by Bruce N. Crandall
LOA 15' 2", BEAM 74 1/2", DRAFT 7", DISPLACEMENT 963 LBS.
Today’s outboards are big—tomorrow’s will be bigger. This plywood 15-footer is designed to handle the bigger ourboards.
Ths boat is a type of convex bottom developable-surface model that’s designed for ease of construction with sheet plywood and for the greatest possible speeds with large outboard motors consistent with comfort and the ability to drive from forward position. The bottom design is ideal for the amateur builder who wants a family runabout that is noticeably faster than the average factory-built boat of similar size and carrying capacity. The boat has been designed for average use in lakes, rivers and bays where the water is not too rough for high speeds. Water skiing, fishing, family joy riding and cruising are the principal uses for which it is designed. A convertible top is practical if the boat is to be used in comparatively protected waters. Safety at high speeds has in no way been sacrificed in this design as the convex V-bottom has ideal banking characteristics and the flared sides aft eliminate the possibility of chine tripping as well as conventional beveled chines do. However, the added high speed, particularly with a load, is not obtainable without some sacrifice in soft-riding characteristics, so if high-speed use is contemplated in relatively large open waters where a considerable chop is regularly encountered, a somewhat heavier and softer-riding design. As in any developable-surface design there is a very large choice of material which can be used for planking. For example, any type of ood planking can be used instead of plywood, and straight planks can be applied without any spiling if desired. Batten-seam type of construction would ordinarily be the best choice for use with regular wood planking.
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