by David D. Beach
Chrome lovers and speedsters, steer clear of this jaunty craft. But if you’re after a good, honest boat with character—welcome aboard.
Everybody has seen big, massive harbor and ocean tugs. These craft storm along with curling bow waves and an air of complete confidence to move anything afloat. Many of us have thought how much we’d like to stand in the wheelhouse of such a vessel and be the master of an honest working boat. There is always something strangely attractive about these unglamorous work craft. A strong fascination with them lies under the surface of many a yachtsman who is not overly happy with high speed, high maintenance, high operating costs and high entertainment expenses. It is to this group (and to others who wish to ally themselves with the rebels against chrome and plastic) that Herculette is offered. Herculette is a lady, some distant relative of those big ocean-going salvage vessels always named Ajax or Hercules. Although she is a bit less huge, she does bear the family resemblance. Her sprightly sheer, raised wheelhouse and short stack all combine to show her unmistakable ancestry. Herculette is several levels above the type of design normally considered by the home builder. She is not, however, an impossible craft to build. Like many other objectives feminine, she is not to be undertaken without serious consideration of all her features. Although only a 25-footer, she requires some previous boatbuilding experience. Also, because of the wealth of construction details that are drawn on these plans (but not completely specified by detailed description), some standard reference must be alluded to. It should be stated that although the drawings are complete for the properly experienced boatbuilder, one who undertakes this design with little prior experience in heavy small boats would be well advised to have other standard texts readily available for supplemental information. First let us discuss the boat’s outstanding physical characteristics. We’ll start with the Outboard Profile, as external appearance is one of her main attractions. It was considered most important that the “little-tugboat look” be incorporated into her design. Note that the sheer is ample and that there is a rounded counter stern with a tumble-home bulwark, properly scuppered. The wheelhouse has all-around visibility well provided for, and the main cabin sides have rectangular sliding windows to permit excellent visibility and air movement. The short stack, set at the wheelhouse end, is pleasingly proportioned, and in keeping with her character, a mast is set af t— complete with a short gaff and proper lights. A character touch is the provision for the old traditional fire buckets, installed in a suitable frame on either side of the cabin top. Maybe they should be fitted a bit farther aft than as shown for styling balance. Inboard, her spaces can best be seen on the Arrangement Drawing. In the forepeak, aft of the line-stowage grating, are the marine toilet and minimum lavatory. This space, under the raised deck, has headroom in the trunk, which is fitted with a hinged top, and in the area under the chart table of the wheelhouse. There is space for a small hanging locker and for a cabinet for miscellaneous stowage beneath the lavatory counter. The wheelhouse is minimum, but adequate, with three windows forward. The center-line window should open on adjusters, while the side ones are best installed as fixed panels. To port and starboard are aft sliding doors that provide for egress to the side decks. In the wheelhouse is a wide seat, for three adults, and access to the engine space is through a pair of hatches in the wheelhouse deck. The wheelhouse has a wide chart table over the toilet space below forward, and the standard instrument panel of the engine manufacturer is to be mounted therein. Of course, a tug should have a large wheel, and a 24”-diameter spoked wheel is fitted to the Steermaster rudder control. Going aft down the companionway to port (watch your head!) brings you into the after cabin. A galley is tucked under the wheelhouse seat and to starboard. The galley is complete with sink, ice chest and two—burner stove in a metal-lined alcove with an exhaust fan.
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