[CODOG]

Heres one of three 1:20 scale conceptual models I designed and made over the Christmas holidays back in the mid '90s. The concept was for a large gas turbine express yacht that would work with several superstructure designs on the same hull and weather deck. This one was the least successful of the three due to visibility (lack of it) from helm and the rather small internal deck saloon area. The favorite version was postponed, but who knows, may yet rise again.
For those interested, the model itself was made from 100mm (4 inch) thick, close-cell foam, a material commonly used in composite boat building. I drew up the basic lines and printed off the sections at every 2000mm full scale or 100mm at the scale of 1:20. and cut them out of the paper. I then cut a load of rectangular blocks from the 4" foam sheet, and using a plywood backbone to keep things straight, I glued the foam blocks together with the paper section profiles in between. Using the plan and profile as a guide, the foam was cut back bit by bit and shaped off untill the original paper sections started to show through. After getting the final shape, the smaller details were again modelled from foam. Once the three were done, they were painted with household emulsion. The preferred concept model once chosen was rubbed down, coated with resin, filled, faired and sprayed.
A quick, easy way of expressing yourelf, but I'd advise against doing it over a Christmas holiday, and certainly not in the kitchen as I did

[YachtNews]

WOW, I would not even think that was made from foam. It looks very good!!!

[CODOG]

Originally Posted by YachtLuver

WOW, I would not even think that was made from foam. It looks very good!!!

The 'accidental' soft focus helps a bit

[KCook]

Now those are big hull windows that look good to me ...

Kelly

[CODOG]

Originally Posted by KCook

Now those are big hull windows that look good to me ...
Kelly

I'll get them on a boat one day. They were considered too difficult to engineer at the time, and there was the question of legislation authorities vs thickness of glass and the practicality of deadlights. Things have moved on since.

[KCook]

Well .... either moved on .... or gone completely bonkers!

[YachtForums]

Originally Posted by CODOG

Heres one of three 1:20 scale conceptual models I designed and made over the Christmas holidays back in the mid '90s. The concept was for a large gas turbine express yacht.

We may need to change your screen name to CODOGOK. (or Kerosene)

[comship]

the design is very similar (almost indentical) to the new AB Yachts 140' Open. The Yacht has been launched on the water three weeks ago and she is now on trials.

[CODOG]

Originally Posted by comship

the design is very similar (almost indentical) to the new AB Yachts 140' Open. The Yacht has been launched on the water three weeks ago and she is now on trials.

*pretentious mode on* Design is rather like music. Theres only so many notes you can put together in a harmonious and pleasing order...over time some of the more successful groups of notes get repeated, maybe at a different tempo or key, but still vaguely recognisable. When played on the same instruments, the similarities are more pronounced....*pretentious mode off*

[Castlerock]

There are some very similar design elements.

[KCook]

Sorry, but they look quite different to me ...

[CODOG]

Originally Posted by Castlerock

There are some very similar design elements.

Its ok, I'll let them off this time
Seriously though, I dont think theres more than a passing similarity and although I can show you several recent yachts that have a far closer similarity to the model I did, the fact is that my concept from '96 was never published in any format until the other day. I posted my model for no other reason than being part of this forum.
I like to think styling trends are primarily driven by a yacht manufacturers historical corporate identity first, commercial competition second. A bit blinkered perhaps, but hey thats me.
Although my quip about music was tongue in cheek, its obvious that large, hard-top yachts will evolve along similar lines...the packaging is by nature very similar....however, it doesnt need to be a Wally to be unique

[Renderholic]

Nice looking design codog, think I can work out who you work for by a combination of your style and location

On the topic of designs looking like other deigns, I think that any designer is pretty limited to what 'new look' they can come up with these days, I see the marine industry going the same way as the car industry (basically due to package and design constraints) with the differences being in the detail/build quality. Unfortunately I think we'll also see styling changes for changes sake, just in order to have a new 'model year' shape. IMO this never produces the best looking product.

[KCook]

"we'll also see styling changes for changes sake, just in order to have a new 'model year' shape"

That has been the case for wee production bowriders for the last 1/4 century or so. It certainly does result in a lot of silliness!

But I would hope yachts are not so prone to this. As there is significant room for variation in the arrangements of the superstructure and the elevations of the main deck. Which in turn lead to design opportunities. Long way of saying yacht design is a lot more fun!

Kelly

[CODOG]

Non-specific as to designer / builder, unless its a bespoke one-off there are so many aspects to consider when wrapping the workings of a long-life production yacht within the external shell.

Is it attractive ?
Will it look fresh in ten years time ?
Is it recognisable as a development of existing corporate style ?
Is it practical ?
Is it unique / niche ? If so, does it have a market ? If not, does it offer a competitive package ?
Etc.

Most of these can be ticked off as a yes without paying too much attention to what the rest of the world is up to. However (insert commercial / creative interface here) customer expectations and design trends cant be ignored....