leaders in creative yacht design and naval - brochure... · leaders in creative yacht design and...

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Leaders in Creative Yacht Design and NavalArchitecture

The team of naval architects and engineers at Gregory C. MarshallNaval Architects (GCMNA) covers all aspects of a yacht's designfrom the first inspirational brainstorming session with you, the client,to the sea trials that validate the vessel's performance.

Our staff collaborates on all facets of the design and engineering tomeet meticulously developed specifications. This integrated effortmakes sure your yacht is of the highest quality and will be deliveredin an efficient, timely and cost-effective manner.

But there is more to yacht design than efficiency and engineeringformulas. To create the yacht that satisfies your dreams demands abalance of art and science, of creativity and technology, ofappearance and performance.

It is this blend of artistry and naval architectural know-how that setsGCMNA apart. Our decades-long experience has taught us the skillsto work in close cooperation with clients, shipyards and suppliers inNorth America, Europe, Asia and New Zealand. We offer alldisciplines needed to create a world-class yacht — vision, originality,styling, naval architecture, engineering, mechanical and electricalsystems, joinery, propulsion, and business acumen. Our carefulpreparations meet and exceed classification society and internationalstandards.

The best boats result from a collaborative effort between the owner,shipyard and the design team. We work with you. We listen to you.Jointly developing the ideas for your yacht is exciting, rewarding andfun.


• GCMNA's services offer exceptional advantagesAlthough our design team has decades of experience in navalarchitecture, GCMNA is not the largest design firm on the globe. So howcan we offer tailor-made, complete yacht design solutions?

We have invested in technology — in hardware and software — and, asimportant, in the training to use these systems effectively and creatively.Here are some examples of what we do differently.

• Consistent 3-D modelingWe provide you with drawings of every aspect of the yacht in 3-D modelimages. This type of modeling yields clear-cut advantages. You can viewyour yacht from every angle, inside and out. In addition, 3-D imaging ismore exact and often reveals unused spaces that can be made availablefor such things as fender storage or built-in seating. With our precisiondesign, portions of the yacht can be constructed anywhere the skills areavailable. For example, while the hull is under construction in one location,the woodwork can be built somewhere else, thus speeding up your yacht'scompletion. Moreover, the modeling allows designers, owners and boatyards to grasp the overall contours and details of the yacht early on,thereby minimizing change orders.

• All our 3-D design work (samples shown throughout this brochure) are alldeveloped in house, making GCMNA a full service Design/Engineeringoffice. This gives GCMNA an unparallel level of control over every aspectof the design of your project. This level of detail allows us to build yourYacht “virtually” in our computers before producing the 2D workingdrawings. By “Virtual building” your Yacht it allows us to prove out allconcepts and allows complete coordination with every disciple of thedesign. It is these key components that basically eliminate the costly“shop floor” changes that plague every Yacht Build project.


• The showcase cabinWith the click of a key, we can show you in 3-D imagery how each room inthe yacht looks in mahogany, cherry, teak or any other wood you mightchoose. We can instantly switch the fabrics and wall coverings, choosingamong thousands of colors. We can show you the effects of different artobjects, novel lighting, or different carpet. This capability gives you truechoices in what your interior will look like.

GCMNA's real-time communicationsUsing computers and telephones, we have developed the in-house ability tocommunicate with clients and shipbuilders in real time. No matter where youand the yacht builder are located, we consult with you directly and solveproblems or make changes during our discussions.

To illustrate, let us assume that you, the design team and yacht builder areon-line reviewing the layout of the master stateroom. You'd like to try analternate arrangement. Our naval architects pull up the stateroom's drawingand, sketching directly on an electronic drawing pad, change theconfiguration. Simultaneously, we discuss the implications of the alterations:How do the changes influence closet size? Are the heads affected? Mustmechanical equipment be realigned? Our technology allows us to revise thelayout until you are satisfied and the builder concurs the modifications arefeasible.

GCMNA prepares the complete packageOften, yacht design and the construction phase of yacht building areseparate entities. The naval architect prepares the profile, arrangements,interior and structural engineering. The builder creates or contracts out shopdrawings and schematics for electrical and mechanical systems and joinery.The yard staff use their experience to install the pieces, sometimes puzzledabout how it should all fit together.

More planning, less puzzling. GCMNA can unite these different phases in a"virtual build process" and reduce on-site conflicts and changes. We designyour yacht and know how it comes together, from the engineering specs tothe decorations. Moreover, our complete approach makes excellent businesssense. Here are just some of the advantages:

• All aspects of the yacht are integrated and all drawings are coordinated.• All aspects of the yacht can be viewed in 3-D, including the schematics.• Quality is controlled in one location.• The business aspects are managed in one location.• We troubleshoot and solve problems.• Change orders are significantly reduced.• It saves time.• It saves money.


