The Yacht Design Process The following article is a summary of how a new custom yacht design is imagined, sketched and drawn. In addition to the following notes, our Introduction our Introduction web web page provides an outline of our general approach to yacht design. While seemingly complex, the design process is made up of a series of incremental steps, much like the building process itself. The goal of undertaking the design of any new yacht is to take a unique set of owner requirements and to turn them into the best possible solution to those requests. If the resulting design is to be what it should be, each of o f the steps outlined below must be addressed thoroughly. There is first the idea, and then the bringing forth of the idea into a functioning reality. reality. In order to get the relevant information on the table, two primary ingredients are necessary: I. Owner's Specification: The first design task is actually performed by the prospective boat owner. It is is first to imagine the goal, and then to create an !wners "pecification or mission statement for the proposed vessel. With With that information understood, und erstood, we will provide a written #esign $roposal to outline how we propose to meet the goals that have been set forth. •
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%ather than being a detailed description of the result of the design process, the !wners "pecification is better if seen as a general gu ide to the intent of the design. Toward Toward that end, ideally the owners mission statement will be kept fairly simple, since the details of the design will emerge as a result of the design process itself. The basic information needed is an outline of the intended vessels si&e, layout, materials of construction, the intended use, range, speed, rig, and general aesthetic. The essential information should include the intended schedule for designing and building the yacht.
II. Design Proposal: 'y first (ob is to understand the preliminary !wners "pecification, then to provide the prospective client with a detailed outline for creating the new design. This is in the form of our standard written #esign $roposal which includes the following: • • •
) written written outline of the design process itself. ) list of the deliverable drawings and documents. )n estimate for the design work required in order to create the design and to detail the plans for the vessel as described.
The following paragraphs describe our design process, and outline the deliverable drawings and documents.
Stage I - The Preliminary Design Study
)fter our Design Proposal has been reviewed, if the prospective boat owner approves of what we have proposed, then the actual design work can begin. ) custom design starts with listening to the requirements of my clients. The ob(ective is to create the best mutual design solution in terms of vessel type, layout, si&e and style. 'y goal is to propose an appropriate form and function to suit the vessels intended purpose, and to follow that up with a thorough analysis of structure, stability and performance. There will first be a series of information exchanges, possibly including clippings o f similar vessels or sketched layouts provided by the client. )fter the owners requirements have been articulated I will usually begin by creating a preliminary *# +)# model of the intended vessel, which is most often created b y adapting one or more of our existing designs or prototype designs to its new purpose. The *# model allows us to determine: • • • • • •
The envelope available for the accommodations The overall si&e and hull form The preliminary internal structure bulkheads and solesThe rig if for a sailing vessel or motor sailorThe styling and features of the superstructure The preliminary hydrostatics
With that, I will prepare a few +)# generated drawings in order to show the proposed layout in $lan and $rofile views and a perspective view of the proposed xterior "tyling. +ombined with a description of the proposed dimensions and other particulars of the vessel, this is the beginning of what I refer to as "tage I or the preliminary Design Study. Stage I is basically a process of /discovery0 wherein we mutually discover the best solution to your requests. In pursuit of that /discovery0 process we will review our proposed design solutions against the original specification 11 or possibly the initial specification will be revised according to what we discover. This process is both flexible and adaptable.
#uring Stage I we will strive to establish the accommodations, styling, si&e, dimensions, and the target displacement. !ur goal here is to provide a 2proof of concept2 for the design so that further changes can be kept to a minimum. When the preliminary design has been approved by the owner, Stage II can begin.
