Testimonials
Copyright 2004 - 2010 Michael Kasten
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 Indonesian phinisi design, Silolona, entitled "The Return of the Black Sail," Colin Piprell quotes the owner:
The owner 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."
“It’s been Michael’s enormous respect for the builders' traditions and, conversely, their respect for his expert knowledge and consideration. From the beginning, this has been an East-West collaboration, melding the best of both traditions....”
One early passenger on an Amanwana trip to Komodo Island, a long-time art and antique dealer who has spent 30 years globe-trotting and has taken many boat trips to all sorts of remote areas of Asia, had this to say about Silolona:
“Its fantastic. Definitely the best boat my wife and I have ever been on, by far.... There's really nothing else like it.”
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In an article in the September 2005 Asia Pacific Boating magazine Chris White again quotes the owner of our Silolona design:
In the early planning stages, the owner went through a number of architects until she found Michael Kasten, an American who she 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. I could not be happier.
Are you pleased with the design process?
Very much so. I 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 Smith 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 Smith - Builder of the 44' Redpath and the 53' Valdemar, both in aluminum, and the 43' Roberta Jean in steel - originally designed by Kasten Marine Design, Inc. for construction in aluminum.
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In response to the design drawings for the 43' Roberta Jean, our client writes:
"Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your "Modified RJ 43" looks great...I guess that means I'm finally beginning to understand your original aesthetic... so let's go with the "Modified 43". The uncluttered interior that you recommended I know will feel open and spacious to me. The PH with dinette will really work for me, too. Brilliant...! A bath tub...! I like it. No, I love it...! Thanks very much for your efforts - RJ has all the features I hoped for in an open and uncluttered layout that you strongly suggested - she looks great to me! "
- Bill Cottingham, 43' Roberta Jean
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The owner of one of our designs writes:
"Michael: I currently have the 40' Coaster that you designed for Shep Gilchrist, previously called the "Good Tern" (now the "Sierra Madre"). It is a fantastic boat. Very well done."
Three points you might be interested in:1. I helped a friend bring his Nordhaven 40 up from California to Washington in May 2009 and I felt it would be a nice comparison between the two boats. No comparison, the Sierra Madre is a much superior ocean going vessel. The Nordhaven was very rolly and extremely uncomfortable without stabilization.
2. Sierra Madre is in Cap Sante Boat Haven in Anacortes, Washington and was there during the recent Trawler Fest. Hundreds of people wanted to get on board to see her and the ones that did loved her. Designer - Builder - Competitor Sam Devlin came on board and, reluctantly, handed you some very fine compliments.
3. As my wife and I were heading down the Puget Sound a very large freighter passed us (Global Endeavor) and called on channel 16: "The Blue Trawler." He wanted to know the designer and to compliment me on the boat.Hope all is well."
- Jeff Davidson, "Sierra Madre" ex 40' Coaster
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Client, Andy Lund writes:
"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."
"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... but 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 accompany final payment for my design work, a customer writes:
"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--------------------
Email Received out of the blue:
"Has it occurred to you that you are one of the preeminent teachers/designers with regard to all things boating? You have more insightful, easy to access information, related to actual designs, than anyone I have encountered in more than fifteen years on the net, reading about boats.
I've wanted to say this many time before. Today, I finally did. No need to respond. Just wanted to thank you for teaching me what I want in a boat."
- Roy Sallows
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After launching the 32' Tug Yacht Terrier in Turkey, the builder says:
"I send you many many thanks for this unbelievable tug-yacht. Enclosed are some photos from her first sea trial. Approximate speed 8 knots..! Unbelievable maneuverability, stability, smooth driving, easy motion when encountering strong waves... lots of pure pleasure... you’re really a magician...!
A customer of ours said, ‘ She is the most beautiful and best production tug-yacht I have ever seen.’ It is our honor to offer your Terrier design built to European CE Mark certification according to the Dutch Certification Institute.
We are very happy with the Terrier."
Many thanks and best regards,
Burhan Uyan, Builder, 32' Tug Yacht Terrier
Kasten Marine Design, Inc. Professional Memberships
Member
Royal Institution
of Naval ArchitectsMember
Society of Naval Architects
and Marine EngineersMember
Society of Boat
and Yacht DesignersMember
Metal Boat
SocietyMember
American Boat
and Yacht Council
Please see the Plans List page to review our available Boat Plans.
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