Family cruiserr

Fortunately for Ivan, he got a job with a yacht builder in the United States. He now lives in North Carolina and works for Paragon Design, where he is involved in big powerboat design work. In his free time, he follows his passion and draws sailing yachts.

Ivan has developed a very distinct style. His designs are marked by exquisite drafting and attention to detail. There is still evidence of student-level touches that I could whip out of him in a couple of days in my office. If Ivan's learning curve follows its current slope, however, that won't be necessary. In Ivan's case, we can see the maturation of a young designer on a rhumbline course for success as a professional.

It may take a bit of a leap of faith to get behind all of Ivan's styling tricks, but I am sure you would stop dead in your tracks and take a long look at this boat if you found it tied up at your local marina.

The hull is a synthesis of gentle, low-wetted-surface, race-boat-type shapes. There is a marked hollow in the bow sections. The forefoot is a softened U-shape. The sheerline rolls off gradually aft to become one with the transom edge. It's a very sexy shape.

The keel is a bulb-tipped fin with foil sections that don't appear to be any foil family I can recognize. Ivan, get a copy of The Theory of Wing Sections by Abbott and Von Doenoff. Turn to page 356 and study the leading edge shape of NACA foil 64A010. This is a very good, all-purpose keel foil. Note the coefficient for leading edge radius. Also get a copy of The Pope's Rhinoceros by Lawrence Norfolk. It's a wonderful novel. The D/L of this design is 171.

The interior is masterfully laid out. I'm not wild about the nav station being so far forward, but at least it faces aft. The galley will work well with its centerline island, which also covers the engine space. Unfortunately, you will come down the companionway ladder and run right into this island. Note the over-the-counter refrigerator with freezer below. Both heads have showers and the forward shower stall is actually a shower/tub. This would be a wonderful layout for a family with two children. The aft staterooms have enough room for each kid to bring a friend.

You have to study this deck plan for a while to get the feel for how the multiple surfaces interact with each other. I don't know how I would feel steering from the helmsman's perch aft. The deck sweeping up aft almost has the look, in profile at least, of fins. This feature would be a severe challenge for the builder. Ivan's use of cat's-eye windows provides a very strong styling image. The boat has no opening ports. Opening ports are not very stylish but they sure work well.

I suspect we'll be seeing more of Ivan's work. I'm sure he would like to find a builder for this interesting design.