Trailerable Downeast Cruiser

[SchoonerDreamin]

Does anyone know of some plans to a boat similar to this one, it can be inboard or outboard but must be trailerable (8'-6" beam) and must have this elegant downeast look about her, can someone help me?

http://www.mjmyachts.com/frontpics/5.jpg

http://www.mjmyachts.com/models/models1.jpg

http://www.mjmyachts.com/deck/downeast_large.gif

Here is a link to the full brochure (2Mb)
Brochure (http://www.mjmyachts.com/brochure/brochure.pdf)

[SchoonerDreamin]

I forgot to include a link to the boat shown above's website

web page (http://www.mjmyachts.com/)

[mmd]

Does this one look like what you are after? She's twenty-six feet long by trailer-limit wide. In keeping with Forum rules, if you'd like more information, please contact me off-line.

Full cabin model

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d19/mmd_ns/c4e5d844.jpg

Open boat model

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d19/mmd_ns/200513-02011.jpg

Open boat nearing completion

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d19/mmd_ns/bowviewwithbuildingcrewanddesigner2.jpg

[YMT]

"Search". TYD#977
LOA 28' x LWL 27' x Beam 8'-6" x 18"
Entrant in a WB design competition. http://www.tantonyachts.com/Render_A5.jpg

[SchoonerDreamin]

YMT I couldnt find anything on the design you showed, although I like the hull shape I dont care for the topsides, looks to modern on a classic hull......kind of wierd but I would be willing to give it a look.

[Dick Wynne]

Both of these chaps have similar designs available:

Arch Davis (http://www.by-the-sea.com/archdavisdesign/)

Paul Gartside (http://www.gartsideboats.com/)

[Terry Rhoads]

To my eye a defining characteristic of the original design posted is the double shear, or powder horn. Just calling that model a "Downeast" doesn't make it a downeast style boat. The other two models on the same hull are sport fishermen, which suggests to me the true heritage of that design. The designs posted by MMD, YMT and Dick Wynne are more truly downeast style.

[ 11-22-2005, 08:20 AM: Message edited by: Terry Rhoads ]

[Doug Wood]

Go here (http://www.dhylanboats.com/index2.html) and click on the Boat Plans link to the left and then scroll down to the 'details' link for DIANA. However, note that Doug Hylan indicates that trailering this boat is done "with difficulty". She's a pretty boat though.

[SchoonerDreamin]

I am by no means an expert on particular designs so maybe i called this boat a downest design when it wasnt......let me tell you what I want to do with my boat and perhaps you all can help.....it needs to be trailerable, be able to go offshore....if only "coastaly" cruise the Chesapeake Bay comfortably and our local lakes also.....must have a head, and classic good looks....maybe you all can point me in the direction i need to go now......

[Figment]

There are many definitions of "Trailerable". What is yours?

A) Trailer used to launch the boat in the spring and recover in the fall.

B) Trailer used as above and also to transport boat to farther-away waters once or twice a year.

C) Trailer used to launch and recover the boat each and every time you use it.

There are realistic limits to the size of boat that can be trailered in the above applications.
Type A limits the boat to roughly 35'x8.5' and 10000lbs displacement.
Type B limits to roughly 27'x8' and 6000lbs
Type C limits to roughly 23'x8' and 3000lbs

It's tough to find space in a 23' boat for an actual head.

[PVanderwaart]

From Phil Bolger: "Plywood Diesel Cruiser", "#574", "23'6" x7'5"", "Power - 3,090lbs displ.", "$200", "PB&F", "Cruiser - inboard planing hull - ref: Boats With an Open Mind Ch#56"

Of course, Mr. Bolger has designed a fleet of power craft including several lobsterboat-cruisers, and he might suggest different design.

[SchoonerDreamin]

I am type C by those trailering requirements....but dont see why 8.5' beam wouldnt be suitable as that is the max trailering beam in my state......I cant seem to find a plan or picture for the bolger design above could someone help me out here?

[Thorne]

Are you sure about that 8.5'?

I guess as long as you don't trailer it out of state -- isn't 8' the max width for non-commercial / non-special-permit-with-big-sign trailers in most states?

[Steve Paskey]

The maximum width varies from state to state.
Some have it at 8'6", others at 8' even.
Here's a handy state-by-state chart from BoatUS:
http://www.boatus.com/towing/towlaw.htm

Under federal law, 8'6" is the max on interstate highways.

