The Design




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We spent several years looking at various standard plans and making list of good and bad features of boats we had chartered before really getting serious about the design. Basically, we wanted a fast boat primarily for coastal cruising but capable of occasional offshore passages. It had to be easily handled by a couple and set up for occasional single handing.

Performance was a major consideration. I wanted to easily reach hull speed in the winds typical of the Georgia coast and good pointing ability. The deep fin/beaver tail bulb keel will make it a bit stiffer than most production boats but up wind performance should be good. This boat will not be much as a gunk holer.

The cockpit is a bit larger than normal because we live there most of the time and found most boats that we chartered a little cramped. Four large drains will clear it quickly. Another "Deviation" from normal was to move the helm forward so the helmsman can reach all the control lines. Too many times I have had to stir reluctant crew topside to help tack.

We quickly found that a forward helm and end boom sheeting had some disadvantages. The traveler would split the cockpit in half and the sheet block would be swinging inches over the helmsman's head. A Hunter style traveler bridge was the answer. It also will serve to hang a Bimini fore and aft and contain lights and speakers.

We wanted three private areas capable of comfortably sleeping six people without converting the dinette. As a self employed computer consultant, virtually all of my work is done over the telephone and it is very difficult for me to be out of contact for more than a few days. If I am to get any real blocks of sailing time, I need a large nav station that could serve as an office. This also dictated a larger than normal battery

bank as my work requires a powerful PC and a small IBM AS/400. My hope is that satellite phones will get below 50 cents/minute. When it does, I can work anywhere.

I wanted a modern boat. One design that I particularly liked was the Nelson Marek 46. I also wanted a wooden boat. Primarily because I have a lot of experience with wood but I also like the feel and sound of wooden boats. I did not, however, want the maintenance problems of wood. Strip composite looked like the best method.


		An E-mail design

	I was fortunate to find John Fox in the CompuServe Sailing Forum. At the time, John was Chief engineer for Carol Marine in Bristol, RI. Carol Marine, builders of the Mumm series of sport boats also built the N/M 46. John is also a regular contributor to Professional Boat Builder. We began corresponding by E-mail and spent about six months working on the design.

Almost all of the work was done via E-mail. He would send Autocad drawings for me to review and I would respond with changes and new ideas. We didn't actually meet face to face until after construction had started. John's design fee was teh best money I have spent on this project. Not only did I get exactly what I wanted, but his advice, based on his practical production experience has saved me far more than what I paid him.

John has since left Carol Marine and is working full time as a designer and consulting engineer. His firm is FCS Designs. You might want to visit John's Web site. He has Autocad drawings of the design that can be viewed and more information on some of his other designs.

If you want more detailed specifications, click here.

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