YES! (Yacht Escort Ships)

KCook · 08-31-2006, 07:57 PM

Curious avatar Stan. The chopper looks like it's about to crash!

picky Kelly

YES! · 08-31-2006, 08:21 PM

Hi Kelly -

That's a very good Bell 430 pilot making his baby dance. He liked to "dive" off the side of the helo deck when taking off - bit of a hot dog perhaps. Can you see the sea spray from the helo rotor wash?

Picture of Lady Lola Shadow taken off Elba fIsland from the bridge of Lady Lola.

An interesting aspect of a yacht escort ship that no one ever talks about is the conduct of underway operations, transfering passengers to the LLS for helo trips and sightseeing during coastal transits, etc.

Thanks for noticing, Ms. Picky. Good to hear from you again.

Kevin · 08-31-2006, 08:27 PM

I was thinking it was just a military style take-off... off the deck and move.

YES! · 08-31-2006, 08:30 PM

You are right, Kevin, as helos dive to gain air speed when taking off.

I was trying to relate to yachties. The pilot had enough power in his twin turbine Bell 430 to pull straight up on the collective, thus the hot dog comment.

YachtForum · 08-31-2006, 08:43 PM

Generally, heli pilots don't "hot dog". An aggressive nose-down attitude is to help build forward speed and enter into translational lift quickly. Hovering wastes fuel and it also leaves you vulnerable when you are close to the ground. Altitude is your friend, whether it is fixed or rotor wing.

Another protocol for safe operation is to get the machine off the deck and away from civilians ASAP, not to mention the importance of getting clear of a pitching deck and the peripheral equipment of the same.

A Bell 430 has twin turbines and a 4-blade head, giving an excellent thrust ratio when lightly loaded. The flight attitude shown in Stan's avatar is nowhere near the the angle of attack this machine can achieve from a stationary hover.

YachtForum · 08-31-2006, 08:43 PM

Whoops! I see you just posted the same Stan. Sorry.

OK, let's get back to yachts and Yacht Escort Ships! Can you tell us a little about your new builds?

YES! · 08-31-2006, 09:26 PM

Thanks for asking, Carl - don't know how much license you allow from the business perspective.

My most interesting is posted under the fractional ownership thread. You can get the details there, but in short it is a floating yacht club. Not too worried about exterior faring and Awlgrip paint but taking full advantage of all the toy and guest accommodation capacities.

Concept is to be a private, members only yacht club. You can bring your sportfish, rag boat or gin palace alongside and moor using the "floating clubs" shore power, buy fuel, spare parts, rent a guest suite, bar, restaurant, get bait, use the lounge, laundry, etc. On board will be a sportfish for those without their own yacht, jet skis, dive boat and gear, Laser sailboats, kayaks, bicycles, motorcycles, etc, etc.

Cruise locations to vary with season, i.e., New England - Carib; Mexico - Alaska; Med - Red Sea.

All the worries about who the chief stew is, the color of the curtains, the chef's favorite dish go away. This is not an ego-trip yacht, but rather a focus on the use and enjoyment of boats and water for what they were meant.

I look forward to your thoughts and ideas on "Club Wet."

My other current projects are all classic support vessels to carry the helo and toys for the main yacht - all in the 180 to 200 foot range. In addition to Flume tank stabilization, I am adding fin stabilization to give them, YES, the best ride on the water. Also looking at a separate hangar on the helo deck just for the bird which gives more space below.

The Forum respone and brainstorms to any and all the above are always appreciated.

CaptTom · 08-31-2006, 10:55 PM

Carl, I know you fly radio controlled copters, but you had a detailed explaination a few frames up. Do you fly real helos?
Stan, congrats and best of luck on the new venture. I've followed the story of Shadows in the regular mags, even saw Lady Lola Shadow one day up the canal in Ft Lauderdale probably about two years ago. Knew the style vessel right away (OSV) but great concept converting to a chase ship.
I do some freelance writing for a local paper so I'll check with the editor if she has your new biz covered yet. Could make for a good story in the October edition (out in time for the FLIBS). I'll send you an IM with my phone number).
Capt Tom

tartanski · 09-01-2006, 05:00 AM

Love the new Company name very positive all round.

