Setting up a sales and distribution network, which might result in several orders, will move production to be simultaneous rather than consecutive. Chris told my partner that he could now build three boats at a time, with impeccable organization and some help, and they would still be completely “handcrafted”. In their most productive years, the Riva yard built no more than a few hundred boats anually in their small factory on Lago Iseo in northern Italy (reputedly fewer than 4000 in 4 decades), and each was as good as you could get, for the 3000 hours! reputedly lavished on them.

Perlita of course is the beneficiary of this early-stage handcrafting business, and the quality of work being done bringing Perlita back to life will last for many, many years. 

As always, a great comment. BTW, I am sure ‘pedal to the metal’ will be a fun occasional option; used with discretion 

Something that’s been on my mind recently, which I pick up on in this post, is the notion that, if the success of your business is dependent, to a greater extent, on your own direct involvement, it’s unsustainable.

I admire the artisanship reflected in so many vessels mentioned here – Desafinado, Barchetta, Centaur, Sirena, and Perlita Too – but in order for Sea Sonic to truly take the world by storm, I suspect that Chris will need to ensure that he is not the only one so passionate about the work so that production volume can increase without an impact on quality. I noticed a couple other people in the epic slide show, so I suspect this is already in progress. The ways in which Chris enlists his team and elevates their mentality to that of partners would be very interesting to hear about.

I might add that it would have been nice to hear the background music during the construction slide show continue it’s course, building in intensity and power, finally culminating in images – or video – of the completed Centaur aggressively slicing through heavy chop, spray everywhere, paid models in the back seat unable to contain their genuine excitement for the ride.

I know, I know. Borderline invective for such a warm, graceful machine, but (and this is the gearhead in me speaking) you don’t put a couple 500hp V8s into ANYTHING and then not indulge in the occasional, vulgar display. Hmmm… I wonder if this all stems from the music selection, though.

Here’s to September!