Design Services
Conceptual and Preliminary Design Studies
We work most closely with you to insure the design will meet your requirements.
In the conceptual stage of design we take your ideas and dreams from thoughts to visual reality. Various solutions to your needs and desires are presented for your modification and approval.
Once the concept is approved, Preliminary Design fleshes out the major details such as Displacement, Arrangement, Major Structure, Size of engines and or rigs, Fuel and Water capacities, Lists of major equipment, and a concise specification. The Preliminary Design is generally complete enough to submit to builders for a dollar estimate to build.
Often, both Conceptual and Preliminary Design are combined.
Contractual Design and Specification
Close attention to aesthetics and good engineering practices are the foundations of our design work.
In Contractual Design, all the details are finalized to the point of being able to start construction. All systems requirements such as arrangements, structure, mechanical, electrical, piping etc. are defined.
All the necessary naval architectural work such as weight studies, Stability, Speed & Power, Propeller selection, etc. are also accomplished
If required, plans are submitted to various regulatory bodies such as the USCG for approval.
A complete specification is generated.
Detailed Construction Plans
If required, we produce construction plans typically done by the builder. These might include piping arrangements, tank details, small construction details etc. among others
Regulatory Body Submittals
We have much experience in the submission of plans to regulatory bodies such as USCG, ABS, Lloyds etc. for approval. Plans that are PE stamped generally have a much quicker approval time than those without.
Whether you need a completely new design or modifications to an existing approved vessel we can assist you in getting approvals in a timely manner.
Technical Services
Computer Lofting
If you are about to start construction, we can provide at reasonable cost full size plots of molds, frames, stems etc. on Mylar or DXF files for NC cutting. We work with your 3D computer model or your lines plan and table of offsets. Where needed we will show all edges of a piece so the bevels can be cut directly. Shown are the frames with bevel information for a replica of the boat George Washington crossed the Delaware River in.
Stability
We provide a full range of stability studies for USCG approval or your peace of mind
These can be especially important for commercial fishermen who want to convert their boat to a new fishery.
These include:
- Inclining Tests
- Weight studies and review
- Stability Booklets
- Sailing Stability Studies
- Intact and Flooded Stability
- Heeling & Righting Studies
Propeller Selection
Is your boat operating as well as you think it should? We can analyze your drive train to see that the propeller is correctly sized to match your existing engine and reduction gear.
Speed Powering, Fuel
If you are contemplating re-powering your vessel, consider having us provide speed and power studies together with engine and reduction gear options, fuel consumption calculations and proper propeller selection.
These will insure that your new installation will perform to your expectations.
System Design
Walter Wales PE provides complete system design for commercial vessels and yachts from the twenty to two hundred feet. Over thirty years hands on experience, combined with an exceptional engineering background, provide the foundation to insure that your new or modified system will be designed to meet the ever relentless demands of the marine environment. In general our system designs meet or exceed the requirements of ABYC, USCG, ABS and or Lloyds. In addition our detailed and complete plan presentation help the builder install the systems as designed.
We provide system design in the following areas:
- Mechanical: Drive trains, Steering, Anchor handling, etc
- Structural: Composites, Wood, Steel, and Aluminum
- Piping: Fuel, Bilge pumping, Black & Gray water, etc.
- Tanks: Fuel, Potable water, Holding, Hydraulic oil, etc.
- HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, & Air conditioning
Cad Drafting
Do you have a project well thought out but need to have it clearly expressed. We can take your thoughts, plans an ideas and present them with the aid of Cad Drafting programs so they can be readily used by others. We can furnish, paper and Mylar copies as well as .dxf Cad files for your use.