Stage II - The stimating Plans
The goal of "tage II is to create the first few sheets of the actual 3uilding $lans, and to generate a number of essential documents that will be required by builders so that an accurate construction estimate can be provided. The first part of Stage II involves finali&ing "tage I "tudy #rawings. The preliminary stimating Plans will therefore include: • •
The proposed "ail $lan or !utboard $rofile #rawing The proposed Interior $rofile and )rrangement #rawing
!nce those drawings have been approved, we can proceed knowing that further changes will be minimi&ed. When completed, the stimating Plans Pac!age will include: • • • • • • • • • • • •
"ail $lan 4 !utboard $rofile Interior $rofile and )rrangement "tructural $rofile and )rrangement quipment 5ist 6essel "pecification $ainting "pecification $reliminary Weight "tudy $reliminary $ower and %ange )nalysis $reliminary 7ydrostatics )nalysis 5ist of 3oat 3uilders "uited to the $ro(ect #esigners +over 5etter to 3uilders "ample !wners %equest for 8uotes 5etter to 3uilders
9or smaller vessels there will be three drawing sheets at this point. 9or larger vessels there may be two or more sheets in each category. The goal of Stage II is that enough information be presented in the stimating $lans $ackage that firm quotes can be obtained from prospective builders for construction of the vessel. If you would like to review an example of our design work up to this point, stimating $lans are available for any of the designs listed on our $lans 5ist page.
Stage III - The "uilding Plans
#uring Stage III the remaining design work is completed. With additional owner and builder feedback, further decisions can be made with regard to equipment and finish as needed. The drawings, quipment 5ist and 6essel "pecification are refined and the remaining drawings are completed in order to create a final "uilding Plans package. These drawings and documents will finali&e the interior and exterior details, the machinery arrangement, the deck plan, scantlings, construction sections, the boats final dimensions
and hull shape, and the as1designed displacement, range, performance, hydrostatics and stability. The "uilding Plan Drawings will include: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
!utboard $rofile: "ail plan or other exterior details of the hu ll Interior $rofile and )rrangement: The vessels accommodations "ectional 6iews: "tructure and interior (oinery sections Inboard $rofile: "tructure and primary equipment #eck $lan: +abins, hatches, fittings, mooring and anchor gear "par and %igging $lan as needed 6arious "tructural #etails as needed "cantling 5ist 7ull 9itting #etails 7atch and #eck 9itting #etails +ompanionway, #oor and $ortlight #etails Interior oinery #etails 'echanical 4 'achinery #etails as needed 5ines #rawing %udder #etails
!rdinarily each of the above drawing categories will include several sheets. #epending on vessel si&e and complexity, the 3uilding $lans may include anywhere from ;< to *< or more drawing sheets. #uring "tage III the quipment 5ist and 6essel "pecification are finali&ed in order to accurately describe the intent, the layout, the scantlings, the construction, the systems and the outfit of the vessel. In addition to the above listed drawings, the following Documents will be included in the 3uilding $lans set: • • • • • • • • • • •
!ffsets Table unless the vessel will be =+ cut-. quipment 5ist: The complete list of equipment items. 6essel "pecification: #etails of the intent, rationale and construction. $ainting "pecification Welding "pecification for metal structure 9astening "chedule for wooden structure 5aminate "chedule for >%$ structure Weight 3udget 7ydrostatics and "tability %eport $ower and %ange )nalysis +over 5etter to 3uilder
7aving finished "tage III, the Design Phase of the new yacht will be complete. "ufficient information will be contained in the drawings and documents to allow any professional or amateur builder to build the vessel as intended.
Then the #onstruction Phase of the pro(ect may begin.
Standards $sed Design %oals : Throughout the design process we have the following goals: • • • • • • • • • •
"uitability to the owners requirements and to the intended service. )n interior and on1deck layout per the owners requirements. ) pleasing aesthetic. ) thorough specification to assure longevity and ease of maintenance. "ensibility of structure for the sake of ease of construction. ) functional and accessible machinery and equipment layout. ) distribution of weights to provide correct trim and adequate stability. $erformance suited to the expectations of the vessel type. "tructure per classification society scantling rules. "tability per international criteria.
