Anthony is a man who values functionality in his boats. When he ordered his custom Dorado 25 in 2019, he had very specific ideas of how he wanted the boat set up, and Dorado delivered a great product. However, it isn’t until you put a boat through its paces that you fully understand exactly what you need. Over the first two years of using his Dorado, Anthony began building a mental checklist of refinements to make the boat perfect.
Anthony’s beautiful custom Dorado 25 meets his needs perfectly, but after several years of use, he identified several upgrades he wanted, including a new helm box.
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Getting in Touch
Once he knew exactly what he wanted, he reached out to Dorado to discuss the upgrades, and Dorado directed him to their supplier, Boat Outfitters. Anthony completed the Custom Order form on the Boat Outfitters Website and very quickly got in touch with Jason Strub, a Boat Outfitters project manager. Over the next few weeks, the two of them discussed Anthony’s needs and developed designs to make his Dorado perfect.
Redesigning the Helm Box
The most significant project was redesigning the helm box. While the original box was functional, it had several issues that were problematic. The first was a lack of visibility to his electronics, specifically his GPS, when the helm box door was closed. Second, the design of the door allowed water to leak into the box when he was running in bad conditions or when he was washing the boat down after a trip. While these two issues might have been addressed by modifying the existing helm box, Anthony also wanted to enlarge the box to allow space for his phone and keys. This meant he needed an entirely new unit.
The top portion of the original door was hinged, but the bottom portion dropped into slots. If it was not removed & stowed, it made the multifunction display hard to see. The original box was also prone to leaking around the edges.
The new helm box positions the MFD higher so that the MFD is unobstructed even when the lower section is closed. Keeping the lower section closed provides a convenient storage area for car keys, phones and other small items.
Working With a Project Manager
As Anthony and Jason worked together, they began to design a helm box based on a box Anthony had seen on a SeaVee, then modified it to meet Anthony’s needs. While hinged doors, gaskets, and increased depth were the primary objectives, they also decided to modify the frame to accommodate a VHF mount, improving both functionality and aesthetics. The new helm box would now address the previous box’s issues and add function and form to the helm. Anthony planned to install the new helm box unit himself, but to simplify the installation, Boat Outfitters pre-cut the openings for each of the components that would be mounted inside the box.
The project was a smooth process for both the customer and the Boat Outfitters project manager, and Anthony took the opportunity to add a few smaller projects to the list, including an improved weight tray with a storage box and a heavier duty filet table.
Anthony installed the new helm box himself, but openings for the electronic units were CNC-cut by Boat Outfitters.
When closed, the new helm box keeps the boat’s electronics dry and secure but still easily visible.
Custom Project Tips
If you are considering an improvement to your boat, there are a few things that can ensure that your project goes as smoothly as Anthony’s. Here are some tips:
Know What you Want:
Before beginning the project, Anthony had formed a clear idea of what he wanted. While the original issues were to address the GPS visibility and the leakage, Anthony thought about the project more broadly and considered other improvements he might want. By the time he called Boat Outfitters, he knew exactly what he wanted which minimized design changes and expedited the delivery.
Communication is Key:
Most custom pprojects will require some back-and-forth between the customer and the Boat Outfitters project manager to fully understand the design requirements and ensure that every detail is accounted for. Both Anthony and Jason kept the conversation moving and were quick to respond to questions throughout the project. In many cases, most of the communication will be via email to allow the exchange of photos, diagrams and detailed questions.
Most custom pprojects will require some back-and-forth between the customer and the Boat Outfitters.
Know your Priorities:
Anthony was clear from the beginning that functionality was the primary priority, but that aesthetics were important in the project. This clarity allowed his project manager to look for additional ways to create the best solution possible. Small considerations like the modified frame to accommodate the GPS mount were a direct result of the customer and project manager both understanding the priorities.
Have the Right Expectations:
Anthony’s project took about six weeks from the initial contact to delivery, with roughly two weeks of that focused on refining the design and four weeks to produce the actual helm box. A four-week build time is fairly standard for similar projects, but this can vary based on the time of year as boat project requests can be highly seasonal. Make sure you discuss timeframes at the beginning of your project to ensure all parties have the right expectations. Remember that, while the build time is fairly predictable, the amount of time to complete the design depends on both how well the customer understands what they want and how responsive they are.
On every boat, there is an opportunity to improve both function and form. Anthony recognized early on that he didn’t have to live with the small nuisances that can grate the nerves over time. A leaky helm box that is not fully functional can impact the overall enjoyment of the entire boat. Anthony took the time to fully consider how to improve one component of his boat, and in the end ended up with the boat he had always wanted.