Monthly Archives

April 2012

Stormy days but signs of life in Boat Building

By | Industry News

The recession was looming but builders were being advised to follow the auto industry by consolidating brands, streamlining production and improving or refining proven models. Then the economy went into reverse and the leisure boat market evaporated.

Many big name builders were left ‘high and dry’ with their now efficient mass production lines. However, there were still signs of life in some smaller custom and semi-custom boat yards which, by being smaller, normally did not run with a high level of debt. These smaller shops also have the versatility, tools and skills to be able to build to a clients’ ambitions.

Cat36-const-4

The quick thinking and versatility that helps these shops survive in hard times also renders them as development grounds for new techniques and products. In fact, most of the successfully mass produced elements of boat builds evolved out of these smaller businesses building custom boats for both the commercial and recreational markets.

These independent boat yards can be a little single-minded but they are where interesting designers and clients go to try new ideas long before tooling or production runs are thought about.

Cat36-bow

All epoxy Coastal Cat 36′

It is great that this industry still has space for independent minds and skills to enable it to keep plugging along even when times are hard. Builders who can take a design and refine or improve it to suit a customer who is willing to pay a fair price are the cornerstone of the boat building industry.

30′ Aluminum Passenger/Cargo Vessel

By | Aluminum Monohull

The brief for this project was to supply a vessel suitable for passenger use but which could also carry up to two tons of cargo when necessary and with seating removed. Again we looked to Specmar Design for a suitable plan and CNC kitset.

Power needed to be big enough to push the boat along at reasonable speed when fully loaded and to enable high speed when running as a passenger service. Selected engine was Yanmar 6LPAM-STZP2 which has a rating of 315 HP @ 3,800 rpm. Drive fitted is the Mercruiser Bravo II-X sterndrive unit.

The cabin is built using epoxy/foam sandwich in order to keep boat weight down and for aesthetic reasons ie. nice rounded corners and better styling than can be attained easily using aluminum.

Aluminum Landing Craft

By | Aluminum Landing Craft

This vessel was constructed for an up-market Phuket resort. Access to the resort is only by sea and the owner wanted an adaptable, fast, safe and reliable boat. The landing craft is used for passenger and stores transportation, day picnic excursions and dive trips.

This design is from Specmar and the vessel is powered with a 240 HP Yanmar LHAM diesel plus Mercruiser Bravo II-X sterndrive unit.

Top speed during sea trials was 28 knots with comfortable cruising in medium sea conditions at 22 knots.

Steel Motor Yacht

By | Steel Yachts

Let us build your Steel Motor or Sailing Yacht and make the dream come true.

Arthur Ransome once said in his book, “The desire to build a boat is the desire of youth, unwilling yet to accept the idea of a final resting-place. It is for that reason, perhaps, that, when it comes, the desire to build a boat is one of those that cannot be resisted. It begins as a little cloud on a serene horizon. It ends by covering the whole sky, so that you can think of nothing else. You must build to regain your freedom. And always you comfort yourself with the thought that yours will be the perfect boat, the boat that you may search the harbours of the world for and not find.”

steel boat

Very small amount of filler required for fairing

This particular design can be supplied with full interior customization drawn by a qualified marine interior designer. The full interior design package comes complete with CNC [dxf] cutting files to enable rapid construction of the interior and furniture.

The layout and styling are carefully considered in the build of your new boat and you get to work directly with the interior designer so that the level of customization achieved is exactly what you want.

All non-structural bulkheads, window moldings and furniture are constructed using rot-proof GRP in very light sandwich type construction then faired and sanded for a paint finish.

Do not under-estimate the required budget for a high quality steel boat of around 50′ and be aware that the price to build a custom vessel like this in 2013 is a minimum of US$850,000 at any professional boat building yard.

Steel Trawler Yacht

A transom door and large swim/dive platform were two of the many additions made to the boat pictured

It is important that, where possible, all potential changes or customization’s are mutually agreed upon as viable prior to the project starting and written in as additions to the draft contract for implementation.

We are currently developing four acres of land at Sattahip, Chonburi, Thailand and have the ability to transport boats up to 20M [65′] in length with considerable beam of up to 9M [29.5′] for launching at a local dockyard.

Get your dream boat built by Coastal Boats in Thailand at a fair price for excellent quality and start cruising to search those harbors of the world.

For a testimonial to our work from a client who had a 36′ boat built please click here.

Pilot House Fitout

Pilot house furniture pre-fitted

Coastal boats

View to port of pilot house lining and furniture

Steel trawler yacht

Handmade GRP furniture, rot proof and very light.

Coastal Boats

Pilot house floor ready for polyurethane.

Coastal Boats

The superstructure was fitted out separately as the boat required moving to the launch area in two parts

steel yacht

One of the fuel tanks ready for testing

Steel trawler yacht

Granite tops being fitted in galley

Aluminum door

High quality aluminum doors and windows.

stainless steel work

Teak rail and stainless steel handrails.

