General Concept
The
name "Twee Schoenen" is Dutch for "Two Shoes" which captures
both the general look of the boat (Dutch) and the twin-hull type (Two
Shoes). Aesthetically, the boat would be very much at home on a
Dutch canal...
The 35 foot aluminum "Twee Schoenen 35" is a
displacement power catamaran, having a "tunnel-hull" and modest
beam. This design was developed in order to provide a stable platform
capable of high displacement speeds, and also capable of long range at lower
speeds. Design waterline length is 32.8 feet. Moulded beam is 14
feet. Displacement light is around 24,000 lb. and loaded is
around 28,000 lb. Draft is 2.6 feet from the DWL.
Twin
engines have been specified as is usual for a power catamaran.
This provides redundancy of get-home power and shallow draft for
cruising thin water such as is found in the Bahamas. The twin
hulls also allow beaching the boat and still remaining upright when the
tide goes out.
Below, the interior begins forward with a
large dinette table surrounded by a wrap-around seat. Aft of that
is a large desk to port and a galley to starb'd. Aft to port is a
large head compartment. Aft to starb'd is a double berth,
enclosed for privacy.
Within the pilot house is a
large chart desk to starb'd and a double seat helm station to
port. Access to the engine space is provided via two hatches, one
below the pilot seat, and the other below the chart desk.
Aft of the pilot house is a "well-deck" or cockpit, containing seating, and a secure coaming all around.
The
long forward cabin has a downward sloping curve in order to maximize
the headroom in the galley / dinette area, while still allowing the
maximum view ahead from within the pilot house. While this may
seem somewhat unusual visually, on review of older power vessels from
the 20's through the 60's there are numerous examples of similar roof
lines.
In order to avoid the usual "flat" and
somewhat dull sheer line often found on similar power craft, the hulls
were given a pronounced sheer line. This allows a substantial
bulwark forward for protection of the cabin, and for security while
walking around the side and forward decks.
Just outside the
forward end of the cabin is a forward facing seat. Within the
seat are the two anchor winches and storage for lines and other gear.
A 10' aluminum sailing pram is stowed above the pilot house, lifted in place by the mast and boom.
Hull Design Notes
The owner wanted a vessel with a tunnel and asymmetric hulls.
The original request was for a trailerable vessel for use in Hawaii.
This imposed a limit on overall beam of around 14 feet. The original
request also included the capability to travel between the mainland and
Hawaii, thereby requiring a large fuel capacity, and reasonable efficiency
at low speed for long range travel.
The hull form that was chosen is based on similar types that are
used in a variety of configurations for sport fishing; as landing craft
/ small ferries; and as rescue boats. In order to develop the design we
followed in the tradition established for these types of craft in England and in
South Africa.
The overall approach with these hull types is to take a typical "mono-hull"
hull type, cut it
in half lengthwise, move the two halves apart and plate the inner face
using flat panels, with a radius at the top in order to create the
tunnel. This is a practical approach for the sake of ease of construction.
The benefits with this kind of hull are to help eliminate wave pounding, to
carve turns, and to eliminate wake interference between the hulls.
This
hull type is suited to sizes from around 35 feet and larger. In order to
achieve the speed potential of this type of vessel, light weight is
essential. For maximum "lift" a greater beam would provide a
substantial benefit.
Construction is in all aluminum alloy for the best combination of
lightness and strength. With a total re-design of the structure, GRP
construction would also be possible.
Photo Courtesy of Monroe Woollard.
Powering Options...
We considered several powering options for the Twee Schoenen, and we also
considered the use of passive
near-surface hydrofoils to span between the hulls in order to achieve
greater lift and higher speed. Due to the compact size of the vessel
and relatively heavy waterplane loading, it was determined that the foils
would probably not provide a dramatic benefit.
The power chosen was twin Steyr - 230hp @ 2,200rpm engines supplied with
ZF 220-A down-angle gears, and no hydrofoils. The Steyr engine is made in
Austria. It is very compact, has an excellent warranty even for
commercial use, produces high power, and is not too heavy.
Chartering Options...
After several tweaks and additions plus a new interior configuration the design
was approved by Transport Canada
for use as a charter vessel in Canada. You
can see the new layout in the following
images... strictly for charters...!
Chartering Layout Profile |
Chartering
Layout Plan View
In the Chartering Layout, the galley is aft
to starb'd opposite the head. The whole
forward area is for seating. The
forward area could be differently configured,
but that too shows the flexibility of the
design...
The Twee Schoenen is now at the Port of Campbell
River British Columbia. B.C. The operators are Boat Tours LTD., a Canadian Corporation. The
vessel is Canadian flagged as a commercial passenger
carrying vessel pursuant to Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada Regulations.
As a charter vessel for eco-tours, the vessel will carry kayaks,
provide easy access for scuba divers, and afford accommodations for twelve guests.
Please check out the Boat Tours LTD Web Site for more information about
the vessel, which is now being offered for sale. Please see the
photos in the following links...
Launched & At Anchor
| Twee Schoenen Under Way
More Info...
As the length of this vessel type is increased to 40' and above, the design
would have greater speed potential, with reduced load per square foot of
waterplane area. Other
prototypes of this type can be found on our Power Prototypes web page, which range in size from 50' to 120'.
For more
information about these vessels, please please inquire.
