This approach to design is not confined to the 25-strong design team but works at all levelsof the business. In doctrine in every employee involved with the design, engineering,manufacture and fitting of the boats is a mindset which is uncharacteristic of Britishmanufacturing. Instead of completing a task satisfactorily they are encouraged to step backand ask ‘how can this be done better? All changes and modifications are then documentedand fed back into the design database for future models, therefore improving the design ofthe product in every aspect. When a company has to maintain the highest levels of qualityacross a wide range of design and engineering disciplines then adopting a cultural mindsetis a positive way of doing it. This mindset does not have to be reinforced or documentedin a policy review as it empowers staff with the authority to decide for themselves how bestto do their job and gives them job satisfaction as well as contributing to the evolution of theboat.

dme_des ign

management

europe

design

management

europe

SunseekerUK

When the ship building industry of Great Britain started to decline 30 years ago, vast shipyards employing 1000s of people of all trades were facing stiff competition from the FarEast and losing traditional UK contracts that were once the main stay of the industry. Aroundthe same time, two brothers, Robert and John Braithwaite set out to design and buildperformance boats in the new pleasure boat market. Today their company designs andmanufactures some of the most desirable and luxurious performance boats in the world.The Sunseeker International shipyards based in Poole, Dorset is one of the largest employersin the area with over two thousand highly skilled staff providing almost the entire boat buildingcapacity from design, engineering, manufacture and marketing in one company. However,this is where the comparisons with the past finish as this company has an export rate of98%, with a worldwide market to help them override the instabilities of globalisation andrecessions.

From the moment they decided they could make faster and better boats themselves thanother manufacturers at the time, the Braithwaite brothers have striven for perfection andsuccess - two difficult attributes to manage side by side, but they recognised the role designcan play in achieving them and invested heavily in this strategy. This brought them to theforefront of the market where they remain with an impressive range of innovative and leadingedge products.

Sunseeker is the world’s largest privately owned boat builder with an annual turnover inexcess of £220million. John Braithwaite, one half of the partnership (his brother Robert isthe managing director) is responsible for all aspects of the design, development andproduction of their boats. Their personal passion for the products and close control of thebusiness fuels their high re-investment into R&D (6% of turnover). With design clearlyrepresented at the highest level of the business, John Braithwaite comments on the advantagethis brings to the products;“You have a total overview of what you are actually creating so that all aspects of what isbeing done you can make sure it is totally integrated design rather than a design bycommittee.” - John Braithwaite, Technical Director, Sunseeker International

His drive for design, innovation and continual development is supported by all members ofthe board:“If you are not producing new designs you are not making profit” - Peter Hayes,Financial Director, Sunseeker International

Design by EvolutionDesign in Sunseeker is more of a culture than a corporate strategy, but it is their approachto design that makes their drive for quality and innovation a success. John Braithwaite andhis design management team are exponents of conservative design; with constant innovation.In practice this means that every boat is an improvement on the last one. Whether it isbuilding the same model or designing a new model, by making lots of gradual improvementsSunseeker can maintain their lead without compromising on quality and performance, andbecause they are designing a lot of new boats their designs are constantly taking smallsteps on the evolution of design.

page 2 | 4 page 3 | 4 page 4 | 4

Design evolution at Sunseeker takes on several forms: conservative design, technologytransfer, the cultural mindset – “How can I make this better?” and problem solving. As theseactivities are happening all the time across a wide range of boats it is difficult to recogniseit as a ‘leap forward’ in new boat design until one compares today’s boats with those madefour years earlier, that significant development can be seen. For example, when Sunseekermade their first 80ft (24.4mtrs) boat in 1999 it took 55,000 man hours to build, now it takes17,000 man hours.

It is steady evolution and attention to quality, performance and fault free sea craft whichgives Sunseeker customers the confidence to put down deposits on a 3-5 year waiting list,in some cases without seeing the plans. Because they know the way Sunseeker has evolvedthey know what they are going to get will be right. In many cases this loyalty has lasted 20-30 years with some customers growing themselves with the product range available.

