Perhaps the biggest advantage of choosing a custom yacht is the ability to get exactly what you want from the boat; this means you will need to do some thinking as to what you want and need from your boat. The first and most important consideration when choosing a custom yacht is determining whether you want a more traditional sail-powered boat or a motorized boat. Most luxury yachts are motorized, while smaller, more traditional vessels tend to have sails. Each type of vessel has advantages and disadvantages, and only you can decide which will be best for your purposes.
Once you have determined which style of custom yacht you want, you will need to seek out a yacht builder that can construct the boat you desire. Be sure to consider several boat builders before committing to the one that can give you the best price for the best boat. You should, of course, also choose the yacht builder you are comfortable working with, as it is likely you will need to have several consultations with him or her to ensure the best final product. Whenever possible, try to examine other custom yacht orders the builder has completed or is working on to get an idea of what kind of work he or she does.
The builder will often suggest many features and designs that will suit your needs. Consider each suggestion carefully and think about how you will use the custom yacht on a regular basis. Boats used for entertaining guests, for example, usually feature large deck areas as well as dining areas, socializing spaces, and guest bedrooms or quarters. Smaller, more intimate boats are ideal for the family, or for short day trips and fishing trips. If the custom yacht is for you only, you may want to consider a smaller, more affordable vessel with only one living area and fewer amenities.
It is also important to consider where you are likely to use the custom yacht. A boat designed for travel on the ocean will often be designed differently than a boat intended for use on a lake or river. If you will be transporting the yacht to a boat launch and storing it at home, be sure to consider the overall size of the vessel not only for use on the water, but for transport when out of the water; towing an extremely large vessel can be difficult and dangerous, so a smaller vessel may be appropriate.