Firstly you might have some questions as to why to use our design services, so in anticipation here are a few quick ‘FAQ’s that we think you will find useful:

  •  How much do we charge? : Our standard charge is £40 per hour, many smaller design projects only need a few hours of our time, and our design process tends to be quick and efficient so these costs need not mount up.  In addition, we usually make a portion of the design fee refundable when we go ahead with the manufacture.
  • How much is my project likely to cost all in all? : Once we have had an initial chat, we will give you an estimate of the likely cost of the project including design and manufacture before we go further into the actual design work, at the end of the design work we will provide an accurate cost for you to decide if you wish to go ahead.
  • What qualifies us to take on your project? : Firstly please do read on, if you have time, to learn more about our experience and know-how, and to see some examples of our past work.  Also I would like you to know that as well as being a keen sailor, I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering and am a Chartered Mechanical Engineer.

Whether you need a little assistance to confirm a design that you have already worked out, or whether you need a design solution from a blank canvas – we are happy to help.  As the main owner and founder of Boat Fittings I have more than 30 years experience of mechanical design and structural engineering design, which started out in automotive design.

Within the framework of Boat Fittings we like to use our design experience and mechanical engineering knowledge to provide well thought out design solutions to meet our customers needs.  Our main focuses are:

  • Frequent communication to firstly make sure we get off to a good start, and then to keep you fully informed and engaged throughout the project, whether it lasts a few hours or a number of weeks or months.
  • Listening to your goals and ideas, sometimes this could be a design idea you are fully happy with, other times it is more a notion of what you want to achieve.
  • Design for function, aesthetics and manufacture.
  • Design for a low-cost solution.

At the end of the process, all being well, we will arrive at a final design which you as the customer will be completely happy with in terms of its function, its look and its cost.  We are also obliged to make sure we are happy that the design will perform its function well, and of course that it can be made in an efficient manner – this is the essence of what we do.

During and at the culmination of a design project we will communicate with you by a combination of phone, video meeting, face-to-face meetings as most appropriate.  Also we will typically generate:

  • 3D CAD models of the design
  • Realistic renderings of the design with reference to the surrounding mounting areas of your boat, so that you can visualise how things are going to look
  • 2D drawings with key dimensions

Using these processes means that when we start to physically make your project, both you and we will have confidence that you will be happy with what we deliver.

PAST PROJECT EXAMPLES:

Below are some examples of recent design projects that we have undertaken and manufactured.

HOOD FRAME EXAMPLE

With this project the customer came to us with a photograph of the type of hood frame that he wanted adding to the flybridge of his Rodman 1250.  In addition the brief was to design, manufacture and fit the frame, with importance placed on its robustness and performance in high seas.

We had an initial meeting with the customer and took some key measurements from his boat.  The design phase lasted 2 weeks, and the manufacturing a further 6 weeks, culminating in us fitting the frame to his boat.  

BOW ROLLER AND PULPIT EXAMPLE

With this project the customer had worked out an initial design concept.  The main goal of the project was to replace an existing bow roller system (which had become bent after storm weather) with a much more robust design, also incorporating an extended bow roller capable of providing a mounting for an additional Code Zero sail.

An additional part of the job was to design and manufacture a new pulpit to make anchor launching and recovery easier.

Key to the success of this project was accurate measurements of the boat hull and mounting points.  During the project we had many video meetings do discuss variations on the original design, and never has the old expression “measure twice, cut once” been more fitting.  Both the customer’s and our diligence resulted in a great fit between the new stainless steel components and the boat hull.

RADAR MOUNT ARCH

With this project the customer’s Jeanneau Prestige 32 boat had not been fitted with the manufacturer’s optional radar support structure.  The customer managed to obtain the design specification for the radar support in the form of 2D drawings.  We were able to import the 2D drawings to serve as templates in our 3D CAD system.  We were then able to develop a 3-dimensional model of our design to meet the functional and dimensional needs, while giving an aesthetic that the customer was entirely happy with.  The tube bending and fabrication involved curvature in two directions, as well as a combination of defined corner radii, married with a slow (gentle) curvature of the side legs.  The finished structure is all polished in line with the customers wishes, resulting in a great looking result.

FURTHER INFORMATION

To see the manufactured results of these example projects, and many more please take a look at our ‘Bespoke Stainless Fabrications’ page.

If you would like to discuss your project needs please feel free to call or email us – we will be happy to talk things over.