Sure... but what can you

     really do for ME? 

Here's some some of the Design Stuff we do routinely...

All things begin with a preliminary design. Here is the most frequent scenario. A potential client calls expressing interest. They may not know whether they really want a custom design, but they do know that they have been unsuccessful finding a boat that meets their needs. Generally it is not because they are looking for something weird or unusual. The number of design variables, however, can equal thousands of refinements where only a dozen or so production yachts exist.

Usually they come in with bits and pieces of 2 or 6 or 10 boats that they like. Sometimes one of my own designs has sparked their interest. The next step is trying to pull their list of "musts" "likes" and "it would be nice to's" into a workable concept. That's preliminary design. It generally includes the development of a profile and various arrangement drawings. Often a rough hull lines is done to assist in that development.

It is is a back and forth process between the designer, and the client. After all I'm not designing the boat for me. I'm designing it for the owner. We generally charge a flat fee for preliminaries, though some clients have preferred an hourly rate to assure the maximum flexibility.

But can the dream become reality? This step is somewhat optional. The cost of custom design is not trivial. As such many owners want to have some assurance that their dream can be built within the budget that's available.

A second phase of development can be initiated. Here the goal is to develop a limited amount of information that can give a boat yard (or several boat yards) a glimpse of what you're trying to accomplish. Many boat yards will, with such input, develop a "ball park" estimate of costs.

While these numbers can provide a reasonable bench mark for estimating construction costs they should be analyzed with caution. A prudent builder will generally be cautious with the number they provide since so many variables are undefined. Builders of lesser integrity may "throw out" numbers simply to lure you in and therefore should be looked at in that light.

You work through all of the specifics. Can you get the boat you want in the size you want? Can you meet the accommodation requirements, the machinery necessities, the speeds demanded or the niceties hoped for?

After sorting out these questions if you choose to proceed, the next step is developing a complete design package. The full design package generally includes between 20 and 30 drawing sheets but could include many more depending upon the client's requirements and the boat yard's experience. The exact list of drawings and materials varies somewhat from boat to boat, but always includes extensive construction drawings, machinery drawings, and arrangement drawings.

The complete design, however, is not just a function of the drawings created. In addition a vast amount of engineering calculations are done for every project. These include lengthy structural calculations, stability calculations, performance prediction studies, and an extensive weight and trim analysis. All of these elements provide the backbone upon which the drawings themselves depend.

The goal is not simply a pretty picture. The goal is a design that works.

Besides the work that we do on our own designs, we also do studies (most commonly structural or stability) for other design firms and for builders. These most often involve, but are not limited to boats that are seeking USCG certification to operate as small passenger vessels. We also work with other design offices including some who are more oriented to the design of large ships. That work has certainly broadened our own expertise, as well as the tool box that we can bring to bear on projects of any size.

Within the last few years CNa was tapped by Cummins Power Systems, Inc. to help them provide the engineering support for a series of 49 foot buoy layers (BUSLs) which now operate all over the country as part of the US Coast Guard's own fleet. We have also assisted in the repower of the UA Army's fleet of Bridge Erection Boats (BEB's) many of which are now serving in Iraq.

Although our hull designs have been drawn in 3D for at least 15 years, I am now getting more involved in drawing other structures in 3D. It can be a time consuming prospect and therefore is not, to my mind, particularly cost effective for the complete design. It can, however, be an excellent visualization tool for an owner, or as a presentation image for a builder. We have also done work in this regard for other design firms. Our efforts in this area are ever emerging. Stay tuned for more in depth information.