Golden era of the GRP boat

[Thepipdoc]

What with CAD and CAM (and many other computer aided assistants I've never heard of) is it likely that we are going to see radical changes to the look of boats.
I'm very new to boating and as such I've no heritage ( if that's the right word) but even I can see there has been significant advances in the design and build of new boats.
Have we seen the golden era of boat building, and by that I mean the pleasure/leisure boat, or is there better thing to come?

 

[kashurst]

I think we are going through a "bling" phase at present. the interiors and exteriors are getting more and more dramatic. I'd like to see some serious work done on improving efficiency other wise in 20 years time motor boats will be too expensive to run unless you are seriously rich and own an oil well.

At present the new products coming out seem to me to be getting heavier and less efficient despite attempts to improve by volvo et al with ips systems and high pressure common rail engines. See fairlines latest 42 and compare it with one from 10 years ago, or sealines SC42 and compare it with the older 41/42s with narrower beams.
Are these boats really better than their predecessors? or are they just prettier?

Unfortunately compared to making cars or white goods the boat business is still very small, a bit of a cottage industry really, and real fundamental R&D is probably thin on the ground.

My next boat could well be a catamaran because of the stability and performance across a wide range of speeds, rather than just either slow <7 Kns or fast > 18Kns. Just need to find a marina where the mooring fees are less than the extra fuel costs, or a design that will fit in a standard 15*5 berth.

 

[Quest]

I'm with you regarding the efficiency issue. With all oil based fuels becoming so expensive, surely there is a growing need for greater efficiency or alternative energy sources (same for automotive industries really and also other leisure pursuits such as caravanning and motorhoming where fuel costs are also having an impact). But there doesn't seem to be anything else on the horizon other than wind!!!

Are we all going to end up becoming raggies eventually???

 

[rafiki_]

My view for what it is worth is that the current emphasis is on "Showroom" sales. This is generating the maximum wow factor in the showroom, with packaging, accommodation materials and bling. This is what appears to seel new boats at shows, which is where the manufacturers get most of their interest and orders. I think there will be a progression now to more efficient hulls and powertrains, as fuel prices rise.

 

[Poignard]

There is still an enormous number of yachts in use (and being built) that are simply GRP reproductions of existing wooden designs. Mine is one such (and I'm perfectly happy with her) but GRP and other modern materials now enable yacht designers to design hull shapes that couldn't easily and economically have been made in timber.

The problem is the high cost of making one-offs in grp, so there is a strong incentive for builders to stick with designs that they know will sell rather than risking financial disaster by introducing a design which is too novel for the market.

ps I'm sorry. I have only just realised that I have blunderd into the Motor Boat forum by mistake. I'll leave immediately - no need to call the police.

 

[maby]

While there is certainly room for improvement, the fundamental laws of hydrodynamics will always come into play and the only way you are going to make a serious difference to fuel consumption is by making boats smaller, lighter and slower. How many mobo owners will accept that?

 

[Searush]

Hhhmm, what comes out of a CAD package will depend on what you feed in.

Do you want an economic river cruiser, or something capable of coping with really bad weather at sea, or maybe it is long distance cruising capability, or pure speed in flat water. Each set of criteria will produce a different hull.

But as above, I suspect that interiors & showroom appearance are the domiinant force in selling boats, hence they are probaly not fit for much beyond pottering between marinas in nice weather. Not necessarily an improvement in my view.