diff --git a/src/main/java/seng302/gameServer/GameState.java b/src/main/java/seng302/gameServer/GameState.java
index 41c619b7..8ff2556c 100644
--- a/src/main/java/seng302/gameServer/GameState.java
+++ b/src/main/java/seng302/gameServer/GameState.java
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import seng302.utilities.XMLParser;
 import javax.xml.parsers.DocumentBuilder;
 import javax.xml.parsers.DocumentBuilderFactory;
 import java.util.*;
+import seng302.visualiser.fxObjects.assets_3D.BoatMeshType;
 
 /**
  * A Static class to hold information about the current state of the game (model)
@@ -704,7 +705,7 @@ public class GameState implements Runnable {
             playerYacht.setBoatColor(yachtColor);
         } else if (requestType.equals(CustomizeRequestType.SHAPE)) {
             String type = new String(customizeData);
-            playerYacht.setBoatType(type);
+            playerYacht.setBoatType(BoatMeshType.valueOf(type));
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/seng302/gameServer/ServerToClientThread.java b/src/main/java/seng302/gameServer/ServerToClientThread.java
index 728e6adb..eb5a9ad0 100644
--- a/src/main/java/seng302/gameServer/ServerToClientThread.java
+++ b/src/main/java/seng302/gameServer/ServerToClientThread.java
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import seng302.model.stream.packets.PacketType;
 import seng302.model.stream.packets.StreamPacket;
 import seng302.model.stream.xml.generator.RaceXMLTemplate;
 import seng302.utilities.XMLGenerator;
+import seng302.visualiser.fxObjects.assets_3D.BoatMeshType;
 
 /**
  * A class describing a single connection to a Client for the purposes of sending and receiving on
@@ -125,7 +126,7 @@ public class ServerToClientThread implements Runnable {
         lName = all.get(ThreadLocalRandom.current().nextInt(0, all.size()));
 
         ServerYacht yacht = new ServerYacht(
-                "DINGHY", sourceId, sourceId.toString(), fName, fName + " " + lName, "NZ"
+            BoatMeshType.DINGHY, sourceId, sourceId.toString(), fName, fName + " " + lName, "NZ"
         );
 
         player = new Player(socket, yacht);
diff --git a/src/main/java/seng302/model/ClientYacht.java b/src/main/java/seng302/model/ClientYacht.java
index 1ebaa3fc..2bc1ed91 100644
--- a/src/main/java/seng302/model/ClientYacht.java
+++ b/src/main/java/seng302/model/ClientYacht.java
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import javafx.beans.property.ReadOnlyLongWrapper;
 import javafx.scene.paint.Color;
 import org.slf4j.Logger;
 import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;
+import seng302.visualiser.fxObjects.assets_3D.BoatMeshType;
 
 /**
  * Yacht class for the racing boat. <p> Class created to store more variables (eg. boat statuses)
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ public class ClientYacht extends Observable {
     private Logger logger = LoggerFactory.getLogger(ClientYacht.class);
 
 
-    private String boatType;
+    private BoatMeshType boatType;
     private Integer sourceId;
     private String hullID; //matches HullNum in the XML spec.
     private String shortName;
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ public class ClientYacht extends Observable {
     private ReadOnlyIntegerWrapper placingProperty = new ReadOnlyIntegerWrapper();
     private Color colour;
 
-    public ClientYacht(String boatType, Integer sourceId, String hullID, String shortName,
+    public ClientYacht(BoatMeshType boatType, Integer sourceId, String hullID, String shortName,
         String boatName, String country) {
         this.boatType = boatType;
         this.sourceId = sourceId;
@@ -88,7 +89,7 @@ public class ClientYacht extends Observable {
         super.addObserver(o);
     }
 
-    public String getBoatType() {
+    public BoatMeshType getBoatType() {
         return boatType;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/seng302/model/ServerYacht.java b/src/main/java/seng302/model/ServerYacht.java
index 99314776..e7d936ca 100644
--- a/src/main/java/seng302/model/ServerYacht.java
+++ b/src/main/java/seng302/model/ServerYacht.java
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import seng302.utilities.GeoUtility;
 import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.Observable;
 import java.util.Observer;
+import seng302.visualiser.fxObjects.assets_3D.BoatMeshType;
 
 /**
  * Yacht class for the racing boat. <p> Class created to store more variables (eg. boat statuses)
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ public class ServerYacht {
     public static final Double TURN_STEP = 5.0;
 
     //Boat info
-    private String boatType;
+    private BoatMeshType boatType;
     private Integer sourceId;
     private String hullID; //matches HullNum in the XML spec.
     private String shortName;
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ public class ServerYacht {
     private Long powerUpStartTime;
 
