| The Catamaran Group learned on its recent French | | | | breadth of space available to the owner and the |
| tour to the Yapluka Boat Building Yard that the | | | | options to shape the cabins in his or her vision. The |
| design team led by Martin Myers is gearing its yard to | | | | same applies for the salon area with a multitude of |
| the future production of luxury custom mega | | | | other avenues available in determining the various |
| catamarans over 140 in length. | | | | connection points between the cockpit, salon and |
| Each new build allows us to become more efficient | | | | cabins. |
| and effective in improving the quality of our | | | | "This particular hull demonstrates the advantages of |
| catamarans. We are constantly evolving to improve | | | | customized hulls when it comes to maximizing space |
| the design and engineering process. This will give us | | | | and connection points between the salon area, for |
| opportunities in years to come to create catamarans | | | | example, and the interior," said |
| over 140 feet in length," said Mr. Myers. | | | | Woodshop |
| The Group had the opportunity to view various | | | | We asked Mr. Myers how owners react to the |
| stages in the construction process from 60 feet up | | | | impressive walk through bulkheads which allow the |
| to 72 feet hulls. This rare opportunity allowed The | | | | client to actually visualize his future boat and provide |
| Group to assess just how far Yapluka has mastered | | | | further input on customization."They are always |
| the customization process with regards large, luxury | | | | impressed by the amount of space...we also pre-install |
| catamarans. | | | | the interior in the woodshop mock-up which allows |
| The Group toured precisely laid out Yapluka facilities | | | | them to physically walk through it, confirm bulkhead |
| with Mr. Myers describing in detail various procedures | | | | positioning and make additional changes," said Mr. |
| relating to hull plating, woodworking and hull finishing | | | | Myers. |
| including key input on how the yard structures itself | | | | The entire Yapluka 'interior' building process is |
| for the general process of building mega catamarans | | | | transparent and allows the client to provide further |
| exceeding 100 feet in length. | | | | input for improvement. Once they validate the |
| Many of the techniques - including using | | | | changes in the woodshop, the interior is varnished, |
| non-inflammable aluminum to increase stability - were | | | | stocked and primed for inclusion in the hull inside the |
| borrowed from the aeronautics industry. In fact, the | | | | 'finishing' area. |
| sheer size of the hull superstructures along with the | | | | "The ability to customize and visualize their future |
| various specialized construction areas reminds one of | | | | boat in our facilities is what draws customer to |
| airplane design/construction facility. | | | | Yapluka," said Mr. Myers. |
| The yard itself is spotless and carefully organised. | | | | Finishing |
| Attention to detail combined with well organized and | | | | The Group had the opportunity to first walk |
| trained work crews ensures a efficient production line | | | | underneath a massive Yapluka 72 before venturing |
| with the ability for the owner/project manager to | | | | above the mezzanine into the upper areas of the |
| add in further customization requests at key points in | | | | mega catamaran where specialized crews were |
| the process. | | | | working on completing various interior and exterior |
| Hull Preparation | | | | sections. |
| Mr. Myers first provided a breakdown of the hull | | | | Even though the hull was only 80% complete, it was |
| plating process with regards a Yapluka 60 hull. This | | | | clear that was going to be a beautifully finished luxury |
| includes using the biggest sheets of aluminum possible | | | | boat. At this stage, it was only four weeks away |
| to reduce the amount of welding on the hull. This | | | | from receiving its final coat of paint with roughly 30 |
| leads to minimal deformation or unevenness in the hull | | | | days before the salon area was complete. |
| and a high quality finish. | | | | When the times comes for launch the boat will slip |
| The entire sheeting process is verified by a third | | | | gently out of giant factory doors and gently splash |
| party certification organization called VERITAS. This | | | | down into the canal - virtually on the doorstep of the |
| further emphasizes the care and research put into | | | | Yapluka headquarters. |
| the construction process that generally takes at least | | | | If one word comes to mind when visiting the Yapluka |
| one year from start to end. | | | | Yard, it is 'Unbelievable'. One can imagine a time when |
| There are virtually no restrictions to the interior from | | | | luxury mega catamarans over 150 feet become a |
| the closed bulkheads when it comes to customizing | | | | regular sight in the pristine sailing waters of The |
| the aluminum frames. Mr. Myers pointed out the | | | | Caribbean and Mediterranean. |
| similarity to an airplane hull in the length & | | | | |