Fast Eddy, 35ft Aluminium Adventure Cruiser

 I drew Fast Eddy in 2017 for Seaforth Expeditions in Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada. Her purpose is adventure cruising in the desolate wilderness waters of Eastern British Columbia. These waters are mostly sheltered by the many islands but can be wild and treacherous, with strong tides and unchartered rocks. They are also known for the massive logs that litter the shores, having escaped from the logging companies. Those that have not yet found a beach are a danger to boaters, particularly when they are nearly waterlogged and floating vertical, with only a few inches of one end above the surface and very difficult to see. Ready to punch a hole in a hull right at waterline, they are known as deadheads.

Gaff schooner sail plan

Aluminium was chosen for this boat as the best material to survive potential collisions with deadheads or rocks when far from any rescue services. As an added safety feature, most of the space between hull and deck is foam-filled for flotation.

The hull is the same family as my lapstrake plywood Cape series of designs and we decided to keep the lapstrake format, for the character that it adds to a classic hull form. That meant that between the builders and myself we had to work out construction details that would look good, without excessive welding that aggravates heat distortion. Built by John Dearden of Gibsons BC, helped by owner Tom McPherson and his dad, they did a beautiful job of the build.

Aluminium Fast Eddy hull on turn-over day.

The work for this boat after launch is taking charters into those wilderness waters for adventure camp/cruising, nature photography touring, youth training, corporate team building and similar activities far from comfortable civilization. It is work that needs to be done with absolute minimum disruption of nature and zero destruction of the places that they visit. To that end, this is a sailing and rowing boat, with a backup outboard motor stowed in a locker and only used as a last resort.

The cockpit takes up most of the length, with four rowing positions on each side. Under the seats are personal storage lockers and between them are insulated food lockers. Insert panels convert the individual seats to long sleeping platforms. Forward of the cockpit is a bow cabin with enclosed heads, galley and V-berths.

The sailing rig is gaff schooner, basically a cutter rig forward, with the normal boom replaced by a wishbone boom and stepped in a tabernacle to fold aft. Another identical mast and sail, without headsails, stands aft. This one is also stepped in a tabernacle but folds forward. The pivots are rotated 2 degrees off centreline so that the masts pass each other and each rests in a cradle on the tabernacle of the other.

Primed ready for paint, tubes still to be completed as masts.

This boat is a  maxi trailer-sailer, at 35ft long and only 8'3" wide.  It is very slim, with extremely fine bow. This makes it easily-driven for rowing and for sailing in light breezes. Sailing reports are that it is very quick as long as there is some breeze. She competed in the R2AK event in 2019, averaging 3.3 knots in mostly rowing conditions but recorded 13 knots in the stronger breeze of the finishing stretch.

Launch day.

To see this and our other designs, go to our main website or our mobile website.

Cape Deseada 36TC, Lapstrake Plywood Family Cruiser

 Our Cape range of lapstrake cruiser designs started with the Cape Cutter 19 about 20 years ago. Commissions came in periodically, always pushing upward from what we had before. They grew to the Cape Henry 21, Cape May 25, Cape Charles 32 and now the Cape Deseada 36TC.

So, why is this one titled a "TC" and not the others? This one has a trunk cabin deck configuration, whereas all of the others have a raised sheer and flush deck. It was commissioned by two amateur builders on different continents but both wanting similar features in a bigger boat than we could offer with the Cape Charles 32. Overall they wanted a larger version of the 32 but with trunk cabin and side decks to give more secure footing when working on deck in rough water.

Cape Deseada 36 with Marconi rig.

This initial version has a Marconi rig with squaretop mainsail, a powerful and efficient rig for performance with a small crew. The working sails are mainsail and an inboard jib tacked to the stemhead on a furler. A Genoa, code 0 and asymmetrical spinnaker can be set flying on top-down furlers from the end of the bowsprit. A gaff rig will also be completed when a builder wants that version.

Accommodation layout of the Cape Deseada 36TC

Interior layout is much like the 32, with some differences. The main benefit is that all berths are more than 2m in length, the aft double being 2.3m long. The offset V-berth in the forecabin has a chain locker under the head of the port berth, fed by an anchor windlass on the sunken foredeck. The chain pipe is a reinforced rubber hose to stop the chain from rattling crew out of their sleep.

The layout plan might be described as boring but it offers safety at sea rather than party space for lying against a marina dock. Everywhere that you go inside this boat you will have things to grab onto or to lean against when needed on bouncy water. 

Deck plan and profile of the Cape Deseada 36TC

The hull has a long waterline and fine bow, for easy motion and performance in a wide range of conditions. The lapstrake hull is skinned with plywood over stringers and bulkheads. Construction is within the capabilities of a reasonably skilled amateur, it doesn't need professional boatwright skills. The ballast is bolted through deadwood and the rudder is transom-hung for simplicity. The skin in the ballast area is glass-reinforced inside- and out, with the glass wrapping over the plywood internal structure of backbone and floors as well.

