The 30' Trawler Yacht "BUSTER"
Copyright 1999
- 2005 Michael Kasten
Image © 1999 Michael Kasten
Buster Outboard Profile | Buster Interior P & A | Alternate Deck Arrangement
Updated 31 July 2005
General Concept
This design has been created for Cape Horn veteran Georgs Kolesnikovs as the ideal power cruiser under 30 feet LOA, capable of voyaging anywhere on the World's oceans. As Georgs has said, "I don't need to go fool around at the Horn again, but I might like to see Canada's Northwest Passage."
So, with ice in mind, and the requirement for plenty of fuel for the Canadian north, and for trans-Pacific passages, we have come up with a vessel that has a substantial carrying capacity. Particulars are: 29' 9" LOA x 27' DWL x 10 '6" Beam x 4' 6" Loaded Draft. Displacement will vary from around 20,000# to a full load capacity of 25,000# with all tanks full, and the boat ready for a long
voyage, complete with stores for two people.
At the time this design was prepared, the
engine was originally planned to be an Iveco 3 cylinder diesel producing
56 hp continuous at 2,500 rpm, mated to a
Sabb HVP-25 gear and Helseth controllable
pitch propeller. The Iveco engine
was at that time offered by Sabb with their gear as an assembly. If that
Iveco engine is still available, it would be an excellent and long lasting
choice.
Another engine offered by Sabb pre-mated to
the Sabb HVP-25 gear and Helseth CP propeller is the excellent Lister
Alpha 55-T, having a 55 hp intermittent duty rating at 2,800 rpm.
Yet another engine that fits the bill of being
a slow turning 3 cylinder marine diesel is the Deutz TD 203-3. It weighs
809 lb and produces 62 hp at 2800 rpm continuous.
The engine space and the weight budget have
been planned to allow for the possibility of using a Lugger or John Deere
4 cylinder diesel. Those two engines are nearly identical and weigh
around 1,200 lb. Power is 67 hp continuous at 2,500 rpm, so these engines
offer considerably more power than is needed.
The Iveco and Deutz
3 cylinder engines are not quite as long nor quite as heavy, so if
available, they are a slightly better fit for the vessel, however any
number of slow turning 3 cylinder diesel engines would be suitable, including
offerings from Isuzu, Kubota (Beta Marine), Ford (tractor engines), etc.
Although we like controllable pitch equipment,
one could easily substitute a Twin Disc gear and fixed pitch propeller.
The engine is tucked under the Pilothouse sole and has access both via a door forward, and a hatch above, providing good access to the engine. Although not a walk-in engine space, there is plenty of room for a full size person to get to all parts of the engine and gear, plus a generous allowance all around for an effective sound attenuation package.
There are two bulk tanks aft and two forward
with a separate clean tank as a day tank. The clean tank is to have no
deck fill. Using the Beebe algorithm
for range under power, along with the Beebe prescribed fuel rate of 16
hp/gal/hr as the specific fuel consumption, with a tank capacity of 600
gallons, a 12% reserve, and the average Load Case,
the Beebe algorithm yields approximately:
- 4,000 nm at
5.5 knots
- 3,000 nm at 6 knots
- 2,400 nm at 6.5 knots
Hull Form & Rigging
The hull is designed after that of
a working tug in order to get the largest carrying capacity (the
largest possible water-plane) within the smallest overall length. The
hull has been optimized for ocean conditions and the lines provide for
an easily driven hull, even though of medium to heavy displacement. Displacement
to length varies from D/L 320 at her design waterline, to just over
D/L 500 if fully loaded.
Hull and pilot house construction are all
aluminum. The hull is extra heavily built for this size boat, having
5/16" aluminum plating. The
pilothouse windows and portlights are tempered and / or laminated safety
glass. Windows are bonded in place, as is our usual practice. This
is strong, simple easy to build, and elegant.
There is lead ballast amounting to around 2,000
pounds (depending on engine choice). Paravanes are provided for roll
attenuation, and are deployed via a pair of A-frame paravane poles.
The poles are supported by an A-frame mast, stayed to the pilot house
top. The A-Frame poles provide a ladder for conning into a pass,
and when faced with a fixed pier at low tide you can climb right on up
to get ashore...!
An optional fore-mast is shown on the drawings
for the purpose of lifting a skiff or pram aboard onto the fore deck.
The fore-mast would allow spreading a few sails as get-home power.
The rig being
all made with aluminum can easily be struck for the sake of passing
under bridges. What more ideal boat for a canal cruiser?
Interior Arrangement
The accommodations are intended to provide comfortable cruising for
two people on extended passages, with the occasional addition of a third
crew member or couple for shorter trips. There is full standing headroom
throughout the vessel for anyone up to 6' 5" height.
For anyone of slightly less height, as the song says, "You can
keep your hat on..."
The deck steps up near the forward end of the Pilot house, creating
a very spacious cabin area below forward. The resulting low forward cabin
extends from the stem all the way to the aft pilot house. With a flush
deck forward, there is an enormous amount of space below for such a small
vessel. Right forward is a generous double berth in a big "master
suite" that's complete with cabinets and
dressing area. The head to port also provides a shower. Aft of the head
is a chart desk and a quarter berth which extends below the pilot house.
To starb'd of the head / desk / berth is a good sized galley.
The "saloon" is contained within the pilot house and is in
the form of a wrap-around dinette. The table leaves fold up to permit
access on either side. The whole table can be placed between the seats
to create a large guest berth, should the need arise.
The "dashboard" forward of the wheel holds instruments and
engine controls. VHF and SSB radios are mounted near the helm. Some instruments
may be mounted overhead as needed. Being an aluminum vessel throughout,
a magnetic compass may be mounted prominently just forward of the wheel.
Alternate Interior...?
One interesting variation can be seen in this Alternate
Deck Plan showing a "bridge deck" amidships. This
would ideally be combined with widening / lengthening the pilot house
(to eliminate the walk-around deck to the sides and aft). This
would allow more space in the pilot house so that the galley could
be moved up there, making space for the
"bridge deck" amidships. You can see a few interior sketches
at the web page for the prototype sister ship: Sweet
Okole 30.
Why Buster...?
The first vessel for Georgs Kolesnikovs will bear the name "Great
Promise." Georgs says however that for a lady she's mighty
tough looking... As a result she has already earned a few good nicknames,
all of which contributed to her final design name: "Buster..."
In all, one stout Li'l all-ocean vessel!
Direct Quote from an aluminum boat owner...
As an owner since 5 years of an aluminum boat I could not agree more with your preference for this material. She is a great boat and requires very little in the way of maintenance. I do a lot more reef snorkeling than the paint, polish, varnish and wax guys!
--Peter Kminek