• Styling the Interior and Exterior

• In the last three decades, the yacht design process has changed more than itdid for the previous 10,000 years, when boats were built by hand with thematerials at hand — be they papyrus, seal skin or wood. For millennia, boatswere propelled by wind or muscle power, practices that remained unchangeduntil the 19th century's Industrial Revolution developed steam engines anddug coal to power them. A century later, improved chemistry createdcomposite structures made of fiberglass and resins which, for the first time,allowed for mass production of yachts. Simultaneously, the information agewas leaping ahead, which led to yacht design software capable of makingweight and stability calculations, creating accurate, realistic 3-D images, andmaking cascading changes as designs were altered.

GCMNA makes intensive, innovative use of several software programs toprepare a total design package, including the profile and arrangements,engineering, weight distribution, stability, hydrodynamics, interior/exteriorlayout, mechanical and electrical systems, and commissioning.

Establishing the goals for your yachtBefore starting any design project, the GCMNA team consults with you tolearn about the type of yacht you have in mind. Naturally, we explore suchaspects as the yacht's purpose, size, speed, interior space requirements andclassification.

But we also become acquainted with your lifestyle. Your yacht is an individualstatement, a reflection of your identity and taste. Our drawings are not "offthe shelf" — we design around your needs. So we ask a lot of questions. Andwe listen carefully to the answers.

How do you plan to use the yacht? Is speed or distance cruising your goal?Will you do much entertaining? Do you want to fish? How many crew will beaboard? Will your children or grandchildren accompany you? If so, how willthat influence the stateroom configuration? While aboard, will you catch upon your reading? On the latest movies? What are your safety concerns? Doyou want a full displacement or a semi-displacement yacht?

During our exchanges, ideas flow freely and "spark" off each other. It's one ofthe most creative, fun and gratifying aspects of the design process where thepencil and paper are the tools used to create the inspiration.


• Designing the profile and arrangementsAlthough it might appear a design starts with the technical aspects of youryacht, in reality we begin by developing the "look." It's where the right-brain,intuitive-thought patterns play a major role. After our discussions, we sketchthe preliminary profile and arrangements by hand. This conceptual phasebecomes the "design statement" which defines the yacht's intent, tests therealism of the ideas and includes details that will establish the yacht's uniquestyle.

We emphasize that the early design phases are a step-by-step processrequiring layers of reiteration. Sometimes desired specifications maycompete, even clash with each other. The yacht's beam, say, may be toonarrow to accommodate the number of staterooms requested and so wemust make adjustments. We call this the "design spiral."

Preparing the hull concept is key to defining the space available on eachdeck for living quarters and for the rooms occupied by mechanical systems.

The next step focuses on designing the superstructure, which establishescabin height along with requisite space for raceways, ducts and mechanicalchannels.

A draft of the interior layout is next.

These preliminary drawings reveal any design conflicts that must be resolved,uncover cost or manufacturing implications, and give you an opportunity, in 3-D images, to judge if the yacht meets your expectations. The design spiral"proves" the concept.

Refining the conceptAfter receiving your input on the preliminary depictions, the GCMNA crewrefines the general interior and exterior layouts, and the styling. The majordivisions of the interior will be designated, including the configuration of theliving quarters, galley, helm station, engine room, probable tank placements,utility areas, conduits for mechanical and electrical systems, air handlingducts, stairs and storage. The design will pay special attention to headroomclearance around steps and companionways. As the design changes, oursoftware allows for continual updating of the entire project.

Preparing renderings and a scale modelOnce the next phase of the design is ready, GCMNA will prepare and sendyou 3-D renderings of the yacht. These pictures are worth several thousandwords. At your request, we can also build a detailed scale model. Being ableto assess a miniature version of your future yacht will give you tremendousconfidence in the final product.


• Fine-tuning the interiorAfter you have reviewed the preliminary 3-D images, this is thephase when brainstorming about the specific features of theyacht's interior is again a crucial component of the designprocess. We explore the themes you'd like to develop, thespecific styling to satisfy those themes, and the type offurniture, materials, wood finishes, fabrics, hardware andartwork you'd like to see in the yacht's finished state. Yourcreativity and originality is part of the fun.

The sample board and 3-D renderingsThe next stage of the interior design incorporates the results ofour latest brainstorming sessions and leads us to produce acomplete set of 3-D renderings.

As these 3-D images are computer generated, you can vieweach area from multiple angles and "fly" visually through theyacht. You will also be able to see the elevation for eachspace. This is an additional opportunity to make changes andadaptations, adjust styling details and rearrange furniture.

