Author: AndrewTrujillo

Motor Yacht Continuum is one of my favourite concept projects, perhaps because it seems a combination of being just realistic enough and also that little bit different. It is also fast, which has an appeal, plus it has been designed inside and out. The collection of images that follow are a number of variations on the interior design for some of the main areas. The idea is to show the same spaces with small variations in detailing, finish etc to help create a variety of ambiences. The original images I made some while back are somewhat dark, and although they have a touch of the chiaroscuro, perhaps too much is hidden, so I do prefer the later versions in this respect, however I do like the material choices. The images labelled original, all have a consistent floor which would be Mahogany, but not as it is normally seen on antique furniture, but rather in the whole variety of hues of this wood. The other images in turn offer versions where the main wood used is Anigre (Figured and not), or Walnut, Birch, Cedar etc.

Fast Catamaran

Equinox is a fast motor Catamaran. Jaguar cars used to use an advertising strap-line of Space, Grace and Pace, and in a sense this would suit the equinox 45m very well. Although 45m long, in terms of accommodation, it would be closer to a 60m motor yacht, so plenty of “Space”. At 50 knots, with an Adam Younger stepped hull, probably powered through waterjets, we have taken care of the “Pace” side of things. The “Grace” one is trickier, as it is subjective, but I designed her to look fast even when she was moored, I have kept her profile quite clean and she is purposeful.
She was designed a few years ago now, but I think that a yacht like this one would turn heads wherever she went.

Fire and Rescue Boat

Following the last post of a fire and rescue truck, I decided to attempt a fire and rescue boat. In this case I decided to use a fast stepped hull designed by Adam Younger as a basis for this 12M motor boat design. I felt that it would be an interesting hull to use as it has been designed to achieve speeds well in excess of 60 knots. Depending on the engines selected and the equipment carried, this vessel would perhaps be a little slower, but still capable of speeds in excess of 50 knots, which seems to be twice as fast as other Fire and Rescue boats that I have seen around. This again plays with the notion of a rapid response machine, one that can reach the scene of an accident or place where a rescue needs to take place, swiftly. Sometimes speed is of the essence! The boat would have some paramedic facilities as well as a basic galley, some accommodation and a head (WC). Although I have designed it as a work boat, with a few small modifications it could perhaps also serve as a tough recreational vessel, so the moulds would be amortised over a larger run? The name Firefly seemed appropriate as it would “Fly” to the scene of a Fire, it is also a little nod to the use of an AI of the same name used for the creation of a couple of the visuals…

Variation in Design Proposals using AI

The advent of AI has meant that revisiting older designs and creating a wide range of design proposals is much easier, and fun. These are all concepts, and the AI has misunderstood a number of design features, or has completely reinterpreted others. Some of them are a little strange, some of them needed some editing, some I have left as it did them, the text becoming somewhat weird in some cases! Interestingly, for me at least, most of the red trucks were considerably darker hues of red than I had imagined. Many had a distinct US fire truck feel to them. I do however quite like several of the graphic details that the AI has put forward, and I might revisit my original design and tweak it at some time in the future.
The image above is the original design I did. In this case I did use AI for the background though. The images that follow are all variations on the same vehicle from different angles.

Over the holidays I have had the chance to revisit some designs that I did in the past. I have used new tools for visualisation that use AI and played around with many of my existing designs, freshening them up where possible and tweaking some of their detailing. In most cases I have changed the backgrounds aiming to use backgrounds that are more realistic. These visuals are for a tandem (2 seater) quadricycle car. It would lean into corners and be electric powered or have a small – probably rotary – engine in the rear. The permutations are a useful way for me to look at the same overall design but with detail changes, sometimes of surfacing, sometimes on graphics and finishes. The AI does make some changes that would be complicated to make. Some however are really interesting, to my eyes. Hope they are to yours too!

No sooner had I designed the 39′ Arrow, it seemed logical to offer another version, this time a little smaller at 34′. Retaining the same philosophy and again based on a hull by Adam Younger, this is also a very rapid boat (60 knots +) built probably using cold moulding techniques out of wood. It again should be light. As per the 39′ it could be built using a composite hull and wooden deck or all wood.

A few months ago, I realised that it had been a while since I had designed a wooden boat. I mentioned this to Adam Younger and we came up with a set of designs for a couple of wooden fast day boats. Combining classic looks and very modern fast hulls (hulls designed by Adam) we felt that there might be an opportunity to do some pretty boats that were capable of some ferocious speeds. Sharing the same hull lines as the recently posted Aquila 39′ but built either solely in wood or having a wooden deck and a composite hull. The images depict versions that are solely wooden. Some images show a traditional mahogany finish, but some show a darker wood, probably using stained wood; creating, in my mind, a boat that is both traditional and yet with a more contemporary colour palette. It would be interesting to see which version is more popular! Powered by twin petrol or diesel engines and capable of speeds in the 60 to 70 knots, probably. This Arrow is 39′ or 11.8M in length. With a forward cabin with sleeping amenities and a compact head. The cockpit has a fridge and BBQ sited in the furniture units.

I am very proud to share that Motor Yacht Viva has been awarded two prizes this year by the prestigious Boat International Magazine. She has won best motor superyacht 2022 and, more exciting for me, the prize for best motor superyacht design for yacht above 2000 Gross Tonnes.
I was part of the team at Azure Naval Architects & Designers in the Netherlands that designed Viva. More details available in the link below.

https://www.boatinternational.com/luxury-yacht-events/world-superyacht-awards/2022-winners

Over the years I have had the chance to collaborate on several fast boats and yachts with my friend Adam Younger. Over the Christmas break I discussed with Adam the possibility of designing a new race boat, as we felt that there is scope for new designs.

Using a 39′ hull by Adam as a starting point, I decided to make this streamlined and contemporary looking race boat. I have done a couple of race boats before, but this is the first fully enclosed purely race-boat that I have done.

Designed to achieve 70-80 mph or more, depending on engines and drives.

The aim of this design was to explore the use of clean lines and modern detailing, and how this can be brought to a race boat; in a way that is both functional and pleasing to the eye.

During the first lockdown, in my own time last year, I began to design a number of Agricultural vehicles. I live In Shropshire, a large landlocked county that has lots of farm land. It made sense to me to have a go at thinking about some types of heavy machinery, or specifically perhaps look at making the machinery a little more compact. I also reviewed how things are made and why.