The general attributes of seaworthiness, seakindliness, strength and durability are considered to be requirements for each of our designs. It is interesting to note that for pri&ate yachts within the ?", there are no requirements for stability or for structure. 7owever if a ?" yacht is to be used commercially or +lassed and built under survey, one or more of the following standards will apply. Whether or not a private yacht will be +lassed, it is our position that all yachts be held to the following standards. Structure : When creating a new design, classification society rules are the best guide for the adequacy of structure. We will confirm compliance with one of the following rules as appropriate to the vessel type, si&e, materials or bu ild venue: •
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)3" @<<< 'otor $leasure Aachts yachts from BC to @<< scantling length 1 originally applicable to all yachts up to @<< 1 all materials)3" ;CCD !ffshore %acing Aachts applicable to sailing yachts up to ;<< scantling length 1 all materials)3" ;CBE %einforced $lastic 6essels applicable to fiberglass vessels up to @<< scantling length)3" ;CBF )luminum 6essels applicable to alloy vessels from ;<< to F<< scantling length)3" @<;D "teel 6essels applicable to steel vessels up to @<< scantling length)3" @<;F %ules for 3uilding and +lassing Aachts new rule applicable to all motor and sailing yachts in all materials up to C< meters scantling length @CF feetI"!1;@@;F for vessels sub(ect to the ?1%+# standards yachts up to BE measurement length 1 all materials>ermanischer 5loyds wooden yachts up to BE scantling length-
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>ermanischer 5loyds plank1on1frame commercial wooden vessels up to ;;F scantling length 1 applicable to larger vessels on approval3ritish 5loyds %egister plank1on1frame wooden yachts up to CE scantling length 1 applicable to larger yachts on approval-
Staility : To assess stability we use a variety of criteria depending on vessel si&e, use and location, as follows: •
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9or private yachts under @D meters measurement length BE feet- intended for registry in the ?, stability will be calculated according to the ?1%+# standards I"!1;@@;B-. 9or private or commercial yachts above @D meters measurement length, stability will be calculated according to I'!, '+) or other standards appropriate to the vessel type, si&e and use. 9or commercial charter yachts in the ?", safety and stability will be calculated according to the ?" +ode of 9ederal %egulations +9%-. 9or private or commercial yachts in the ?", stability will be calculated according to the new )3" @<;F %ules for 3uilding and +lassing Aachts, which defer to the I'! or '+) standards depending on vessel type and si&e. 9or yachts in +anada, stability will be calculated according to criteria established by Transport +anada, which for the most part defer to to the I'! or '+) rules. 9or yachts in other locations, stability will be calculated according to locally applicable criteria 1 most often the I'! or '+) rules, depending on vessel type, service, and si&e.
When a vessel is destined for construction and use within the uropean ?nion, we also prepare documentation regarding structure and stability in order to make obtaining a + 'ark a relatively easy process for the builder.
#onstruction Support Ser&ices We ordinarily recommend that plans be submitted to a few selected yards for their construction estimates. We have worked with a variety of builders in a number of places worldwide. We will try to match a pro(ect with an appropriate builder, even if that may be outside the ?". #uring the #onstruction Phase of the process, there may be various requests for additional services in support of construction. )lthough we dont get into pro(ect management per se, we remain available to act as the owners representative during construction whenever we are asked to do so. In other words, although we do not get involved in managing personnel, scheduling or purchasing, we are pleased to remain involved in order to manage the flow of information and specifications for the builder.
(dditional Drawings) Documents) Schematics...
!rdinarily, system schematics are developed in1house by the builder e.g. plumbing, fuel system, etc.- or by system suppliers e.g. electrical, hydraulic, air conditioning, etc.-. !n occasion the owner or builder may request that we provide basic schematics or additional drawings to illustrate speciali&ed features or other details in support of construction in order to communicate specific owner requests to the builder. 9or passenger vessels or other commercial craft there may be the requirement to provide additional drawings and reports for documentation and compliance with the relevant standards. )nd when a vessel is destined for use within the uropean ?nion, we can prepare documentation that makes obtaining a + 'ark relatively easy for the builder.
*# #utting +iles
!ne of the most valuable +onstruction "upport "ervices we provide for metal boats is to develop =+ +utting 9iles in order to automate a portion of the vessels construction. What is =+...G It simply means =umerically +ontrolled... 3y this method a numerically driven plasma or water1(et cutter can be used to create frames and plates for a metal vessel. !ne can also use an =+ driven router to cut mould frames for a wood or composite superstructure. It is even possible to carve an entire male plug or female mold out of foam for use in building a composite superstructure, directly from the computer generated surface model that was created during the design of the boat. This leverages the work that has already been done in order to create the design and can provide a significant labor savings to the yard. It also dramatically improves accuracy of construction. With =+ cutting, the labor saved during fabrication of a metal hull will usually pay for the cost of developing the =+ cutting files, plus some. In other words =+ cutting is an opportunity to not only effect a true cost savings by shortening the overall build time, but to also improve the quality of the result.