If requested, we can also prepare full-color sample boards.These measure about 75 x 90 centimeters and provide arealistic portrayal of how the quarters will ultimately look. Eachboard presents an individual room and includes a conceptdrawing; a top view of the space; renderings of the walls andhow furniture will fit against them; renderings of wall coveringsand lighting; samples of woods used, their finishes and joinery;hardware samples; carpeting; fabrics and upholstery; and,exemplars of such claddings as travertine, marble, granite orCorian.

The renderings and sample boards provide you with a strongindication of the "atmosphere" that will prevail in your yacht.


• Decorating the interiorSome of the yacht's furnishings will be built in — other pieces will beconstructed or purchased separately. During the decoration phase,you will make the final selection of a myriad of things: deckheadfinishes, moldings and wainscoting, light fixtures for all areas,draperies and other window coverings, floor coverings, bathroomfixtures, switches and outlets, countertop finishes, wall treatments,upholstery fabrics for furniture, bed linens and furniture hardware.The names of manufacturers are included as appropriate.

In the decoration phase, we again combine our creativity withpowerful technology. Let's assume we've designed the masterstateroom with cherry joinery and a certain color theme. This will beour "showcase cabin." With the click of a key, we can show you in 3-D how your stateroom looks in teak, or mahogany, or pear, or anyother wood you might choose. We can instantly change the fabricsand wall coverings, choosing among thousands of colors. We canshow you the effects of different art objects, novel lighting, or differentcarpet. This capability gives you true choices in what your interior willlook like.

Designing practical aspects of the yachtNow that the main configuration and interior features of the yachthave been established, the next design phase focuses on specificdetails of the yacht's functionality. Questions asked include:

• Are the traffic patterns adequate?• What are the optimum locations for hatches, portholes and

doorways?• How does the yacht store tenders, aquatic equipment and

transportation devices?• Where will utilitarian equipment like a washer/dryer, freezers, wine

coolers and tool chests fit?• What are the escape routes if the yacht were to founder?• The answers result in detailed drawings covering these practical

details.


• Creating a Register of Your Yacht's Specifications

• Having designed the exterior and interior of the yacht, GCMNA moves to the next stage:itemizing all technical aspects in an orderly fashion. The final register of specifications isa blueprint for quality control for us, the builder, the yard and the suppliers. Thespecifications include not only the technical and material parts of the yacht, but alsostipulate its aesthetic appeal, performance, comfort level and operational details.

Again, we use project management tools which not only outline the core tasks that mustbe completed to build your yacht, but provide us with a catalogue of every item, part,piece of equipment and appliance that make up a contemporary superyacht.

We begin our specifications with an overall narrative describing the yacht and thendocument each of the technical aspects individually.

Although we follow a similar process for yacht refits and conversions, the following listoutlines the specifications included in a new yacht:

• Class societies and their rules (for example, ABS, Bureau Veritas or Lloyd's Register)• The country of the yacht's registration and how its regulations impact the yacht's

construction (for example, the standards set by MCA, ISO, U.S. Coast Guard andMarpol)

• Unambiguous production requirements and instructions• Project management critical paths• An itemization of all materials required to build the yacht• Directives on how the hull and superstructure must be constructed• Engines and other machinery• All aspects of propulsion and power trains• All auxiliary systems, including water makers, generators, stabilizers, bow/stern

thrusters, HVAC systems and fire suppression equipment• Electrical systems and installations• Mast, crows nest, rigging• Insulation and noise abatement• Electronics, including radar, navigation, communications, entertainment, security and

ship's management• Coatings, finishes and paints• Tests and test procedures• Carpentry, joinery and other woodworking details• All equipment installed on the yacht's exterior, from cleats to passerelles• Any items supplied by you.• The specifications make up the core work document but will not yet include all the

information required to complete the yacht. Drawings supplemented by weight studieswill also become part of the specs. Our management program outlines the tasks tocompleted, their preferred sequence, and milestones and deadlines to be met.


• Naval Architecture and Engineering

• GCMNA's expertise

The GCMNA team has several decades experience designing yachts using avariety of computer design programs, with which we carry out each designwith creativity and efficiency. While the final product of our design process isan aesthetically pleasing vessel, our core disciplines and experience are theingredients that make your yacht strong, safe and seaworthy. Our detailednaval architectural and engineering studies create a yacht that performsexceptionally well.

When a yacht is completed and afloat, we tend to see the glamour andluxurious appointments that make it unique. Your yacht's appearance iscentral, of course, yet the aesthetic appeal must be underpinned by itsrigorous engineering and naval architectural design. This part of the design ismostly hidden but essential to the yacht's operation and comfort.

Designing a large yacht is like putting together a huge puzzle. In many ways,the vessel resembles a mansion that offers excellent living space. But thisfloating home also carries aboard a complete propulsion system, fuel storageand distribution systems, navigational equipment, ways of making anddisposing of water, and electrical generation methods to power equipment. Inaddition, the floating home must move efficiently and safely while offeringexceptional stability.

