by Davod D. Beach
LOA 18 ft., BEAM 41 1/2"
This high-performance runabout will take seas or heavy wakes without spine-jarring pounding. You, too, will learn to call her a dear friend
The designer always wonders if readers and prospective builders are interested in how these designs are originated. It seems to him that, because these designs all have a personal flavor, it would be of at least passing interest to know the background of each boat that appears in this publication. Like many others, this design reflects a feeling on the part of the architect that there are other boat enthusiasts who think as he does. Of course, personal enthusiasm is one thing, but that enthusiasm must be transferred to the editor so that he and his aides can be convinced. Then the design drawings are prepared with careful detail, so that your enthusiasm can be kindled. It sounds like a simple process, which it is, but it does involve a considerable expenditure of time, thought and work. My own thinking about this type of boat goes way back into the past. Runabouts are fun, and since the days immediately after World War II, I’ve been involved in building runabouts in the several production boat plants where I’ve worked. Some were plain little craft, which were made to a strict price; but those most close to my heart were quite deluxe, with first-class treatment of all the details of style and features. They were really not workaday craft, but designs into which much personal feeling was incorporated, so that they became important. They were “my” boats: I saw them through all their problem stages. They became like old friends, and it is in that manner that this present design was born. The plans show much of what I like in runabouts and what was incorporated in previous designs; and so it, too, is like an old friend. Which thought provided the name for the design: Amigo Mio. So much for the personalities. We will now discuss the boat. You should study the several drawings, because they are the meat of this effort and are all-important. Then we will discuss the whys and wherefores of this high-performance runabout with reference to these plans. First, let us consider the drawing containing the four views of the boat in several optional forms. This shows a big runabout in the high dead rise, prismatic afterbody hull form initially promulgated years ago by some basic researchers at the NACA model towing tank at Langley Field. This soft-riding hull is a descendant of the big flying boats which were produced by that basic planing-hull research carried on some decades ago. Curious, isn’t it, how this hull form, together with the old, longitudinal steps, has suddenly become de rigueur? It is, however, a good form, not given to spine-jarring pounding in moderate chop, and devoid of the wild oscillations in pitch attitude which the public calls “porpoising.” It’ll turn well, banking into the turn without skid or spinout, and will perform entirely satisfactorily when fitted with engines of a wide variation in power. The reader can see the inherent performance characteristics by a study of the Lines Plan, in light of the above. Two topside arrangements are indicated, to show that the boat may be used as a ski tug or as a normal runabout, and the windshield side panels, railings, canopy tops and deck hardware all contribute to the character desired by the builder. The simple wrap-around windshield can be eliminated or, if the builder wants to be completely first class, the windshield may be of varnished mahogany complete with chromed binding, adjusters and hinges. The side rails will add a good amount of sparkle to the deck. Note that there is a seating option. A pair of individual bucket seats are shown aft in the cockpit, on either side of the shafting housing. These can be replaced by a full-width cushioned lounge of ample proportions, suitable for sunning or whathave-you. Of course, the large double seat forward can be split to allow for two conventional, individual bucket seats, so there is a wide selection of cockpit interiors for most uses to which the boat may be put.
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