 
-    public ServerYacht(String boatType, Integer sourceId, String hullID, String shortName,
+    public ServerYacht(BoatMeshType boatType, Integer sourceId, String hullID, String shortName,
         String boatName, String country) {
         this.boatType = boatType;
         this.boatStatus = BoatStatus.PRESTART;
@@ -421,11 +422,11 @@ public class ServerYacht {
         return boatColor;
     }
 
-    public void setBoatType(String boatType) {
+    public void setBoatType(BoatMeshType boatType) {
         this.boatType = boatType;
     }
 
-    public String getBoatType() {
+    public BoatMeshType getBoatType() {
         return boatType;
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/main/java/seng302/utilities/XMLParser.java b/src/main/java/seng302/utilities/XMLParser.java
index 7a8bbac4..71da1248 100644
--- a/src/main/java/seng302/utilities/XMLParser.java
+++ b/src/main/java/seng302/utilities/XMLParser.java
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import seng302.model.stream.xml.parser.RaceXMLData;
 import seng302.model.stream.xml.parser.RegattaXMLData;
 import seng302.model.token.Token;
 import seng302.model.token.TokenType;
+import seng302.visualiser.fxObjects.assets_3D.BoatMeshType;
 
 /**
  * Utilities for parsing XML documents
@@ -139,7 +140,7 @@ public class XMLParser {
             if (currentBoat.getNodeName().equals("Boat")) {
 //                    Boat boat = new Boat(currentBoat);
                 ClientYacht yacht = new ClientYacht(
-                    XMLParser.getNodeAttributeString(currentBoat, "Type"),
+                    BoatMeshType.valueOf(XMLParser.getNodeAttributeString(currentBoat, "Type")),
                     XMLParser.getNodeAttributeInt(currentBoat, "SourceID"),
                     XMLParser.getNodeAttributeString(currentBoat, "HullNum"),
                     XMLParser.getNodeAttributeString(currentBoat, "ShortName"),
diff --git a/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/GameView3D.java b/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/GameView3D.java
index 73815023..63d0203d 100644
--- a/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/GameView3D.java
+++ b/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/GameView3D.java
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ public class GameView3D {
         final List<Group> wakes = new ArrayList<>();
         for (ClientYacht clientYacht : yachts) {
             Color colour = clientYacht.getColour();
-            newBoat = new BoatObject(BoatMeshType.getBoatMeshType(clientYacht.getBoatType()));
+            newBoat = new BoatObject(clientYacht.getBoatType());
             newBoat.setFill(colour);
             boatObjects.put(clientYacht, newBoat);
             wakesGroup.getChildren().add(newBoat.getWake());
diff --git a/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/controllers/cells/PlayerCell.java b/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/controllers/cells/PlayerCell.java
index adba9968..21bd6644 100644
--- a/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/controllers/cells/PlayerCell.java
+++ b/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/controllers/cells/PlayerCell.java
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ public class PlayerCell {
         this.playerId = playerId;
         this.name = yacht.getBoatName();
         this.boatColor = yacht.getColour();
-        this.boatType = BoatMeshType.getBoatMeshType(yacht.getBoatType());
+        this.boatType = yacht.getBoatType();
     }
 
     public void initialize() {
diff --git a/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/controllers/dialogs/BoatCustomizeController.java b/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/controllers/dialogs/BoatCustomizeController.java
index 9926cc27..4b02ac9a 100644
--- a/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/controllers/dialogs/BoatCustomizeController.java
+++ b/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/controllers/dialogs/BoatCustomizeController.java
@@ -111,8 +111,8 @@ public class BoatCustomizeController implements Initializable{
         this.lobbyController = lobbyController;
     }
 
-    public void setCurrentBoat(String boatType) {
-        currentBoat = BoatMeshType.getBoatMeshType(boatType);
+    public void setCurrentBoat(BoatMeshType boatType) {
+        currentBoat = boatType;
         displayCurrentBoat();
     }
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/fxObjects/assets_3D/BoatMeshType.java b/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/fxObjects/assets_3D/BoatMeshType.java
index 947a63f5..65c9714c 100644
--- a/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/fxObjects/assets_3D/BoatMeshType.java
+++ b/src/main/java/seng302/visualiser/fxObjects/assets_3D/BoatMeshType.java
@@ -29,19 +29,6 @@ public enum BoatMeshType {
         this.fixedSail = fixedSail;
     }
 
-    public static BoatMeshType getBoatMeshType(String boatType) {
-        switch (boatType){
-            case "DINGHY":
-                return DINGHY;
-            case "CAT_ATE_A_MERINGUE":
-                return CAT_ATE_A_MERINGUE;
-            case "PIRATE_SHIP":
-                return PIRATE_SHIP;
-            default:
-                return DINGHY;
-        }
-    }
-
 
