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When I asked Patrick what his dream project would look like, he instantly had a vision to share, his "swan song" as he calls it. "It would be the conversion of a commercial freighter into a luxury explorer or expedition yacht that has the ability to be self-sustained as it circumnavigates the globe," he details. "And it would have absolutely every amenity and tender (seaplane, submarine, helicopter, all of the toys)." For Knowles, the beauty would be "to be able to design a yacht that had previous iteration as a workhorse in the commercial sector, and be able to create a pygmalion, just an absolute metamorphosis from one life to the next." Patricks adds, "it wouldn't hurt if it was over 100 meters." Certainly, Patrick Knowles has demonstrated his seemingly limitless ability to cra something out of nothing, creating custom megayachts and superyachts out of the words of his clients, the inspiration in his own head, and the incredibly detailed and intricate sketches on his paper. His newest project, a collaboration with American shipyard Metal Shark, will see the transformation of their commercial, aluminum-hull vessels into luxurious catamaran-style yachts. With staterooms that will provide floor-to-ceiling views of the ocean and a master stateroom that will give new meaning to the open air concept, Patrick Knowles Designs is sure to deliver an unparalleled and visually breathtaking new line of yachts. Looking towards the future, Patrick muses about the advantages and drawbacks of our ever-evolving technological world and its impact on the yachting industry. "When I first started in 1989, technology was at an absolutely different place and it was back in that time that a family would go out on trips and detach from society. e experience of yachting was enhanced by the absence of technology." Now, however, Patrick sees that "with technology, you can do any and everything you want to do" from the comfort of your yacht. Whether it be remote work, staying in touch with family and friends while on extended trips, or the crew's own ability to get to know their guests better, technology continues to change the definition of what it means to be a yacht owner. As the industry evolves, so does Patrick Knowles Designs. With a listening ear and sketching tool in hand, Patrick Knowles can be trusted to create the luxury refit or new construction yacht of your dreams. You can view more of his work on his Instagram @patrickknowlesdesigns or visit patrickknowlesdesigns.com for more information. VUE ON | LIFESTYLE 42 VUENJ.COM

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