� At Moose Island Design we love boats and boating. Each of the partners has a strong interest in producing the best designs possible while giving our clients the best service we can. We want our clients to enjoy the process of designing a boat as much as we do. When designing a boat we strive to keep the client deeply involved, so that the end product will be looked upon with pride and satisfaction.
During the design process many decisions need to be made that affect the quality of the experience the owner will have. Paramount among these are issues of safety. While we work with our clients to achieve their goals, safety in use and design is always of utmost importance, and to that end we will always have the final decision on any design factor that involves a safety issue.
As designers who love beautiful boats, artistic proportion is also very important to us. We strive to make every design not only function as well as possible but also look as beautiful as possible. Beauty can be admired in many ways and forms. Intended use, size, weight and type are all variables that affect how a boat will look in the end. It is our goal to create designs that, within the parameters of our clients' wishes, are as beautiful as they can possibly be. In achieving this goal we work hand in hand with our clients, explaining our vision as best we can, listening to their visions with the same care, and coming to an end result in a spirit of collaboration.
Though each of the partners at Moose Island Design is an expert in drawing manually, we have come to find that Computer Aided Design can be quite valuable in producing many of our drawings. We all have a number of years experience using CAD. At present we find the CAD 2D image, though technically perfect, to be somewhat "cold" in appearance. This is fine, and preferable, for drawings going to the builder. But for those drawings that also go to the owner we offer hand drawn versions which give a warmth and depth coming from line thickness and shading that is at present not available in CAD drawings. Our default position is to offer the client The Profile, Sail Plan and Accommodations Plan in hand drawn versions. If the client is technically minded and would prefer that they were all CAD we would be happy to accommodate. In the future CAD software is expected to evolve to the point where it rivals hand drawing in artistic merit. At that point we may re-evaluate our position. Photo Realistic Rendering is another matter, and we use the latest software available to give our clients lifelike pictures of their design concept. Additionally we also use the computer for many of the calculations required for a boat design. These calculations are backed up by rough hand calculations just to do a quality check on the computers results.
If you have questions concerning having a boat designed or even what kind of boat to obtain please feel free to contact us. We are more than willing to share our knowledge and experiences with you. We will also be happy to answer any technical questions you may have about small craft naval architecture and construction including electrical system design. This advice is free as long as we do not have to do extensive calculations or research. The procedure outlined below is where we begin if you are contemplating us doing a design for you.

The Design Process Procedure

1. The initial consultation process. �If you are considering Moose Island Design for your boat design project, the process begins with you filling out the Questionnaire below. This provides a baseline from which we can work. You should not hesitate to call or e-mail us should you have any questions about the questionnaire because the more it can accurately reflect your needs and desires, the better we can tailor a concept for you. Once you have contacted us or we contact you, we will start the initial consultation. Here we will all work together to develop a concept that meets your needs. Additionally during this consultation each of us will be able to tell whether we have a good personality match, a factor that can be important in the whole design process. Depending on the boat, this consultation could be a short or lengthy process. There is no charge for the initial consultation. Should you decide you are interested in exploring the ideas we come up with during the consultation, we will ask you for a retainer fee to begin detailed concept work. The concept will consist of initial particulars and a preliminary profile as well as an accommodations plan, along with computerized renderings (near real life photos) to show what the boat will look like in 3D. We will ask for your input during this phase to be sure we are on the right track. Also during the concept work, as we get closer to knowing what the final boat will be, we will be finalizing the complete estimate of the cost of the design. Once you have accepted the concept and agree to a price, an Agreement will be signed outlining each party's obligations during the design process. This will conclude the initial concept phase of the design project.

2. The actual design process. Designing a boat is an iterative process. The conceptual guide designers use to complete a project is known as the Design Spiral. This spiral could be visualized as a large outer circle working its way inward, around and around, passing the same sections over and over until the design is finished. The parts of the spiral include Initial Concept, General Arrangement, Hull Shape, Detailed Arrangements and Accommodations, Spars and Rigging, Specifications, Powering and Machinery, Construction Plans and Economics. The idea is that as the designer works through different aspects of the design he or she is continuously re-checking other parts to be sure the overall design is as good as it can be. There will always be minor changes made as we work our way through the process of refining the design. Our quote to you for a final design price is contingent though on the basic concept remaining the same. If for some reason this basic concept changes we will need to bill for the additional required work. For example, if the original quote was for a displacement sailboat for coastal work, and then part way through was changed to an offshore sailboat capable of trans-oceanic cruising, the design would have to change dramatically, and would require extra billing. Alternately, if the same coastal sailboat needed two separate berths instead of the agreed on single v-berth, or a bulkhead in a different location, and the required changes did not necessitate a major re-design, the changes would be considered a normal part of the design quote.

3. What you will receive when the design is finished. �When the design is complete, you will have all of the drawings and documents necessary to have your boat constructed. Depending on the details of your contract we may complete the design before you get the final drawings or we may send you completed drawings as they are finished so you can start on the building process before the total drawing package is complete. The number of drawings that comprise a finished design vary by the complexity of the project, and the price we quote you for a design is a reflection of this variation. However, there are minimum drawings for every design. These are:���Lines plan with a Table of Offsets; Profile and Deck Plan (with Sail Plan if applicable); Accommodations Plan and Profile; and Construction Plan and Profile. Included are stability, weight estimate and ballast details if required. Beyond these basics are a wide array of possibilities including cutting plans or files for all or some vessel parts; additional construction details; chainplate, fixture and rigging details; tankage plans; wiring diagrams; plumbing diagrams; equipment plan; and classification details as required.

4. Support during the building process. � �During the building of your boat we will be available to answer questions regarding the design and its details. We will talk to you or your builder if required. This is part of the design fee. During the concept phase of the design we will discuss with you the extent of our involvement in the project once the actual design is complete. The main question regarding the building process is do you wish to find a builder, get a building quote and oversee the building process, or would you prefer our assistance during that part of the project? If you would like our assistance, to what extent will that assistance be? This can be worked out during the initial consultation if desired, or discussed later during the design process. If we are involved in the building process, our fees will include reasonable and customary charges for travel, lodging and meals for on-site work above and beyond the cost of the design itself.

5. The Fees � Our design fees may be hourly or contractual, and will be agreed upon in advance. The type of project will usually determine whether the quote will be hourly or a contract price. Our current vessel design hourly rate for small projects and consulting is $55.00/hour.