General Concept
After perusing several US West Coast rum runners from the
prohibition era, the inspiration for this prototype emerged. In terms of
styling, there is a 'retro' theme that seems to be persistent these days,
one that is very evident in cars but also in large 'classic' sailing yachts
and run-about motor yachts.
The concept with the Express Cruiser has been simple: why not take
inspiration from the rum runners of yore and use the concept as a yacht type
- black hull, just enough varnished wood to catch one's eye, long, sleek,
and fast, but now also deluxe and very comfortable interior - somewhat in
the direction of the Lake Union dream boats, but... faster...
In terms of structure - and very much in the vein of having been inspired
by the rum runners - they should also be 'bulletproof' and ocean-worthy. To
me, bulletproof means heavily plated aluminum construction with a minimum of
framing - somewhat like the Strong-all system used by Meta of France - but
based on ABS scantling rules.
It is well known that reducing internal framing will dramatically reduce
hull fabrication labor. What is less obvious is that increasing plate
thickness also reduces hull fab time - due mainly to eliminating weld
distortion, allowing faster weld-up. In aluminum, all of this is
practical because the weight of plating can easily be tolerated.
The hull form I've used here is that of a semi-planing hull, pinched in
slightly at the stern as would have been the case in earlier times.
Size envisioned is from say 60 feet to 70 feet. The example we have
chosen to illustrate is the 60 footer.
The long fine run and light displacement will yield an excellent combination of speed and economy. Relatively short overhangs maximize WL length and therefore vessel speed and accommodation space below. Height to the top of the Pilot House is under 11 feet, which allows access to the majority of canals in Europe.
Power
At 70 feet and around 60,000 lb displacement or so, speed
potential even in displacement mode is nearly 17 knots!
If somewhat less horsepower were supplied this hull form can be driven very
economically and quickly, allowing very long range with a modest amount of
fuel. If much greater horsepower were supplied, planing speeds can be
achieved at well over 25 knots. Engine choices are therefore numerous and the amount of horsepower provided would depend entirely on the top speed required.
This is a vessel we can truly call EXPRESS...!!
Interior
Here I will describe an interior that will fit nicely into
a 65 to 70 foot overall length.
Below Forward: The whole forward layout below will
ideally be very close to what we have sketched for the
60' Peregrine. Check out the Peregrine
Interior Layout and
Interior Profile to clarify the description
that follows... Note however that the Express Cruiser described here
is wider, yielding even more room below.
Beginning right forward
there is a generous forepeak for anchor gear and rode storage. Right
aft of that, a large owner stateroom. The head & shower are just
aft of the owner's stateroom to starb'd, and to port, either a guest suite
or a generous ship-board office.
Aft of that and nearly amidships is a large saloon having a
comfortable 8' or so couch to port and to starb'd of a center coffee table.
A convenient side board will be located forward and aft of the saloon seats
- four in all - essentially functioning as end tables with drawers / doors
for storage below.
Aft of the saloon, located to starb'd is the galley which is arranged in a large "U" shape
open toward the aft end, and having a large 'peninsula' counter on center. Outboard of the companionway
and all the way to port is a long side table at counter top height.
This counter / cabinet will house the laundry at the aft end, and
will serve as either a large desk or project table on top, or it could just
as easily be made into a raised
"berth in a box" for additional guests.
Immediately to port of the centerline peninsula counter is the companionway leading
up and aft into the pilot house.
Above Aft: Here we have the Pilot House,
plus a large combination Saloon / Dining area aft. The pilot house is
intended be
arranged similarly to that of the 64' Ironheart.
The
Ironheart Deck Plan shows this layout
reasonably well, though on the Express Cruiser the dining area will be
slightly less long.
Briefly, a large dashboard is located right forward with the companionway
to port leading below. A pair of doors exit the forward end of the
pilot house to port and to starb'd. A pair of pilot seats are intended
aft of the doors. A walk-through between the pilot seats will lead aft
into the saloon / dining area.
A bureau / bar will be located forward
against the pilot seats, and the rest is dedicated to an open dining
area, with large opening doors directly out onto the aft deck. On the aft
deck, a seating arrangement similar to that on the Ironheart is intended, as can be seen on the
Ironheart Deck Plan. Note
however that the
Express Cruiser shown here has much greater beam aft so the aft
deck seating area would be considerably larger.
Below the Pilot House sole are the engine and bulk fuel tanks.
Unlike the Ironheart however there is plenty of length here to use a direct in-line
shaft and gear. The engine space is easily accessed by a door
from forward, as well as by large hatches in the pilot house sole.
Alternative Layout: If the length were limited to
60 feet overall, then the interior, the pilot house, and the aft deck layout
would be nearly identical to that of the 60'
Peregrine.
Further Development
Let's see... bulletproof structure, easily driven hull, efficient
propulsion, elegant, retro-cool, sleek, fast, comfortable and spacious
interior... okay what did I miss...??
If this sort of wildness is of interest,
please inquire for more detail.
