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Antonio Dias Design 
The term ‘Sustainability’ gets tossed around so frequently that the term itself loses substance. But in the form that the word first became popularized a few decades ago in the architectural community, it went beyond the use of materials and constructs, and wrestled with maintaining the humanity in our existence.
Concepts like your Atlantic Packet speak to the broadest sense of sustainability, from its renewable resource hull, to its renewable resource propulsion, to its maintenance of the human inter-connectedness between humans sharing the task of crossing the sea and between humans and the the natural world.
It is easy for me as a sailor to look at this as a sublime example of the art of yacht design, but as you have posed your design brief and thought process, it is also a sublime philosophical statement.
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Jeff,
Thank you. This means so much to me….
Tony
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You are very welcome. I must admit that I was captivated with the sociological implications of a trans-Atlantic passage maker in which at least some of the the ‘passengers’ were active participants in the work of making the passage successful, and all were their own ‘Entertainment Directors’. I saw this real world, up close and personal voyaging, as a strong contrast with our popular culture in which most people’s idea of ‘adventure’ happens on small electronic devices.
I was so captivated by the human factor, that uncharacteristically, I did not comment on the specifics of the design. I am particularly taken with the hull form as shown in the lines drawings, One of the challenges of a sailing trans-Atlantic packet will be to create a vessel that is sufficiently stable, and also so gentle in its motions, that people who are unaccustomed to life at sea can feel comfortable and safe in all conditions.
With that in mind as I look at the hull form, I am impressed that this is a shape that should progressively build form stability with heel angle, but which at no point will that form stability suddenly increase. Similarly it appears to be a form which should effectively dampen roll and pitch while not generating excessive heave.
This mix should result in both the perception of stability, and in sufficent actual stability to feel reassuring. It is a hull form which should produce a motion that is free of the kind of sudden accelerations, which can make people uncomfortable or exhausted. Its shape should result in a motion, and the reserves of stability and buoyancy that would be easy on its crew, and passengers.
You know me well enough to know that I could always quibble and tweak around the edges of any design, but at the heart of it, I really appreciate the results of this unique blend of ideas.
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Jeff,
It’s great when someone can read Lines Plan. And you’re one of the best!
I’m glad you’d like to “quibble and tweak!” It certainly needs it. Most people don’t understand what brings a potential design to its point of fulfillment all happens after this stage. There’s so much left to do.
Of course, the way I see it, it only makes sense to enter that stage when a design concept can be married to particular people and a particular set of circumstances. You know this and that’s why your contribution to Designer & Client was so valuable.
If we ever find the right circumstances to carry one of these concepts further I’d love to ask for your involvement!
Here’s to that day!
Tony
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Tony,
It would be an honor to ride shotgun and a whole lot of fun. I miss those old days.
I agree entirely with your point “Most people don’t understand what brings a potential design to its point of fulfillment all happens after this stage. There’s so much left to do.” That’s the reason that schematic design is such a small part of the overall fees.
I also think that designs are improved by meeting the challenges involved in having a real owner.
Jeff
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Two keys to relevant design:
After the concept is proposed, “There’s so much left to do.”
“…designs are improved…” I’d say haven’t matured at all until they “…meet the challenges involved in having a real owner.”
I’d just add that we need to question what the concept of ownership entails as well. Writing checks and making demands are not ownership; if by ownership we mean responsibility to a purpose.
Tony
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