InnovationSunseeker is regarded as industry pioneers for their work in computational fluid dynamics,cutting edge styling and materials research. Their extensive knowledge of GRP, andconfidence in their processes allow them to expand into larger boats and question the knownconstraints of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP). Over a certain length boats are classifiedas ships and have to conform to Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regulations forconstruction and testing. However, these regulations are written for steel and aluminiumhull ships and not for GRP. Compliance to them as they were would mean poor performanceand craft instability. Sunseeker realised this was a major hurdle in their development andsought to work openly with the MCA and other authorities to revise the regulations and drawout the arguments to get to the correct engineering solution. They supported their evidencewith GRP expert analysis from Universities, suppliers and test houses to arrive at the firstclassified GRP ship. They could have resorted to steel and aluminium hulls but they knewGRP could be used in larger ships and the material offered many advantages and qualitiesover traditional methods.

Contrary to popular belief the conservativeapproach to design always takes far longer toreach a correct working solution than somethingthat is gimmicky or quirky. It requires a controlleduse of design and knowledge. For example, ifthe solution is not quite right it has to revisiteduntil it is. Ultimately simple solutions work moreeffectively in the harsh, demanding andunforgiving environments in which their boatsoperate(1). This applies to styling as well asengineering where it is constantly evolving overa vast range of products, taking good practicefrom big boats to small boats.

Problem solving as designAnother aspect of design evolution atSunseeker is their ability to solveproblems. When a new model is releaseda lot of the unforeseen problems arerecognised at the production line stage.Th is is not uncommon in a l lmanufacturing industries, but it isSunseeker’s fast-track approach that

prevents problems from slowing down production and compromising quality. Once a problemis recognised, a small team with the relevant qualifications is assembled to address theproblem and agree on an immediate course of action. If it cannot be solved on the spot thenit is brought directly to the relevant person in the design office to revise i t and commissionnew instructions immediately. As with all changes, the solution is then documented andrecorded on the design database for the next boat. This fast-track approach breaks througha long chain of communication and gives the production line the immediate answers it needs.

Problem solving is seen as a vital part of the development process and this open communicationand teamwork can only work if it is devoid of a blame culture. This is not a failure of thedesign process but recognition of the shortfalls of a constantly changing product where notwo boats are the same.

The first ship Sunseeker built with the new GRPregulations was the 105 (31.9mtrs) in 2000. Itheralded the beginning of a new age of Super-yachts for the market and challenged establishedsuper-yacht manufacturers all over the world.It was the learning product for Sunseeker beforethey moved onto larger ships. The Jewel in thecrown for Sunseeker is their recently completedSunseeker 37M Tri deck yacht.Designed, built and equipped to the highest

standards, the 37M Yacht has Sunseeker’s proven deep ‘V’ hulls, which offer good seakeeping qualities, and allow for good cruising ranges. The 37M Yacht also has all the featuresexpected on a luxury ocean-going vessel, such as the latest navigation equipment usingstate of the art technology. Built to the most stringent criteria, computerised enginemanagement systems provide constant fine tuning, which improves efficiency and performance.

This approach to design is not confined to the 25-strong design team but works at all levelsof the business. In doctrine in every employee involved with the design, engineering,manufacture and fitting of the boats is a mindset which is uncharacteristic of Britishmanufacturing. Instead of completing a task satisfactorily they are encouraged to step backand ask ‘how can this be done better? All changes and modifications are then documentedand fed back into the design database for future models, therefore improving the design ofthe product in every aspect. When a company has to maintain the highest levels of qualityacross a wide range of design and engineering disciplines then adopting a cultural mindsetis a positive way of doing it. This mindset does not have to be reinforced or documentedin a policy review as it empowers staff with the authority to decide for themselves how bestto do their job and gives them job satisfaction as well as contributing to the evolution of theboat.

