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The 50' Steel Trawler Yacht

'FAR HORIZON'

50' Trawler Yacht FAR HORIZON - Kasten Marine Design, Inc.
Perspective Aft  |  Perspective Forward  |  Transparent Perspective Aft
Deck Plan  |  Interior Layout

General Concept

The design objective for the motor yacht Far Horizon 50 has been to create an all-ocean vessel with a generous interior having two private cabins, each having its own private head and shower.  The interior and on-deck layout are the same as the 46' Far Horizon, but larger in this case in order to accommodate a private head compartment for the aft stateroom.  Other differences are that the pilot house is slightly longer, allowing a larger storage shelf above the aft cabin, and all of the hull proportions are slightly larger throughout.

The Far Horizon 50 has a raked bow profile combined with a fantail stern. This is the perfect bow shape for taking on the oceans of the world.  The fantail stern is equally well suited to passagemaking, and is the ideal stern shape for a metal boat, being both classic and highly functional..!

Although the model shown here has been given bilge keels, they are not a requirement. The bilge keels as shown will allow taking the ground upright, and will provide added roll attenuation both at anchor and under way.

Particulars of the Far Horizon 50 are:

50' Trawler Yacht FAR HORIZON - Kasten Marine Design, Inc.
Click for Larger Image

Power & Range

Engine choices are plentiful among the 6 cylinder marine diesels that are available worldwide. Power requirements will be in the range of around 150 hp to 175 hp.  In this power range the six cylinder John Deere 6086 TFM would be eminently suitable, providing a continuous 158 hp (118 kW) at 2,400 rpm using the John Deer M-1 rating.  The JD M-3 rating produces 201 hp at 2600 rpm.

Hull speed is around 9 to 9.5 knots, depending on the choice of engine and vessel loading. A speed of 10 knots is achievable using the John Deere M-3 rating.

Range is planned to be between 3,000 NM and 3,500 NM in the average load condition at a voyaging speed of 7.5 knots, assuming a 15% reserve.  If the voyaging speed were dropped to 7 knots, range would increase to between 4,000 NM and 4,500 NM.  That extra half knot makes quite a difference...!
 

50' Trawler Yacht FAR HORIZON - Kasten Marine Design, Inc.
Click for Larger Image 

Layout

The Interior Layout is optimized for a couple with two children, or for a couple with two guests. The aft guest cabin has two quarter berths, a private head and shower, a large bureau / hanging locker, and a big desk on center aft - perfect as a home office when guests are not aboard.  The Far Horizon 50 Pilot House has forward facing seats and ample space for a table and pilot chair. Below, the galley is located to starb'd and a large dinette and table are opposite, to port. Forward of that there is a head to port and shower to starb'd.  Right forward is an owner's stateroom with an island berth on center and twin wardrobe cabinets port and starb'd.

With a large flush fore-deck, there is plenty of room in the accommodation space below forward. On the aft deck there is an aft-facing seat which creates headroom within the aft cabin. The aft deck seat is an ideal spot for fishing or wake-watching... arranged with a table it will be the perfect spot for on-deck dining.
 

50' Trawler Yacht FAR HORIZON - Kasten Marine Design, Inc.
Click for Larger Image

Systems

The intent here is to keep the systems simple so they are easy to maintain, and so that first-cost is kept within bounds. There will be a controllable pitch propeller system - the most exotic system onboard - although not really... See my article on Controllable Pitch for clarification. In Scandinavia, especially Norway, controllable pitch propellers are the norm, with fixed pitch being a distant second..!

Other systems onboard include a Kabola heating and hot water system, helm-pump manual over hydraulic steering, autopilot, bow thruster, twin vertical capstan hydraulic anchor windlasses, electric shore boat winches, and the usual array of navigation electronics. The electrical system is planned to take advantage of either 50hz or 60hz shore power current, with a transformer to permit any shore power voltage with constant voltage being supplied onboard.

The rig is simple as well... In fact, there isn't one...!  Stabilization with the bilge fin keels will be quite adequate for the kind of cruising envisioned, i.e. that of canal cruising and inland waters, with occasional excursions offshore from one cruising venue to another. True to her design name however, the The Far Horizon is quite capable of worldwide voyaging, including a circumnavigation. Those who might favor such an ambition will usually add a paravane rig, although certainly active stabies would be an option instead of the fixed bilge fin keels.
 

Summary

The Far Horizon is quite a capable mid-size trawler yacht design - equally at home on the briny sea as on a smooth canal traverse. The layout is ideal for a couple with young children, or to accommodate guests. In steel, there is no question of strength and ruggedness for whatever task may be asked of the vessel. And to combine this all in a lovely fantail cruiser brings a measure of elegance to the whole affair.

In my view, an ultimately successful combination..! For more information, please inquire.

50' Trawler Yacht FAR HORIZON - Kasten Marine Design, Inc.
Perspective Aft  |  Perspective Forward  |  Transparent Perspective Aft
Deck Plan  |  Interior Layout

Similar Designs and Prototypes in this Tug / Trawler Yacht Series

Tug Types
Boojum 22 | Boojum 25 | Boojum 30
Terrier 32 | Talisker 32 | Nidaros 38

Trawler Types
Sweet Okole 30 | Buster 30 | Boojum 43
Roberta 43 | Roberta Jean 43 | Roberta Jean 47
Blue Horizon 36 | Far Horizon 40 | Far Horizon 43 | Far Horizon 46 | Far Horizon 50 | Far Horizon 54