Owner Services » Follow a Najad Build
Iain & Janet Simpson are 'serial' Najad owners. In 2002 they ordered their first - an N460 that they called 'Song of the Sea'. They sailed her from the Caribbean to Sweden in 2004.
In 2005 they ordered their N511 and made the same journey 2009 - which you can read about here
Now they have ordered the Najad flagship - the N570. We thought it would be useful to current and prospective owners to see the process of how this N570 is built.
So over the coming weeks and months we will follow the build in this section of the website. Be sure to check back often as we update the details of the progress of this exciting N570 build.
The Hull
After the design and the 'semi-custom' build aspects are agreed, the first step is the creation of the hull. This takes place at our own purpose-built facility, HMS.
Technical Systems
The technical systems preinstallation phase is now finished with tanks, heaters, the rig hydraulic unit, electrical wires, chain plates and teak deck now in place.
Interior Woodwork
Najad yachts are renowned for the quality of the woodwork and craftsmanship. Here we can see some key areas starting to take shape...
Deck Works
Deck work, steering gear and external fittings mean that the yacht is starting to have that very distinctive '570' look and feel...
The Interior Progresses
Work is progressing well on the forward cabin and the saloon. Corian is being fitted to the forward heads and the interior details are beginning to reveal the interior structure and finish in some detail.
December Update
Work continues well, with the fitting of floorboards, ceiling panels, Dorado valves and Pushpit amongst other work.
End of December
Coming toward the end of 2010 and progress is excellent, with everything taking shape nicely.
End of January 2011
Work contimues apace in January and once again Iain Simpson visit to see progress.
February 2011
Strong progress in February 2011 with interior and exterior work progressing well.
March 2011
With nearly 90% of the work complete, interior and exterior detailing continue.
We interviewed Iain about his experience of Najad ownership, and he was kind enough to share his thoughts:
What influenced your decision to purchase a new Najad in the first place?
The design and sea-worthiness. Other cruising yacht designs that we considered appear to be ‘stuck in a rut’ while Najad have made clear progress with modern design and modern thinking – they have broken away from the slightly dated 1980’s look, which other yards are still relying on.
Najad management were not afraid to get away from the traditional cruising lines and producing more modern, contemporary looking yachts.
Why have you stayed so loyal to Najad?
Quite simply, there was nothing else out there which appealed to us more. We have looked elsewhere but we never felt as comfortable as we do with Najad.
We have built up a level of trust and confidence with the people here, all of whom have good experience with their yachts and in dealing with us as customers – a winning formula – we were not prepared to risk that relationship by dealing with another boat yard.
When compared to other boat yards, the people here at Najad offer a genuine and sincere after-sales service.
As a long-distance cruiser, what key features do you value on a long passage at sea?
From a sailors point of view our previous Najads have always given us total confidence in any sort of weather – not only do these yachts handle bad weather very well, these conditions actually place these yachts in their element.
Much of this ability can be attributed to the judel, vrolijk & co designed hulls, which have impeccable manners and an uncanny ability to convert sail pressure into forward speed.
For example, other quality cruising yachts that I have owned tend to round-up in a gust, the rudder stalls and the mainsheet has to be released quickly, which is most inconvenient. Probably because the hull design is too rounded and the keel is too short.
Najad hulls give you confidence even at 40 knots.
The other aspect I adore is the fixed spray screen at the head of the cockpit.
Unlike a soft screen, this structure will take a good pounding of water and when you experience big seas over the bow there is no detrimental effect whatsoever – you are completed protected and have perfect version through the screen.
Unlike other designs, the height of the coach-roof above the deck is quite low, so height of the spray screen can afford to be noticeably higher than on other comparative yachts.
This means forward vision is better because there is no need for additional plastic windows in the canvass cockpit cover, which are impossible to see through in bad weather anyway.
When compared to others, we much prefer the thinner width of the cockpit coaming on our yacht. On a Najad this is an easy step across to access the side decks and you feel more connected with the yacht, rather than feeling exposed when you step outside of the cockpit on other yachts.
We also love the fact that the companion-way steps are more carved and less steep than on other yachts. These are more like a stairway, rather than a steep ladder, which some yachts have and which we find less comfortable and which you are less inclined to want to use.
When you paid a visit to the factory in Sweden, what aspects about the company, the people or the manufacturing process impressed you the most?
The attitude of the company is one of friendliness and openness, we like the way that you can go from talking in the offices straight through to the production area at the back. You do not have to drive to a new location to see your boat in-build – everything is to hand and you feel more connected to everything that is going on.
When compared to yachts from similar manufacturers, the level of customer involvement and personalisation is second to none. You are made to feel welcome by playing a part in the construction of your own boat - and that is a highly valued and unique feeling.
- Earlier Models
- Follow a Najad Build
- Creating the N570 Hull
- Technical Systems Preinstallation
- The N570 Sail Plan
- Interior Woodwork
- Deck Works
- Interior Progress
- December Update
- End of December
- End of January 2011
- February 2011
- March 2011
- March 2011 (Part 2)
- Transport to the marina
- Launching in the Najadvarvet Marina
- First sail away
- Sailing to Hamble/UK
- Register your Najad
- Owner Associations