Hi everyone,
My name is Geoffrey and I live in Antwerp, Belgium, quite close to what I consider one of the most beautiful harbours in Belgium: the Willemdok.
For quite a while I have been playing around with the idea of designing and eventually building my own boat. Until recently it was mostly just sketching and experimenting, but I have now reached a direction that I like enough to seriously investigate whether I could actually build it.
My main profession is carpentry, and I also have extensive experience with CAD, AutoCAD and 3D modelling. However, I have no previous experience with boatbuilding or naval architecture, so I am very aware that there is a lot I still need to learn. That is actually one of the main reasons I joined this forum.
For the styling of the boat I started from what, in my opinion, are two of the most beautiful wooden boats/yachts ever made: the Spirit Yachts and the Riva Aquarama.
I experimented quite a bit with AI-generated concept images to combine some of the characteristics I like from both. Obviously these are only concept images and not engineering drawings, but they helped me establish the proportions and overall character that I would like to pursue.
The current concept is approximately:
11,4 m x 2,8 m
wooden construction
Primarily intended as a weekender, with perhaps one or two longer trips each year
For cruising around Antwerp and nearby waterways, my initial idea was to use electric propulsion, combined with a relatively small diesel generator as a range extender. The intention would be to do most shorter trips electrically while still having enough range and independence for longer journeys.
More recently I started thinking about adding a mast as well, which has slowly pushed the concept towards something closer to a motorsailer.
I realise that adding a mast changes the project considerably. It introduces a lot of new questions and practical problems.
I am absolutely not under the illusion that an AI render or a nice CAD model makes a seaworthy boat. My intention is to gradually turn the concept into a proper design, learn the required calculations and construction methods, and involve a naval architect or experienced designer where necessary.
Please feel free to be critical. I would much rather discover a bad idea now then after hundreds hours of drawing
I will add some of my current concept renders below so you can see the direction I am aiming for.
Thanks in advance!
Geoffrey
My name is Geoffrey and I live in Antwerp, Belgium, quite close to what I consider one of the most beautiful harbours in Belgium: the Willemdok.
For quite a while I have been playing around with the idea of designing and eventually building my own boat. Until recently it was mostly just sketching and experimenting, but I have now reached a direction that I like enough to seriously investigate whether I could actually build it.
My main profession is carpentry, and I also have extensive experience with CAD, AutoCAD and 3D modelling. However, I have no previous experience with boatbuilding or naval architecture, so I am very aware that there is a lot I still need to learn. That is actually one of the main reasons I joined this forum.
For the styling of the boat I started from what, in my opinion, are two of the most beautiful wooden boats/yachts ever made: the Spirit Yachts and the Riva Aquarama.
I experimented quite a bit with AI-generated concept images to combine some of the characteristics I like from both. Obviously these are only concept images and not engineering drawings, but they helped me establish the proportions and overall character that I would like to pursue.
The current concept is approximately:
11,4 m x 2,8 m
wooden construction
Primarily intended as a weekender, with perhaps one or two longer trips each year
For cruising around Antwerp and nearby waterways, my initial idea was to use electric propulsion, combined with a relatively small diesel generator as a range extender. The intention would be to do most shorter trips electrically while still having enough range and independence for longer journeys.
More recently I started thinking about adding a mast as well, which has slowly pushed the concept towards something closer to a motorsailer.
I realise that adding a mast changes the project considerably. It introduces a lot of new questions and practical problems.
I am absolutely not under the illusion that an AI render or a nice CAD model makes a seaworthy boat. My intention is to gradually turn the concept into a proper design, learn the required calculations and construction methods, and involve a naval architect or experienced designer where necessary.
Please feel free to be critical. I would much rather discover a bad idea now then after hundreds hours of drawing
I will add some of my current concept renders below so you can see the direction I am aiming for.
Thanks in advance!
Geoffrey
