Aesthetics. The eye of the beholder?

[Chiara’s slave]

We all have our ideas about what makes a boat pretty. How about pretty ugly? Are there defining characteristics of ugly boats? This one particularly caught my eye this morning, so much so that I stopped and got out of the car, in 35 kn of wind, and horizontal drizzle just so that I could share it with the forum. Can anyone defend the monumental ugliness of this er, thing?
Incidentally, that’s Mollie, the NZ boat with the sad accident recently just visible by the bow.

 

[flaming]

Can anyone defend the monumental ugliness of this er, thing?

I imagine it's much easier to do so from inside looking out.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I imagine it's much easier to do so from inside looking out.

The view for docking from inside the very raked deckhouse must be a bit limiting. Perhaps it wasn’t that shape originally, and they’ve run it into a pontoon?

 

[justanothersailboat]

The owner must really hate boats - or why buy one looking like that? when similar money could get any number of absolutely gorgeous vessels that would probably be more capable.

 

[mjcoon]

I imagine it's much easier to do so from inside looking out.

There was a writer, I forget who, that always ate at the Eifel Tower restaurant because it was the only place in Paris at which it was not visible...

 

[johnalison]

There was a writer, I forget who, that always ate at the Eifel Tower restaurant because it was the only place in Paris at which it was not visible...

I have heard that story but also can't remember who, but it is understandable when you consider what sort of buildings were then universal. I remember the uproar in my class at school when the school chaplain said that he admired the electricity pylons that we had grown up to think of as a scourge on the landscape. I'm not sure that I like them now but I admire them to some extent, and the Eiffel Tower is a fine example of form following function with great economy. I have heard that its steel, if melted down, would only cover its footprint to a few inches. The boat illustrated appears to derive from Brutalist architecture of the '60s, and since the chief purpose of these craft is is to attract attention and stand out from the crowd, perhaps it could be said to fulfil this purpose well.

 

[veshengro]

I honestly think that once that level of expense has been reached fashion and the desire to impress or " be different " takes precedence over other design features of a vessel like that. Good luck to them if they can afford it, and long may personal choice reign, but I look at that sort of vessel and class it with the middle aged film stars who turn up on Gala Nights in transparent dresses, or the Leading Men in sequin covered dinner jackets and shorts.

If one is extremely rich and everyone knows it, just how does one stand out from the herd? Probably not by owning a vessel renowned for it's sea keeping abilities or Clipper Bow and Lute stern, it needs to be different...as long as it floats..

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I honestly think that once that level of expense has been reached fashion and the desire to impress or " be different " takes precedence over other design features of a vessel like that. Good luck to them if they can afford it, and long may personal choice reign, but I look at that sort of vessel and class it with the middle aged film stars who turn up on Gala Nights in transparent dresses, or the Leading Men in sequin covered dinner jackets and shorts.

If one is extremely rich and everyone knows it, just how does one stand out from the herd? Probably not by owning a vessel renowned for it's sea keeping abilities or Clipper Bow and Lute stern, it needs to be different...as long as it floats..

As long as it floats and is seaworthy. It looks very top heavy. At least Lady Gaga could eat her dress if the catering turned out to be vegan. Practicality is important.

 

[SimonX]

Nautical Cybertruck?

 

[Frogmogman]

There was a writer, I forget who, that always ate at the Eifel Tower restaurant because it was the only place in Paris at which it was not visible...

I thought that was Gustaf Eiffel himself.

 

[S04]

There was a writer, I forget who, that always ate at the Eifel Tower restaurant because it was the only place in Paris at which it was not visible...

I thought that was Gustaf Eiffel himself.

Guy de Maupassant I think.

 

[Frogmogman]

Guy de Maupassant I think.

En effet. I’ve just looked it up too.

 

[S04]

I quite like the look of the vessel but it has probably been derived from the "form follows function" philosophy of design rather than simply wishing to appeal to aesthetics.

 

[KevinV]

I've always liked mobo's that look like working boats - this hull looks like a supply vessel, which is pretty cool. The bridge just looks weird though - like it was an after thought.

 

[Blueboatman]

We all have our ideas about what makes a boat pretty. How about pretty ugly? Are there defining characteristics of ugly boats? This one particularly caught my eye this morning, so much so that I stopped and got out of the car, in 35 kn of wind, and horizontal drizzle just so that I could share it with the forum. Can anyone defend the monumental ugliness of this er, thing?
Incidentally, that’s Mollie, the NZ boat with the sad accident recently just visible by the bow.
View attachment 202996

Since when did Yarmouth acquire pink pilings?
The boat? N/C

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I've always liked mobo's that look like working boats - this hull looks like a supply vessel, which is pretty cool. The bridge just looks weird though - like it was an after thought.

That was my thought. It just doesn’t match. If it was my millions invested there, I’d at least want matching ugliness.

Yarmouth’s pilings have been pink there since we moved here at least. 10 years minimum. They tell you where to berth by colour.

 

[westhinder]

I've always liked mobo's that look like working boats - this hull looks like a supply vessel, which is pretty cool. The bridge just looks weird though - like it was an after thought.

Agree.
In a totally different league there are Steve Dashew’s FPB’s, Functional Power Boats. They are truly impressive vessels. A couple of years ago we were moored next to one in Dingle and were invited aboard and given a complete tour of the boat. They went on to Iceland via Scotland and the plan was to continue to Greenland and do the North West Passage, which I believe they did. Respect!

 

[Stemar]

For me, the boat in OP's photo has two things going for it, a tough, purposeful look and, most importantly, it's not the standard steam iron shape.

However, I like the traditional look, and I don't want to need a crew, so I think my unlimited budget boat would be something a bit more like this

 

[johnalison]

I can't say that I am in the habit of admiring motor craft but one that I did enjoy seeing was a large pre-war motor yacht berthed in Willemstadt. It must have been over 50' long and its four elderly owners who must have been well into their 80s came down once or twice a week to take her out for the day. On one occasion a sailing yacht, Dutch I think, was in their berth when they returned, and that didn't go down well at all. Watching them gently turn the vessel and return it to its berth was very pleasing.

 

[Minerva]

Agree.
In a totally different league there are Steve Dashew’s FPB’s, Functional Power Boats. They are truly impressive vessels. A couple of years ago we were moored next to one in Dingle and were invited aboard and given a complete tour of the boat. They went on to Iceland via Scotland and the plan was to continue to Greenland and do the North West Passage, which I believe they did. Respect!

View attachment 203019

Saw one of those the other year on a damp and grotty day sailing up the Firth of Lorne. I was soaked through in full waterproofs. The folk on that boat were sat in armchairs in the greenhouse bridge deck.

I know who was having a more enjoyable afternoon