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HERCULES has the traditional character of larger blue water cruising yachts including economy of operation and extended range, in a size that's trailerable anywhere free of low bridges! You can cruise over 600 miles on one filling of diesel fuel, and when the voyage is over, just moor your HERCULES in your own backyard! No slip fees necessary! This is a perfect cruiser for the young family or retired couple on a budget. While not intended for worldwide ocean cruising, HERCULES makes a great island hopper, perfect for your yearly vacations.
We've planned HERCULES for comfortable cruising, with full standing headroom throughout, even in the head! The forward toilet room even has a shower, not to mention a lavy and roomy hanging locker, located for privacy. For safety and convenience, all line and anchor handling forward can be done from inside through the forward hatch. No need to stand on a pitching foredeck. There's a real pilothouse complete with helmsman's seat, "salty" control console, and sliding door for safety and convenience.
Designed for economical cruising, the HERCULES is no speedboat, so don't attempt to cram in more power than you need. With a high freeboard and deep forefoot, you'll cruise along with an easy ride, but at a leisurely pace. By using the Full Size Patterns, the lofting process is not required, but a Table of Offsets is included if you wish the "fun" of lofting your own frames. If you've built a boat before, or have some woodworking experience, the HERCULES will be a rewarding project for you.
While HERCULES is a compact craft, she packs in a lot of accommodations. The galley can be outfitted for complete self-containment. The settees in the salon area are perfect for dining or loafing, and make up two full size berths for the skipper and his mate, plus two shorty berths for the crew. The cockpit is deep and self-draining for safety, plus there's a transom door for going to shore. The cabin top can be reached by ladder and makes a perfect place for sunbathing.
- Length overall:
- 24'-1"
- Length waterline:
- 22'-0"
- Beam:
- 8'-0"
- Hull draft:
- 24"
- Displacement:
- 5532 lbs.
- Hull weight (approx.):
- 1600 lbs.
- Hull depth:
- 6'-9"
- Freeboard forward:
- 5'-0"
- Freeboard aft:
- 3'-2"
- Height overall:
- 10'-10"
- Headroom:
- 6' to 6'-6"
- Cockpit size:
- 4'-3" x 6'
- Cockpit depth:
- 32"
- Fuel capacity:
- 80 gals.
- Fresh water capacity:
- 40 gals.
- Sleeping accommodations:
- 2 adults, 2 children
- Hull type:
- Semi-displacement, hard chine hull with practical cruising speed of 7 knots, and a maximum hull speed of approx. 9 knots. Bottom design features bulbous forefoot with a reverse curve at the chine.
- Construction:
- Double diagonally planked to a total thickness of 1/2". Topsides planked with sheet plywood to a total thickness of 3/8". Carvel planking or other conventional types are optional but not detailed in the plans.
- Power:
- Single centrally mounted diesel or gasoline inboard; 10 shp for 7 knot cruising speed, 25 shp for maximum 9 knots intermittently. Stern mounted motor driving through outdrive, optional. Total engine and gear max. 600 lbs.
- Can the hull be extended or shortened?:
- Yes. Up to 10% by re-spacing the frames from the aft end of the stem to the transom a proportional amount. We do not recommend increasing the beam.
- Trailer:
- Designed for use with Glen-L Series 6000 boat trailer plans.
