Woodies – Part 1 – Arrow 39′

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.

Arrow 39′
Arrow 39′
Arrow 39′ Cockpit
Arrow 39′
Arrow Mahogany
Arrow Mahogany
Arrow Mahogany
Arrow Mahogany
Arrow on water
Arrow on water

Award time!

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

Aquila 39′

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.

Aquila 39′
Aquila 39′ profile
Aquila 39′ Race boat
Aquila 39′
Aquila race boat 39′

Working the land

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.

Fertiliser Spreader on field
Combine and pickup
Tracked combine harvester
Spreading Tractor
Small spreader tractor with removable rear module.
Small spreader tractor with removable rear module.
Small spreader tractor with removable rear module.
Larger Spreader tractor with Composite arms.
Fertiliser spreader vehicle
Larger Spreader tractor with Composite arms.
Tractor spreader

Beachcombing

A couple of years ago I made a light re-design of the Mini Moke, as it is a car that I have strong emotional connections with. I grew up in Colombia and my parents owned one of the few Mini Mokes there. We had many adventures with that little car and it was the car I learnt to drive in, as well as pass my driving test in. It seemed an ideal candidate to re-make as a plywood and Balsa wood re-design. However, I was very faithful to the original design, and as a designer it felt as though I had not really attempted a new take on this little car. So, I gave myself the challenge to do my own design. I have provisionally called it the Remoke 2, but am thinking of better names for it. The idea for this version would be that it would be built out of Bio Epoxy and Flax/bamboo fibre composite. I am also looking at using a Small rotary engine which is hydrogen powered using Power paste. This is a new type of fuel that releases hydrogen. Hydrogen has the advantage that it does not produce CO2 emissions, so is a a good alternative to electric power. I could also use compressed Air and an air driven motor. Again this is something that merits further research. Although I would also consider using Electric power too. If hydrogen or air powered, it would be front wheel drive. If electric, it would be four wheel drive. If hydrogen or air powered, I have considered using a rotary (non Wankel) engine, which would be compact and light. A perfect little beach car, that also might be fun in town.

Carib
Carib
Carib
Carib
Carib
Carib with alloys
Carib
Carib
Carib

Interior compilation

In the late 1990’s I began to design yacht interiors. I have worked for numerous UK and Dutch studios over the years, as well as for myself. In most of the design studios I had a dual role, as an interior designer and/or as a yacht exterior designer. Below is a video that is a short compilation of work that I was involved in, although not comprehensive, it should give a view of the scope. In some cases i was responsible for all of the design, in some cases I was involved in the selection of fabrics, fixture and fittings or producing illustrations to present the designs. In some cases the yachts were built and sometimes they never got past the visual stage.

Yacht Interior Projects

30′ Sloep

This is my design for a 30 foot Semi-Displacement Sloep. Sloeps are basically Dutch day boats, often seen up and down Dutch canals, rivers and lakes. This design is for one that would essentially be used and sold in the UK, for many of the same kinds of inlands waterways, but potentially design for onshore use too. With a semi-displacement hull, probably, although I would be open to other options, so that the boat could cruise at 6 -26 knots, depending on engine type or mood.

It would be available in several possible versions, with two shown here; one with a closed transom and the other with a more contemporary semi-open transom.

30′ Sloep
Sloep 30′ Closed transom
Sloep 30′
Sloep 30′
Sloep 30′

Canal Cruising

After a Narrowboat holiday, I decided that it would be interesting to design a canal cruiser. Unlike a narrowboat, the aim of this design was to be as efficient in the water as possible. Narrowboats are actually great, well suited for their purpose in many ways. However, what they are not is hydrodynamic. They tend to plough through the water rather than glide through it. The upside is that they are very spacious. My design uses a more classic hull, which is less spacious, but far better suited to being electrically powered. With a bank of solar panels on top and a wind generator too, mounted on a folding mast, it would recharge a bank of batteries and be electrically powered. It could potentially also have a small generator if needed. The aim however of my design is to create a boat that offers some of the style of a yacht but provides access to the wonderful canal network that is available in the UK. The silent electric power would suit the type of cruising well, the hull would also create much less of a wake, therefore less wash and reduced erosion damage to the canal and river banks.

Canal Cruiser
Canal Cruiser
Canal Cruiser
Canal Cruiser
Canal Cruiser
Canal Cruiser
Canal Cruiser

Maserati Design Concept

I graduated from Coventry University 30 years ago this year. I have for the most part made my living as a Yacht Designer, although I have done a wide variety of projects ranging from product design, bikes and trikes, motorhomes etc. However, I have always been a bit of a car nut. However, I had not designed a proper sports/super car since I was at University. This last weekend I decided I should do something about that. So, as a celebration of 30 years and as a bit of a personal challenge, I designed this Maserati. I feel that Maserati has been somewhat in the shadow of Ferrari since both have been part of the FIAT group. Now Ferrari is going it’s own way, I think that it might be a chance to look at Maserati as a competitor not the brand that gets the hand-me-downs. I realise that this design does have elements of many supercars, including a number of Ferraris, I do not apologise about it, this is a design that I think is pretty. I hope some of you do too. It is inspired by Maseratis designed by Giorgetto Guigaro in the 1970’s, which frankly I think were some of the prettiest cars by the Marque. Would it be electric? No, though it could be, I guess. But I think this should have a mid mounted V8, perhaps a turbo/supercharged V6.

Does it have pop-up lights? Those are not legal any longer are they? Well, in this case it doesn’t, it has eyelids, they slide up. So, maintaining the look of pop-ups, but without the pedestrian collision issues.

Maserati Design Proposal
Maserati Design Proposal
Maserati Design Proposal
Maserati Design Proposal
Maserati Design Proposal
Maserati Design Proposal
Maserati Design Proposal
Maserati Design Proposal