Bluewater Cruiser

This hull displaces 101,200 pounds. That sounds very heavy, but remember, we have a 70-foot boat here with an approximate DWL of 58 feet, so that works out to a D/L of 257, which is textbook medium. Also consider that this boat will be loaded with gear and tankage and needs displacement for both volume and weight considerations.

The transom is cut off vertically. This is not the prettiest way to deal with the stern, but it is the most practical. The vertical transom ensures the maximum sailing length and the maximum length on deck. This vertical transom has no camber, making it easy to install the big, flop-down boarding and working platform. Given the tough life this vessel will lead, I find it interesting that the designer has chosen a short, partial skeg preceding the rudder. I don't disagree at all with this feature. It will give the rudder good foils, some balance area and the support of a three-bearing system. Note the location of this rudder. It's been pushed forward. I think rudders work best well aft, but in this case the rudder was moved forward to open up the volume of the lazarette.

The drawings show Whitlock steering. The keel also appears to be well forward, and this would be indicative of the amount of weight this vessel will carry aft. The accommodation plan is unique and again conveys the working nature of this vessel. Galley and dinette are aft. The galley is big with an athwartships stove. The dinette is immense and designed to allow the entire crew to dine and socialize together. This is very important. We see so many designs where there are too many berths relative to the dining area. There are two heads and five staterooms, including the pipe berths in the fo'c'sle.

There is also a laboratory area aft of the galley. The pilothouse has an enclosed computer room, a huge navigation station, a large wet locker, a pilot berth tucked under the side deck and a mystery bench seat. I have to blame the computer drafting for this confusion. If this drawing were done by the hand of man it might be capable of conveying exactly what this athwartships bench seat and the three "boxes" in front of it are for. Cryptically drafted by a machine, however, it leaves me wondering. I'm going to assume this is some type of inside steering position.

Despite the intention of this design, it would make a great cruising boat for a family of 10. The rig is pure sloop with two headsails, and the headstay is pulled aft of the stem. The staysail, as drawn, shows a head angle of only 14 degrees, which will provide a shape challenge for the sailmaker. I would prefer to see a head angle closer to 20 degrees. I like to get a good sailmaker involved in the very early stages of a custom design.

The short boom obviously works well with the observation tower aft of the cockpit. Using the sail area figures supplied, I get an SA/D of 17.28, but I suspect if we had I,J,E and P dimensions, this number might be lower. Note the crow's nest above the lower spreaders and the outriggers for towing hydrophones. I'm sure this was a fun project for the designer. When the intended use of a vessel is pinpointed, the designer can focus on specific solutions. This design crosses the line from yacht to workboat and does so with grace and panache.