Midship section of Cape Deseada 36TC

Read more about this and our other designs on our main website or our mobile website.

CC19 Dayboat, Family Daysailer & Camp-Cruiser

 I designed the Cape Cutter 19 in 2000, as a little GRP production trailer-sailer for Cape Cutter Yachts. A few years later I added a plywood version for amateur builders, now with nearly 90 plywood boats in 28 countries. Since then I have been asked a few times for an open day-sailer version. Here it is, the CC19 Dayboat.

This is more than a basic day-sailer though, the cockpit is proportioned for up to 6 people to sleep comfortably on airbeds on the cockpit sole and seats, as a camp-cruiser. That space also means that a family of 6 or more can all sail together for day-sailing and picnic cruises rather than taking turns.

Gaff rig of CC19 Dayboat

The Cape Cutter 19 has a great reputation for surprising speed in light to moderate breeze and seaworthiness in strong winds and big seas. Those same characteristics are passed on to this version. In line with that seaworthiness, the cockpit is above waterline and self-draining, with any water from a boarding wave exiting via two routes, through the engine well and the centreboard casing. The 16 independent buoyancy compartments under the cockpit and seating further increase the safety.

Deck & cockpit layout 

 The forward seats fold down to add floor space when needed. Under the foredeck is a small lockable cuddy for safe and dry storage. At the other end, the outboard engine sits in a well, with a dam around it to contain oil spills. The motor is covered by a hinged hatch over the top and a door in front. The motor sits just ahead of the balanced transom-hung rudder, for quick helm response when motoring in tight spaces.

The sail plan is the same as the Cape Cutter 19 and should be sailed the same way. There are three headsails, Genoa, Yankee and staysail/jib. The Genoa should be used with the main in light to moderate breeze for best speed. For those who prefer a true cutter rig, use the Yankee along with the staysail and mainsail. For strong winds use the staysail as a working jib along with the mainsail, reefed as needed for the wind strength.

The mast is stepped in a tabernacle for easy raising/lowering and the bowsprit folds aft. The main forestay goes to the stemhead, with the staysail either hanked or on a furler. The Genoa or Yankee can be on a soft furler or top-down furler.

Section through centreboard casing

The centreboard is glass-sheathed plywood, ballasted with a lead insert. Primary ballast is internal, in the bilge and glassed over to secure it in place. My client for this design chose to keep the solid ballast of the Cape Cutter 19 rather than change to less effective water ballast.

This boat can be built from plans, which include full-size Mylar patterns of the bulkheads, backbone and transom. We also offer Mylar skin patterns as an optional extra. A plywood CNC kit comprising bulkheads, backbone and all skin panels can also be supplied.

See more of this and our other designs on our main website or our mobile website.

Hout Bay 40 Gaff Schooner for Sale

 "Mirage" is a steel Hout Bay 40 that was built by a commercial yard in the Moscow Region of Russia. Her owner went cruising in her and found aspects of her build that did not meet his requirements, so he had her interior rebuilt and her exterior refinished in Antalya, Turkey. She is now a nicely finished yacht that will grace any marina. Along with that, she is strong, capable of cruising to the toughest sailing destinations.

Since this photo was taken she has had a foretopmast added, although the additional sails are not yet in her wardrobe.

Strong welded steel hull, with Awlgrip and Jotun finishes

Her interior is afrormosia  with iroko trim. rebuilt to a custom layout to suit her owner's cruising needs. She has an open saloon with loose table with folding leaves, which can be stowed in the galley or set up loose in the saloon. A new owner may prefer to secure the table permanently in the saloon.

The centre island galley unit houses the 38Kw diesel engine, with excellent access.

Perkins 38Kw motor with 100 hours use.

Counter-top cooker has removable fiddles that are not in place in this photo.

Forecabin

The navigation station can also be used as two seats or converts to a settee berth.

Starboard quarter berth, matching berth in port aft cabin.

One of the two heads compartments.

Cockpit with awning.

Foredeck, with windlass, bitts and bowsprit. Bulwarks all around make a safe deck at sea.

For more information on this boat, visit her brokerage page at https://dixdesign.com/HB40_Mirage.htm.

DH550 Cruising Cat for Sale

 The DH550 fast cruising catamaran "Friends Forever" is looking for a new owner. This boat is well-proven, with crossings of both the South and North Atlantic Oceans, as well as cruising the Caribbean and the Med. She is currently in Portugal, fully equipped and ready for long-distance cruising or crewed charter service. Email Dudley Dix for more.

Inlet Runner "Grace Sea", Family Fun Boat

The boat in this post is pretty much the opposite to the very sleek rowing shell in my previous one. That was an ultra slim human-powered racing boat that can only operate in displacement mode. This one is much shorter and fatter, an outboard powered garvey that is best in planing mode.

"Grace Sea" is an Inlet Runner 16, built by Bryan Watson of Manchester, New Hampshire. He appears to have done a nice job of the build, producing a fun family boat. He has done a stand-up centre console of his own design that seems to have worked out well.

