An Evaluation of Furniture Making Methods for Yachts

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There are mainly three different methods of furniture making for yachts as on-site method, mock-up method and computerized method. On-site method is the oldest and traditional way which has been developed by old talented wooden boat builders. In fact, the method is still alive in many small boatyards where the artisans apply the techniques learned by their masters. Mock-up method separates the construction process into two: boat building and furniture making. Hull, bulkheads, engines installation, mechanical and electrical infrastructure, all are made by a boatyard and furnitures are made by a sub-contractor, which indicates the furniture making is a specialization. Computerized method is the advanced way, developed in the last decade. All furnitures are drawn phase by phase by the sub-contractor's design team in detail and after the drawings are approved, production starts. Time planning, a clear definition of work sharing and responsibility are the key issues of this contemporary system. Within the scope of this study, all methods are explained widely. This study depends on an empirical research realized in furniture making companies and boatyards. Knowledge gained by both unstructured observations of making processes and interviews with responsible persons. Data is evaluated by qualitative methods. It is an attempt to understand the case and in line with its complementary understanding approach, a deductions set is given together with the observations and interviews in each making method. Then, four variables are determined to evaluate the furniture making methods: a. boat size and purpose of use, b. equipment and organizational capacity of furniture company, c. making time, and d. tolerance for decision changes. As a conclusion, three different methods of furniture makingdemonstrate three different work scales, but not the quality of end product.