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The 43' Classic Trawler-Yacht

"Roberta Jean"

Larger Exterior Profile   |   Deck Plan   |   Interior Profile   |   Interior Plan
Perspective Forward   |   Perspective Aft

Copyright 2008 Michael Kasten

 

General Concept

The 43' Roberta Jean is a slight modification of the 43' Roberta layout.  The hull form of the RJ 43 is identical to that of the 43' Roberta except that the center of buoyancy has been moved aft slightly here in order to accommodate the farther aft pilot house and engine room.

The RJ 43 and the 43' Roberta have a layout that is to a large extent shared across a family of our motor yacht designs, starting with the 43' Moxie and, extending up to their bigger sisters, the 49' Quinn, the 50' Renegade, and the 60' Peregrine.  Each of these designs represent examples of my own ideal Motor Yacht type, specifically in terms of having a long raised fore deck, aft-located pilot house, and fantail stern.  A truly classic motor yacht form that I have often called the "Dream Yacht" style, after the Lake Union Dream Boats built during the '20s and '30s in Seattle.

In the case of the 43' Roberta we have been asked to create a design that uses the same excellent interior layout as that of the 43' Moxie, but with a slightly heavier displacement hull form in order to provide a little more elbow room throughout.  We've therefore chosen a hull type from our lineage of Tug-Yachts: the Boojum, Buster and Nidaros designs.  These designs have a relatively much deeper body for the sake of maximum carrying capacity and sea-going comfort.  Still, they share the excellent fantail stern - a natural for a metal boat - and a rather plumb stem, very much in line with the Moxie to Peregrine series. 

Overall height is kept under 3.5 meters in order to also allow cruising the canals of Europe.

Roberta Jean's particulars are:

  • 43' - 0" Length on Deck

  • 12' - 6" Moulded Beam

  • 39' - 7" WL Length - Half Load

  • 5' - 1" Draft - Half Load

  • 9' - 5" Air Draft - Half Load

  • 42,000 Lb Light

  • 54,000 Lb Loaded

 

Layout

Roberta Jean has a covered aft deck for part-time outdoor living.  The aft deck can be screened in or enclosed by a canvas / vinyl dodger in cooler weather. A large open fore deck allows plenty of space for sun tan adventures and for stowing gear on the flat "cargo platform" forward.  The shore boat will go on the house top, nested in between the legs of the "A-Frame" mast. 

Inside, the layout is as conservative as possible in order to keep boat size within limits, but still extremely comfortable for a couple and occasional guests.  The settees can be made into berths, as can the pilot house dinette.  Combined with the aft-facing seat on the aft deck, conceivable there is sleeping space for seven...! 

The galley is quite large, occupying a generous part of the port side aft.  There is a large head / shower opposite the galley to starb'd complete with its own bath tub. 

Differences between the Roberta Jean and the Roberta are that the RJ 43 has a larger forward cabin with an island berth; a larger galley and head; farther aft pilot house and engine room; shorter aft deck and lazarette / store room.

 

Construction

The choice of aluminum for the structure has been to keep structural weights as low as possible, yet very rugged.  All parts are intended to be NC cut by plasma arc or water jet. The NC cutting process leverages the work that has already been done to create the computerized model.  In other words, structure can be easily defined directly from the surface model of the hull and superstructure.  The resulting "boat kit" makes for fast and accurate assembly. Once the parts have been pre-cut and delivered, the frames and other internal structure are quickly erected, the stringers placed, and the plating applied. 

 

Power And Range

As with all the vessels in this series, Roberta Jean has a rather plumb stem in order to maximize the WL length, providing the most boat speed on a given length of vessel.  Compared to Moxie, Roberta Jean has a much deeper hull form, therefore greater displacement, and has been given a greater fuel capacity in order to achieve the same approximate range under power.  Per the Beebe algorithm for range calculations, Roberta Jean should achieve 3,000 NM at 7 knots on a fuel capacity of 770 USG with 12% held out as reserve. 

A 4 cylinder John Deere engine will be quite sufficient for this vessel.  If one were to prefer a naturally aspirated engine, the JD 4045 DFM at around 75 to 85 hp should push the vessel along at S/L 1.2 to 1.32.   If using the John Deere 4045 TFM (turbo version) at 105 to 130 hp there would be plenty left over to punch into the weather.

The engine shown is a John Deere 4045 TFM, mated to a Sabb controllable pitch gear and Helseth self-contained shaft system having a three blade controllable pitch propeller. 

 

In Summary

For a couple seeking a comfortable life afloat, the 43' Roberta Jean combines all of the basic necessities with the luxury of a spacious and un-crowded interior.  In terms of the perfect interior for a personal motor yacht, the Moxie - Roberta - Roberta Jean - Quinn - Renegade - Peregrine designs are my own first choice. 

To me, the primary appeal of these designs is the excellent accommodations for two, even in the larger sizes.  Guests can be accommodated by various means, none of which require there being a separate dedicated guest cabin.  A covered aft deck offers protection from sun and rain; a gourmet size galley and big saloon allow the luxury of fine dining afloat... Combine that with simple construction and economical powering... we think it is a winning combination to say the least.

For more information on these vessels, please contact us...  

43' Motor Yacht Roberta Jean - Click for Larger Image

Other Designs in the same family of Interior layouts...

36' Molly   |   43' Moxie   |   43' Roberta   |   49' Quinn  |  60' Peregrine  |  64' Peregrine  |  66' Nusa Tengara

Other Designs in the same family of Hull Shapes...

22' Boojum  |  25' Boojum  |  30' Boojum  |  30' Buster  |  32' Terrier  |  38' Nidaros


Please see the Plans List page to review our available Boat Plans.

Michael Kasten
Kasten Marine Design, Inc.
michael@kastenmarine.com
www.kastenmarine.com 
Modern Classic Yacht Design
Washington; Arizona; Sweden

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