"Build Quality" - What is it?

MedDreamer

MedDreamer

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 Sep 2002
Messages
3,651
Visit site
\"Build Quality\" - What is it?

Whenever we discuss the advantages of certain boats there are usually comments about "build quality" with certain marques held up a shining lights.

But what exactly is meant by build quality in this context and how much of it is "actual" against "opinion" ie how is it measured.

As an example, I purchased a Sealine at the same time as another forumite purchased a boat from a maker deemed to be a better name for "quality". In three years my biggest expense has been replacing batteries whereas it seemed that the other forumite concluded every outing with a visit from an Engineer.

So how do you define "build quality"?
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

I thought the 'build quality' was more to the robustness and finish of the GRP, rather than the mechanicals.

So, whereas a Merry Fisher is made with six feet thick fibre glass, a particular American boat is referred to a 'Binliner' because that is how thick the glass is alleged to be.
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

My definition would be in two parts:

a.) It doesn't fall to bits, things don't fall off, all obvious and glaring schoolboy design errors neatly sidestepped.
b.) Fit and finish, quality of joinery and cabinetry, quality and operation of fittings, overall impression of being in an upmarket environment.

dv.
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

Interesting then that manufacturers never include a statistic fo the thickness of the GRP in their sales data!
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

It's not something you can easily compare between boats.

e.g. a vacuum bagged hull with a thinner layup might be stronger than a spray layup with a thicker layup.

dv.
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

Good question. I guess literally it should mean how well put together it is, and would therefore be different to design quality, specification quality and luxury. So if you look at the hull moulding for instance, a thicker or more sea kindly hull is not a better build quality, it's just a better design and/or higher specification, whereas air inclusions would be a matter of build quality.

So, in theory, you could have a boat with a great build quality that falls to bits, if the design was sub standard, or the builder had scrimped on the spec.

In reality though, I think the term is generally used as an amalgamation of design, specification, build and perceived luxury.
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

IMHO, it's pretty simple. It's about reliability of service. A boat that has good build quality gives reliable service from new and continues to give reliable service for many years. A boat with poor build quality gives less reliable service over it's lifetime. By reliable service, I mean everything including lack of hull defects, fewer mechanical/electrical problems and fewer issues with premature wear of furnishings and fittings
By definition good build quality is a result of not only careful assembly but also sound design and proper choice of materials and equipment. If the builder skimps on just one of these areas, then his product will not exhibit good build quality. Btw, I don't think it has anything to do with perceived luxury or styling flair. These things are skin deep and do not necessarily lead to reliability of service
In your case if your boat has given several years of reliable service, then it is of good build quality and if your mate with a so called more prestigious brand of boat has had regular problems, then his boat is of poor build quality
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

I had this discussion when asking Rolex why a service was £200 and an all singing - all dancing Casio tide watch gave better time and provided compass, barogragh, temp, timers , moon phase HW and tidal gragh ,numberous alarms for less than half this sum.

Casio is tough too.


The answer was............... hand made precision instrument, Sir!
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

Previous boats in the builders range are a very good indication of how much the company concerned was bothered about longevity.Stuff they built 20 years ago gives good indication as to how they view their customers,not just the first owner but the second and third chaps down the line.
Broom,in my opinion,is a classic example of starting as they meant to go on.
An interesting exception to the rule is perhaps the Moonraker range of boats.
Although I suspect long term built quality was not top of Colin Chapmans list of demands,there are more examples of the marque still around and in constant use than many other boats built during the period.
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

well there is build quality, and reliability - Build quality is one thing, and there may be no issue with that, but reliability of the components may be more of an issue after a certain age? The major Mobos have so much equipment on them, counting engines, seacocks, aircon, water heater, passerelle, winch, autopilot, radar, mains, pumps galore etc etc - and its those that can cause as much problems, when in fact the build quality is spot on.

At what point do you expect major electrical components to start to need to be replaced? Should an air con water pump run forever, or be replaced before it fails or after it fails. Do we regularly test our bilge pumps and float switches? At what point would we replace them? when they fail? I think assuming you have the right manufacturer build quality is not so much an issue, its the component quality and how it stands up to regular use.
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

in addition to others comments to some extent you cant tell the build quality without taking it apart to see how its put together and the quality of the fittings / components used.
I dont buy the handmade argument, in my manufacturing business, precision, repeatability and quality means automated machines with tight process control.
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

I think ultimately there is a great deal of subjectivity. I've boarded some boats and I haven't even touched anything and yet I seem to have made my mind up its good quality. Clever choice of materials and attention to detail are very influential. But longer term living with it quality is also very important - it has to tick all boxes.

I suspect we're obessive about things not falling off our boats because we spend lots on them and get relatively little time on them, so we don't want to spend that time fixing them (or worse having SWMBO moaning about things that don't work properly)!

The acid test is does it all work consistently and reliably, and put up with substantial wear and tear. If yes, that is good build quality.

I would regard over and above is more akin to excellent finishing. Nice to have both, but if you need to economise on one, then buyer can choose!

ItS
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

[ QUOTE ]
I had this discussion when asking Rolex why a service was £200 and an all singing - all dancing Casio tide watch gave better time and provided compass, barogragh, temp, timers , moon phase HW and tidal gragh ,numberous alarms for less than half this sum.

Casio is tough too.


The answer was............... hand made precision instrument, Sir!

[/ QUOTE ]


Very true, of course the Casio will be binned four decades before the Rolex has quadrupled in price, and still looks as beautiful.

Whilst I agree with you on one hand, one can equally argue that an Aluminium fishing boat is thus better than a hand crafted Slipper launch /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

So in a boating context does "build quality" purely relate to the hull? It doesn't matter if bits drop off or components fail as long as the hull is three inches thick and will not fall to bits!

Surely you have to look at the finished article as a whole. The engines, fittings, components etc are selected by the manufacturer as part of their finished product so shouldn't they be included when assessing "build quality".
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

LIke many "modern" terms it means want you want it to mean or it may mean nothing!. The two words roll well together and are best used by the salesman asked to explain why his boat is 20% more expensive than his competitors "Its the build quality sir!" usually said from behind a raised hand so nobody else hears it and with furrowed brow so the punter knows he is being let in on a secret! Nobody would dare ask for an explanation, but you will hear it repeated by the punter to his mate in the Guinness bar later in the afternoon!

Yet another myth on the way to becoming a truth!
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

[ QUOTE ]

Whilst I agree with you on one hand, one can equally argue that an Aluminium fishing boat is thus better than a hand crafted Slipper launch /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Both could have an equally good build quality. or equally bad. One being "posher" than the other is immaterial to build quality. Indeed the Fishing boat could be the BETTER build quality.....

IMO it's being well designed for it's purpose, well built (whether by hand or robot) with appropriate good quality materials (not neccesarily the absolute finest), resulting in reliable operation and being longlasting (albeit not neccesarily maintanence free). On boats I would also say that thought given at the design and build stage to maintanence and repairs in the longterm - ie that the engines can be removed!

Higher price is a guide to good build quality. But not a guarantee! (in boats or anything else).
 
Re: \"Build Quality\" - What is it?

[ QUOTE ]
Higher price is a guide to good build quality.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmm.................or good marketing of a brand image..........................
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top