by Bruce N. Crandall
LOA 18 ft. 10 in., BEAM 7' 11 1/2 in., DRAFT 12 in., DISPLACEMENT 2280 lbs.
This is an all-purpose plywood cruiser designed for amateur construction and for use with the most popular-sized outboard motors. It is a convex-V-bottom, developable-surface model of the type best suited to carrying heavy loads at planing or semi-planing speeds under all kinds of water conditions. The plans are arranged for easiest construction by the amateur builder, consistent with strength and light weight. I consider this an ideal-size outboard cruiser because it is the smallest which can contain complete cruising accommodations suitable for long cruises and at the same time is almost the maximum size for easy trailering behind an ordinary car. Wider beam is seldom allowed to run freely on the highways, and anything much longer or inboard-powered is likely to become too heavy for easy launching and loading. There are almost unlimited cruising opportunities for a boat of this type, for it can be trailered to different waterways each trip. For this reason the hull has been designed for use on as large and open bodies of water as are practical for any boat of this size. It is also ideal for shallow-water use because of outboard power, light weight and shallow draft, and so may be used on lakes, rivers and bays of all sorts and sizes. The arrangement has been worked out to give maximum space and convenience while living aboard. As the Arrangement Plan shows, there is plenty of room for two bunks in the cabin, and a galley and toilet are included. The headroom is over 4½’ under the cabin beams. In the galley area it is 4’ 9” with the hatch closed and much more, of course, with it open. The aft seat in the cockpit is 6’ wide and can be used as a bunk, making complete cruising accommodations for three persons. The hull is large and stable enough to use with a convertible top and even complete canvas enclosure of the cockpit in calm waters, if desired.
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