DESIGN ISSUES - RELUCTANT TO CHANGE

The amazing Wally 143 ESENSE

Last month I was in a meeting with the general director of a large design company in France working mainly for the car industry and willing to expand his business in the Yachting industry. He had been touring the main boat shows for a year,and been in touch with some of the largest players in France and Europe. He finally told me that he had to postpone his plans (and my potential contracts, who said I've heard that before in the last 6 months) because he realized that most builders were quite reluctant to change. I told him I thought effectively that the business was in general very conservative, slow to move specially compared to the car industry and that I was surprised there were so few innovative breakthrough in terms of design in the industry, that companies innovating in this area would be successful. Of course the main example coming to my mind was Wally Yachts often copied but never matched. I've heard ten times "We want to be Wally", so why don't you do it. ? Wally has been innovating in terms of design and technology since the beginning, probably taking heavy financial risks, but the results is visible.

The BMW designed Z60 by Zeydon, when car designer mess with sailboats

I also spend some times with people from Beneteau telling me that they thought all the production yachts were looking quite the same, including in the Beneteau range and that clients were lost in their choices. No kidding, this is basic marketing.

I am not the only one of course to think the same. Beneteau is already reacting and you should see in the coming year new concepts of monohulls coming out on the market.

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BACK TO CATS - CILIAM


In the catamaran World design innovation has been a little bit more courageous n erms of design specially for one off project.

'CILIAM' a log 92' by VPLP interio By Anne Monique Bonadei

The first really innovative large catamaran to me is CILIAM the lago 92 designed by VPLP. This fast catamaran launched in 2003 features a beam large coach roof. This enable the saloon, dining and kitchen areas to be really spacious, (53 sqm) and the owner suite to be located at mast foot with a great view on the sea. This owner suite concept is now very common on large cats.

CILILAM huge salon/dining area

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TSUNAMI

Greg Young Design TSUNAMI

Greg Young is a well know for designing fast and exiting boats with a very innovative design. TSUNAMI an 85 footer was designed to be a fast charter boat. You might like the color or not but TSUNAMI features a new concept that Greg Young is applying in his catamaran project such as the TAG 60 being built in South Africa. In this catamaran range Greg has designed a unique cabin. He has incorporated the cockpit and the salon as you can see on the image below. The area can be opened to make a huge entertainment or close for more confidentiality as you wish. Check the video

TAG 60 cockpit/salon space.

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SIG 45

The SIG 45 - Le Breton Yacht

The SIG 45 is a smaller but a very innovative catamaran of her size with a sleek design. A VPLP and Bjorn Johansson design, the SIG 45 is very modern both outside and inside. Designed to be fast and easy to sail, the platform is uncluttered both for maneuvers and entertainment while comfortable accommodations are located in each hull. The boat is built and equipped at the highest standards of quality. A real breakthrough.

SIG 45 - Photo Pierre Marie Bourguinat - Voiles et Voiliers

Thanks to Pierre Marie Bourguinat from the magazine "voiles et voiliers" for the SIG 45 pictures.

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I have just mentioned launched catamarans, of course there are many innovative projects on the paper and a few being built actually. In those bad economical times maybe it is time to seat down, take a deep breath and really think how to innovate to be different and succeed in the future.

YOUNG 80 - A AMAZING CONTEMPORARY GREG YOUNG DESIGN

Greg Young just sent me the following introduction to the YOUNG 80 an amazing looking and innovative catamaran. I have already written a post about the TAG 60 actually being built in South Africa. Greg also has a 90 footer on completion in Tunisia, he will keep us informed when the yacht is completed.

"words and 3ds by Greg Young"

Young 80

The Young 80 was initiated by a Dutch client for use in the Mediterranean from his base at St Tropez. Following preliminary design work on the Young 80, the client has now increased the project dimensions to 32m. As the details for the larger design remain confidential, the Young 80 concept can now be released. This design is unusual in that most catamarans (this size) currently under construction are maximizing the available space with multiple ensuite cabins, crew cabins and an “overabundance” of amenities. The Young 80 is built using race boat construction materials and techniques and is designed for the sailor who really wants to experience genuine high performance; including winds under 10 knots and helming pleasure.

The Young 80 is 24m long and was designed with 3 main attributes.

1 Performance

. The Young has a carbon mast and boom with PBO rigging, but most important is the fact it can achieve high rig tensions, handles large light air headsails and has high aspect carbon centreboards and rudders. High performance on its own wouldn’t be complete without the ease of handling; the Young 80 has a push button hydraulic sailing systems. How fast and how close to the edge you want to sail it will be up to the skipper, but the Young 80 will be more than capable of delivering performances that will leave you feeling exhilarated.

2. Aesthetically beautiful from every angle.

The emotion and feeling you get when you see this vessel for the first time is very important and establishes the excitement and anticipation of pleasure for your senses that remains with you forever. The feeling that this design creates is that of raw power, subtle lines, minimal extraneous features and sophisticated simplicity. The Young 80 has the proportions and a unique appearance that is simply stunning.

3.Comtemporary open plan leaving

One of the new concepts this design office has been introducing is the ability to have a variable living situation that can adapt depending on the weather and social occasions. With the Young 80 we have taken this concept to whole new level. The first benefit being with this concept is that it offers a better visual aesthetic. The second benefit of this cabin concept is that it effectively doubles the useable space normally found (on a single level cat)this size. Of course you do not get something for nothing, yet by creating a clever method of opening and closing this main cabin, we can change the living room environment with ease. The master cabin is of super yacht size and quality. The exterior features a unique 4 person “full depth” spa pool, sunbathing platforms and numerous seating configurations. The stern platform lowers to form a large docking area making it ideal for water sports. This is a fun cat!

For the Young 80 and other contemporary designs please contact Greg young at greg@youngyachtdesign.com