Every boat needs maintenance. For 3D-printed boats, we are developing what that service should look like.
No matter what material a boat is made from, time on the water takes its toll. Regular maintenance is part of owning and operating any vessel. But when the boat itself is produced through large-scale 3D printing, what should a proper service programme look like?
There is no established standard for this yet. So we are developing our own.
After two years of having Tanaruz boats in the water, we have been able to learn from real use rather than assumptions. We have studied the market, looked at how other boats are serviced and, most importantly, seen how our own boats have handled two years on the water and the demands of the rental industry.
That includes everything you would expect from regular boat use, and a few things you probably would not. There has even been an occasion where romance was involved. No joke.
What does servicing a 3D-printed boat involve?
Our maintenance programme is designed to look at the boat as a complete system, rather than focusing only on the printed hull.
A service inspection includes a thorough cleaning inside and out, inspection of the hull, engine testing, electronics and battery checks, and inspection of the safety equipment, among other points.
The exact service requirements will continue to evolve as we gather more experience. The goal is to create a clear and repeatable process that makes it possible to identify issues early and keep every boat ready for the season ahead.
From maintenance to a standard operating procedure
As we prepare for the next boating season, the boats in our rental fleet will follow a dedicated maintenance SOP.
This gives our team a structured way to inspect, maintain and prepare each boat before it goes back on the water. It also gives us a framework we can continue to improve as we learn more from the boats and their users.
For a relatively new approach to boat manufacturing, this is an important part of the development process. Building the boat is only one part of creating a reliable product. Understanding how it performs over time, how it should be maintained and how that maintenance can be standardised is equally important.
Taking care of the boat, and the people using it
For us, good boat maintenance is not simply about making a vessel look spotless.
It is about keeping the boat in good condition, identifying potential problems before they become bigger issues and making sure customers can enjoy their time on the water with confidence.
As Tanaruz boats continue to accumulate time on the water, our maintenance programme will continue to evolve with them. The aim is straightforward: build a service standard that matches the boats we want to put on the water.