Project:
Aviara 26
Aviara 26
/Aviara/26
Project:
01. -
Aviara 26
Overview
As the lead design engineer, I contributed to the conceptual design and development of the Aviara 26, an intended smaller sibling to the flagship Aviara AV28 luxury day boat/bowrider. The project aimed to expand Aviara’s lineup by scaling down the AV28’s premium attributes—progressive European styling, modern comfort, precise power, and uncompromising luxury—into a more compact 26-foot platform while preserving big-water capability, expansive social space, and high-end refinement. Targeted at owners seeking luxury day boating in a slightly smaller, more maneuverable package, the Aviara 26 was envisioned for coastal and inland waters, accommodating 10–12+ guests with yacht-like amenities, versatile entertainment features, and strong performance suited to varied conditions.
Contribution I played a key role in the conceptual design and development of the Aviara 26 as a scaled-down luxury sibling to the AV28. This included conducting market and reference research on the AV28 to identify scalable premium elements, followed by creating detailed CAD master to visualize the progressive European styling, steep bow angles, open layout, bow and cockpit arrangements, and integration of high-end features in the compact 26-foot format—capturing the AV28’s bold aesthetic and luxurious proportions while adapting them for a more maneuverable size. I also authored the functional requirements and criteria control document, outlining key performance targets, standards, and design constraints to guide the tower project team. I also developed new tower design concept drawings—exploring integrated hard-top, folding tower, or arch options with clean, modern lines, structural integrity, and aesthetic harmony—to enhance watersports capability and provide shade and elevate the boat’s sporty yet refined profile while maintaining seamless integration with the AV28-inspired styling. Collaborating with naval architects and engineering teams, I contributed to refinements through initial CAD dimensional studies to achieve superior performance. I led material selection for upholstery, finishes, hardware, composites, and interior accents, choosing premium marine-grade fabrics, durable yet soft-touch vinyl’s, UV-resistant foams, high-end stainless accents, and gelcoat/color options to elevate tactility, longevity, visual cohesion, and overall luxury feel consistent with Aviara’s positioning. Finally, I developed the CAD master model—including all fiberglass, seating components, and hardware—ensuring precise geometry, structural integrity, seamless fit between parts, ergonomic flow, manufacturability, and production readiness. My work emphasized balanced integration of aesthetics, function, premium detailing, and engineering precision to support Aviara’s high standards for quality and innovation in this lineup-expansion project.
Outcome The Aviara 26 project successfully explored and advanced the concept of a smaller luxury day boat in the Aviara lineup, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to progressive design and luxury without limits by demonstrating scalable refinement from the AV28 flagship. However, the project did not get approved for production and was not manufactured as the company discontinued Aviara operations in August 2024—leading to the permanent closure of its Merritt Island, Florida location. While the specific 26-foot model may have evolved or been positioned differently in the final production lineup, the work contributed valuable insights into compact luxury execution, hull optimization, and premium features. This initiative highlights my expertise in lineup-expansion marine design, collaborative hull development with naval architects, advanced 3D modeling, rendering, and creating boats that maintain flagship-level luxury and performance in smaller, more accessible formats—and market versatility in the premium day boat segment.