I also love the Yacht Escort Boat concept, but believe there is room for improvement in the exterior design. Are you planning to change the concept there with the formation of YES? Or is this exactly what you mean by focusing on Custom builds? That owners can select a designer to do the exterior design of the shadow boat. Or am I confused and this defies the whole purpose?

YES! · 09-01-2006, 07:31 AM

You are exactly right, tartanski.

Some owners are not very happy with the exterior profiles and that is why I am working on a helo deck hangar. It gives the profile a nicer stepped appearance rather than just a big box on the back of an OSV.

And it does not defy the concept because we start with a commercially proven platform that is worldwide cruise capable at a fraction of the cost of a yacht. Then the blank pallette is expanded upon to give the owner as much (or as little) as they want.

I think we will do some, YES, sleek support ships but most will remain in the ugly duckling mold. Form follows function.

Thank you for the query.

Ken Bracewell · 09-01-2006, 07:47 AM

Best of luck Stan.
While I don't have a current need for one of your boats, I would love to have th opportunity to tour one. I know there have been a couple of party (??) invitations in the past, but haven't been able to attend.
Will you have one near the FLIBS?
Ken

YES! · 09-01-2006, 08:22 AM

Your kind sentiments are appreciated, Ken -

Since I am converting and customizing my Yacht Escort Ships exclusively for clients, I will not have any product at the FLIBS.

However, I understand that the 156 foot Mystere Shadow, the third support vessel that I built on spec when I started Shadow Marine, will be shown at the Merle Wood display. Mystere has no guest cabins but is a good example of the concept.

If you need an introduction for boarding I would be pleased to assist.

My next YES will be delivered in February 2007.

YachtForum · 09-01-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptTom

Carl, I know you fly radio controlled copters, but you had a detailed explaination a few frames up. Do you fly real helos?
Capt Tom

I've got a little over 200 hours in an R-22 and handful of hours in three other birds; a Bell 206, Hughes 500 (C), and an A-Star. I bought the Robinson in order to build hours to qualify for insurance, so I could move up to something turbine powered. Originally, the idea was to cover the pro-stock (outboard) classes of offshore racing. These boats were small and light (24' Skaters), yet they were going as fast as the big guns, which weren't very exciting to watch in comparison. Big boats don't catch much air!

Eventually, I sub-leased the machine to an FBO for training and soon after, became involved in r/c helicopters. Although I don't keep a log of my flights, I could probably claim the title for more landings on yachts than anyone on the board.

Recently, I've given some thought to getting my aerobatic ticket. I wouldn't have much use for it, other than bragging rights. I doubt any of my friends would appreciate being hung from a harness!

Have to tell you... when I first went onboard one of Stan's vessels, I wasn't thinking about all of it's other features. I developed a real bird-brain over that boat. What an amazing platform... for full-size or pint-size!

catmando · 09-03-2006, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YES!

Thank you, Carl, for the most generous introduction, and Kevin as well for the kind words.

I am pleased with our new organization with a focus on custom builds and refits only while maximizing the benefits and functinality to the Owner. The highest possible quality of my hybrid "commercial yacht" fit and finish will remain as the hallmark.

All the best and it is nice to be back, on my own!

I see you're in Ft Worth. I live in Arlington. Give me a call sometime 817/654-0911.

YES! · 09-04-2006, 11:06 AM

Hey Cat Man - what do you Do? (questionable sense of humor on a Monday morning.....)

Seriously, I am currently focused on the shipyard work down in the Gulf but will give a call next time I pass through Cowtown. Has it cooled down there yet? Is there any water left in the lakes to run a boat?

Thanks for the note. Best regards.