design

management

europe

SunseekerUK

When the ship building industry of Great Britain started to decline 30 years ago, vast shipyards employing 1000s of people of all trades were facing stiff competition from the FarEast and losing traditional UK contracts that were once the main stay of the industry. Aroundthe same time, two brothers, Robert and John Braithwaite set out to design and buildperformance boats in the new pleasure boat market. Today their company designs andmanufactures some of the most desirable and luxurious performance boats in the world.The Sunseeker International shipyards based in Poole, Dorset is one of the largest employersin the area with over two thousand highly skilled staff providing almost the entire boat buildingcapacity from design, engineering, manufacture and marketing in one company. However,this is where the comparisons with the past finish as this company has an export rate of98%, with a worldwide market to help them override the instabilities of globalisation andrecessions.

dme_des ign

management

europe

From the moment they decided they could make faster and better boats themselves thanother manufacturers at the time, the Braithwaite brothers have striven for perfection andsuccess - two difficult attributes to manage side by side, but they recognised the role designcan play in achieving them and invested heavily in this strategy. This brought them to theforefront of the market where they remain with an impressive range of innovative and leadingedge products.

Sunseeker is the world’s largest privately owned boat builder with an annual turnover inexcess of £220million. John Braithwaite, one half of the partnership (his brother Robert isthe managing director) is responsible for all aspects of the design, development andproduction of their boats. Their personal passion for the products and close control of thebusiness fuels their high re-investment into R&D (6% of turnover). With design clearlyrepresented at the highest level of the business, John Braithwaite comments on the advantagethis brings to the products;“You have a total overview of what you are actually creating so that all aspects of what isbeing done you can make sure it is totally integrated design rather than a design bycommittee.” - John Braithwaite, Technical Director, Sunseeker International

His drive for design, innovation and continual development is supported by all members ofthe board:“If you are not producing new designs you are not making profit” - Peter Hayes,Financial Director, Sunseeker International

Design by EvolutionDesign in Sunseeker is more of a culture than a corporate strategy, but it is their approachto design that makes their drive for quality and innovation a success. John Braithwaite andhis design management team are exponents of conservative design; with constant innovation.In practice this means that every boat is an improvement on the last one. Whether it isbuilding the same model or designing a new model, by making lots of gradual improvementsSunseeker can maintain their lead without compromising on quality and performance, andbecause they are designing a lot of new boats their designs are constantly taking smallsteps on the evolution of design.

dme_design

management

europe page 2 | 4 page 3 | 4 page 4 | 4

Design evolution at Sunseeker takes on several forms: conservative design, technologytransfer, the cultural mindset – “How can I make this better?” and problem solving. As theseactivities are happening all the time across a wide range of boats it is difficult to recogniseit as a ‘leap forward’ in new boat design until one compares today’s boats with those madefour years earlier, that significant development can be seen. For example, when Sunseekermade their first 80ft (24.4mtrs) boat in 1999 it took 55,000 man hours to build, now it takes17,000 man hours.

It is steady evolution and attention to quality, performance and fault free sea craft whichgives Sunseeker customers the confidence to put down deposits on a 3-5 year waiting list,in some cases without seeing the plans. Because they know the way Sunseeker has evolvedthey know what they are going to get will be right. In many cases this loyalty has lasted 20-30 years with some customers growing themselves with the product range available.

InnovationSunseeker is regarded as industry pioneers for their work in computational fluid dynamics,cutting edge styling and materials research. Their extensive knowledge of GRP, andconfidence in their processes allow them to expand into larger boats and question the knownconstraints of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP). Over a certain length boats are classifiedas ships and have to conform to Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regulations forconstruction and testing. However, these regulations are written for steel and aluminiumhull ships and not for GRP. Compliance to them as they were would mean poor performanceand craft instability. Sunseeker realised this was a major hurdle in their development andsought to work openly with the MCA and other authorities to revise the regulations and drawout the arguments to get to the correct engineering solution. They supported their evidencewith GRP expert analysis from Universities, suppliers and test houses to arrive at the firstclassified GRP ship. They could have resorted to steel and aluminium hulls but they knewGRP could be used in larger ships and the material offered many advantages and qualitiesover traditional methods.

