Our detailed NC cut
files include all internal structure and plating for the hull,
deck, and cabins. Internal structure includes frames
with cutouts for longitudinals, stem / keelson, engine beds,
tank faces and lids, bulkheads, rudder components, keel foil
components. All plating is defined, complete with marking
lines for alignment and for cut out of the various openings.
Please see our web pages
on NC Cutting to review the process
of creating NC cutting files, and also to find out about the
potential savings that NC cut parts make possible during construction.
Changes to a Stock Design
Before considering changes
to any stock design, it is best to consult with the designer
of the boat. Small changes to
interior accommodations or 'style' from one owner to the next
are to be expected, and are not usually any cause for re-design,
re-evaluation or new drawings.
On the other hand, larger changes that involve the locations
of tanks; engine; masts; sail area; engine power; or changes
to any of the vessel's scantlings; hull shape; decks; or superstructures
will always require the expertise and approval of the
designer of the vessel. Why is this...? Any of
these latter changes will have an affect on one or more of
the vessel's stability; its structure; its safety; or its performance,
therefore they must necessarily involve the designer of the
vessel in order that all elements be properly integrated into
a final design.
The cost of changes
made to any of our designs is charged for on an hourly basis. If
one of our designs is appealing for your requirements, but
needs a little something... we'll be pleased to provide our
usual written Design Proposal for that work.
A "Semi-Stock" Design...?
Once in a while I am
asked to provide a set of drawings for as little cost as possible,
even to the point of requesting that I work out only a "faired
set of lines."
While that concept may
at first seem appealing, it is not at all a good path to follow. In
order for any vessel to be considered safe and suitable
for construction, there are many other facets of the design
that must be considered and integrated into the final result. In
other words, the design process cannot be broken down into
separate parts that can stand alone. The design process
as an integrated whole is very much a requirement.
For example, in order
to assure adequate structure, stability, performance, seaworthiness
and comfort, our goals with each design are to assure:
- Suitability to the owner's requirements
and to the intended service.
- An interior and on-deck layout
per the owner's requirements.
- A pleasing aesthetic, longevity
and ease of maintenance.
- Sensibility of structure for the
sake of ease of construction.
- A functional machinery and equipment
layout.
- A distribution of weights that
will provide correct trim and adequate stability.
- Performance suited to the expectations
of the vessel type.
- Structure according to the ABS,
Lloyds, DNV, or GL scantling rules as is appropriate to the
vessel's structure or location.
- Power vessel stability per International
Maritime Organization criteria for ocean service.
- Sailing vessel stability per the
European Union Recreational Craft Directive for ocean service.
- For passenger vessels, stability
and safety per the US Code of Federal Regulations according
to the service category required, or according to other locally
applicable criteria.
From the above we can
begin to see that when properly done, a completed yacht design
involves no small amount work...! With luck, it will
also be apparent that we cannot possibly extract one or more
of the above ingredients, and still hope to have a successful
result.
While certainly there
is cost involved in order to develop a new yacht design,
we must consider the much greater cost that would be incurred
by building a half baked design that fails to meet one or more
of the above criteria... In other words, the whole
design process has been developed specifically in order to
assure success with the vessel that gets built.
Further, the cost of
new design is quite predictable. When we begin
any new design work we provide a thorough estimate in the form
of our usual written Design Proposal. If our proposal
is acceptable, the design work can begin.
How to Begin a Custom Design...?
In many cases, a new
Custom Design is the most appropriate path to a new boat. The
place to start the design process is to first create an owner's "mission
statement." This can be as simple as a paragraph description
of the intended vessel, or possibly just a list of the features
regarded as being important such as preferences for rig, power,
equipment, materials of construction, overall size, accommodations,
budget, project timing, and so forth.
This 'mission statement'
becomes our preliminary "Owner's Specification." This
document need not be 'formal' in any way. It can be sent
by fax, email or by letter. While sketches or design
examples are not at all needed, if you've developed preliminary
sketches or have come across inspiring examples in your search
for 'the right boat' then certainly they can also be included.
After I've reviewed
your 'Owner's Spec' and have understood your requirements,
I will provide our usual written "Design Proposal" by return
email or by letter or fax. Our Design Proposal is offered
free of charge, and implies no obligation whatever.
When you've reviewed
our Design Proposal, if it seems as though a new yacht design
may be the best option, then the process can begin. If
you'd like to review an outline of the Custom Design process
in greater detail, please review our web page on Custom
Yacht Design. If you would like still more information,
please feel free to contact me at your convenience. You
may be surprised to discover that creating a new yacht design
costs less than you think. It is by far the most rewarding
path to long term boat ownership, and the process itself can
be quite a lot of fun.
For information on the
cost of developing a new custom yacht design, please see our
web article on Design Costs. For
information on the potential cost of new construction, please
see our web article on Boat Building
Costs.
Ordering Study Drawings; Estimating Plans; Building
Plans; NC Cutting Files
As noted above, our
Stock Designs are offered in four stages, as follows:
- Study Drawings: These are
the first few sheets of the actual Building Plans and include
the Sail Plan or Exterior Profile Drawing and the Interior
Profile and Arrangement Drawing.
- Estimating Plans: These
consist of the Study Drawings plus the Structural Profile & Arrangement
Drawing, the Vessel Specification, and the Equipment List.
- Building Plans: All the
design drawings and documents necessary for construction
of the yacht.
- NC Cutting Files: A
number of our Stock Designs in metal have been developed
for computer cutting of the metal structure by using a computer
driven plasma torch or water jet. In the case of plywood,
a computer driven router is used to pre-cut all the structural
parts....
To order one or more of the above for any of our designs, please
see our Plans List Page. New Stock Designs are being
added at the rate of around three or four vessels per year,
so if the current sampling does not provide just the right
combination, please check in again...!
Or... if you'd like
to know more about creating a Custom Design to suit
your specific requirements, you'll find a thorough description
on our Custom Design Page.
In any case, please
feel free to inquire for
more information on any of these options...!