Initial designThe vessel's overall dimensions and displacement, hull shape, the distributedsize and weight of tanks at various loads, the vessel's speed, its stability —all these features are first approximated, then calculated more precisely, thenanalyzed and computed again — and again.

The initial portion of the design is not a one-time task: rather, the work iscumulative and iterative and is divided into a number of undertakings.

Establishing the vessel's dimensionsHow many staterooms would you like? Is your main helm station on aseparate level? How much equipment must fit into the engine room besidesthe engines? Will you carry your tenders on the upper deck or in a dinghygarage? These are the kind of questions whose answers will guide us toestablish your yacht's overall length and beam. We then fit your requirementsinto the space available and prepare a first cut of the profile andarrangements.


• Estimating the displacement and weightCalculating the vessel's weight and how that weight is distributed is perhapsthe most crucial aspect of the design. Again, calculating weight is not a one-time process. As the design evolves and changes, we measure again andagain, ensuring the weight is properly distributed and the center of gravityoccupies the right place.

Developing the most hydrodynamic hullOnly after estimating the yacht's weight can we begin drafting the hull shape.The issues that influence that shape include the yacht's desired maximumand cruising speeds, its seakeeping characteristics as well as any aestheticconsiderations we developed earlier.

The vessel's weight and center of gravity, along with its required speeddetermine whether we design a full displacement, semi-displacement, planingor semi-planing hull. Other choices influencing the hull's shape include whatkind of chine it will have and how its quarters are shaped.

We investigate and then propose the type of rudders and propellers bestsuited to the yacht and its powertrain. All these factors will influence how wellthe boat performs both in heavy seaways and at anchor. Our design teamfocuses not only how the yacht will perform but also on your comfort whileaboard during different weather systems.

Once completed with all changes included, we present you with line drawingsand 3-D renderings of the hull.

Estimating the yacht's speedIt's the hull shape and displacement that forecast how fast a vessel can movethrough the water and what size engines are required to travel at that speed.Our team uses speed-prediction software to ensure that our design offers thelowest hull resistance and optimizes efficiency and performance. We also testother possible methods of streamlining the hull. Does a bow bulb improveflow patterns and speed? What are the optimal locations for the exhausts,tunnels or rudders?

Studying the propulsion systemAll propulsion components must be kept in mind when designing a systemwith maximum performance and most efficient fuel consumption. Do you wanta straightforward driveline system consisting of a propeller-shaft-gearbox-engine arrangement? Are you interested in diesel-electric propulsion, gasturbines, Z-Drives or nozzles? What is your desired range? These choicesdetermine how we optimize your system.

We next draw your propulsion system, which shows how all components areconnected and integrated, from the main engines to shafts, propellers,rudders and nozzles.

Again, we use information technology to predict the yacht's propulsion needsand efficiency, as well as an estimate of fuel use. We compute how much fuelwill be consumed by auxiliary units like generators. Those calculations allowus to anticipate fuel consumption under a variety of conditions and, keepingin mind the desired range, the size of the fuel tanks.


• Designing the hull for strengthAs part of designing the yacht's structural integrity, we specify the scantlingsor laminate schedule of the hull, decks and superstructure, as well as thoseareas needing additional reinforcement, like bow thrusters, davits andstabilizers. We spell out the required stiffness and strength of the areassupporting the engines, measure the requirements of the classificationsocieties, and engineer the bow to survive repetitive crashing into mountainsof water. Finally, we optimize complicated structural components with our in-house Finite Element Analysis software.

Arranging tankage for optimum weight distribution and stabilityPositioning the tanks aboard your yacht is a delicate task that requires thecareful balancing of loaded and partially loaded tanks under all seaconditions. We must consider not only fuel tanks, but also reservoirs forlubricants, potable water, grey and black water, and ballast.

When arranging the tankage in the yacht, we take account of the location andweight of such peripheral but necessary equipment as pump rooms andpipes, manifolds and fuel polishers. When positioning tanks, which are bulkyand take up large spaces, we make sure they don't interfere with areasneeded for stabilizer reinforcements, bow thrusters and other equipment. Wealso design the systems that connect tanks so their contents can be pumpedacross to maintain yacht stability and trim.

Positioning bulkheads and engineering structureDeveloping the hull's structure depends in part on its material — steel,aluminum or composite. The structural members and bulkheads are arrangedaccording to the rules for stability and deflection properties stipulated by theclassification society you chose.

