Northwest Yachts' Build Process

There are some things you’re just not willing to compromise on. You’ve looked at all the new and brokerage boats out there and not yet found exactly what you want. You’ve now decided to look for a boat where you can have all the features you’re really looking for. Northwest Yachts is the place……..

We’ll begin by discussing how and where you plan to cruise. We’ll suggest you configure your boat for how you’ll cruise 80% of the time. Are you going to cruise off shore (cross oceans), coastal (or near coastal) cruising, Inside Passage to Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean or the Great Loop? Will you be primarily in cooler climes or the tropics? Do you have guests aboard often or only once in a while? Will there be pets to accommodate?

Through this process, we’ll help you determine your list of “must haves” and also your “wish list”. Our staff will be there to assist you in determining the best size, hull form, construction material, propulsion package, layout, interior design and optional equipment so your new vessel will exceed all your expectations.

Once the basics have been decided, then the real fun begins. We’ll prepare a design and construction budget for your consideration. Once approved, then It’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty of details. So we are all on the same page, we will request a letter of intent (LOI) and a modest deposit that will allow us to begin working with our design team and the yard to finalize the specifications for your boat.

The interior “look and feel” of your new boat is so critical to your being happy with it. That’s why we encourage you to be involved every step of the way in the interior design. Choose from our existing options, work with one of our preferred interior design consultants, or bring in your own designer; it’s your choice. Nothing will be compromised to provide you with the best owner experience possible. From the very beginning we want you to be a part of the process.

Careful attention is given to help you in the selection of just the right interior refinements. Wherever possible, sustainable, environmentally responsible materials are offered. We believe the same level of creature comforts and conveniences you would find at home should be incorporated in your new boat. Viking, Miele, Bertazzoni, Liebherr, Sub Zero, Fisher Paykel and Bosch are all options to make your galley a unique, functional, center for entertaining. All of our vessels come standard with a full sized Bosch washer/dryer.

Combining the most efficient use of interior space without crowding is a top priority in our interior design criteria. (You won’t find narrow, steep staircases on a Northwest). Moving about the boat should be a safe, comfortable and pleasant experience whether at anchor or underway.

Our trawler style motor yachts are designed with hard chined, semi-displacement hulls. This design affords great stability both at rest and underway. The long, wide keels provide outstanding directional stability and also allow for standing headroom in the engine compartments. Northwest’s semi-displacement motor yachts are very efficient at displacement speeds. With twin engines and/or optional propulsion packages, speeds in the upper teens (or higher) are possible.

Superstructures for all Northwest boats are stylish as well as very functional. Careful attention to safety and convenience has been incorporated in each design. Trawler and expedition yacht enthusiasts everywhere will recognize and appreciate your Seaton designed yacht.

Northwest believes in using the right materials for the mission of the boat. Your safety and comfort, as well as performance and handling, top our list of concerns. Northwest builds yachts to give you the confidence to enjoy worry-free cruising.

For our trawler style motor yachts cruising in open ocean, coastal and near-coastal environments where higher performance may be desirable, we feel composite, FRP, semi-displacement hulls with composite superstructures makes the most sense.

Northwest Yachts has selected John Deere, as primary engine supplier. John Deere manufactures extremely efficient, low rpm, high torque engines of unsurpassed quality and reliability up to 750hp. The standard engines preferred for each boat model are designed to give maximum range at displacement speeds with reserve power available when needed.

Each vessel has its own extensive list of standard features and equipment. All standard inclusions were selected for quality, reliability, and after-delivery factory support. In many cases there are alternatives and we would gladly consider substitutions when requested.

After we have all the specifications, options, and layout tailored for you, we will prepare a final quotation and construction agreement for your approval. We will then request an additional deposit and begin the build process. As with any custom or semi-custom project, progress payments will be due based on milestones in the build process. You or your representative will be encouraged to visit the shipyard to observe and inspect the progress during the build.

Delivery times will vary, depending on the size of the boat and/or the degree of “tailoring” that you desire. Another factor will be how many boats are ahead of you in the queue or whether the tooling has been completed when you place your order. Normal construction time for the 48 is about 8-9 months while the 70 may take as long as 20 months.

When your boat is complete and has been launched, a thorough series of sea trials will be conducted to make sure all systems are functioning properly. Final commissioning and delivery will occur either at the shipyard, our docks here in the US, or other mutually agreed upon location.

At the time of delivery, we will conduct a comphrensive training program to insure you (or your skipper) are familiar with all aspects of operating the boat, including boat handling, systems operation, and owner-performed maintenance.

The process of initial consultation, design, construction and delivery should be a fun and rewarding time for you.

Give Northwest Yachts a call or send us an email and let’s begin the conversation.

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