Contrary to popular belief the conservativeapproach to design always takes far longer toreach a correct working solution than somethingthat is gimmicky or quirky. It requires a controlleduse of design and knowledge. For example, ifthe solution is not quite right it has to revisiteduntil it is. Ultimately simple solutions work moreeffectively in the harsh, demanding andunforgiving environments in which their boatsoperate(1). This applies to styling as well asengineering where it is constantly evolving overa vast range of products, taking good practicefrom big boats to small boats.

Problem solving as designAnother aspect of design evolution atSunseeker is their ability to solveproblems. When a new model is releaseda lot of the unforeseen problems arerecognised at the production line stage.Th is is not uncommon in a l lmanufacturing industries, but it isSunseeker’s fast-track approach that

prevents problems from slowing down production and compromising quality. Once a problemis recognised, a small team with the relevant qualifications is assembled to address theproblem and agree on an immediate course of action. If it cannot be solved on the spot thenit is brought directly to the relevant person in the design office to revise i t and commissionnew instructions immediately. As with all changes, the solution is then documented andrecorded on the design database for the next boat. This fast-track approach breaks througha long chain of communication and gives the production line the immediate answers it needs.

Problem solving is seen as a vital part of the development process and this open communicationand teamwork can only work if it is devoid of a blame culture. This is not a failure of thedesign process but recognition of the shortfalls of a constantly changing product where notwo boats are the same.

The first ship Sunseeker built with the new GRPregulations was the 105 (31.9mtrs) in 2000. Itheralded the beginning of a new age of Super-yachts for the market and challenged establishedsuper-yacht manufacturers all over the world.It was the learning product for Sunseeker beforethey moved onto larger ships. The Jewel in thecrown for Sunseeker is their recently completedSunseeker 37M Tri deck yacht.Designed, built and equipped to the highest

standards, the 37M Yacht has Sunseeker’s proven deep ‘V’ hulls, which offer good seakeeping qualities, and allow for good cruising ranges. The 37M Yacht also has all the featuresexpected on a luxury ocean-going vessel, such as the latest navigation equipment usingstate of the art technology. Built to the most stringent criteria, computerised enginemanagement systems provide constant fine tuning, which improves efficiency and performance.

This approach to design is not confined to the 25-strong design team but works at all levelsof the business. In doctrine in every employee involved with the design, engineering,manufacture and fitting of the boats is a mindset which is uncharacteristic of Britishmanufacturing. Instead of completing a task satisfactorily they are encouraged to step backand ask ‘how can this be done better? All changes and modifications are then documentedand fed back into the design database for future models, therefore improving the design ofthe product in every aspect. When a company has to maintain the highest levels of qualityacross a wide range of design and engineering disciplines then adopting a cultural mindsetis a positive way of doing it. This mindset does not have to be reinforced or documentedin a policy review as it empowers staff with the authority to decide for themselves how bestto do their job and gives them job satisfaction as well as contributing to the evolution of theboat.

design

management

europe

SunseekerUK

When the ship building industry of Great Britain started to decline 30 years ago, vast shipyards employing 1000s of people of all trades were facing stiff competition from the FarEast and losing traditional UK contracts that were once the main stay of the industry. Aroundthe same time, two brothers, Robert and John Braithwaite set out to design and buildperformance boats in the new pleasure boat market. Today their company designs andmanufactures some of the most desirable and luxurious performance boats in the world.The Sunseeker International shipyards based in Poole, Dorset is one of the largest employersin the area with over two thousand highly skilled staff providing almost the entire boat buildingcapacity from design, engineering, manufacture and marketing in one company. However,this is where the comparisons with the past finish as this company has an export rate of98%, with a worldwide market to help them override the instabilities of globalisation andrecessions.

From the moment they decided they could make faster and better boats themselves thanother manufacturers at the time, the Braithwaite brothers have striven for perfection andsuccess - two difficult attributes to manage side by side, but they recognised the role designcan play in achieving them and invested heavily in this strategy. This brought them to theforefront of the market where they remain with an impressive range of innovative and leadingedge products.

