As Vice President of Design and Product Development, Kevin’s time with Back Cove Yachts and Sabre Yachts has been a busy succession of one project, and one innovation, after another. Ten years ago Kevin “hit the ground running” designing for Back Cove Yachts, and would begin designing for Sabre not long after. Today, with projects like the Sabre 66 Dirigo and the new Back Cove 32, it’s doesn’t look as if he plans to stop running any time soon. Lucky for us, Kevin made time to satisfy our curiosity in this anniversary interview. Our thanks and congratulations to Kevin, from your fellow members of the Back Cove & Sabre Yachts Team.
What has changed the most since you started designing for Back Cove?
The power of the design tools we have, and our teams’ internal ability to use those tools has advanced exponentially.
If you could send a message back through time your younger self what would you say?
“Kevin, you will live past 28 – the long view is important.”
Tell me about the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen:
Some years ago, I was traveling with a colleague in Washington State. We took a side trip up into the hills above the Skagit River and, after a short hike, came to a precipice overlooking the tulip farms below us. It was surreal seeing the huge fields of different colored flowers in neat patches spread out over the valley. Fun to see the natural world and the human world come together in such a spectacularly pretty way.
Tell me about the person who has impacted your life the most:
Pretty sure my wife holds this title.
What are you best at?
I can cut a mean paper snowflake.
What are you most proud of?
My children. They are both so kind and thoughtful and interesting.
Tell me one thing that none of your coworkers know about you:
I was really into BMX racing in the 80’s.
What is your theme song, and why?
U2 – Where the Streets Have No Name. When I was in the service, a group of us went skydiving. Someone took video of the day and edited it with this song as the soundtrack and it stuck with me.
What’s something your mother taught you that you’ve never forgotten?
How to fold a fitted sheet.
What’s your favorite book of all time?
The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand. I read that book while I was a college student, and it was the first time I felt personally challenged by a novel. It was the elevation of competence that really appealed to me – and the challenge was “are you going to be competent in life or are you not?”. There was a hero who was creative and productive and capable and ethical – it was inspirational to me as a young man.
Tell me about someone who is your hero:
Archimedes has greatly influenced my life.
What super power would you like to have?
The ability to pause time.
What, in your opinion, is the best thing about humanity?
Reason
Tell me about an embarrassing moment:
I walked into a (very clean) plate glass door on a 50 meter tri-deck yacht during the Ft. Lauderdale boat show many years ago…left a face-print and everything.
What’s your favorite song of all time?
Impossible question. Instead of answering, I’ll open my iTunes and tell you the first song to pop up: Queen/David Bowie – Under Pressure.
When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?
Space Ship Designer
Where would you go in a time machine?
I’d like to see where we will be in 200 years.
What would you hope to see in 2216?
I’d hope to see us having broken through the sustainable energy ceiling – there aren’t many problems with the world currently that couldn’t be solved by our having the ability to produce cheap electricity in a way that doesn’t contribute to degrading the human environment. Sustainable energy is like money – It can’t buy you love, but having enough sure makes life easier.
If you could talk to someone who has passed away, who would you talk to and what would you say?
My Grandfather, and I would choose to listen.
