Work on Gateway V is progressing very nicely as we get closer to the Seattle Boat Show. It won't be 100% of the way together by then, but it sure will be shortly thereafter. Regardless, we'll have it at the show inside of Century Link Field so that everyone can see her progress!
 |
| Engineer Computer Rendering in Gateway V Colors |
This boat started out with a series of sketches like this original idea for the master stateroom:
Then initial engineering was done to produce the mockup that was displayed at the Seattle Boat Show two years ago:
 |
| 38' Mockup contructed to get customer feedback, and then to make improvements. |
The mockup was stretched and modified several times based upon customer feedback received. For example more than 12" was added to the aft cockpit to make it more spacious. Engineering caught up to this as you can see in this 3D computer rendering:
 |
| Computer Rendering of White Hull Showing Aft Cockpit Detail |
What started as an idea was turned into a set of hand drawings, then initial engineering, then a full scale wood mockup, and then detailed engineering. This process is far beyond what most boat manufacturers do.
I'd like to point out the extraordinary engineering that goes into this boat - not only did Aspen build a 100% full scale mockup, but take a look at the computer work that goes into the structure and systems:
 |
| Hull Cross Section - Note how double hull, bulkheads and systems are integrated. |
 |
| Each bulkhead is computer cut from these engineering drawings. |
 |
| Liners drop in over bulkheads to make a very rigid structure. Three staterooms are visible here. |
The engineer, in this case Fabrizio De Luca, can look at individual areas and then layer then together as seen below:
Once the engineering is complete, computer die parts are cut and assembled into plugs. Thousands of man-hours go into making the plugs and then the molds which are finished to mirror perfection:
Below are pictures of the deck plug being produced:
 |
Deck Plug During Construction.
|
Once the plug is made, then the mold is made from that plug.
 |
| Mold being waxed prior to forming actual part. |
And from the mold the actual boat parts are made, that's the stage we're in today.
 |
| Hull bulkheads and conduit being put into place. No wood in the structure, bulkheads are made of Coosa, a product that will last a century or longer. |
 |
| Hull Bulkheads being put into place - you can see double hull construction at bottom. |
 |
| Larry Graf, Aspen Founder, in front of hull as it is removed from the mold. |
Of course there are a ton of details that go into the process to get it this far, but now we're seeing all of the Aspen crew's hard work come to fruition:
 |
| Hull in assembly with starboard hull liner ready. |
 |
| Bow Thruster installed and fairing shape worked. |
 |
| Port hull, Northern Lights Generator with its Lugar engine in place. |
 |
| Starboard hull engine room - plenty of space for the Volvo D6 |
 |
| Volvo D6 engine sitting in crate after being placed for fitment. Gateway is installing the 435 hp version. |
 |
| Drive shaft. |
 |
| Aft Starboard hull liner installed. |
 |
| Starboard hull liner - aft section. Head below, and holding tank. |
 |
| Northern Lights 5kw generator with shrouds removed for installation. |
 |
| Starboard main fuel tank installed. |
Great progress, it will come together pretty quickly from here. We look forward to seeing everyone at the boat show January 23 - February 1.
Shares of Gateway V are available, please contact us now so that you can enjoy time on the water in this marvelous boat this season!