Sunseeker is the world’s largest privately owned boat builder with an annual turnover inexcess of £220million. John Braithwaite, one half of the partnership (his brother Robert isthe managing director) is responsible for all aspects of the design, development andproduction of their boats. Their personal passion for the products and close control of thebusiness fuels their high re-investment into R&D (6% of turnover). With design clearlyrepresented at the highest level of the business, John Braithwaite comments on the advantagethis brings to the products;“You have a total overview of what you are actually creating so that all aspects of what isbeing done you can make sure it is totally integrate d design rather than a design bycommittee.” - John Braithwaite, Technical Director, Sunseeker International

His drive for design, innovation and continual development is supported by all members ofthe board:“If you are not producing new designs you are not making profit” - Peter Hayes,Financial Director, Sunseeker International

Design by EvolutionDesign in Sunseeker is more of a culture than a corporate strategy, but it is their approachto design that makes their drive for quality and innovation a success. John Braithwaite andhis design management team are exponents of conservative design; with constant innovation.In practice this means that every boat is an improvement on the last one. Whether it isbuilding the same model or designing a new model, by making lots of gradual improvementsSunseeker can maintain their lead without compromising on quality and performance, andbecause they are designing a lot of new boats their designs are constantly taking smallsteps on the evolution of design.

page 2 | 4

dme_des ign

management

europe

dme_design

management

europe page 3 | 4 page 4 | 4

Design evolution at Sunseeker takes on several forms: conservative design, technologytransfer, the cultural mindset – “How can I make this better?” and problem solving. As theseactivities are happening all the time across a wide range of boats it is difficult to recogniseit as a ‘leap forward’ in new boat design until one compares today’s boats with those madefour years earlier, that significant development can be seen. For example, when Sunseekermade their first 80ft (24.4mtrs) boat in 1999 it took 55,000 man hours to build, now it takes17,000 man hours.

It is steady evolution and attention to quality, performance and fault free sea craft whichgives Sunseeker customers the confidence to put down deposits on a 3-5 year waiting list,in some cases without seeing the plans. Because they know the way Sunseeker has evolvedthey know what they are going to get will be right. In many cases this loyalty has lasted 20-30 years with some customers growing themselves with the product range available.

InnovationSunseeker is regarded as industry pioneers for their work in computational fluid dynamics,cutting edge styling and materials research. Their extensive knowledge of GRP, andconfidence in their processes allow them to expand into larger boats and question the knownconstraints of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP). Over a certain length boats are classifiedas ships and have to conform to Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regulations forconstruction and testing. However, these regulations are written for steel and aluminiumhull ships and not for GRP. Compliance to them as they were would mean poor performanceand craft instability. Sunseeker realised this was a major hurdle in their development andsought to work openly with the MCA and other authorities to revise the regulations and drawout the arguments to get to the correct engineering solution. They supported their evidencewith GRP expert analysis from Universities, suppliers and test houses to arrive at the firstclassified GRP ship. They could have resorted to steel and aluminium hulls but they knewGRP could be used in larger ships and the material offered many advantages and qualitiesover traditional methods.

Contrary to popular belief the conservativeapproach to design always takes far longer toreach a correct working solution than somethingthat is gimmicky or quirky. It requires a controlleduse of design and knowledge. For example, ifthe solution is not quite right it has to revisiteduntil it is. Ultimately simple solutions work moreeffectively in the harsh, demanding andunforgiving environments in which their boatsoperate(1). This applies to styling as well asengineering where it is constantly evolving overa vast range of products, taking good practicefrom big boats to small boats.

Problem solving as designAnother aspect of design evolution atSunseeker is their ability to solveproblems. When a new model is releaseda lot of the unforeseen problems arerecognised at the production line stage.Th is is not uncommon in a l lmanufacturing industries, but it isSunseeker’s fast-track approach that

prevents problems from slowing down production and compromising quality. Once a problemis recognised, a small team with the relevant qualifications is assembled to address theproblem and agree on an immediate course of action. If it cannot be solved on the spot thenit is brought directly to the relevant person in the design office to revise i t and commissionnew instructions immediately. As with all changes, the solution is then documented andrecorded on the design database for the next boat. This fast-track approach breaks througha long chain of communication and gives the production line the immediate answers it needs.

