Designing additional sun protection into a new yacht before it left the boatyard
When the owner of a new Princess F65 wanted additional sun protection for his family, the requirement came while the yacht was still in build. The brief was to extend the Bimini to create greater shade and protection for his family, while ensuring the finished solution looked completely at home on a brand-new Princess yacht.
Flexicovers was brought in to support the dealer and work alongside the boat builder to develop a bespoke solution all within the tightly controlled schedule of a new build.
The Challenge
This was not simply a case of making a Bimini larger. The extension needed to provide significantly coverage over the sunbed while remaining sympathetic to the design and lines of the Princess F65. Just as importantly, the solution had to be engineered so that it did not negatively affect the performance or operation of the existing Bimini system.
Because the yacht was still being built, timing was also important consideration. Flexicovers needed to work within a relatively small window in the boat builder's production schedule, designing and manufacturing the bespoke system before the yacht was completed.
One of the biggest advantages on this project was Flexicovers' ability to develop the solution digitally before manufacturing began. Using Computer-Aided Design and three-dimensional modelling, our team created the proposed Bimini extension and produced detailed visual drawings showing how the finished system would work on the yacht.
This gave the owner a clear understanding of what he was going to receive before anything was manufactured. It also allowed the Flexicovers team to demonstrate what was technically possible, refine the design and ensure the proposed extension would provide the required additional protection without compromising the performance of the existing system.
For a bespoke project on a brand-new yacht, that visibility was particularly valuable. The customer could see the solution before we made it.
Working With the Dealer and Boat Builder
Delivering a bespoke addition during a new yacht build requires close coordination. Flexicovers worked with both the dealer and the boat builder, adapting the design and manufacturing programme around the yacht's production schedule. Design, approval, fabrication, cover manufacture and fitting all had to be coordinated so that the bespoke work could be completed without disrupting the wider build programme.
Flexicovers brought together several of its in-house capabilities, including:
- Computer-Aided Design
- Three-dimensional modelling
- CNC tube bending
- CNC fabric cutting
- Bespoke frame development
- Technical fabric manufacture
- Final fitting and installation
The supporting framework was manufactured to suit the bespoke design, while the cover itself was precision cut and produced to provide the additional coverage required. Bringing these capabilities together allowed Flexicovers to control the project from digital concept through to the finished installation.
The Result
The finished Bimini extension provides substantially greater sun protection over the aft sunbed, creating a more comfortable space for the owner and his family to enjoy. For the owner, the project delivered exactly what he was looking for: more effective protection from the sun and a more comfortable outdoor space for his family.
For the dealer and boat builder, Flexicovers provided the technical capability and flexibility to incorporate a highly individual customer request within the constraints of a new yacht build. And because the design was developed using three-dimensional modelling before manufacture, the owner had confidence in the solution before the yacht was even completed.
The project demonstrates how Flexicovers can combine design, technology, precision manufacturing and practical marine experience to take an individual idea and turn it into a fully integrated solution.
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