Our designs pay particular attention to the overall longitudinal strength aswell as local deflection. The bulkheads and girders are key structuralmembers that keep the hull from wracking and hogging. In addition, if theyacht were in a collision, our watertight bulkheads are robust enough towithstand a full height head of water pressing on it Similarly, our designsinclude the "damaged stability criteria" defined by the classification societiesto ensure your yacht can withstand flooding.


Developing a 3-D visual of the hull with weight and structural detailsA 3-D hull model not only lets you to see how the yacht is structured,but also provides data on weight and the focal point for gravity. Iflater we make changes in any part of this structural hull form, thecenter of gravity must be recalculated and adjusted.

In addition, the 3-D model offers a good overview of the kind andquantity of materials needed to construct the hull and its reinforcingstructures. The estimates also give a good indication of the amountof filler, primer and paint needed as finishing coats.

Calculating stability and hydrodynamicsWe calculate the stability of a yacht under a variety of operatingconditions, not only when the vessel is moored or at anchor. Weassess how the yacht will perform in a storm, in severe wavescausing rolling, or in various damaged conditions.

Classification societies like ABS, Det Norske Veritas orGermanischer Lloyd issue rules and regulations for ships' safety.Several nations also publish their own norms for ships' safety.Usually, while we develop the properties of a yacht, we work withrepresentatives of the appropriate classification societies or nationalmaritime offices to make sure the yacht meets the standards. Onlythen do we finalize the hull lines.

Calculating the load line and tonnageWe follow the International Convention on Load Lines rules, whichcontain detailed regulations on the vertical distance between the topof the hull and the waterline — usually called the freeboard — for allseagoing vessels. Other rules cover such items as where thefreeboard mark and hull openings should be located, and the size offreeing port areas.

Similarly, we adhere to the rules and regulations established by theInternational Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships. TheConvention lays down the requirements for measuring both grossand net tonnage. We also comply with any classification society ornational requirements germane to the project.


• Assessing safetyFire is one of the great dangers aboard ship, not only becausevessels carry huge quantities of fuel, but because fire can spreadrapidly in the yacht's confined spaces. At this point in the designprocess, we evaluate all aspects of safety aboard, including inherentfire protection measures like automatic fire extinguishing equipment,safety gear, watertight bulkheads and compartments, and escaperoutes.

Designing special custom featuresWill your yacht carry a helicopter? Have a garage for an automobileor other ground transportation? How and where will your tenders behoused? The GCMNA team assesses these questions and designsthe answers. Other features that are fine-tuned at this stage are theengine room and its auxiliary equipment, air handling systems andother custom features.

Spacing the decksWhen designing the total height of your yacht, we carefully analyzethe space required for each level. Leaving comfortable headroom (attimes we've boosted headroom for exceptionally tall clients) shouldnot interfere with the space required by ducting and raceways in thesoles or deckheads. The height of each deck also influences thedimension of the bulwarks as well as the size and positioning ofwindows.

Reducing noiseNothing is less pleasant than being unable to converse when theengines are running. Few things are more irritating than a persistentrattle in the pipes. That is why the GCMNA crew carefully analyzesall places where noise and vibration can occur or be propagated allaround your yacht. Through our experience, we have learned wheremost acoustic problems occur; we isolate and insulate theselocations.


Ensuring Hydrodynamic Performance

• No matter how beautiful or comfortable your yacht is when moored, how itperforms when moving through the water is key to how satisfied you'll be withyour vessel. Large yachts are built to cruise vast distances and must be ableto meet any kind of weather and sea conditions safely and in relative comfort.

That is why GCMNA studies and analyzes the hydrodynamic properties ofyour yacht. Using a combination of informational tools and computational fluiddynamics, we model your hull and its attachments to reduce drag, enhancemanoeuvrability, maximize seakeeping ability and optimize performance.

Building and testing a scale modelWe also create an exact scale model of your yacht's hull and test it. The hullmodel includes rudders, propellers and tunnels, stabilizers and other hullattachments that influence performance.

To test the scale model, we often use Vizon SciTec's Ocean EngineeringCentre in Vancouver, British Columbia, which specializes in testing largemotor yachts. The facility offers a 67 m X 3.7 m towing tank, a manoeuvringbasin, and a computer-controlled flap-type 32-ton wavemaker, which allow usto study the model hull's motion, resistance and sea-keeping in regularwaves, random seaways and still water.

The towing carriage is equipped with a 16-channel data acquisition system.Underwater photography windows allow us to visualize flow. Thephotographic equipment records both digital stills and motion pictures whichlets us study and analyze the data repeatedly.

We have also used additional towing tank and testing facilities around theworld, including the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) andthe Center for Maritime Systems at the Stevens Institute of Technology inNew Jersey.


• Testing in calm watersThe long tank through which the hull replica is pulled provides us withdata on the yacht's propulsion. While the hull is dragged through thetank at different speeds, we study resistance, how waves affect flowpatterns, wake patterns and how speed affects flow patterns,vibration and cavitation.

