Do we all want to be boat designers?

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Bubba1235

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Come on, fess up. I can't be the only one.

Rebuilding boats I get to see lots of different designs and lay outs but just haven't found the "perfect" one yet. Maybe it's just me but every time I go over a boat I ask, "why did they do that" or "why didn't they do this"? Even worse is when I see something I really like and wonder why all manufactures don't do it.

I think down deep all boaters want to be boat designers. :D
 
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eclark53520

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Sep 2, 2010
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Re: Do we all want to be boat designers?

Boat manufacturers make boats that will work OK for the widest range of people, that is what will sell the most boats.

They don't make a boat because it will work really well for 1 person. That will only sell very few boats and will cost the same if not more to build than the boat that works just OK for a bunch of people.
 
WIMUSKY

WIMUSKY

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Re: Do we all want to be boat designers?

No.:)
 
Robbabob

Robbabob

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Re: Do we all want to be boat designers?

I know what ya mean... we'll either find our "perfect" boat, or settle for one close enough and fix it up our way.

Hate to think that our "perfect" boat would have to be custom made. Even then, I'm sure we'd realize something we missed when the need arose.

Buy what's close, fix it your way.
 
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jkust

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Re: Do we all want to be boat designers?

There was an article in one of my Boating magazines about boat designers and part of the gist was boat designs are largely the effort and vision of one person within that particular company. Most newer boats I see are starting to get it and it seems the more expensive/higher branded boat you see the more they get the interior details correct in my eyes. Most of the Mid 2000's boats I see each have a couple great features but I wonder why someone doesn't take the Hyundai approach and incorporate it all into one boat. Would I want to be a boat designer, no I wouldn't.
 
dbkerley

dbkerley

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Re: Do we all want to be boat designers?

Yes - but, not really. I want to be more of a remodeler than an originator. It is alot easier to improve on an existing idea than come up with an all new one.

I definitely don't want to do hull design. However, engine and power systems might be interesting. I also wouldn't want to have to design the liners either. The breakouts are seriously complicated. It might make me want to quit boating altogether.

I have the greatest of respect for those mathematical magicians that can design these boats within the manufacturing requirements that exist today.
 
18WCmerc

18WCmerc

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Re: Do we all want to be boat designers?

i think owning mulitple boats solves this issue.

every tool has its purpose, and every boat has its job and its worth two in the bush. Is that how that saying goes? or is it an idiom?
 
emoney

emoney

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Re: Do we all want to be boat designers?

Then again, if all boat were made the right way in the 1st place;

a) An entire cottage industry of aftermarket parts suppliers would be out
of business.
b) Probably wouldn't be an "iboats" community of people searching for like
minded ideas & tips
c) Wouldn't last but a season before somebody suggested an entirely different
approach and we'd all be right back at searching for our dream boat.

Then again, cupholders aren't necessarily rocket launchers, are they?
 
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stic88

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Aug 15, 2010
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Re: Do we all want to be boat designers?

wooden pontoon designed and built a very beautiful boat. if you havent seen it then it is worth looking at his post
 
j_martin

j_martin

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Re: Do we all want to be boat designers?

After years of experience in the research-design-cheapen-produce cycle of things, I long to take a basically sound designed bass boat and tighten it up and fit it out to my liking.
 
CN Spots

CN Spots

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Re: Do we all want to be boat designers?

j_martin said:
After years of experience in the research-design-cheapen-produce cycle of things, I long to take a basically sound designed bass boat and tighten it up and fit it out to my liking.
Click to expand...

Ditto. And I'm rather surprised that Bullet or Allison has not come out with a carbon fiber hull. Can't be far off.
 
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boatmanalso

Seaman
Joined
Sep 23, 2010
Messages
56
Re: Do we all want to be boat designers?

Bubba1235 said:
Come on, fess up. I can't be the only one.

Rebuilding boats I get to see lots of different designs and lay outs but just haven't found the "perfect" one yet. Maybe it's just me but every time I go over a boat I ask, "why did they do that" or "why didn't they do this"? Even worse is when I see something I really like and wonder why all manufactures don't do it.

I think down deep all boaters want to be boat designers. :D
Click to expand...

I do the same thing. I did design a 23fter and started to build when I was a kid. That was fun. Someone else had to finish it though. I should do something again. Yes, the perfect boat.
 
dingbat

dingbat

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Nov 20, 2001
Messages
17,388
Re: Do we all want to be boat designers?

Like most everything, it all boils down to money.

You have the option of buying a mass produced, isn't quite right for you boat or you could go to a custom boat builder and have the boat built to your specfications?
Being a backyard designer is cheap. Having it done right the first time, not so.
 
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PGFISHER

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Jul 21, 2009
Messages
321
Re: Do we all want to be boat designers?

I have designed many things from scratch, and a lot of concessions must be made to satisfy manufacturing, marketing, and consumer. Even with seemingly simple items, it isn't uncommon to go through 50 design changes to develope a final product. I wouldn't want to design a whole boat; but I love redoing my boat to suit our needs.
 
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