Whether they’re willing to admit it or not, every business experiences growing pains. And that’s a good thing; after all, who ever learned anything without being challenged? The 153-foot Ingot is, in my opinion, one of the best examples in the marine world of what can be accomplished when faced with difficulty.
Four years ago, Burger Boat Company signed a contract with an experienced American yachtsman for a megayacht that would not only be its largest to date, but also allow the American yard to be more competitive in the global market. The project, to be named Time for Us, was to be Burger’s most complex engineering-wise and design-wise. To meet the challenges, Burger doubled its workforce during the early stages, brought in new machinery, and had its craftsmen learn new skills, among other things. Adding to the tests: a seven-hour time-zone difference between Vripack, which handled both naval architecture and interior design, and Burger’s Wisconsin headquarters. Consider that previously, most of Burger’s projects were engineered and designed literally steps away from the fabrication floor.
Unfortunately, partly through construction, the owner and Burger parted ways, and work stopped for a while. But Burger’s chairman, Howard Meyers, decided to finish the boat to show what the craftsmen were capable of. It was a risky move, to be sure. But having toured Ingot, the name he and his wife christened her with, I can safely say it was the right move.
One smart engineering feature: incorporating the cranes for the tenders, stowed on the aft deck, into the bulwarks. The flush design means you don’t see them unless you know they’re there. The rescue tender sits on the main aft deck, too. This is another smart move, making it easier to launch versus from higher up. A pair of PWCs with their own Nautical Structures knuckle-boom crane sits on the foredeck. All of this additionally frees up the bridge deck and sundeck for relaxation.
Speaking of freeing up, take a look at the engine room above. Pretty spacious, right? Trust me when I say the photo doesn’t do it justice. It’s actually one of the most cavernous engine rooms I’ve ever seen on a yacht this size. The twin Caterpillar 3508s are practically swallowed up, and I estimated a good three to four feet of overhead clearance for each. Doug Borys, the project manager, explained that access to primary as well as secondary equipment was a priority. As is customary on many megayachts, there’s also a soundproof, air-conditioned monitoring room just inside the entrance to the engine room. But on Ingot, there’s a twist: Instead of having just one entrance/exit, it has an additional door forward, yielding direct access to one of the Northern Lights gensets.
Smart features like this abound aboard Ingot. I particularly liked the recessed handrail along the staircase rising through all four decks (next to a wheelchair-accessible elevator, to boot). Most owners, designers, and yards employ traditional handrails on staircases. While there’s nothing wrong with that approach, recessing it yields a cleaner look. I also believe you feel safer, given that your hand cups inside the recess. It’s interesting to note that from an execution standpoint, it’s far more labor-intensive, thereby helping Burger better show what its craftsmen can do.
Ingot shows off their joinery skills on many levels. Curved, molded, and radiused Honduras mahogany panels appear throughout, as seen above in the master. Additionally, Burger says there are 104 custom pillars, each with maple burl inlays. I noticed that the grains of raised panels aligned perfectly with those of the rest of the wood. Oftentimes they’re at an angle instead. So, the positioning aboard Ingot is once again a more time-consuming approach.
Ingot has a lot going for her, as you can tell. As a result, so does Burger. Vripack has nothing but praise for the yard’s job. So, too, do the competitors who were aboard with me. Burger rose to multiple challenges to earn respect in a new size range and category of complexity.
Kat
Buautiful! Luxurious!
Mary Jane Kaloupek
Lady INGOT, we well remember your grace, beauty & comfort, your elegant & gracious Owners & your masterful Captain & devoted crew. Those wonderful sunsets & HMM’s favorite soundtrack & Mana Mia are etched in our hearts & minds. MJK.DRK