Testing your yacht's seakeeping abilityComfort while cruising or at anchor strongly influences how much youwill enjoy being aboard your yacht. Rolling while anchored can bemore unpleasant than moving through waves. We study your yacht'sseakeeping ability, and design the hull and such attachments asstabilizers to maximize your comfort.

Testing your yacht's manoeuvrabilityTo create a truly hydrodynamic yacht that navigates efficiently andcomfortably in all sea conditions takes much research, bothcomputationally and with a scale model simulating realisticconditions. To design such a vessel, we evaluate and test how theyacht will:

• Perform in harbor conditions• Moor in tight or windy conditions• Turn in minimal space• Maintain stability and avoid rolling while at anchor• Minimize yawing, heaving, pitching and rolling in a variety of seaways• Run before the wind• Stop short in an emergency• Perform when on autopilot• Be affected by attachments and appendages• Maintain course• Perform operationally in dire conditions.• These are the issues we examine, test and scrutinize when

considering the hydrodynamic properties of your yacht so it will bringyou safely and comfortably to your destinations.


• Finalizing the Hull and Superstructure

• After the hull shape has been determined, we design the fine detailsof the superstructure. Again, we combine creativity and inspirationwith information technology to develop the superstructure, whichinvolves a series of complicated curves and complex shapes. Weemploy our "artistic eye" to form the unique aesthetics of your yacht.

We then join the yacht's hull and superstructure and provide you with3-D images of the entire exterior's surface. Just as you were able toview the interior with 3-D, you can now "walk through" and "hoverover" your yacht, examining it from any direction.

Once we incorporate any final changes suggested after your reviewof the model, the yacht's exterior design is frozen. We have goodreasons to assure no more changes are made at this advancedstage. Many software packages allow for "cascading" changes totake place: If one aspect of the yacht's design changes, any othersection with which it has parametric relations also altersautomatically. This practice is useful early in the design processwhen parameters are still being established, but not once the hull andsuperstructure have been finalized.

The reasons are clear:• Once the design is set, a single alteration can interfere with the

carefully integrated functional aspects of the yacht.• The timeframe from design to construction is often short. Once

construction has started, changes are difficult and expensive.• The surface model contains the yacht's shape and curves and can

generate cross-section views of any portion of the vessel. Themeticulously prepared 3-D model and cross-sections can supply thebuilder with the blueprint for production and significantly reduce theneed for fairing.


• Designing the Exterior Details

Now that the yacht's major design features have been fixed, the GCMNAcrew draws up the detailed plans for exterior operational equipment,hardware and built-in furniture. All these items have already been included inthe specifications — now is the time to make sure each detail has beendesigned and is located in the proper place. Using our construction portalsoftware, we manage the ordering and inventory of all equipment.

The exterior details and fittings in this portion of the design include:• Hull and superstructure hardware, including cleats, fairleads, scuppers,

stanchions, grab bars, bow pulpits and all their backing plates andreinforcements

• Windlasses• Anchoring systems• Built-in seats and settees• Doors, garage covers, hatches, portholes and windows• Methods for launching and retrieving tenders and other watercraft• Deck cradles for tenders• Davits or other cranes• Exterior companionways and stairs• Support bars and handles• Deck coverings and awnings• Masts and arches• Locations and supports for life rafts• Barbeques• Fishing gear holders• Fighting chairs• Fish and bait tanks• Hot tub or Jacuzzi• Swim platforms and ladders or steps• Caprails• Passerelles or other gangplanks•


• Designing the Mechanical and Electrical Systems

GCMNA has long experience designing mechanical and electricalsystems. We use software as an accurate and complete tool toensure that such parts as pipes, joints, valves, cabling andconnectors are correctly chosen and fit precisely. Our 3-Dschematics instruct yard staff on the exact placement sequence,thereby increasing the efficiency of the installation. Detailed drawingsand instructions allow for the creation of a yacht that meets not onlyyour exacting standards, but also those of classification societies andnational maritime agencies.

Designing a yacht compares to crafting a large airplane. Andnowhere is this truer than when we draw the mechanical andelectrical systems. These systems are mostly hidden in the bowelsand deckheads of your yacht, but are essential to the yacht's abilityto operate and to your comfort.

Although some yards design their own mechanical/electrical systems,we believe that providing the complete production drawings improvesinstallations, speeds up the process, cuts costs and offers betterquality control. We provide 3-D drawings of all parts of the twosystems, as well as exact sizing of all parts, the flow direction of allfluids, and installation flow charts.

