Now launched, the 166’ steel/alloy “Indiscretion” is still the largest displacement pleasure vessel to be built in New Zealand. There is a phenomenal amount of metal in this boat and our major input with construction was to manage the drafting personnel responsible for producing the CNC cutting information for the entire structure. We also worked closely with ABS during their supervision of the construction phase.

We played no part in the subsequent lengthening of the vessel by Sensation Yachts on behalf of a new owner. The vessel has now been launched under the name of “NOBLE HOUSE”.

Our brief for this project was to provide the CNC cutting information relevant to transforming this ex-survey vessel into a modern superyacht. As always with these types of projects the challenge proved to be that of dealing with the different parties involved and ultimately keeping them all happy. We were directly responsible to Culham Engineering who fabricated the new superstructure modules. Refer accompanying photo’s.

This magnificent 156′ all-aluminium motor yacht is capable of cruising at a speed of 22 knots with intermittent bursts closer to 25 knots.

At the time she was the largest pleasure vessel to be built in N.Z. and one of the first to be compliant with the demanding MCA requirements. In addition, she fully complies with ABS Motor Pleasure Yachts requirements and was built under supervision of both bodies.

As in-house naval architect with the yard I was primarily responsible for the complete structural design of the vessel as well as related naval architectural, statutory and engineering aspects.

As design assistant to Angelo Lavranos I spent a considerable amount of time on the design of this 40.5m superyacht. She remains the largest sailing yacht to be built in South Africa and as such I was honoured to be part of her creation. She features a lifting keel and an extremely low-profile superstructure. The latter was a major constraint in that the owner wanted to have full headroom in the engineroom which was amidships under the main saloon. Amongst other aspects, I participated in the conceptualisation and styling, structural detailing, rig/sail plan, interior arrangement as well as other engineering design issues such as the lifting keel for this remarkable vessel.

This beautiful sloop is entirely constructed of Alustar, a relatively new marine-grade aluminium alloy with increased mechanical properties resulting in a lighter weight structure.

de Villiers Design was by McMullen and Wing Ltd. to produce the structural detailing and subsequently to coordinate the approval process through Lloyds Register, Sydney. Finally, we produced all the CNC information for cutting the internal structural framing.

The obvious design pedigree has resulted in a very stylish, able and fast boat which is exhilarating to sail. IPANEMA won the 2003 Millenium Cup held in Auckland, NZ.

This solid, workmanlike harbour tug features Voith Schneider propulsion, 40 tonnes of bollard pull and a unique forward mounted stack designed to minimise obscuring the helmsman’s vision during towing operations. As part of the in-house design team at the busy yard in the port of Whangarei, I worked on most aspects of the design, thoroughly enjoying the no-nonsense attitude prevalent in a commercial marine environment.

We were first approached by Steve Dashew in mid 2003 to participate in the design of this unique vessel. Needless to say we jumped at the chance of working with someone who has been at the forefront of cruising innovation for at least two decades. The whole experience was challenging and rewarding and the end result is a successful vessel that is proving to be a future cruising benchmark.
Steve wanted to try something different and challenging for his next boat. The full story is told in profuse detail on http:// www.setsail.com/ dashew/do_fpb.html .

De Villiers Design was contracted to provide all of the structural engineering design and detailing for this project. It was most challenging to design a structure capable of withstanding the severest conditions and yet stay within the weight limitations dictated by the overall concept. In addition, Steve’s experience over many years and countless miles has been a valuable input from our perspective and there are countless features on the vessel which reflect this. The aluminium alloy hull and deck structure was superbly executed by CIRCA Marine (http://www.circamarine.co.nz) in Whangarei, NZ. As is evidenced in the attached photo’s our provision a full package of CNC cut parts for the internal structure and the shell plating has resulted in an efficient fabrication process. Thereafter, fitout was completed by Kelly Archer Boatbuilders (http://www.kellyarcher.co.nz/) to an exceptional degree, which they consider to be quite normal and which they do time after time.

Brief Specifications:
LOA 25.315m (83’ 1”)
Beam 5.43m (17’ 9.75”)
Draught 1.372m (4’ 5”)
Power 2x John Deere 4045 TFM

Most boaties are, in some way or another, aware of the distinctive work of Jay Benford. This is another of his Coaster series of vessels which combines workboat styling with a spacious and comfortable interior. The owner is an experienced airline pilot who intends operating his R44 helicopter from this vessel. Surely this must be one of the smallest vessels ever to carry a helicopter!
We were been commissioned by the owner to provide the structural design detailing along with a full set of CNC precut parts to speed up the build process. The vessel is nearing completion at Johnson Yachts Int’l., Pine Harbour, NZ. and is due for launching in late 2005. She will then shipped to her future home on the US NW Coast.

Early in 2003 we produced computer faired lines and offsets for this Ken Hankinson designed tuglet. In addition we then produced CNC cutting files for the internal framing and also for the shell plating. According to Paul Mooney of FairMetal Boats the plating fitted with absolute accuracy which is as much a testament to his accurate setup as to the software used to develop the plating.