Modeling a luxury Sunseeker Predator 108 yacht using SOLIDWORKS.

• Objective: The objective of this project is to model the iconic Sunseeker Predator 108 yacht, utilizing a combination of solid modeling, surface modeling, as well as creating an assembly and renders of the completed yacht.
  
• Introduction: The Predator 108 features a sleek design while maintaining a powerful sport performance. Onboard its 33 m long deck, there are sunbathing lounges, a jacuzzi, a garage, and a custom wet bar.
  
  Before the advent of CAD, the tools used to create these types of watercraft were all too familiar: pencils, paper, and other traditional drawing implements. Creating and editing drafts were therefore a very time-consuming process. Nowadays, however, we can use numeric and geometric parameters to generate new designs with greater speed and efficiency. The modeling of such a design is a fairly involved process, where the designer must use solid modeling, as well as surface modeling.
  
  
• Design methodology/approach:
  The approach used is kept fairly consistent for the parts involved. In general, most parts comprise complex curvatures, delineated by 3-dimensional curves. These curves are generated out of 2-D splines created after a blueprint. The surfaces will be created utilizing the features loft, fill, sweep, extrude, and revolve, for the most part. Once the basic shape is done, a series of fillets, splits, and mirrors are added in order to create a finished part. Once the part is done, the cosmetic appearances are added to it and the part is rendered.
  
  
• Description
  
  
  • Propeller: This device consists of a rotating hub and blades that form a helical spiral, which transforms rotational power into linear thrust by acting upon a working fluid. When the propeller turns, it creates a pressure difference between the two surfaces; as this happens, the water is accelerated in one direction, meaning the craft will move in the opposite direction as per newton's laws of motion.
    
    The model begins by revolving a sketch around a central axis and performing an extruded cut on it's back to make it hollow on the inside. Then, two rectangular sketches at different angles are lofted together, creating the basic shape of one of the blades. The blade is then filleted on the front and bottom portions, keeping a sharp edge on the back of it. Finally, the blade is patterned all around the central hub.
    
    
  • Radar: The radar on this model is a rotating "X band" marine radar. It emits microwaves in a narrow vertical fan-shaped beam, perpendicular to the long axis of the antenna. Any physical objects will reflect microwaves back into the antenna, allowing for ships and obstructions to be displayed on the radar screen.
    
    The model starts by extruding half of the antenna's main body. A lip is created and filleted by a series of extrusion operations. A bolt is then made and patterned utilizing the boss, fillet, and cut extrude features. The half-body is then mirrored across its midplane, and the lettering is added by splitting the front face with a text sketch.
    
    

  
  
  

  • Hull: The hull is the watertight body of a yacht. This yacht has what is commonly known as a displacement hull, meaning it is supported predominantly by buoyancy. This particular predator has a narrower hull for higher speeds and agility, having a total length of 32.9m and a width (referred to as beam) of 6.30 m.
    
    The modeling process is as follows: The hull starts as a series of composite curves that contain the information of the hull's basic outline and shape. Using a combination of lofted, extruded, boundary, and fill surfaces, the basic shape of the hull is modeled. The window and top deck details are then added, almost exclusively using profile sweeps, fillets, and offset-surface cuts. Then, the railing is made by extruding a circular profile along a modified composite curve. Afterwards, the trailing edge is modeled, mainly consisting of revolved boss features. Finally, the hull is mirrored and the materials are applied to it.
    
  • Garage Door: Being a luxury yacht, the Sunseeker Predator 108 contains a garage area at the stern of the boat. This allows for time saving when traveling around the world, as well as having more options for travel.
    
    The modeling starts in a different than usual way. The part is first split off the main hull by using a series of cut-extrude, and then the feature "split" is used, removing the garage's volume from the boat, and saving it to a different part. Since we removed the volume of the garage's inside, most of the material is removed from the saved part, leaving only the door. The part is then filleted, shelled, and a groove for the hinge is added. Finally, the part is mirrored and a text containing the yacht's brand is added with a surface-offset cut-extrude.
  • Front seat: No yacht would be complete without seats. The front seats feature a modern, stylish look. These seats offer a panoramic view out of the front.
    
    The modeling process starts by knitting and stitching a series of lofted, extruded, and filled surfaces. A sketch of the seat profile is made on one of the surfaces, and it is then revolved off a vertical axis far behind the sketch, giving the seats a slight curve. The design is then mirrored, and everything is smoothed out with fillets and domes.
    
    
    
    
    
    
  • Middle seat: The middle seats feature a center table, perfect for eating or drinking.
    
    The seats' base is made by extruding and offsetting an L-shaped sketch. The seats are then extruded out of a similar, yet narrower profile. The design is then filleted before being mirrored. Finally, the table is added by extruding and offsetting a rectangular profile a couple of times.
    
    
    
  • Rear seat: The rear seat features a very prominent backrest that gives the whole yacht a sleek look. On it also rest the tubular swing doors leading up from the stairs, and contains a door for accessing an interior compartment as well.
    
    The modeling for the rear seat is the most complex so far. The most difficult part is the beginning geometry. A variety of features were used, including surface sweeps, surface offsets, surface trims, ruled surfaces, surface extensions, and surface lofts. Once the surfaces were knitted together, solid geometry was created. From then on, the seats were created using only extrudes and fillets. The swing doors were then created by using a swept base; finally, a flag was created by lofting together 4 different 3D sketches.
  • Superstructure: The superstructure is the most easily visible part on the ship, thus, it must keep fashion and commodity as it's main design drivers. Traditionally, a cruising yacht superstructure was built using steel or aluminum. Lately, however, most superstructures are made of fiberglass laminate composites, allowing for structural weight reduction, fuel consumption reduction maintenance cost reduction; and inert behavior regarding the steel structure, thus avoiding galvanic corrosion.
    
    The modeling process starts by creating the lower side walls of the superstructure. By a series of composite curves, 3D sketches, and lofted surfaces, a series of surfaces are created and knitted together. The same principle applies for modeling the upper part of this superstructure, albeit with different curves, and utilizing a variety of techniques, such as fill surfaces, ruled surfaces, trim surfaces, and extended surfaces. The surfaces are then knitted, and the work on the front part of the superstructure begins. Here, we use a combination of solid 3D modeling, along with surface modeling, since creating some shapes is easier using solid geometry rather than surfaces. Then, the details on the windows are added using extruded, offset-from-surface cuts. The model is then mirrored and fused in order to create a solid body. Finally, the non-mirrored details are added, such as the window wipers and window wiper supports.
    
    
    
    
    
  • Radar mast: This is the structure that holds the marine radar as well as other optional instruments such as sonar, two-way marine radio, satellite navigation (GNSS) receivers (such as GPS) and emergency locators
    
    The modeling process starts by creating a couple of solid geometry, one extruded and one revolved. A sweep operation is then used, along with normal extrusions in order to create the tubular supports. The post for the radar is then added by a series of extrusions, along with the tubular support structure for the lights. The model is then mirrored and merged to create a single solid geometry.
  
  
  
  
• Assembly: The model is then assembled together. Since reference surfaces were used when creating the parts, most of the geometry is already in place. For the components that were not modeled after reference surfaces, such as the radar and propeller, coincident mates are needed.
  
  
  
  
  

Camera setup: A series of cameras were set up in order to capture the front, back, hull, superstructure, and seating portions of the yacht.

Final renders:

• Conclusion: In this project I have showcased my approach and methodology to recreate the Sunseeker Predator 108 yacht in SOLIDWORKS. I have explained what each part does and how each part was created. I have shown my approach to modeling each part, as well as shown images of the process.