TWL: Agonies of owning a boat
At 03:35 PM 10/12/2001 -0400, Jim Alexander wrote:
My observations with regard to this subject are that Boat designers and
architects obviously never consider the fact that . . .
it's seems like they throw this stuff in and then build the boat around it!
Maybe they design them with the "throw away" mentality we have grown to
see across the full spectrum of products
manufactured in the world today?
Jim Alexander
REPLY
You are correct! Boats are built from the inside out.
Production management is forced to find cheaper and faster ways to build
the boats. The customers always want a lower price.
Reduction of labor is theefore a key concept here as it is anywhere else.
You should see how a hull is fitted with all the essential systems before
the deck and interior partitions, not to mention the cabinetry is put in
place. Even custom buit megayachts use this system. The cabinet shop
builds as much as possible outside the hull in a separate shop. The
finished assemblies are then craned into position.
Unfortunately there aren't many options.
The better builders do provide a removable framework to support the
interior decks. This does facilitate access for major work in the engine
room. But how do you lift in equipment weighing many hundreds of
pounds? a hole in the cabin top would be ideal but not many people want that.
However, even a removable framework under the interior deck has its
limitations since you now cannot rely on the deck beams as structural
members. The whole boat now becomes a shell or monocoque type
construction. Yet another compromise!
Practically speaking; it isn't realistic to bring in all that equipment
by way of a finished boat interior.
At the dealership level this is how it has to be. But trying to protect
finished panels, carpets and trimwork is an ongoing nightmare.
However, on the production floor, the only sensible approach is to finish
all the mechanical systems before the deck and interior is fitted. This is
why custom built boats do cost more. Labor cost is the principal reason.
Michael Oritt is also right. We as a group representing a market niche
tend to do it to ourselves.
From my days working in a dealership, I know only too well that ego and
bragging rights often drive boat sales and what features are included.
When the high end 50 footer model came out with a certain feature as
standard; we could always count on at least ten customers wanting to
upgrade their 40 - 45 footers to include that same feature.
If you follow the promotional literature of the main production
builders from year to year this trend is clearly evident.
Remember the old Bertram ads showing the boat offshore in big waves. Now
compare it to the "lifestyles" type ads currently placed by companies
like Carver. In the latter, the boats are nearly always docked.
The luxury amenities and convenience features are always stressed more
than the sea keeping ability or strenght of construction.
Cheers
Arild
My observations with regard to this subject are that Boat designers and
architects obviously never consider the fact that all this "stuff" that they
pack into the boat will eventually go bad and need to be replaced. Like Joe
said, it's seems like they throw this stuff in and then build the boat
around it!
Boats are worse than even most new cars when it comes to getting to and
replacing things. There certainly is not much thought given to these facts
in the design stage, or is there? Maybe they design them with the "throw
away" mentality we have grown to see across the full spectrum of products
manufactured in the world today?
Jim Alexander
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-trawler-world-list@samurai.com
[mailto:owner-trawler-world-list@samurai.com]On Behalf Of Arild Jensen
The better builders do provide a removable framework to support the
interior decks. This does facilitate access for major work in the engine
room. But how do you lift in equipment weighing many hundreds of
pounds? a hole in the cabin top would be ideal but not many
people want that.
However, even a removable framework under the interior deck has its
limitations since you now cannot rely on the deck beams as structural
members. The whole boat now becomes a shell or monocoque type
construction. Yet another compromise!
I've addressed that issue in my design, with an architectural detail called
a clerestory. That's a raised section of roof/ceiling that has small windows
on the vertical parts. This will give the galley/pilothouse a roomy, airy
feel, and provide a good surface for seating up in the flybridge. The
roof/ceiling will unbolt to reveal an engine-sized hole. A similar section
of cabin sole will also unbolt, making for a straight drop into the engine
room.
It won't be all that easy of a process, having to take a wrench to the
various decks, and remove cabinetry and a bar top. But it will be doable,
and by one person!
Doug Barnard
rebuilding a 20' Skipjack
"Fiesta Bimbo"
trawler-crawler wannabe
When I changed engines, they lifted them on to the fore deck and skidded
them down to salon floor.
.
. The
roof/ceiling will unbolt to reveal an engine-sized hole. A similar section
of cabin sole will also unbolt, making for a straight drop into the engine
room.
It won't be all that easy of a process, having to take a wrench to the
various decks, and remove cabinetry and a bar top. But it will be doable,
and by one person!
Doug Barnard
.
Captain Al Pilvinis
"M/V Driftwood"--Prairie 47
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