[PCW] buyer customizations

[Russell Hunt]

Mr. Deering and members,
You had asked - What considerations have to go into buyer 
customizations, what are some of the more common customizations, and 
how do they affect cost?
Well, this is what we've learned on the subject. My company has focused 
on the low volume (less than 2 doz per year) production of power 
catamarans.  At this volume, it has been our experience that we need to 
be some where in between a production and semi-custom builder which is 
a difficult position. I understand definitions vary, but in my mind, a 
semi-custom build has a common molded hull (maybe deck as well) and is 
very flexible on the systems, layout, and finish.  This is generally 
done as a time and materials project.  At our volume we try to have 
known options and build on a fixed price basis, but with the ability to 
accommodate a clients particular requests. 

A good example of a custom request is the cockpit.  Our Buzzards Bay 34 
has no built in seating.  I actually like it, as it provides great 
storage, (perfect for shore power cords, shoes, wash down gear) and the 
cockpit usually gets deck chairs thrown there anyway, but so many folks 
like the versatility that an open clear cockpit allows.  So a custom 
option could be a cockpit seat.  One-off construction of this part is 
expensive, which could be lowered considerably through tooling ( and 
thus becoming a standard option in the process) but we've never seen 
any consensus on design so this option remains custom. If most folks 
wanted the seat we would look at modifying our cockpit tool to add the 
seat right into the mold. A builder has to be careful not to design out 
customer preferences.  I agree with Mr. Graham that too many options 
leaves a bad taste in everyones mouth.  I would prefer to have more 
standard content, a higher base price, but deliver a  boat that can 
actually be used as standard.  "Oh, you actually want to go out in 
it...?". 

Inside the boat, electronics and entertainment systems can be custom 
optioned with even higher volume (up to 100 boat a year) builders. 
We don't like messing around with our mechanical systems and I would 
expect most builders are in this camp.  Here, building the same thing 
over again pays big dividends to the owner. Based on historical data, a 
good builder knows whats good and what isn't, and knows how to design 
and build out problems. 

Cabinetry and layout we are more flexible on.  Here again though, we 
certainly take to heart what our current owners like and don't like, 
and if the evolution of our Buzzards Bay 33 into the 34 is any 
indication, this pragmatic approach and continual evolution of cruising 
features certainly benefits the end user if his mission is the same as 
those previous builds. 

Some other common requests are wood species of the interior.  Our 
standard offering is cherry.  Why Cherry? The market seems to like it 
and its allot less expensive than teak.  Last I checked, Cherry was $7 
a board foot, and teak was $25! Optional woods are Mahogany and Teak. 
There many other woods popping up, but with these woods, I know there 
are reliable sources of quality plywood with matching veneers.  Most of 
these exotic woods you here about, the builder has to order up veneers 
and vacuum bag on these veneers to plywood to make up the cabinetry.  
This extra step drives up the cost of the exotic wood option quite a 
bit, even if the wood is selling for less than say teak. 

Another area is engines.  We build our Buzzards Bay 34 with both diesel 
stern drives and outboards.  Its relatively easy to accommodate a 
buyers preference for a particular brand of outboard, though even this 
is getting more complex thanks to integrated electronics (think fuel 
management) and there is still the propping to do. Switching to a new 
diesel propulsion system never before installed by the builder however 
is a different story. There is the engine bed design to consider, 
clearance of internal structure (is that oil pan gonna hit the 
stringer?) as well as drive mounting height, steering, etc.  Today, the 
builder may even have to deal with the software and potential issues 
from joy stick controls.  This all involves much design and engineering 
costs.  The buyer may not want to pay the true costs of this option.  
But I think as is often the case, the builder will absorb some or much 
of this cost in the hopes that he will make his boat more marketable. 

The above is some of our everyday issues when it comes to custom options. 
Custom options are a difficult thing.  Boats are just so complex, its 
hard to see all ends, what will be affected and how.  I know they can 
be a source of much attention and stress in a build, even as something 
as simple as a stereo. or wood species. It's not always a bad thing to 
copy.  I like the fact we've even given copying a better title.  I 
think they call it "best practices" now. 


Russell Hunt, President
Multihull Development, Inc. and Buzzards Bay Catamarans
Office #: 508-403-0301
Cell #: 508-759-4111
Other #: 800-882-7083
Email us at: info at MDcats.com
Check out our website at : www.MDcats.com
http://www.yachtworld.com/multihulldevelopment/