Considerations of AB POLARIS in Construction of Yacht
As AB Polaris we would like to share our ideas with you in realizing your project of a yacht construction .As being the professionals on this matter we would like to draw your attention to the point that Owning a yacht and Constructing a yacht are totally different disciplines of work.
Custom designed yachts are created for specific purposes such as day yachting or worldwide cruising. Under ideal circumstances, the naval architect is given a "fixed set of requirements and limitations" along with a reasonable budget and is allowed the necessary time to generate a design ideally suited for the purpose.
Ideal circumstances only exists in movies and fairy tales. Most often the client wants to know the program cost before preliminary requirements are established and expects the design process to take only a few days.
Step by step
The creation of Your yacht is more complicated than most other types of boats. Your yacht shall be A working sculpture, a thing of beauty, a public statement, a home away from home, a pleasure to cruise, a place to entertain and, more often than not,maybe a charter Yacht.
With these constraints, the naval architect must be totally involved in the design process. He must understand the priority of the owner's requirements and have the freedom to integrate them in an original custom design keeping within the state of the art. The challenge of the naval architect is to understand the environment and to be innovative without violating the scientific boundaries. Undertaking the interface of all the needs, wants and desires of the owner and his family/friends with the practical considerations of crew requirements and the principles of design requires strict discipline from all involved. The owner must clearly state his requirements and if in doubt say so, and ask for options.
The naval architect creates the molded shape of the exterior, giving the yacht a dynamic visual image appropriate for her owner, size and arena of operation. He determines the hull design, speed/powering, comfort and stability, as well as the interior arrangement of machinery and compartments and the designs for mechanical and electrical systems.
We have had clients who required more than 7 preliminary designs and have spent over a year deciding exactly what they want, while others were quite pleased to proceed, with minor modifications, to the first preliminary design. This has nothing to do with experience, nor does it indicate lack of ability or interest. Every client is different and each has unique requirements, some prefer to leave most decisions to the naval architect and be involved only in the basic space planning, while others want to be involved in every detail. With good communication, either way is okay, providing that the naval architect is allowed the necessary time to detail the design and the client takes the time to study and approve the design before construction is started.
It is not important how long it takes the owner to be satisfied with the design. It is paramount to the rest of the process that he be committed to his decision so all possible changes are made on the drawing board and not in the shipyard. Starting construction without complete design reduces the options for working out details, increases the probability of mistakes, increases the construction time and will inevitably blow the budget or force unnecessary compromises to maintain the budget. To make the creation of your dream a pleasant experience instead of a nightmare, there are several simple rules to follow. In fact, they are so simple that they are often thought unnecessary and ignored. The following applies to the design and construction of a contemporary Yacht whether built of steel, aluminum or composite.
If you are considering pushing the state of the art then add to the below as required to properly plan, engineer that part of the program that is not proven. Unless cost is no object, one should not undertake to design and build a Yacht on a tight schedule. If the owner wants a boat quickly he has two good options, buy an existing vessel or accept refit of an existing vessel.
As AB Polaris we will offer you the architects who will deal with the planning of your yacht.After discussions you’ll contract with the architect of your choice. Since you will be working together for more than a year,be sure he listens and understands what you want; after all he is designing the yacht for you, not for himself. At the same time the naval architect must consider all the latest classification rules that will affect construction, future use and/or resale of the yacht.
Commit to discipline in planning and execution.
Our Company will act as your representative in construction and other legal processes to accomplish this task. Otherwise, the work will be late or not completed to first-class standards. Remember to be sure that everyone has input to the planning and schedule; that way they share the commitment to accomplish the goals.
Three preliminary designs and multiple choices for other decisions. After confirmation of cooperation with AB Polaris you will receive at least 3 alternatives of general plans to discuss before the construction plans are drawn
Specify every detail that is important to you If everything is specified, there are no surprises and all the interface requirements and supporting systems can be considered well in advance. The contract specifications can be drafted to include everything and thereby avoid delays and unexpected expense during construction.
