In July 2003, Rob Douwes launched his 17'6" Gentlemen's Runabout KNOCKABOUT on Lake Westeinder, Aalsmeer, in the Netherlands. The plans (#76 from WB), by Hacker and Zimmer, call for a 16' hull, but Rob extended the boat's length by spreading the frames apart just a little bit. Rob took 800 hours to build the boat in the garage of his house. KNOCKABOUT'S hull has a wood core of red cedar covered with glass and epoxy. A Renault four-cylinder 40 hp car engine pushes the boat through the water. Reach Rob at rudder@planet.nl.
Design Specs
LOA:
17′
6″
Beam:
4′
8″
Designer Name:
Hacker and Zimmer Plans, WB #76
Type/Rig/Power:
Gentleman's Runabout
Builder Name:
Rob Douwes
Home Port:
Lake Westeinder, Aalsmeer, NL
Launching Date:
July 26, 2001