|
September 2008
New Ecotour Boat for Florida Aquarium
- Tampa Florida -
Our friends at
Corinthian Catamarans, Inc. in Tarpon Springs, Florida began
construction of a 72-foot motor catamaran for Florida Aquarium in Tampa
Florida. The vessel will replace their current boat taking 149 guests on
the aquarium’s popular Wild Dolphin Ecotour. The boat is expected to
begin operation in the spring of '09. Visit:
www.flaquarium.org
This is the
11th 72-footer that Corinthian has produced and the largest in their
line of excursion vessels. Charles Neville Associates has designed
Corinthian's boats since the company began in the 80's. This time we
developed 3d renderings to help the Florida Aquarium visualize their new
boat as well as help with fund raising. Of course CNa will be doing the
other design and certification work as well.
~
July 2008
Now Stock Plans Available
- for a limited time -
With over 30-years of history developing boats for
discrim-inating clients we have a lot of designs on our shelves and in our
computers. For the first time we are offering a select group of
these wonderful yachts as stock plans. The boats available are on
our Stock Plan page, which you can reach by clicking on the tab at your left.
Designs are available ranging from 30-foot to almost 100-foot. Each of these can be built as
designed, or we can use them as the starting point and add your own
special
refinements.
All of the
designs are offered at special introductory pricing.
If you don't see the stock plan you are looking for, contact us. We may
be able to make it available. Whether you are a current or would
be yachtsman, or a professional boat builder let our experience
work to your advantage. Visit the Neville Stock Plan page.
~
January 2008
Our Seminar at Trawler Fest.
Stuart, Florida
The Stuart Florida Trawler Fest presented an interesting
oppor-tunity. I have been on panels at Trawler Fest and Trawler
Port before but this one was particularly special. I got to join
Steve Seaton and Eric Sponberg discussing the many tradeoffs that
inevitably rear their head as design choices need to be made.
Moderating the panel was Steve D'Antonio, familiar to any avid reader of
PassageMaker magazine.
As many of you know, Steve and I were partners for
10-years and I first met Eric during that time period, probably 25+
years ago. Steve D' got the festivities underway with well placed
questions to each of us. With that the crowd kicked in and most of
the discussion hinged on great questions from the attendees.
It was great fun. We didn't always agree, but even
if all of our styles differ a bit around the edges, I think the boaters
in attendance got a good opportunity to hear the various side of a
number of issues. All things being equal, there was more agreement
than contention.
Many of the questions we heard are the things I talk with
callers about with great frequency. If you couldn't get to Trawler
Fest give me (or one of the other guys) a call.
~
January 2008
Trawler Fest.
Stuart, Florida
In addition to
the fun we had at the seminar, I also got to talk with many of you one-on-one
from the Neville Trawler booth. We were located right at the
gateway pier leading to the boats on display. A number of you I
met in years past. Many were fresh faces. The crowd was also peppered with few former
clients and even a couple of potential new customers.
That is what
is great about these functions. It's not just the chance to meet and
greet. It's a chance to just talk
boating. Then, of course, there was leaving the tents behind. Some of the most memorable conversations were at the
evening events just talking with folks and swapping stories.
Join us at the
next one, or call.... We can "do lunch".
~
December 2007
SNAME Ad Hoc Panel #15
Loading Criteria for
People Aboard Passenger Vessels
In the
background surrounding the fun we all like to have with boats there is a
serious side. In the wake of two tragedies, one in Baltimore
Harbor and the other on quiet lake in upstate New York, the US Coast
Guard initiated a study to evaluate the impact of increasing passenger weight on
the potential for similar accidents.
While much of
my work is on the yacht side, I also do a considerable number of
commercial projects. These are most often related to Small
Passenger Vessels operating under the regulations of Subchapter-T of the
US Federal Code of Regulations.
I was among
about a
dozen designers, naval architects, engineers, educators and USCG
representatives tapped with evaluating proposed recommendations.
The panel was initiated by Society of Naval Architects and Marine
Engineers. SNAME is the professional organization representing
Naval Architects and designers in the US. (See our links page.)
The
recommendation to increase passenger weight to 185 pounds per person
(more consistent with the weight used in the aircraft industry) was
approved. Our office has been using that increased weight for the last
few years, even preceding this decision.
~
November 2007
Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology
Founded in 1930
Westlawn Institute is the only
nationally accredited and state approved distance-learning school of
small-craft design in the United States. For the second year, beginning
in 2008, I have been privileged to be a member of their Board of Directors.
This is true honor since Westlawn
has, over the decades, been responsible for the education of many of the
premier boat designers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Numbered among
their prestigious alumnus are Jack Hargrave and Tom Fexas two elite
practitioners of our craft: both, unfortunately, recently
departed. I knew both Jack and Tom and considered them friends.
They are missed, but their legacy endures.
The Westlawn list of alumnus
contains many, many more of the finest craftsmen in our field.
Being a small part of this tradition is an honor.
~
October 2007
The Neville 47
Trawler
Two Time Peoples
Choice Award Winner
returns to the show circuit
We were back
on the boards again at the Solomon's Trawler Fest and the Annapolis
Power Boat Show visiting with clients and customers. It was another
occasion to show off the Neville 47 Trawler, the People's Choice winner
the year before at both Solomon's and Stuart Trawler Fests. As always,
however, for me such events are less about showing the boat, and more
about meeting folks and just taking about boating.
I have worked
with Cape Horn, Cheoy Lee and other major boatyards over the years.
The Neville Trawler experience, however, has given me more opportunity
to meet with boaters than any one before. It's more than simply fun. Talking with
buyers is always a great education.
It was
particularly amusing to see folks cluster in the engine room. On a number of occasions
with 5 or 6 guys in the engine room I felt as though I was living out an
episode of the TV show Home Improvement. There was no Tim Taylor,
Al Borland or the requisite
grunts, just admiration for the space provided and the workable
installation.
Besides the 47 we
also were signing up owners for the Neville 42 LRC, currently under
development. It is a second generation of the N-39 that was on display
last year. It features interior upgrades and an attractive introductory
price. Call or log onto the Neville Trawler website for more
information.
Also on the program was the Neville 56, the Grand Dame of our little
fleet. Thanks for coming to see us. I'm looking forward to meeting
with you in '08.
~
October 2006
Included are "...three sailboats and a power
voyager that showcase the best in modern boatbuilding."
With that introduction begins a special
section in Ocean Navigator magazine. Among those 4 boats featured,
and the only offshore power passage maker was the first N-47 in the
Neville Trawler line, Carol Marie.
She was now lives on the Alabama coast but has
already been tested. Over 150 miles offshore she capably handled
10 foot seas.
That is a place for no compromises. It is an indication of what the
security of steel can offer. Come and see her sister, the big blue
boat, at Trawler Fest - Stuart in January.
For those with a shorter attention span pick the link to read the Ocean
Navigator article to tide you over.
~
NEVILLE TRAWLERS
- serious steel -
|
