COASTAL CRUISER

CATEGORY: MOTORYACHTS & PASSAGEMAKERS
CONSTRUCTION: Plywood planking/wood framing, welded all-aluminum, or welded steel with wood cabin

With accommodations and amenities much like larger vessels, it’s surprising that this popular design is readily trailerable. There’s a private double stateroom forward with head, lavatory, and hanging locker. The pilothouse has ready access both sides, seats two, and plenty of room for charts and electronics. A unique feature is the separate shower with seat, while the galley can be fully self-contained. A roomy L-shaped settee converts to a double berth. Both pilothouse and main cabin have full-standing headroom, with 5'7" in the stateroom when the hatch is closed.

You can cruise at 10-12 knots with 45-60 SHP - about twice the speed of sailboats this length. Or hit speeds in the 18-20 MPH range with I/O motors in the 150-160 HP range. For easy service and simplicity, plans detail stern-located outboard, I/O, or inboard V-drive power options, all located below a spacious raised deck. You can carry an 8' dinghy on the house top.

Low-cost, easy, but husky construction is ideal for do-it-yourselfers, even first-timers. Wood hulls use sheet plywood throughout rather than more time-consuming double diagonal or "cold mold" methods. Or you can optionally build in welded all-aluminum, or in steel for the hull (wood superstructure) - see study plans for more details. FULL-SIZE PATTERNS give frame member contours in all cases - no lofting required!. Instructions include material listings and fastening schedule (wood hulls).