A 43-metre sailing yacht

Abstract

This project is done for the design studio of Andrew Winch Designs and Vitters Shipyard, a shipyard for large custom sailing yachts. Most often, yachts above 30 metres are custom built, which means the yacht is specifically designed for a single client. The size of a sailing yacht with a length over 30 metres creates large open spaces. Especially for children, there is more difficulty to move around while the yacht is moving. Also, having a tall owner conflicts with the wishes for a sleek exterior profile. The assignment was to design a new deckhouse and cockpit area for a 43-metre sailing yacht. The client desired an experience that increases pleasure and safety for his two young children (age 4-9) and the yacht must be able to accommodate very tall people (up to 2050mm). As a starting point for this project the hull and layout of an existing 43-metre sailing yacht were used, except for the cockpit and salon/deckhouse. To analyse the current product, the layouts, salons and cockpits of all sloops between 40 and 46 metres that were delivered from 2002 to 2012 were compared. The comparison showed that most of the layouts are very similar. The cockpits are even more alike, but the salons differ in the amounts and sizes of functional spaces. By analysing technical equipment of the yacht upon which this project was based, it turned out the fan coils units, navigation equipment, engine room ventilation and captive winches need to be taken into account, since they influence the design of the salon. Also, interviews were done with people who have experience with sailing with young children and literature research \ was done to gain knowledge about the development of children. Current yachts are not designed for children as, for example, some doors are too heavy for them to hold when heeling. Also, children grow up and they change quite rapidly in behavior, so their ergonomics and needs change. Most of the time they play video games, especially during longer crossings. After defining a domain and finding context factors that shape the future, a vision was defined. With a very comfortable and flexible environment for the children to play games and be educated, children would be able to pass the time during longer crossing in an excellent way. Also, because they visit amazing places in the world, a way would be created to save these memories. With requirements that were derived from the analysis and vision, the idea generation was started. It was split into four layers: exterior, salon & cockpit layout, children’s area and details. For the exterior, an idea was chosen where a sleek profile line hides a larger volume inside to provide enough headroom. A layout was chosen with a special area for the children to play in. This area contains a trophy wall for collectables as a way to save their memories and two flexible seats for the children to play in. These ideas were further developed in the concept and design development phase, where the technical equipment in the salon was arranged, following the assumptions from the technical analysis. In the end, the design was evaluated. It could, for example, form a base for future client requests with similar design briefs, with only minor changes to the clients taste. Or in case a client would be found and the design fits his taste perfectly, the next step would be to adapt the rest of the layout to the requirements of him and his children.