Looking to build a New 80 to 90 yacht.

Christiansen and Westport are on your side of the coast. Both build in composite. I don't know what your preference is as far as hull material though. Cheoy Lee makes a good boat too. You are just going to have to start looking at them in person to see if the quality meets your expectations. I don't think the elavator will be a big problem. Most yards that I've been around will find a way to do something if it's in the budget.

This is going to be a great project. Since of course aside the need for an elevator, the whole design of the yacht has to be usable and enjoyable with a wheelchair and without; which will lead to some unique solutions, I am sure. - Please keep us posted on your progress and good luck with your project.

I would look for something very seaworthy and solid and slower moving. Nordhaven would be a great builder to check into IMO

The OP stated his wife is in a wheelchair. A Nordhavn should be his LAST choice. You can barely move 10 feet in any direction without hitting a set of steps. A flush deck motoryacht would be the best choice.

Dear Netgain1,

I would seriously look at Moonen. They can build a wonderful yacht with few stairs and I'm sure they can include an elevator. The 2005 Moonen 96 "Clemintine" was purchased by an older couple who I had met. They love the boat because it is so easy to get around on board.

They can build an 84' in steel as a displacement boat or an Alu with more speed.

I believe they could do an 84ish within 10m.
Or, as a side idea, there is a 2005 84' available at the moment within your price range. I'm sure
Moonen would be happy to make whatever modifications you might require.

Moonens are a dream, probably one of the best in it's size range today.
If you need a Captain I'd be very willing to speak with you about it.

Nordlund might be a good choice. They can build a truly custom yacht from the keel up Ed Monk does the design and Tim Nolan the engineering, both of whom do the same for Ocean Alexander. The boats are attractive and well built. And Nordlund can do anything you want.

I recall you recommending Nordlund in several previous threads. Matter of fact, six of your 16 posts are Nordlund related, so I must ask... what is your connection?

From my end, I've seen no follow through with Nordlund. I cannot - in good conscious - agree with you Palmer. When I recommend a builder, it is based on many factors. Topping that list is communication.

CapLady made a good recommendation. Moonen would be a good choice for custom, one-off specialty work, such as an elevator.

There is a 37-ish meter Burger on the market that is wheelchair friendly. I don't know her price point off hand, however I want to think she is in the 12M range.
Perhaps something to look at if you were in the market for a turn key type boat. Burger is certainly a respected builder. I viewed her at FLIBS last year and was pleased with her walk through.

Lady Gayle Marie is her name. Easily found in the brokerage listings. She's been on the market a while and (after a quick search) see that she's calling for 12M asking price. Don't know how motivated the sellers are, but it may be an option to consider.

I have some images of her from FLIBS. Please PM and I can upload them to a Google Album if you wish.

Good luck in your search-

~PB

**EDIT**
I'm looking back through my notes, and it may not have been Lady Gayle Marie, but "Sis W" instead. However I don't see her in the brokerage listings, so don't know if she sold or not.

Lazzara built a `116' that was wheelchair friendly, with widened side decks and a rail-mounted stair chair. Chuck and I wrote a review on it here...

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/lazzara-yacht/8525-review-lazzara-116-rph-motoryacht.html

I used to work there. With very few exceptions I recommend all of my former affiliations.

Fair enough.

You may want to check out Ted Hood's expedition yacht designs. One of the main design points is limited stairs. Yes, you need stairs between full decks, but none of the up two down three sort of thing on each deck. Don't know about working in elevator or chair lift, but with a custom design...

He has designs from 66 to 125 feet. Here is a link for his 88 ft. model. http://www.tedhoodyachts.com/88-long-range-expedition-yacht

The 66 ft. model has been built and accepted by her owner.

Well I don't know how appropriate it is for me to comment on the subject, but indeed "Clemantine" was a wheel chair free boat, as the gentleman was using a wheel chair and he is still very happy with the boat.

The master cabin is on the main deck for easy use. Incorporation of an elevator in this design or an alternative design is something that the yard can look into from a technical perspective.

Hi,

Has this organisation built anything close to what you are looking for previously?

You may see the inclusion of someone to do an independent review of the Naval Architecture as an unnecessary expense - just think how much it will cost to re engineer the boat as a whole of the elevator doesn't work when there is less than 90% Fuel and water on-board owing to a massive trim calculation error.

You also need to get guarantees for the performance these guys offer.

Have a good Maritime Attorney do the build contract.

Hi,

The issue of light load and stability change is a complex one to put it mildly.

It would serve no constructive purpose to go into the whole scenario of damage stability with 10% reserve fluids. I am not even sure exactly what rules apply to a small composite boat in regard to this.

My suggestion was an attempt to make you aware that the elevator is one of the trickiest things to fit and operate successfully on a yacht.

Not many if any are able to be used in all conditions. Some have accelerometers fitted to disable them when motion exceeds the design parameters.

On a smaller vessel you do have the advantage of not traveling through so many decks as on a larger one.

If your elevator is installed in a tube (as most I am familiar with are) and your tankage is arranged so that when you start to consume fuel and water although water is not such a biggie as it can be made onboard in normal circumstances if the boat develops a head up aspect (the bow rises as fuel is burnt off) of a sufficient amount to make the lift car difficult to move up and down the shaft them you will have a problem. If the boat is head down when full you could well have the same problems. Like wise if the boat is not really stable at anchor you can also have problems as the boat rolls around.

The yard may well have built a number of vessels previously with a degree of success. If the project you are bringing to them has challenges that have never before been undertaken by that yard there should be some sort of oversight or due diligence to ensure that the calculations are going to closely match the finished product from someone who has experience in these matters.

As for finding a Maritime Lawyer in Seattle, you can start with Google

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sour...orneys+in+seattle&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

If no one on that list feels comfortable to work with PM me and I will ask a well known Seattle Designer I know for his recommendation and give this to you.

Great post K1W1! Another option might be a stair-lift, like this...?