Custom Design

Our objective when starting a new design is to design a boat that looks as the owner envisioned, functions as well as expected, performs as predicted and is delivered as contracted for. Achieving these objectives requires design knowledge and experience, an extensive in-house data base to draw from and project management skills.

I have been in the yacht design business longer than most and have, in recent years, designed and overseen the construction of a broad range of modern, well performing, safe and seaworthy boats between 15 feet (4.6m) and 169 feet (50m) for owners worldwide.

The office is headed by Naval Architect Niels Helleberg. He has worked for the Alden Office since 1971 and has more than 38 years of experience in yacht design and construction supplemented by thousands of miles of offshore racing and cruising.


Custom Design Procedure

The following chart illustrates the procedure we recommend using on all of our custom design projects as it gains the best results.

• PRELIMINARY DESIGN
• BID PACKAGE

  1. PROCUREMENT OF BIDS

  2. EVALUATION OF BIDS

  3.SELECTION OF BUILDER

• FINAL DESIGN
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT
• TRIALS & DELIVERY
  

Design Fees

It is a common misconception that building a custom boat is synonymous with run-away cost and high fees. Nothing is further from the truth if the design is well prepared and managed. Our projects are normally delivered within 5% of contract price and the design fee for a 50 to 60 foot design built by a U.S. yard seldom exceeds 5% of the building cost.