by David D. Beach
LOA 18' 1 3/4", BEAM 7.
Easy-building plywood tailors Tunny to the blue-water angler. She’ll return maximum safety for minimum cost.
The finny denizens of the briny I deep inspired the design shown on the pages of this article. “Tunny” is the fisherman’s name for the tuna, the far-ranging wanderer of the oceans whose beautiful form makes either an excellent trophy or a delicious meal. Often found well within the cruising range of this boat, they are the basis of a widespread sports fishing activity from Cat Cay in the Bahamas up the Atlantic Coast to Wedgeport, Nova Scotia. Enthusiasts pursue them in all types of craft, and it is not at all unlikely that many outboard-powered craft like Tunny will soon join the fleets of the big-game sports fishermen. Tunny need not, however, be built solely for the pursuit of game fish, as the basic boat is the type becoming more and more popular for day cruising and for general fun afloat. The removal of the little king post, the outriggers and the swivel chairs makes a big after cockpit available for swimming gear, ski equipment or folding furniture to suit. As can be seen on the lines plan, Tunny is an 18-footer with a beam of a bit over 7’, and ample freeboard fore and aft. The freeboard was selected to make a spray-free boat and to provide for a full hatch over the twin 35 hp motors which will drive the boat at a full 27 to 28 statute miles per hour when loaded with four adults and four tanks of fuel.
The deck is raised a bit forward to rovide a pleasing proffle and to give a measure of protection against the weather. While a long side screen is shown, the boat may be fitted with a shorter side screen for the windsield, or a large plastic wraparound windshield can be installed. The boat is characterized by a full-length flare which makes the deck edge the widest part of the boat throughout. The well-rounded V-sections forward, for plywood planking, are derived from a series of very successful predecessors, all of which have proven to be exceptionally seaworthy and seakindly. The planing bottom is a full 6’ across the chines, which provides an ample load-carrying area for the thrust of motors up to a total of about 80 hp. As shown on the body-plan section of the lines plan, the transom is designed for a twin-motor cutout, for motors to be used on the standard 15” transom. Of course, longer motors can be used, but they will project above the deck line.
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