Problem solving is seen as a vital part of the development process and this open communicationand teamwork can only work if it is devoid of a blame culture. This is not a failure of thedesign process but recognition of the shortfalls of a constantly changing product where notwo boats are the same.

The first ship Sunseeker built with the new GRPregulations was the 105 (31.9mtrs) in 2000. Itheralded the beginning of a new age of Super-yachts for the market and challenged establishedsuper-yacht manufacturers all over the world.It was the learning product for Sunseeker beforethey moved onto larger ships. The Jewel in thecrown for Sunseeker is their recently completedSunseeker 37M Tri deck yacht.Designed, built and equipped to the highest

standards, the 37M Yacht has Sunseeker’s proven deep ‘V’ hulls, which offer good seakeeping qualities, and allow for good cruising ranges. The 37M Yacht also has all the featuresexpected on a luxury ocean-going vessel, such as the latest navigation equipment usingstate of the art technology. Built to the most stringent criteria, computerised enginemanagement systems provide constant fine tuning, which improves efficiency and performance.

This approach to design is not confined to the 25-strong design team but works at all levelsof the business. In doctrine in every employee involved with the design, engineering,manufacture and fitti ng of the boats is a mindset which is uncharacteris tic of Britishmanufacturing. Instead of completing a task satisfactorily they are encouraged to step backand ask ‘how can this be done better? All changes and modifications are then documentedand fed back into the design database for future models, therefore improving the design ofthe product in every aspect. When a company has to maintain the highest levels of qualityacross a wide range of design and engineering disciplines then adopting a cultural mindsetis a positive way of doing it. This mindset does not have to be reinforced or documentedin a policy review as it empowers staff with the authority to decide for themselves how bestto do their job and gives them job satisfaction as well as contributing to the evolution of theboat.

design

management

europe

SunseekerUK

When the ship building industry of Great Britain started to decline 30 years ago, vast shipyards employing 1000s of people of all trades were facing stiff competition from the FarEast and losing traditional UK contracts that were once the main stay of the industry. Aroundthe same time, two brothers, Robert and John Braithwaite set out to design and buildperformance boats in the new pleasure boat market. Today their company designs andmanufactures some of the most desirable and luxurious performance boats in the world.The Sunseeker International shipyards based in Poole, Dorset is one of the largest employersin the area with over two thousand highly skilled staff providing almost the entire boat buildingcapacity from design, engineering, manufacture and marketing in one company. However,this is where the comparisons with the past finish as this company has an export rate of98%, with a worldwide market to help them override the instabilities of globalisation andrecessions.

From the moment they decided they could make faster and better boats themselves thanother manufacturers at the time, the Braithwaite brothers have striven for perfection andsuccess - two difficult attributes to manage side by side, but they recognised the role designcan play in achieving them and invested heavily in this strategy. This brought them to theforefront of the market where they remain with an impressive range of innovative and leadingedge products.

Sunseeker is the world’s largest privately owned boat builder with an annual turnover inexcess of £220million. John Braithwaite, one half of the partnership (his brother Robert isthe managing director) is responsible for all aspects of the design, development andproduction of their boats. Their personal passion for the products and close control of thebusiness fuels their high re-investment into R&D (6% of turnover). With design clearlyrepresented at the highest level of the business, John Braithwaite comments on the advantagethis brings to the products;“You have a total overview of what you are actually creating so that all aspects of what isbeing done you can make sure it is totally integrate d design rather than a design bycommittee.” - John Braithwaite, Technical Director, Sunseeker International

His drive for design, innovation and continual development is supported by all members ofthe board:“If you are not producing new designs you are not making profit” - Peter Hayes,Financial Director, Sunseeker International

Design by EvolutionDesign in Sunseeker is more of a culture than a corporate strategy, but it is their approachto design that makes their drive for quality and innovation a success. John Braithwaite andhis design management team are exponents of conservative design; with constant innovation.In practice this means that every boat is an improvement on the last one. Whether it isbuilding the same model or designing a new model, by making lots of gradual improvementsSunseeker can maintain their lead without compromising on quality and performance, andbecause they are designing a lot of new boats their designs are constantly taking smallsteps on the evolution of design.

