Yacht concept - your opinion please

Hi boat enthusiasts,

I'm a student in Product Design and I'm working on my final major project: a 40 feet yacht. It's a boat especially made for beginners and older people and therefore focuses on usability and ease of use. It offers a large, comfortable interior that's suitable for short and long trips. An innovative aspect of the concept is that the interior can be customized easily. This way the owner can adapt the look of the interior to his personal taste, interior trends,... This also simplifies resale to people with a different taste. The boat can be used in internal waters but it can also be used for coastal trips (from harbor to harbor, alongside the coastline).

I made some exterior design sketches and I'd like to hear which one you like most/is the most original/... It'd be a great help!

Thanks in advance

 

#1
Boat should be drawn bow to right, not to left. This way it will look more professional.

#2
How to board this boat in marina? There should be some stern platform or?

 

If you want to design something special and perhaps for older people what do you think about drawing a.boat that is barrier-free, suiteable foe wheelchair users?

 

I'd like more to see someone with a boat "design" to start the process from the beginning, not from the end..

 

Is there a reason for that or is it an arbitrary convention?

 

Absolutely - a design without a statement of requirements proper weight and dimension studies is a pretty picture only.

 

he is only asking which looks the best., i like the middle drawing, well done.

 

I suspect it may have to do with the helm being on the right side of the boat center line in most cases. In the car design biz, most drawings face left showing the driver side (the brits and aussies may do it backward though.)

 

Gallardo,

From a styling perspective I see elements in 3 of your four sketches that appeal to me. Your first sketch has a military/work boat feel to it and not what I would expect to see in a pleasure craft, function can have its own inherent beauty, but I just don’t see it in this sketch. Your second sketch is the freshest in my eyes; I like the detail on the forward portion and the contrasting colors fore and aft on the hull. This is the design I would develop further. The bow on your third sketch has a slight forward rake to it that really helps to take the blockyness out of the vertical bow that’s in your other sketches. To me it also has the most appealing superstructure. Your forth sketch has the most graceful line work in the hull and is something that you need to get into your finished design. A last bit of advice, listen to the pros on this site about how a boat functions it WILL help your final design be that much more believable as something more than just a pretty picture.

Good luck Andy

 

RORO..........stands for Roll On - Roll Off, this is what many ferries are based on. I suggest you start there as there is a common problem to be solved.

Your craft will not look like anything else out there because you are solving an uncommon problem. Don't start with a concept form or familiar shape, walk though each step of the problem as if you were wheelchair bound and determine what you would like or need to board and enjoy a water journey.

At least do a section to determine at what level the dock will meet the boat and what sort of ramp to allow the up and down movement you will need.

Pretend you are giving a presentation to the class/teacher, what will you need to show and say about how you addressed the assignment.

http://members7.boardhost.com/bic/msg/1273738500.html


http://9teen87spostcards.blogspot.com/2011/01/srn4-hovercraft-in-ramsgate-england.html


http://www.braunability.com/products/minivans/rampvan/


Sketch-Up does not design for you, take control.

The window sills might be no higher than what someone seated can see over for instance. Put yourself in the other guys shoes, then draw or build a cardboard model to solve the problem.

Not all older people will be wheelchair bound, however windows low enough for the wheelchair bound and their grandchildren (short people) would be nice. No steps would also be nice. Give them something to hold on to, a handrail or something - go look at how older people function.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/dec/10/elderly-care-policy-disarray


EDIT: Did a Google search and found this:

http://yachtpals.com/impossible-dream

.....and this:
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/2008_01.html



.....and even more:
http://www.nauticexpo.com/prod/yacht-boarding-systems/custom-made-boats-gangways-26683-163450.html


I think old people and people with walkers would expect something more than a ramp if it is a from scratch design concept.

 

Hi Gallardo,

In regards to the drawings themselves,
I like the top middle one best as well.
I think it has better contrast,
and perhaps... it also has more traditional (recognizable) colors.

It's certainly a interesting project.
One thing that caught my eye right away was the straight bow?
seems different.

regards,
DE

 

I agree, the curves help it a lot and contrast nicely with the straight bow. Also the glass guardrail at the stern which steps down, may be able to work with the stated goals.

 

Thanks for the comments so far! As whitepointer23 correctly noted, I'm only looking for some opinions about the styling right now but obviously I've been thinking through the whole design process. The innovative aspects of this boat are mainly situated in the interior but since this topic is only about the exterior styling, I thought I shouldn't annoy you with all that stuff. I'll post some more details and sketches if you're interested though.

Please keep the comments & opinions coming!

 

Good to hear, maybe this will open up your mind even further.

DOCKSTAVARVET CB90H
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/06/navy_riverineboats_070616/


Combat Boat 90 (CB90), Sweden
http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/combatboat90/combatboat907.html



The old people are coming!
http://www.network54.com/Forum/2216... Ships, Submarines etc. (LOTS OF PICTURES!!!)


Now even Gramps can make it to the beach for a picnic.