Designing the mechanical/electrical systems system and their detailsrequires deep engineering knowledge and attention to detail. It is anintricate, time-consuming but essential process. In another section ofthis website, "Creating a Register of Your Yacht's Specifications," weoutlined the equipment and auxiliary parts to be installed in the yacht.Now, we explain how the mechanical systems are designed, followedby a description of the electrical systems.


• Drawing the systems' pipingMuch of the piping originates in the engine room and relates topropulsion. To make sure all pipes, hoses and other equipment areconnected properly and their contents flow in the right direction, weprepare detailed drawings of:

• Fuel service• Fuel pumping systems among tanks• Fuel polishing• Lubrication and waste oil• Fuel availability to generators• Another major piping system relates to water distribution. We prepare

detailed drawings of:• Raw water cooling• Freshwater cooling• Hot and cold potable water• Water maker connections• Deck wash and anchor well wash systems• Scupper piping• Bilge and ballast water• Grey and black water and their treatment plants• Fire prevention sprinkler systems• We also design these specific piping/ducting systems:• Exhaust systems for the engines and generators• Engine room ventilation• Heating, air conditioning and air handling• Vacuum cleaning• Compressed air• The pipes, hoses and ducts must be correctly sized to allow

continuous flows of fluids or air, and should be aligned in an orderlyfashion, securely fixed in place, tagged and accessible. They shouldnot interfere with each other, or propagate noise and vibrationthrough the yacht. We design the systems to comply withclassification society rules.


• Preparing technical specifications and 3-D schematicsSo that the boatyard can properly install themechanical/electrical systems systems, the GCMNA teamprepares a series of schematics. We specify all technical partsand the instructions to put them together. Our schematics areall supplied in 3-D imagery. So that the yard can order the rightparts efficiently, we supply the following information:

• A list of materials needed to install the mechanical systems,including machinery, valves, manifolds, filters, pipes and allthe small connectors-elbows, tees, nipples, unions, and so on.

• For efficient and timely mechanical installation, we can supplyany level of complexity in our drawings. If we supply thedimensions, cut size and numbering of every pipe and part,the yard can order all materials at once, as well as assemblelarge portions of the mechanical system outside the yacht,which can save time. We pay close attention to distribution ofall equipment to minimize the need for wiring and piping.Accessibility of all equipment for both installation andmaintenance is also key. These are the drawings we prepare:

• Schematics for the placement of engines, tanks, watertreatment equipment and pumps

• A schematic of all pipes that run through the yacht• Schematics of pipelines, valves, filters, manifolds, etc.• Drawings of where pipes pierce watertight bulkheads to assure

structural integrity• Drawings for tankage, including mounting and fittings details


• Designing the electrical networkModern yachts literally require miles of wiring to operate not just lights butappliances, navigational equipment, entertainment systems and security. Forefficiency, motor generators normally charge a large bank of batteries.

As the weight and size of generators and batteries seriously influence theyacht's overall displacement and its center of gravity, GCMNA designs themajor portions of the electrical system early in the process. But the details arealso extremely important. These aspects are part of the electrical systemdesign:

• Wiring and cabling for all standard electrical devices• Location and size of transformers• Location of shore-power plug ins• Locations and sizes of the circuit breaker panels• Locations and types of lighting• Wiring for appliances• Dedicated wiring for navigational/security/communications systems• Supplementary isolated batteries/wiring for emergency navigational use• Network wiring for entertainment systems• Wiring for security cameras• Wiring for auxiliary helm stations• Locations and wiring for all plugs• Locations and wiring for all light switches• Any additional wiring for such equipment as windlasses, horns, windshield

wipers, and Jacuzzis.• GCMNA prepares all necessary diagrams for these electrical systems and

specifies the best routing.

Designing the electronic networksToday's ships electronics use complicated networks that must perform manyintegrative functions. Through our intensive and creative use of hardware andsoftware, we have learned how to make electronic networks talk to eachother. This is not just theoretical communication: we mock up the electronics,turn them on, test and run them.


• Finalizing the Interior Design

It is in the design of your yacht's interior that our earlier rigorous discussionswith you pay the largest dividends. Except for the first, exterior view of ayacht, the interior is the vessel's most visible part, often the one that elicitsthe greatest input from owners and their families. And interior constructionrepresents the most labor-intensive aspect of building a yacht.

When we compare the finishing of a yacht's interior with, say, hullconstruction or mechanical installations, the interior demands adisproportionate amount of time. That's why GCMNA plans interior spaceswith such painstaking detail well in advance of construction. Planning savesexecution time and prevents change orders, which are costly and can skewthe completion schedule.

Why is building a yacht's interior so time consuming? Unlike a house, ayacht's shape is not rectangular, so furniture, cabinets and lockers must befitted into the hull's and superstructure's curvatures. In addition, the designmay have to work around some essential equipment, say, the hullreinforcements for stabilizers.

