YACHT BUILDERS & DESIGNERS
DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN...
AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS.
Albert Einstein is credited with this definition of insanity. While I’m not sure
if it’s clinically true I can say it’s the technique many use when shopping for a
boat. They look for weeks, years, sometimes decades at the same bunch of boats
hoping to see something they haven’t seen before. And while the usual suspects
change or new candidates emerge, rarely are they surprised by denied expectations
having been met. Question: is the problem the boats, the system or prospective
buyer expectations? While likely all are somewhat culpable, the solution lies with
“expectations”: the only variable we can control.
Boats are unlike other major purchases. Consider cars or houses. Cars: If you strip
out exotics there really are only a few dozen major choices. If you drill down to
a specific type there maybe a handful. We know that wishing one was 6-inches wider or a foot-longer is useless. You buy what’s there. Houses: These on the
other hand seem infinitely sculptable. Cost or lot-size not withstanding, you want another bedroom... you got it. A bigger porch... you can get that. A three-car garage... you get the idea.
Boats, however, present the best and worst of both worlds. Like automobiles they are quasi-mass produced making change expensive. Even where change
is possible (or is desirable) the small number of potential sales often makes such changes cost prohibitive. Unlike houses, only minor alterations can be
accommodated without affecting structure, stability, or practicality. That often makes it physically and financially impossible to accommodate individual wants.
Solution: Instead of investing your time wishing for the unlikely or impossible, maybe you should step up and just join in creating the new boat you want: a
custom boat, a one off. It will allow you to finally enjoy that boat that you imagine. As you mine your own creativity, wouldn’t Dr. Einstein be proud?
But then that’s just my opinion.
CHARLES NEVILLE associates
Naval Architects
223 Broadway, Centreville, MD 21617
tel: 410 758-1891 • fax: 410 758-3724
www.nevilleboats.com • e-mail: chuck@nevilleboats.com
The Cruising Yacht
Specialists
The Cruising Yacht Specialists
Order our White Book of recent
designs Online, or send $25 for US
and $30 for Worldwide delivery.
Maybe this 51-footer will inspire that dream
call for more information