Stitch & glue plywood garvey hull

Finished, with custom console.

Self-draining open deck.

Congratulations to Bryan on his build, finished in time for family fun this summer.

To see the other boats in our design portfolio, go to our main website or our mobile website.

Vision Single Rowing Shells in Australia

I wrote about this project 3 years ago and this post brings it up-to-date. 

I was commissioned in 2001 to design two single sculls for construction in Nomex/carbon sandwich laminates. My client was Paul Slade of Slade Rowing, operating in Johannesburg, South Africa. The result was the Vision Lightweight Single and the Vision Heavyweight Single rowing shells. The boats were very modern in concept, nothing like any others on the market worldwide at the time and proved to be fast. The high-prismatic hulls with plumb bow and small V-shaped transom have low pitching characteristics, are easily-driven and track well. The company failed financially due to distance from the main market and insufficient funding.

Vision Lightweight Single on show in Ireland

Over the years since Slade Rowing closed down I was requested many times for plans to build these boats as one-off projects. One was for building over foam formers that were to be cut with a hot wire cutter. I also drew wood detailing for amateurs to build from cedar strip over bulkheads, with boats in build in North America, South America and Australia.

The Australian builds started out as two amateur builders intending to build one boat for each of them. The first boat was launched before COVID and named "Redbow's Vision". The second boat is nearing completion and will be named "Arrow" in recognition of the unerring ability to hold its course on the race track, as explained by builders Peter Bowman and Owen Redhead.

Launch of "Redbow's Vision".

Peter and Owen have pressed ahead with boat #2 during COVID and it is nearing completion. They have found areas to save weight without compromising the structure and are homing in on the target regulation 14kg weight for a complete boat. At the same time they have applied lessons learned with boat #1, to improve build quality and deck fairness.

Hull #1 suspended from the roof, hull #2 below it.

Hull #2 on the building jig.

The Lightweight Single is targeted at 77kg rowers and the Heavyweight Single is targeted at 100kg rowers. They also commissioned me to develop a Mediumweight Single, targeted midway between the two. I have supplied the drawings for the medium boat and preparations are being made to start the first one as a custom build for a client.

They have also developed a cockpit module that will be used for all three variations.

Checking the fit of the cockpit module.

Current boats cover the range of rower weights from about 70kg to 110kg. Plans for the future are to add a woman's single, lighter than the current light boat.

To see our range of boat designs of all types, go to our desktop website or our mobile website.

Cape Cutter 19 for Sale in Philippines

 "Amihan" is a plywood/epoxy gaff rigged trailer-sailer built to our Cape Cutter 19 design. She has bilge keels, which allow her to stand upright when cruising shallow waters and beached. Her owner needs to sell for bad health reasons, no longer able to enjoy her the way that he wants.

She is in Sual, Pangasinan on Luzon island, 200 km north of Manila. This may be a good opportunity for someone willing to start their ownership of a very capable little cruiser by cruising a tropical paradise. With a decent skipper aboard, she is capable of voyaging from Philippines to Australia or Asia if that is your home.

The seller's price is US$18,500. She comes with 8hp Yamaha Enduro outboard motor, solar panel, Autohelm 2000+ auto pilot, VHF radio and GPS. She also comes with 11'8" Ian Oughtred Acorn dinghy as her tender. Price and what is included in the sale can be negotiated with the seller.

If you are interested in buying "Amihan", please contact me by email and I will put you in contact with the seller, to negotiate price and other details.

Dudley Dix

Cape Henry Wedding Chapel

 Ron Jesche built his Cape Henry 21 in the Adelaide area of Australia and does most of his sailing on Gulf St Vincent. Named "Sealion", his Cape Henry 21 fits his current needs so well that he sold his larger cruiser.

 Now, in the times of COVID restrictions on what we can and cannot do, "Sealion" has taken on a new role. This past weekend she served as wedding chapel when Ron and his long-time girlfriend were married on her foredeck. His bride's son had already had to postpone his own wedding plans once due to the pandemic, so he and his bride decided to do the same. So they had two weddings, an hour apart. Names and photos of the others in the weddings are not shown, for privacy reasons.

Ron Jesche is our agent in Australia, as well as kit supplier for our plywood designs. He is also a professional boatbuilder and fabricator of high quality stainless steel custom boat hardware. He can be contacted via his business Stainless Boatworks.

To see more of this one and our full range of boat designs, go to our main website or our mobile website.

Dudley Interviewed by CatamaranSite

 I was interviewed by Dierdre of CatamaranSite about my design work, more particularly about my catamaran designs. This forms part of their series of interviews with catamaran designers. Click on the image below to go to the interview.

We discussed my background, catamaran designs generally in the past, present and future, my radius chine plywood cat design series, as well as where my boats are built.

If you want to know more about my multihull or monohull designs after watching the video, go to out main website or our mobile website.