MR54' Pretti Rose

Mussel Ridge 54’ - Integrating technology and innovation with traditional craftsmanship in a new custom lobster boat

Starting with a proven commercial hull design from one of Maine's premier lobster boat builders, our client asked Newport Yacht Builders to develop a lobster yacht that was tailored to the needs of his growing family. Newport Yacht Builder’s expertise in fitting new interiors into existing hulls, developed through numerous large refit projects, was seen as a perfect fit for this project.

The Mussel Ridge 54’ hull and deck were built at Hutchinson Composite in Cushing, Maine. Simultaneously, we built the yacht-finish interior in Newport, R.I. What makes this production-design approach to custom boat building possible is our specialized skills and use of 3D laser-scan and CNC technology.

Once the MR54' bare hull was molded, Newport Yacht Builders recorded its dimensions to within +- .002mm with a 3D Leica laser scanner. We had already created an approved, detailed, 3D model of the boat's interior in the design phase of the project, so we could then use the scanned point-cloud file to "fit" the approved model exactly within the envelope of the scan. From this, 3D production files for all interior components were developed and sent to our CNC cutter. The first components to be delivered were the bulkheads, which were cut in Newport at our facility and installed at Hutchinson in Maine, with a perfect fit.

All interior components were then built the same way in Newport, in advance of the arrival of the hull from Maine. Interior "modules" were set up on the shop floor and fully assembled, including final paint, plumbing and wiring, then dropped into the hull. Confident in both dimensions and engineering, our craftsmen executed the final product to a precise fit without the cost inefficiencies of traditional templating and the challenge of having overlapping trades working in the boat . Beginning months in advance of the hull's arrival, the project timeline was shortened dramatically.

The MR 54' Hull was built out of the existing Mussel Ridge 48' fiberglass mold and scanned with Newport Yacht Builder’s 3D Leica scanner (top right). A transom extension was formed in place and faired with battens. This is Hutchinson Composites’ first Mussel Ridge 54'.

Our process of “design to build” is all developed in 3D. As seen above, the bulkheads were designed to fit precisely within our 3D model of the as-built hull. The bulkheads were then cut with bevels to match the shape of the hull accurately, as captured by our 3D laser scanner.

The mechanical space was designed to fit a Seakeeper 9 Gyro, integral waste, gray and water Tanks, and Twin Disc transmission; behind this area is the 12 Cylinder MAN, 1550HP diesel.

3D Renderings to Build

The galley and pilot house were designed to comfortably fit all five family members at once, giving an open-plan feel to the combined space.

The boat’s custom bronze hardware arrived in Newport in advance of the boat.

Composition, proportion and custom design—all brought together in the build of MR54 Pretti Rose.

The completed forward module (left) and then the pilothouse with pocket cabin (center) were moved alongside the boat and then lowered in place. (See video below.)