page 2 | 4 page 3 | 4

dme_des ign

management

europe

dme_design

management

europe page 4 | 4

Design evolution at Sunseeker takes on several forms: conservative design, technologytransfer, the cultural mindset – “How can I make this better?” and problem solving. As theseactivities are happening all the time across a wide range of boats it is difficult to recogniseit as a ‘leap forward’ in new boat design until one compares today’s boats with those madefour years earlier, that significant development can be seen. For example, when Sunseekermade their first 80ft (24.4mtrs) boat in 1999 it took 55,000 man hours to build, now it takes17,000 man hours.

It is steady evolution and attention to quality, performance and fault free sea craft whichgives Sunseeker customers the confidence to put down deposits on a 3-5 year waiting list,in some cases without seeing the plans. Because they know the way Sunseeker has evolvedthey know what they are going to get will be right. In many cases this loyalty has lasted 20-30 years with some customers growing themselves with the product range available.

InnovationSunseeker is regarded as industry pioneers for their work in computational fluid dynamics,cutting edge styling and materials research. Their extensive knowledge of GRP, andconfidence in their processes allow them to expand into larger boats and question the knownconstraints of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP). Over a certain length boats are classifiedas ships and have to conform to Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regulations forconstruction and testing. However, these regulations are written for steel and aluminiumhull ships and not for GRP. Compliance to them as they were would mean poor performanceand craft instability. Sunseeker realised this was a major hurdle in their development andsought to work openly with the MCA and other authorities to revise the regulations and drawout the arguments to get to the correct engineering solution. They supported their evidencewith GRP expert analysis from Universities, suppliers and test houses to arrive at the firstclassified GRP ship. They could have resorted to steel and aluminium hulls but they knewGRP could be used in larger ships and the material offered many advantages and qualitiesover traditional methods.

Contrary to popular belief the conservativeapproach to design always takes far longer toreach a correct working solution than somethingthat is gimmicky or quirky. It requires a controlleduse of design and knowledge. For example, ifthe solution is not quite right it has to revisiteduntil it is. Ultimately simple solutions work moreeffectively in the harsh, demanding andunforgiving environments in which their boatsoperate(1). This applies to styling as well asengineering where it is constantly evolving overa vast range of products, taking good practicefrom big boats to small boats.

Problem solving as designAnother aspect of design evolution atSunseeker is their ability to solveproblems. When a new model is releaseda lot of the unforese en problems arerecognised at the production line stage.Th is is not uncommon in a l lmanufacturing industries, but it isSunseeker’s fast-tr ack approach that

prevents problems from slowing down production and compromising quality. Once a problemis recognised, a small team with the relevant qualifications is assembled to address theproblem and agree on an immediate course of action. If it cannot be solved on the spot thenit is brought directly to the relevant person in the design office to revise it and commissionnew instructions immediately. As with all changes, the solution is then documented andrecorded on the design database for the next boat. This fast-track approach breaks througha long chain of communication and gives the production line the immediate answers it needs.

Problem solving is seen as a vital part of the development process and this open communicationand teamwork can only work if it is devoid of a blame culture. This is not a failure of thedesign process but recognition of the shortfalls of a constantly changing product where notwo boats are the same.

The first ship Sunseeker built with the new GRPregulations was the 105 (31.9mtrs) in 2000. Itheralded the beginning of a new age of Super-yachts for the market and challenged establishedsuper-yacht manufacturers all over the world.It was the learning product for Sunseeker beforethey moved onto larger ships. The Jewel in thecrown for Sunseeker is their recently completedSunseeker 37M Tri deck yacht.Designed, built and equipped to the highest

standards, the 37M Yacht has Sunseeker’s proven deep ‘V’ hulls, which offer good seakeeping qualities, and allow for good cruising ranges. The 37M Yacht also has all the featuresexpected on a luxury ocean-going vessel, such as the latest navigation equipment usingstate of the art technology. Built to the most stringent criteria, computerised enginemanagement systems provide constant fine tuning, which improves efficiency and performance.