     //TODO kre39 make something not terrible to cycle through boat types
     public static BoatMeshType getNextBoatType(BoatMeshType boatType) {
diff --git a/src/test/java/seng302/model/UpdateYachtTest.java b/src/test/java/seng302/model/UpdateYachtTest.java
index 7eaaf990..79c02cb2 100644
--- a/src/test/java/seng302/model/UpdateYachtTest.java
+++ b/src/test/java/seng302/model/UpdateYachtTest.java
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import org.junit.Before;
 import org.junit.Test;
 import seng302.gameServer.GameState;
 import seng302.utilities.GeoUtility;
+import seng302.visualiser.fxObjects.assets_3D.BoatMeshType;
 
 import static seng302.gameServer.GameState.checkCollision;
 
@@ -14,8 +15,10 @@ import static seng302.gameServer.GameState.checkCollision;
  */
 public class UpdateYachtTest {
 
-    private ServerYacht yacht1 = new ServerYacht("Yacht", 1, "1", "Yacht" + 1, "Yacht" + 1, "Test1");
-    private ServerYacht yacht2 = new ServerYacht("Yacht", 2, "2", "Yacht" + 2, "Yacht" + 2, "Test2");
+    private ServerYacht yacht1 = new ServerYacht(BoatMeshType.DINGHY, 1, "1", "Yacht" + 1,
+        "Yacht" + 1, "Test1");
+    private ServerYacht yacht2 = new ServerYacht(BoatMeshType.DINGHY, 2, "2", "Yacht" + 2,
+        "Yacht" + 2, "Test2");
     private GeoPoint geoPoint1 = new GeoPoint(50.0, 50.0);
     private GeoPoint geoPoint2 = GeoUtility.getGeoCoordinate(geoPoint1, 90.0, 50.0);
 
diff --git a/src/test/java/seng302/models/YachtTest.java b/src/test/java/seng302/models/YachtTest.java
index 3f342ff5..b73dc61c 100644
--- a/src/test/java/seng302/models/YachtTest.java
+++ b/src/test/java/seng302/models/YachtTest.java
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import org.junit.AfterClass;
 import org.junit.BeforeClass;
 import seng302.gameServer.GameState;
 import seng302.model.ServerYacht;
+import seng302.visualiser.fxObjects.assets_3D.BoatMeshType;
 
 
 public class YachtTest {
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ public class YachtTest {
     @BeforeClass
     public static void setUp() {
         new GameState("localhost");
-        y1 = new ServerYacht("Yacht", 1, "Y1", "Y1", "Yacht 1", "C1");
+        y1 = new ServerYacht(BoatMeshType.DINGHY, 1, "Y1", "Y1", "Yacht 1", "C1");
         gs = new GameState("localhost");
     }
 
diff --git a/src/test/java/seng302/utilities/BoatMeshTypeTest.java b/src/test/java/seng302/utilities/BoatMeshTypeTest.java
index baca1b14..743c7f1e 100644
--- a/src/test/java/seng302/utilities/BoatMeshTypeTest.java
+++ b/src/test/java/seng302/utilities/BoatMeshTypeTest.java
@@ -25,11 +25,4 @@ public class BoatMeshTypeTest {
         Assert.assertEquals(BoatMeshType.DINGHY, prevBoat);
     }
 
-    @Test
-    public void testGetBoatMeshType() {
-        BoatMeshType currentBoat = BoatMeshType.getBoatMeshType("DINGHY");
-        Assert.assertEquals(BoatMeshType.DINGHY, currentBoat);
-        BoatMeshType wrongBoat = BoatMeshType.getBoatMeshType("NOT A REAL BOAT");
-        Assert.assertEquals(BoatMeshType.DINGHY, wrongBoat);
-    }
 }
diff --git a/src/test/java/seng302/visualiser/map/BoatSailAnimationToggleTest.java b/src/test/java/seng302/visualiser/map/BoatSailAnimationToggleTest.java
index 70c5c80b..9e95f169 100644
--- a/src/test/java/seng302/visualiser/map/BoatSailAnimationToggleTest.java
+++ b/src/test/java/seng302/visualiser/map/BoatSailAnimationToggleTest.java
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import static org.junit.Assert.assertTrue;
 import org.junit.Before;
 import org.junit.Test;
 import seng302.model.ClientYacht;
+import seng302.visualiser.fxObjects.assets_3D.BoatMeshType;
 
 /**
  * Created by kre39 on 6/08/17.
@@ -16,7 +17,7 @@ public class BoatSailAnimationToggleTest {
 
     @Before
     public void setup() throws Exception{
-        yacht = new ClientYacht("Yacht", 1, "YACHT", "YAC", "Test Yacht", "NZ");
+        yacht = new ClientYacht(BoatMeshType.DINGHY, 1, "YACHT", "YAC", "Test Yacht", "NZ");
     }
 
     @Test