Okay, let’s tackle this. So Susan Puleo has 42 years of experience in yacht design, which is a specialized field. The average salary for a yacht designer in the US can range from $60,000 to $120,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, considering her extensive experience and the fact that she's working in a niche field, I would estimate her hourly rate to be on the higher side. Let’s consider the rate for experienced designers in the US, which can range from $50 to $100 per hour. Given her 42 years of experience, I would estimate her hourly rate to be around $125, which is at the higher end of the scale.