M-Classes and also played a vital role onboard Rainbow 2 when New Zealand won the One Ton Cup in 1969, but it was as a designer that he made his name.
His first major success came in the 1980s with the Cardinal range of yachts built out of Taiwan but soon specialised in one-off designs, whether it was in powerboats, yachts, catamarans, luxury motor yachts or sportfishers. His talents were recognised by multiple awards, including the 2012 International Superyacht Design Award, 2013 World Superyacht Awards and 2013 Show Boats Design Awards.
Asked in 2014 by World magazine if he still dreams about boats, he replied: “I seldom don’t. It is in my blood. Unlike buildings, boats live and breathe and bring their owner so much pleasure. Whenever there’s a new concept to consider, my mind races. Each brief is unique in its challenges. We still learn so much from each boat.
"Boats are moving. There’s an emotion there you just don’t find in buildings."
Warwick Yacht Designs became world-renowned and clients ranged from Middle Eastern rulers to corporates. He also designed a boat for an Australian businessman who wanted a 76-foot sportsfisher to suit his special needs as a paraplegic.
“You are bound by your imagination and, really, designing is like a game of chess," Warwick told Ultimate - Boating and Lifestyle magazine. "It’s fascinating. You try one thing, you give something else away. Simply put, yacht design for me is a like a toy shop.
"It’s really a business based on trust. When our paraplegic client wanted a sports fisher boat built, we travelled to his factory and actually mapped the boat out on his floor so he could wheel himself around every square inch to see if he could manoeuvre around the various quarters."
Warwick's son, Bruce, followed him into boat design and runs Warwick Yacht Designs.