Coastal boats

Finished spiral staircase steps.

Steel trawler yacht

Granite top, double sink, GRP window moldings

Coastal Boats wood work

White oak floor, GRP molded seating, Cherry veneer interior finish

Coastal boats

Mahogany Runabouts, Chris Craft Replica Boats

By | Chris Craft Replica Boats

Cold molded hull and deck using marine grade plywood and epoxy/e-glass, mahogany veneer vacuum bagged to the hull core, mahogany planking for the deck.

The boats are powered by a 320 HP Indmar V8, gasoline engine coupled to a Hurth gearbox. Propeller is 4-blade from Faster Propeller, a Taiwan company. Hand crafted Retro stainless steel hardware and a comfortable interior with upholstery of choice.

  coastal boats mahogany runabout
  
  
  

Coastal 28

By | Coastal

A 28′ motor boat with a multitude of uses, engine power up to 250HP, basic or upgrade interior finish. This boat handles all sea conditions well and has proved itself in and around Jervis Bay, Sydney, Australia.28 foot motor vessel

The best possible mix of traditional style and modern build; this style of vessel is often sought after and rarely found. This planing hull cruiser offers a low maintenance, economical approach to enjoying your favourite waterways.

Built with reliability and structural integrity in mind in a traditional style, while offering design advantages and ease of use of a new vessel.

Designed for practical use this vessel has a very user friendly layout, features include: full headroom toilet accessible from the cockpit, spacious accommodation, comfortable helm and huge open aft deck! Cabin doors open wide to give an atmosphere of truly open indoor outdoor living.

In the cabin is a small galley area, seating for four with table which converts to a bed and there is a full forward berth with storage shelves. The cockpit gives more size and dimension than thought possible in this size vessel. If you are looking for an economical coastal cruiser with traditional charm, then this vessel is a must!

For anyone interested in quantity we have high quality production tooling for this boat ready to start now.

Coastal 28Coastal power boat
 Coastal 28 power boat boat building in Thailand
 marine wiring Seating in cockpit
 marine grade windows thailand boat builder

Coastal Cat 36

By | Catamarans

This boat was manufactured using epoxy/foam sandwich for hull, decks, superstructure and main bulkheads. Internal partitions and furniture were manufactured using epoxy/pvc honeycomb.
36' power catamaran
This construction method gives a lightship displacement of 6.5 tons compared to a standard GRP laminate schedule which is estimated at around 9 tons. The 36′ power catamaran has been configured for weekend family use as required by the client.

Large open plan saloon with push-out forward centre window [gas struts] and sliding side windows. A full headroom toilet/vanity is accessible from the cockpit.

Master cabin with ensuite toilet/shower to starboard. Two guest or childrens cabins with shower/vanity to port.

The quality fairing of the hulls hull and superior epoxy paint finish can be clearly seen in this picture.

Coastal Cat 36

Clean lines and superb exterior finish

The Flybridge has full cover and seating or sun loungers for up to 10 people. The helm station is on the flybridge for this particular model. The boat was customized from a design by Bruce Roberts.

Coastal Cat 36 also features steps from the cockpit to the flybridge just one of the many changes made to the original design. The cabin length was also extended, bow shape altered and ‘box-like’ cabin lines softened and rounded.

The changes demanded by this client were many in number but from his comments below in a testimonial for our Managing Director it is obvious he was very happy with the final outcome.

I have had the pleasure to know and be associated with Geoff Reid during the past 3 years. Our relationship is borne out of Geoff being involved with me on weekends to provide technical direction, design, and construct a custom Power Catamaran boat.

Catamaran

Steps to the flybridge, just one of many design changes.

On the matter of Geoff Reid’s business/marine credentials, having owned several boats, and with my history of being involved with boating for over 30 years, as it pertains to Geoff Reid’s capabilities in boat-building, I consider him to be at World Class level. His technical skills, hands-on approach, tireless commitment to get things done, and his firm insistence on everything being of the best quality, has resulted in my vessel being much more than I had ever expected.

With respect to personal integrity, honesty, commitment, and “hard-work” ethic, the process of construction of a custom boat is a true test of a person’s character. There is a constant list of controversial decisions, and actions that can only be resolved through mutual compromise as there is no “right way” that is defined. Geoff has held firm to his high standards in dealing with me, and yet has been totally honest, open, and respectful as we worked through differences of opinion.

The best way to explain his character and approach to whatever he does, is to say that, at all times as he has been involved with my boat project, he has acted with the passion and care as though it was his own boat, yet with full respect for the fact that it is my boat.

Geoff has gone far beyond that which he had to, in order to ensure that the final result would not only be beyond my expectation, but also to ensure that anything he is associated with, is of the utmost quality!Coastal Cat 36