Have your Contracting Supervisor and surveyor evaluate the building alternativesAfter contracting with the Architect and AB Polaris for construction ,we will issue weekly progress reports, comparing notes and make joint or parallel reports to the owner.
Builder's construction contract When you sign the Yacht construction contract, you must consider all the good things you want and all the bad things that can happen to you for the next two years . The contract must protect all parties: with the international nature of yacht building, the construction contract is an important document and demands full consideration.
Verify your progress payments. During construction we will send e photos and documentation of work to be properly completed. If you have any doubts, you will demand proof of vendor payments on those items for which you have paid the builder. The naval architect or the classification society should certify the builder's invoice for payment. Requiring copies of paid invoices is not unusual.
Inspect work under construction on a regular basis. Depending on your expertise, physical location of the building yard, the degree of inspection required will vary substantially. The owner, if he has the time and experience, is the best inspector. He knows what he wants and what he is willing to give up in a compromise. Unfortunately, most owners lack the time to carry out such routine matters and they delegate inspection to others. The options are numerous and careful consideration is needed to select the right combination for each project.
Do not depend on a Classification Society for all inspection. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that the classification surveyor is looking after all of your interests. His role of inspection is very narrowly defined by the society rules. The societies are concerned with structure and vital systems, the yacht fit and finish is not their.
Conduct sea trials and accept the yacht when they are satisfied. Most builders and often owners are too interested in getting the yacht out of the yard and not interested in correcting details before she is put into service. Please save yourself a lot of grief and time messing with warranty by letting your professionals sea trial your Yacht and, when they are satisfied, it is time to sail.
As a result we are ready to take part in the construction process to build the yacht of your dreams for you .As Soon as we have the confirmation of readiness of cooperation with the answers to the hidden questions above we will prepare and forward our contracts for you.
Please study the list below as remarks and points of discussion and write us your comments so that we can offer you the best way to realise your construction
1- Method of work and cooperation
a. Agreements with 3 parties/Responsibilities
i. Crew/owners representatives
ii. Architects
iii. Suppliers
iv. Provisioning/expenses
v. Classification societies
vi. Insurances
vii. Authorisations and limitations
viii. Registered country
2- Construction method,general layouts and restrictions.
a. LoA
b. Beam
c. Cruising speed
d. Capacities and capabilities
3- Inspections ,delivery and registrations.
a. Class societies inspections
b. Owners inspections
c. Legal inspections
4- General evaluation and recommendations (Free style...!)
a. Hull
i. Watertight bulkheads
ii. Ports and holes
iii. Surface preperation and painting
iv.
b. Steering and propolsion
i. Primary systems
ii. Secondary systems
iii. Bowtruster
iv. Emergency systems
v.
c. Deck,Superstructure and deck equipment
i. Deck
ii. Rails
iii. Bimini frames
iv. Windlasses
v. Davids
vi. Passarails
vii. Air intakes
viii. Pylons
ix. Anchors
x.
d. Rig,Rigging and sails (Ýf any)
i. No of masts
ii. Rigg
iii. Flying goods
iv. Winches.Etc
v.
e. Hull interior and accomodations
i. Definitions
ii. Innerlayouts
iii. Furnishing
iv. Inventory
v.
f. Machinery Spaces and fuel systems
i. Main propolsion engine(s)
ii. Gearbox
iii. Shaft and propeller
iv. Stuffing box
v. Sea water cocks and pumps
vi.
g. Electrical systems
i. AC Systems
ii. DC Systems
1. Engine group
2. Service group
iii. Auxilary
iv.
h. Navigational equipment
i. Radar
ii. Gps /plotters
iii. Echo sounders
iv. VHF and other wireless comm.device
v. Chart table
vi.
i. Domestic systems
i. Toilets and showers
ii. Tanks and Daytanks
iii. Pumps
iv.
j. Ships boats
i. Dinghi(es)
ii. Toys
iii.
k. Safety equipment
i. Life jackets
ii. Safety harnesses
iii. Life rafts
iv. Life boats
v.
l. Ships inventory
i. List according to departments
ii. Spareparts
m. Other considerations