The ,ole of the #omputer Designing the "oat : We use the 'axsurf family of software products, a series of programs for hull modeling, analysis, and construction. With 'axsurf, a preliminary hull model is quickly generated and an initial round of hydrostatics, stability, and performance calculations performed to see where the design can be improved. The computer generated model allows the design to be enhanced quickly at an early stage of design before it has become fixed, or even to be modified without too much fuss later in the process. In fact, without such an easily used computer modeling tool as compared to manual draftingthose subtle refinements would rarely be undertaken even if given a substantial budget.
"everal other benefits are also evident. 9or example, via the computer generated model it is easy to assure that the surfaces are developable, so building a metal or plywood hull is made simpler. Testing the Design : With the computer generated model of the hull and superstructure having already been created, it is a simple matter to make a scaled down physical model for towing tank testing, or to verify the styling and features of the yacht in three dimensions. "uilding the "oat : ) substantial benefit of having generated a model of the hull on the computer is that the vessels structure can also be computer generated and actually pre1 cut via computer guided laser or plasma cutting 1 or in the case of a >%$ vessel, the mould created using a computer guided router.
3y this method, having detailed the hull plating and structure, the parts are nested onto available plate si&es. The completed plate nestings are then sent to the metal cutters 1 usually by email. This is extremely convenient since the cutter can receive the information immediately in order to start the work. When completed, the cutters have a 2boat kit2 that can be shipped wherever needed. The Sa&ings : When building a metal boat in a production environment, assuming one1off construction, industry feedback is generally that =+ c utting will save a professional builder some *FH or so of the hull fabrication labor. The percentage of fabrication labor saved by an amateur owner1builder is dramatically greater. 9or example, consider that lofting is eliminated, as are templating for frame and plate patterns. 9or an amateur builder, this also eliminates most of the 2what to do and how to do it and why2 kind of worries... !ther 3enefits: 6ia =+ cutting an extremely accurate fit results. 9or a metal hull this means there will be far less distortion during the weld1up.
9or construction in other materials such as >%$, =+ cutting nearly eliminates the labor required for lofting and for mold construction. )n entire hull and superstructure mold can be carved by five axis =+ router directly from the computer generated model, avoiding nearly all tooling labor. ) builder can also pre1cut glass fiber or carbon fiber cloth, especially useful with pre1preg cloth cloth that is pre1impregnated with resin and post1 cured by ?6 or by heat-. Where the materials cost is high, the improved efficiency will quickly offset the cost of having developed the structure via computer modeling.
Design-Stream O&er&iew 9or more detail on our design and build strategy please see our +)# #esign "tream article. The following flow1charts were created in order to show our design process 1 more or less taking the usual 2design spiral2 and stretching it out into a linear diagram. I have used two different ways to represent the work1flow.
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"oftware in ?se 1 This is a simplified flow chart showing the software we use, and how a few basic software groups interrelate during the process of creating a new yacht design. $rocess #eliverables 1 This is a workflow chart showing our #esign $rocess arranged in terms of the 2order of operations2 that we follow in order to create each new yacht design. This process starts with our interaction with the client as described above, then moves into the stages of the design process wherein we produce the drawings and documents that we deliver to the client, the builder, and to the metal cutter.
#ool D odels The following are two examples of how we make good use of a *# +)# workflow in order to create a design and its structure, then to communicate the result using *# $#9 files for use by both client and builder. •
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*# 5ines #rawing 1 This is a *# perspective file showing the lines of one of our designs. )s with all of our designs, it was created in a/surf , then imported to icrostation so that it could be 2plotted2 to a *# PD+ for customer review. Within the $#9, you can grab the *# model, rotate it, &oom, pan, walk1through, and you can change the perspective. If you turn on the $#9 menus, you can also manage the layers in the original +)# drawing, turning any of them on or off to simplify the view. This is an excellent tool for visuali&ation of the spaces, and to see the vessels shape from any angle. *# "tructure #rawing 1 This is a *# perspective file showing the structure of a metal yacht design. 7aving been designed in a/surf , the vessels structure was then created in 0or!shop J after which the basic structure was brought into icrostation for editing and detailing, and then 2plotted2 to a *# PD+ for the builder to use as a guide during assembly. It is an excellent way to view the structure using simple, free (doe ,eader software. This enables the builder and his crew to see exactly how the structure interrelates.
