Waterline Marine Spearfishing watercraft simultaneously integrates the ease of entry and exit to the craft with the appropriate spearfishing equipment storage, making the process of spearfishing easier and more enjoyable. It transports up to 5 persons and offers optimum stability at rest due to the catamaran hull. The shallow draft of the hull allows access hard to reach dive locations.

Choose a subject area and research to find a design opportunity. Spearfishing is a hobbie of mine so I found it interesting to research and this helped to motivate me throughout the project.

After primary/observational research was conducted these were the findings that led the design innovation:

- Poor accessibility to the water (entry and exit from craft).
- Spearfishing equipment was dropped and left on floor to get damaged.
- Float lines left on the floor and tangle into an unusable mess.
- Spatial layout of a boat is not set-up for spearfishing.

Creating a system or flow in procedures to making process easier to dive was the aim of the project.

Once a system was developed the design and spatial layout of the craft could be developed. Key criteria were the usability, functionality, and point of difference within this product. Importantly allowing the diver to enter and exit the craft seamlessly and access their equipment from the water.

The project started with a 3month research stage where many different types of research methodology were used. To begin with typical secondary research (existing research) was collected, and then primary research (self-conducted) was carried out. After this the development stage of the concept through to the product testing and prototype stage.

- 50 surveys were completed by experienced spearfishermen to gather quantitative data of spearfishing experience aspects, competitor analysis, and user needs and wants.

- Collaboration and discussions with focus groups of spearfishing experts to refine the quantitative data and direct towards concept generation.

- Observational dives with spearfishermen to understand not only the process but also to find where problems and issues arose. User experience documentation.

- Compiling all research findings and outcomes to develop design specifications of the craft. Size, measurements, weights, equipment storage, layout, systems, flotation/buoyancy and powering.

- Sketching ideas and visual aesthetics, renderings and drawings of concept generation.

- Concept evaluation through full scale sketching and role plays.

- Full scale sketching on pavement with chalk of concepts to develop a system of entry and exit to the craft and spatial layout.

- Role playing the experience and collaboration with designers to refine spatial layout and equipment storage.

- Testing and mock ups of concept generations for equipment storage and systems with cardboard, polystyrene, plywood and recycled materials.

- Full scale 1:1 Prototype. Polystyrene and plywood craft tested for usability and functionality on water with systems and role plays. Concept was proven viable through this testing.

- CAD 3D modeling to assign materials and refinement of details.

Careful selection of materials suitable for the marine environment and lifecycle of the product. Durable marine grade aluminum has been used, even though there is a negative environmental impact due to the extraction process of aluminum the positives of using this material outweighs the negatives. This craft can be used not only for recreational fishing but also for commercial fishing, research diving and dive charters.