Many large yachts contain custom-made cabinetry and furniture with inlaidwoods, wainscotings and wall paneling, custom galleys and helm stations. Sothe interior demands exact woodworking and wood finishing, much of it byhand.

Specifying the carpentry workEarlier in the design process, we prepared a specification list for each of theliving spaces, as well as samples of the "show cabin" allowing many differentchoices of materials. You identified specific woods, finishes, fabrics,hardware and surface textures. These selections are now translated intodrawings with installation instructions.

The designs specify bunks and berths, cabinetry, vanities, helm stations,doors, moldings and staircases. Appliances and their precise dimensions areinserted into the designs. Along with the joinery, we draw and itemize suchmaterials as countertops, teak decks, and teak or other wood flooring.

Some of the drawings form the basis for CNC data which can simplify sawingmiters, panels, joints, corners, cutouts and moldings. In addition, with CNCtechnology, we can determine how to get the most out of a slab of wood andthereby save on expensive materials.

Our detailed 3-D drawings with exact measurements and representations ofstyling details allow much of the joinery work to be completed in a workshoprather than onboard, so multiple tasks can progress simultaneously.

Upon request, we can supervise the build sequence of all segments of youryacht.


• Commissioning and sea-trialing your yacht

After all the planning, designing and building, the yacht's performance mustbe verified upon launch. This includes the way the vessel and its machineryoperates, but also requires minor fine-tuning throughout. When a boatswitches from being on the hard to a floating existence, it relaxes andchanges shape somewhat, requiring many adjustments.

Working with the yard, we prepare detailed lists of tests to be performed atthe dock and during sea trials. We can participate in and supervise the seatrials.

Testing at the dockOnce the vessel is afloat, mechanics, electricians and other technical staffconduct a series of tests to ensure all systems are functioning properly. Testsinclude:

• Engines and the entire fuel system• Electrical systems, from generators to battery banks to ensure all lights,

appliances and electrical equipment are functional• Air handling systems• Purging and pressurizing of water and sewage systems• Fuel and other pumps• Integrity of all pipes, hoses and their fittings• Deck equipment, including anchors, davits and remote helm stations• Water tightness of all doors, hatches and portholes• Safety gear, including fire fighting equipment• On board accesses, including stern platforms, ladders and Passerelles• Detection of noise and vibration• Adjustments of doors, hatches and windows.• The team also conducts an incline test, which verifies a yacht's stability and

helps a captain determine under which conditions he can safely operate hisvessel without risk of capsizing. Representatives from classification societiesare usually present during the incline test. The results are recorded in stabilitybooks.


• Testing at sea

• When the crew has completed dock trials and made any neededcorrections, formal sea trials are next. These are essential to checkspeed, manoeuvrability, fuel consumption, and noise and vibrationissues. We write a report on the results, with recommendedcorrections as required.

Our detailed sea trial procedures include:• Testing of engines and all other parts of the propulsion system• Testing of each engine individually• Testing of generators and other auxiliary equipment• Calibration of the compass• Evaluation of acceleration and speed• Evaluation of fuel consumption at various speeds• Testing of steering and emergency steering equipment• Testing of manoeuvrability during acceleration, zigzag movements,

turning circles and emergency stops with full ahead and full asternaction

• Testing the stabilizers• Testing the anchoring system• Listening for noise and rattles• Listening for vibration• Some of the data collected during these tests will be logged onto a

computer directly. The GCMNA team prepares the other reports withrecommendations for corrections. These become part of the totalship's design and building log stored at the construction portal.

Part of our complete package of services includes after launch-communications. We have already made sure that all manualsgoverning your yacht's operation are available on DVD as a fullysearchable data base. You can also call on us for troubleshooting orfurther advice.


MEETING CLIENT EXPECTATIONS

3D Modeling the entire Yacht allows GCMNA to work out ALL the detailsso the Client’s expectations are met when the Yacht is delivered.

Computer 3D Rendering Actual Yacht on Sea Trials




Computer 3D RenderingActual Yacht




Computer 3D Rendering Actual Yacht


PARTIAL LIST OF SHIPYARDS GCMNA WORKS WITH:• Alloy Yachts, New Zealand

• McMullen and Wing, New Zealand• Horizon Yacht, Taiwan• Vision Yachts, Taiwan

• Premiere Yachts, Taiwan• Calixas Yachts, USA

• Westport Shipyard, USA• Pacific Mariner, USA• Fathom Yachts, USA

• San Juan Yachts, USA• Park Isle Marine, Canada• Kanter Yachts, Canada

• Neptunus Yachts, Canada• Philbrooks Boat Yard, Canada

• Victoria Shipyard, Canada• Yardimici Shipyard, Turkey

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