0hy De&elop ( *ew Design...1 )s you may have surmised from the above, there is a fair bit of work involved in designing a boat well, even if it is a simple oneK >iven the number of designs that already exist it may seem a little bit wild to commission a new yacht design. !n the other hand, it is an unquestionable delight to see ones ideas turned into ones own personal yacht. Aou will be surprised to discover that the cost to develop a new and unique yacht design is ordinarily less than a yacht broker's typical fee to purchase an existing yacht...!
Ill repeat that in case you missed it... ven though there is quite a lot more work involved to create a boat design, the cost to create a new custom yacht design is ordinarily less than a yacht broker's fee for the simple act of signing the purchase papers...! )s a percentage of the yachts cost the amount expended on design is really not very much. If you also consider that a custom design will be tailored to your particular requirements rather than being an 2off1the1shelf2 solution, the difference in satisfaction will be well worth the effort expended. This is especially so if a custom designed yacht will better serve its intended purpose and will therefore be able to do so for a longer time, versus a vessel built to a stock design. In other words, by not having to replace the yacht quite so soon, the cost of custom design work will easily have paid for itself, in all likelihood many times over.
Is It Pro&en1 The question inevitably comes up: 2 Is it a proven designG2 The answer is an unqualified 2YesK2 The basic principles of boat design, while seemingly complex, are well established. If faithfully attended to, the success of a new vessel is assured, and the result will nearly always be an improvement on what has been done before on existing designs. Where unusual features or hull types are requested, it is prudent to involve tank testing, which can provide valuable insight as to vessel behaviorJ performanceJ stabilityJ seakeepingJ etc. What ultimately makes a boat a success is whether the vessel is safe, seaworthy, sea kindly, beautiful to behold, and above all, whether the v essel satisfies the originally stated wishes of the owner.
stalishing a Design Philosophy... 'y aim is to engender superior aesthetics along with safe and comfortable boating. ) distinguishing characteristic of our design work during the last few decade s has been a focus on =omadic Watercraft, in other words the design of truly pelagic blue water boats for family cruising and world voyaging. I strive for long term owner satisfaction with the resulting vessel, using the most up to date methods and design tools, including software optimi&ed for hull modeling, stability and performance analyses. With this approach, I am able to leverage the work done to create the design into subsequent detailing o f the vessels structure in order to provide an =+ cutting file package to automate parts of the vessels construction, a process that is outlined in our +)# #esign "tream article.
'y goal is to provide a complete 2design service2 from the point of imagining the vessel, to creating the ideal solution to those con(urings, in other words to take the concept all the way from napkin sketch to building plans, and to then provide the various 2construction support services2 noted above.
0here To "egin1 The place to start the design process is to first create an owners specification, or 2mission statement.2 This can be as simple as a paragraph to describe the intended vessel, or possibly a simple list of desired features such as preferences for rig, power, equipment, materials of construction, overall si&e, accommodations, budget, pro(ect timing, and so forth. The owners mission statement need not be elaborate, since the particulars will be generated by the design process itself... While sketches or design examples are not necessary, if preliminary sketches or examples are available, certainly they can be included. We refer to the owners mission statement as the 2Owner Specification .2 !nce Ive understood its requirements I will provide our usual written Design Proposal 1 usually by return email or if necessary by letter or fax. !ur #esign $roposal is offered free of charge and implies no obligation. It is (ust good information for your planning purposes... In order to pursue a design inquiry in greater detail, please feel free to contact me for more information or to request a Design Proposal . +reating a new yacht design is by far the most rewarding path to long term boat ownership, and the process itself can be quite a lot of fun...K What do our clients think...G $lease review some of their Testimonials to find out... )nd for the inevitable questions about the cost of boat custom design, our Design Proposal will answer them definitively, however please also see our )rticles on the +ost of boat design, and boat building.