[ 11-22-2005, 12:48 PM: Message edited by: Steve Paskey ]

[ebent05]

Some plans you might consider:

Forum contributer Tom Lathrop's Bluejacket 24:
http://www.messing-about.com/smallboats/bluejacket.html

Mertens-Goossens has quite a few plans all using outboard motors.
http://www.boatplans-online.com/index.php

A nice boat, but does not have the downeast look Bartender Boats:
http://bartenderboats.com/index.html
Larger boats are inboard powered.

[Figment]

That extra 6" of beam translates to an increase in bulk and weight.
The lighter and smaller a boat is, the easier it is to trailer.
Trailerboats that are inconvenient to trailer lead to disenchanted users and spend 99% of their life in the driveway.

In the same vein... try to limit your draft to 18" or less, unless the ramp you'll be using 95% of the time is very well maintained.

[Terry Rhoads]

I think one of the conflicts you will run up against is that an essential element of those elusive "classic good looks" is a certain ratio between the height of the pilot house and the overall length. The height of a standing adult pretty much fixes the minimum height of the pilot house, which in turn leads to a minimum length of, what?, 27, 28 feet. Which in turn conflicts with your category C criteria. Anything much shorter will tend to look top heavy and boxy.
I can't read the specs on Michael's design, but to my eye he's nailed the look.

[ 11-22-2005, 03:04 PM: Message edited by: Terry Rhoads ]

[Alan D. Hyde]

Which trailer limit, Michael (i.e., what's her beam? :D ).

What's her draft?

Terribly sorry to have to ask, as the numbers are right there, but they're too small for my aging eyes to decipher... She's a handsome vessel, BTW...

Alan

[ 11-22-2005, 02:50 PM: Message edited by: Alan D. Hyde ]

[Rick Clark]

Well no matter where that boat sits on any body of water I would be proud to be in it with you :D

[mmd]

Alan; the Stevens 26 Cape Islander is 26'-0" LOA, 24'-11" LWL, 8'-6" Bmax across the rubrails, 2'-0" draft, and displaces 4,580 lbs all-up with 55-hp Yanmar, full fluids, provisions and four crew, Dry weight is about 3750 lbs.

I'll send a .pdf of the Stevens Boatshop preliminary sales brochure to your private e-mail.

[ 11-22-2005, 08:02 PM: Message edited by: mmd ]

[Terry Rhoads]

Well, I'm impressed. Michael's design is as close to your criteria as I think you're going to get, and still get those looks. 'Course, you didn't mention what your proposed hauling vehicle is, let's hope it's not a Honda Civic.

[Phil Joseph]

about a "trailerable" downeast type boat
Check out Mike Kiefer's at greatwoodboats.com, a.k.a. know as Great Lakes Boatbuilding company. Mike's is a 26 foot, outboard powered lobster-style boat. I have been on the boat and it is a fine performer. It is also trailerable, occasionally.

[Stari27]

While I hate to post a plastic boat, this one is of interest as it is a fishing/commercial boat it uses 1 ltr of diesel / hr. It is alittle too small for me but is definitely trailerable....
http://www.maplebay.com/page91.htm

[Wild Dingo]

Originally posted by SchoonerDreamin:
YMT I couldnt find anything on the design you showed, although I like the hull shape I dont care for the topsides, looks to modern on a classic hull......kind of wierd but I would be willing to give it a look.Yves has a website here (http://www.tantonyachts.com) and just like Michael up there a bloody nice bloke as well :cool:

[Brian D]

Hi,

See http://www.reelboats.com/glacierboats (soon changing to http://www.glacierboats.com )

We'll release plans to this boat once one of the protos currently in construction have passed dock-side tests and sea trials. We expect that plans release to the general public will be next Spring. If you are interested in building a proto, then please contact us. Contact info is available at the web site above via the "More Info" links. We'd be more than happy to share more information with you such as the results of the stability analysis, hydrodynamics analysis, etcetera.

Thanks,
Brian

[Ed Waterman]

MMD: I would appreciate any additional info you can provide on the cabin version of the boat you mentioned. Feel free to email me if you like.

Thank you very much. Ed

[mmd]

Hi, Ed. I'm just finishing up the construction drawings for the wheelhouse cabin - I got sidetracked by another project so am a bit behind in getting these finished. The final configuration and general arrangement drawings will be completed early- to mid-next week. In the meantime, I will send you a copy of the Stevens Boatshop promo documents.

(edit for stupid spelling mistake)

[ 12-01-2005, 06:18 PM: Message edited by: mmd ]

[capt jake]

I found this a while ago. I am not sure if it will help you in your search, but here ya go.
Nexus (http://www.nexusmarine.com/)
http://www.nexusmarine.com/images/23%27chinook/exteriors/flyer_cover.jpg