1. Pricing Policy ( Why does the competition sell for less?)
2. Who's Drawing Your Kit ? ( We use experienced builders )
3. Terminology ( Beware misleading terminology )
4. Full Size Paper Patterns (We won't do it )
   
   

Pricing Policy:

A question I get asked frequently is why do our prices appear higher than some of the competitions pricing. Well in a nutshell you get what you pay for. We put in the hours required to create a very high quality product...... Errors and omissions in budget plans and kits will add time to your construction , so the savings evaporate and your stuck paying even more than you saved just to bail yourself out......Read on to make sure you get what you think your paying for .

One aspect of our pricing is the way our kits are brought into being.:

Our "Speculative Kits" that is , kits without an initial customer , and created on the speculation that we will sell enough to make a profit, are created with thought that the cost of production will be spread across 4 boats. In other words you pay 25% of the cost of a custom job when you buy our "stock" kits..

"Custom" kits , where we have a customer paying to create CNC files for a boat they are about to build , pay full price . But if we can put the resulting kit into our stable of stock kits , then we refund the original customer 20% on each subsequent kit sold.... If we sell 20 kits, then the original customer got his for free. And all customers pay the same rate. Fair ? Our competition charges the first customer full price up front , then uses the "files you paid for" as they see fit , selling at ridiculous "bargain basement prices " . How do you think the original customer who paid 15k feels when he see's his neighbor paying 2k ,knowing that he paid to create the product in the first place..... We consider this to be unfair policy.

Who's Drawing Your Kit?

At Metalboatkits / Trident , we have many years boatbuilding experience. Our principal designer / loftsman Rick Welin has decades of experience in boatbuilding , and welding , and a decade of computer modeling. This insight, when sitting down at a computer to loft a boat is imperative to a quality product.! After all , that is what the loftsman is doing ,,, he's Building Your Boat,,,. Do you want a first year draftsman , or even a fully qualified Naval Architect who's only knowledge of construction comes only from theory, and not practical experience , to build your boat ? I submit that you would not hire an architect to frame your house, .....

Terminology:

Lets compare apples to apples for a moment.... Some competitors advertise that their designs and kits are " to ABS and LLOYDS specifications ". This is not the same as being ABS or LLOYD'S Certified ...

I would say that almost all designers work with ABS standards in mind , and the resulting plans can be considered "ABS Compliant"... A "certification" is another matter entirely. This means that the plans have been inspected by the overseeing body and stamped as approved. This "Certification" process is costly and lengthy . As you can see merely stating that your designs "meet the specifications" is misleading , and does not mean that your boat (or even the plans) are accepted by Lloyds or ABS.... As a matter of fact ABS will not even certify small craft plans anymore. Beware any such claims. If your boat is to be to Lloyds you need to have the entire vessel constructed to Lloyds Standards and Certified by inspection upon completion. This means all the systems must comply , not just the hull.....We would be happy to quote a figure for this standard.

"Engineering Drawings" , Some claim to supply "engineering drawings" when in fact they are nothing more than "shop drawings" for the fabricators to form curved parts etc. True engineering drawings have been prepared by the designer and / or an appointed Marine Engineer , and provide details for mechanical installations such as , fire suppression , electrical installations , hydraulics , stabilizers , specialized plumbing ,, etc. ......Not just a drawing of where the exhaust pipe goes...... We would be happy to quote for proper engineering drawings on any of our kits. Shop Drawings are included in the assembly drawings , and the basic mechanicals such as engines and related systems are included in the designers plans.

Lloyds Material Specification. Once again completely different than being "Lloyds Certified" Pretty much all steel and aluminum being manufactured these days is done so with these specifications in mind. But if the vessel is to be Lloyds Certified , then samples of the materials must be sent to Lloyds for testing , and returned with a certificate .... make sure you ask for the certificate.

If you think that just by purchasing these plans or kits you will build a " Lloyds Certified " boat you will be in for a big (and costly) surprise .... Once again be wary of carefully worded advertising , It could cost you ...