Have you ever wondered how boats are built? If so, you’re not alone. Boats have come a long way in the thousands of years since they were first invented. Gone are the days of picking out a piece of wood and building a custom boat from scratch unless of course your looking for a custom wooden boat. Now, boats are built using a highly technical process including large machines, computers, and lots of manpower.
The Boat Making Process
Boats are made in a long and detailed process. To make things simple, though, the process can be narrowed down into three distinct steps – design, production, and testing.
Boat Designing
The design process usually begins with an idea or vision for the boat. During this stage, it’s common for potential changes to be made to a boat’s design and additions to be made based on the future boat owners vision or a company’s plans. Then, the process moves onto drawings and CAD.
Drawings
Before anything is made on the computer, sketches are made. These can be edited and re-edited with any changes that need to be made aesthetically and functionally. Think of this as the blueprint stage where the nitty gritty details are nailed down.
CAD
After the drawings are made, an engineer transfers them to CAD (computer-aided design). This program helps visualize the design in 3D and allows engineers to look at the boat from all angles before starting the production process.
Design Your Own Boat
If you are in the market for a boat but want to design your own dream boat, many boat manufacturers have the ability to customize desires to the customers specifications.
Producing the Boat
After the design process, it’s time to start with actual boat production! This process is highly detailed and changes depending on the boat’s specifications including size, materials, etc. However, the basis of it is this:
Once the CAD design is finished, it’s transferred to a computer. The computer then begins the production phase by building all of the parts electronically, with a professional standing by to monitor the process. When all of the parts have been built, they are assembled by a team of experts.
Testing the Finished Watercraft
After the boat has been assembled, it’s then put through rigorous testing to ensure all of the parts are in working order and match the specifications necessary. Most companies also put new boats through an in-water stress test before they are officially signed off and ready for the market.
Bonus: Enjoying the Finished Boat
The boat building process is very detailed but it’s neat to see how technology has made it so much more efficient and creative! If you’d like to learn more about the boat building process, or you’d like to purchase a new boat, come see us at Hagadone Marine Group. Located on Blackwell Island on Lake Coeur d’Alene, our large on-water dealership is perfect for you to explore! We offer new and used boats for sale in addition to many top-notch services.
Don’t go just anywhere to explore the world of boats – contact us today to find your next adventure on the water!