What Our Clients Say
Copyright 2006
- 2008 Michael Kasten
14 January 2008
Below are a few of the many compliments we've noted over time...
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In an excerpt from an article in the January 2005 issue of Asia-Pacific
Tropical Homes magazine about our 36 meter Silolona design entitled "The
Return of the Black Sail," Colin Piprell quotes owner Patti Seery:
Patti worked in close collaboration with marine architect Michael Kasten:
"He's made an enormous contribution to Silolona. The best thing about
Michael, for me, is that he listens to the needs of the client. Secondly,
he's been able to blend East and West - he's had nothing but the greatest
enthusiasm for the project, and, if anything, he over-researches. His
fascination with the challenges involved has contributed to a huge body of
knowledge that he can draw on. He's very practical, detail-minded, and he
has a refined aesthetic sensibility."
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In an article entitled "Spotlight - Silolona" in the September 2005
Asia
Pacific Boating magazine Chris White again quotes owner Patti Seery:
In the early planning stages, owner Patti Seery went through a number of
architects until she found Michael Kasten, an American who Patti says, "...truly understood
and respected what I was looking for."
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In reply to a number of questions from a prospective client, Alan Wagner
writes:
"I will tell you up front that I am a real fan of Michael's and you could
not have made a better choice of a designer. I really hunted around for a
designer that I thought would provide the highest quality work, at the best
price for value, who also had a breadth of knowledge about boating and
design.
Michael had an informative and, as it turned out, very accurate
explanation of the design process. I felt like I was the part of the design
team... I always felt that his focus was to get a design that I was
happy with but which at the same time was architecturally sound. His
suggestions were invaluable to the final product.
Are you pleased with the final design?
Very much so; could not be happier.
Are you pleased with the design process?
Very much. Can't think of a single substantive criticism or
disappointment in any part of the process.
Have you ever met Mr. Kasten?
My wife and I chuckle about this. He is out West (and sometimes in
Sweden) and I am in Florida. I have never met him. Actually, I have never
even spoken with him. The entire process has been by e-mail. I hope to have
he and Lena on board Passage of Time (our name for the
53' Valdemar
design)...
If you were to design another boat would you use him again?
Yes, no question about it. Quite honestly . . . if I were to design another
boat I wouldn't even waste the time looking to see what else or who else
might be available to do the design work."
- Alan Wagner,
53' Valdemar
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In reply to questions from a prospective client, yacht builder Brian Smyth
writes:
"We are about to start our first build of a Michael Kasten design. It is
the 44 foot Redpath schooner in aluminum. Michael's plans are very good. Our
local metal supplier who has cut several kits for us and for other builders
has mentioned that Kasten's cut files are of superior quality... in other
words, they were impressed."
- Brian Smyth, Yachtsmiths - Builder
of the 44' Redpath and the
53' Valdemar,
both in aluminum
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"Michael: I currently have the boat that you designed for Shep Gilchrist,
previously called the "Good Tern." It is a fantastic boat, very well
done."
- Jeff Davidson, "Sierra Madre" ex
40' Coaster
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"Michael, I want you to know that I very much appreciate the experience,
knowledge, ideas and hard work you've put into my boat project."
- Andy Lund, 49' Ocean Runner
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On receiving the sail plan and interior profile and arrangement drawings for
the 50' motor sailor Lucille, Kelly Wright says,
"I got your latest prints yesterday, and I must say I'm stricken like a young man with a cheerleader. I don't see how you can much improve."
"I must say that after gazing at the plans for what must be several
hours combined, I think that you're spot on, hit the nail on the head, it's
a wrap, etc., and that the plans for Lucille are exactly what I want and
hoped for. Her lines are exquisite. I think you've done an excellent
job in designing Lucille... and I commend you heartily for your efforts. "
- Kelly Wright, 50' Lucille
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Out of the blue, a client writes: "There is a functional aesthetic in boats that seems unique amongst man
made objects. One looks at the high end yachts and work boats of today and
they don't capture the soul of man and his environment interacting
functionally and spiritually. Your work does that. Perhaps it is the
philosophical training you did...?"
- Monroe Woollard,
35' Twee Schoenen
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"To say that I am pleased with 'Highland Lass II' merely points to my
bitter lack of a romantic vocabulary. So if you will allow me to wax
poetic momentarily I will steal a few lines from Belloc:
He who had designed the lines of her
Approached the power of a creator
So perfect were they
And so smooth
And so exactly suited to the use of the sea.
I recall Conrad said something along the lines of, "Searching for romance
is much like trying to catch the horizon." Yes, but what a magnificent
pursuit...!"
Thank you,
Robert Hale, Highland Lass II
Kasten Marine Design, Inc. Professional Memberships
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Member
Royal Institution
of Naval Architects |
Member
Society of Naval Architects
and Marine Engineers |
Member
Society of Boat
and Yacht Designers |
Member
Metal Boat
Society |
Member
American Boat
and Yacht Council |
