One of the popular London Boat show events is the annual concept boat competition. The BMF is organising next year's concept boat design event, with a brief to design a boat suitable for towing behind a 4x4 (SUV) or a large-sized family car. All UK/EU towing regulations must be observed.
In 2006 the judges will be looking for a design that makes the most innovative or conceptual use of the limitations available - you have a maximum length, width, height and mass to work with and how you use this is what will make your design stand out. It can be for a boat of up to 24m in length and be either a recreational or commercial vessel. The craft may fold out, modules may slot together, it may inflate - the choice is yours…
The competition has been divided into two key categories:
Concept and design - Detailed designs that have moved beyond pure concept into a developed concept
Pure Concept - a simple illustration of their concept boat with a brief written summary
Who can enter?
Anyone! Whether you are a private owner, a yacht club member, a boatbuilder, naval architect, design studio employee, student, boat operator, surveyor, journalist, engineer or apprentice in the marine industry or just enjoy boating in general you can enter Concept Boat.
Such a broad mix will of course throw up many differing skills, but it is not your ability to produce beautifully crafted drawings that the judges will be looking for. They want to see practicality of design and originality of thought in the creation of a safe, eminently usable vessel and, where appropriate, stylish boat for the future.
In the 'Concept and Design' category the judges will additionally be looking for an entry that has considered powering and performance, stability and construction of the boat: in essence a design that has moved beyond pure concept into a developed concept.
Entries can be from individuals, from groups or schools and from any country: historically over 50% of entries are from outside the United Kingdom.
The Prizes
In each category there will be two prizes and in addition there will be an overall winner of Concept Boat 2005 chosen from the winning entry of each of the two categories:
- Concept and Design: winning entry will receive £2500 and runner up £1000.
- Pure Concept: winning entry will receive £1000 and runner up £500.
- The winner of the overall Competition will receive an additional £2000.
- Commendations will be awarded at the discretion of the Judges.
The organisers of the Competition, the British Marine Federation, supported by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, wish to encourage everyone involved in the design, development, production and use of small craft to look to, and through the competition influence, the future. There are two categories of entry: 'Pure Concept' and 'Concept and Design' which takes accounts of the profile of entrants which in the past has ranged from professional naval architects and designers to school teams and those simply with a novel idea.
This is the fifth year that the competition has been held and it promises to be the yet. The winners will be announced during the London Boat Show in 2007. More details from are available from www.conceptboat.com.
