Van Dam offers complete yacht design with the same quality and attention to detail typical of our custom boatbuilding.  By offering design services "in house" we can significantly reduce the costs associated with contracting a designer and then shopping for a builder.  Still, for those clients who wish to bring us existing designs we'll work closely with their designer to ensure a steady flow of data to the builders. As we've done on several projects, we welcome the chance to collaborate with a client's architect or designer to perform some of the design and engineering work in-house when it's time efficient.

A picture is worth a thousand words so new designs are completely computer modeled in 3D.  This allows both the client, building crews and even contract vendors to see the boat in virtual reality before the first piece of mahogany is ever cut.  Throughout the proposal phase and the design process, 3D images are routinely e-mailed or faxed to the client for their input and approval.  This process works well and is an efficient way to keep a client involved in the developmental process. Furthermore, its fun for friends and family to watch their new design evolve.

Detailed weight, power and trim, hydrostatics and stability calculations are carefully prepared ensuring the proper balance and performance of each new design.  Scale model testing has also been performed when required.   A well detailed and fully documented electrical schematic is provided with each new boat.  Propeller testing is also charted to find the optimum cruising speed and to match the engine's load requirements. Owner's manuals are thorough and carefully assembled to provide manufacturer's data on every purchased component.  When completed each new boat is put through extensive testing for stabilty, trim, visibility, handling, comfort and proper propeller selection. Every system is rigorously tested during sea trials.  We take pride and enjoy working with our clients during the first few hours or even days of operation to carefully review each feature of the boat and to spend considerable "on water" time with them to ensure they're comfortable with the boat's handling, operation, care and maintenance requirements. Besides, its always fun to go boating!

Our boats stay in the family and Van Dam is always available to consult with the owner or any competent yard for their care and maintenance.  Many of our boats come back "home" to Boyne City for winter layup.  Even from a distance most clients find that there is simply nobody better to care for their boat than the craftsman who built it.  Our storage rates are competitive and we offer a clean, well lit and heated storage facility that, during the winter months, becomes an elegant indoor boat show.  Our boats are given great care when they're "home".

When required we can also provide custom trailers.  Each trailer is designed by Van Dam to perfectly support the hull for long term storage and to provide superior towing characteristics. Custom and coordinating colors, lights, guides and other thoughtful features are incorporated into the trailer in the design stage.  Tie down points for the hull are aligned to the trailer and winch post for convenience and to safely secure the boat. 

As Van Dam builds beautiful heirlooms, we take hundreds of construction photos and assemble them into a "coffee table" album which is presented to the client and their family at launch time. For future generations, this album will help preserve the memories of the fun times we've had designing and building their dream.

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