This new design, still in the early concept stage, was recently started for a U.S. based client. Many people have now seen and commented favourably on the larger 62′ ketch-rigged Cat which we did a few years ago, which incidentally has now completed her homeward voyage from NZ to Maryland, USA.

The requirements for this smaller vessel are for a comfortable, long-range cruising yacht capable of being easily handled by a couple with occasional guests. We are focused on not cramming 4 double cabins into the available space and features such as twin walk-in enginerooms, separated from the accommodation are being considered.

We started with the notion of employing a ketch rig like the larger vessel but have now opted for a simpler cutter rig. Seeing as so much has yet to be finalised, we will curtail this brief description with the sketch below, but remain excited by the possibilities offered with this new design.

Principal Characteristics:
LOA - 15.15m
DWL – 14.50m
Beam – 7.90m

Draft – 0.68m Boards up
Sail Area – Upwind ~ 145m²
Sail Area – Downwind ~ 221 m²
Power - Twin 55 HP Inboard Diesels, Shaft Drive
Hull Material – Sealium Alloy

The result is a long-ended, graceful vessel with a timeless appeal. However, performance is still an issue and hence the lightweight alloy construction. The anticipated cruising grounds include the Bahamas, Florida Keys, Gulf Coast and also further up the US Eastern Seaboard. Consequently, the draft is constrained to a maximum of 6 feet, fully laden. The underwater configuration is a shallow fin keel with skeg-hung rudder. We have designed a widened “bulb” keel to keep the ballast weight as low as possible but there is also a centreboard for upwind work.

Other features of this boat include a pivoting transom door ramp with integral steps to facilitate boarding as well as for easy access to the water. When closed the sweeping curve of the classic counter stern will be undisturbed, preserving the graceful looks the boat. The owner’s have requested some degree of subdivision in the utilisation of the cockpit and we feel that those engaged in lounging will not be disturbed by those keeping the boat moving! The interior boasts a huge saloon area, not confined within the perimeter of the deckhouse. The owner’s cabin is forward, with ensuite. The other cabins share a bathroom to port, forward of the saloon.

Also shown is a second profile with traditional cabin trunk featuring low aspect carriage-style windows. Personally this timeless “look” is the one I find the most appealing and would like to see this version built as well. Overall, we are happy that this design will satisfy the owners need for a graceful cruising boat with comfortable accommodations for family and friends.

Principal Characteristics:
LOA - 19.5 m (64’ 0”)
DWL - 15.4 5 m (50’ 5”)
Beam - 5.28 (17’ 5”)
Draught - 1.83 m (6’ 0”)
Sail Area - 170 m² (1830 sq. feet)
Power - John Deere 4045TFM (135Hp @ 2500 rpm)
Displacement - 30000 Kg (66140 lbs)
Hull Material - Aluminium Alloy

View the plan

Central to the philosophy of this boat is it’s construction method which is, in effect, based on the “Strongall” system developed by Meta in France. FairMetal Boats is licensed to produce boats under this name in North America. So here we have a rock solid hull which is heavily plated in aluminium alloy but still easy to build by virtue of the relative absence of framing inside the boat. The hull shape is a single chine, so chosen to facilitate plating with ½” sheet material. Some may not like this feature but the chine is only visible aft for about 1/5 of the overall length.

In general the features of this boat could best be described as moderate. The draft is not excessive, the rig is not too tall and so on. If you’re intent on racing then this is not the boat for you. However, there’s a vast number of cruising sailor’s out there who want to cruise in comfort and with a sense of absolute security in their vessel. This is that boat.

Essentially she is an aft cockpit, raised saloon cutter rigged cruising yacht. There’s still some debate as to the ideal interior and hence the various options shown. Early in the concept design process we rejected the more modern open transom in favour of a counter stern. In keeping with today’s requirements for easy access to the water a transom door with integral steps is envisaged. However, the modern version cannot be discounted and the outboard profile is also shown as an option.

For more information on the philosophy of this unique vessel, please visit the Strong Yachts website.

Principal Characteristics:
LOA - 13.95 m (45’ 9.5”)
LOD - 13.73 m (45’ 0.5”)
DWL - 12.55 m (41’ 2.0”)
Beam - 4.15 m (13’ 7.5”)
Draught - 1.81 m ( 5’ 7.0”)
Sail Area - 94.2 m² (1014 sq. feet)
Power - 55 Hp
Displacement - 14 000 Kg (30 864 lbs)
Hull Material - Aluminium Alloy 5083 H321/H116
SA/Displ. - 16.5
Disp/Length - 200

All in all, this is an elegant boat which will not appeal to everyone, but for those with a touch of romance in their soul she will be irresistable.

View the plan - Charter Version

View the plan - Owners Version

Principal Characteristics:
LOA - 23.6m (77′ 5″)
LOD - 20.5m (67′ 3″)
DWL - 16.0m (52′ 6″)
Beam - 5.33m (17′ 6″)
Draught – 2.20m (7’ 3”)
Power - 120hp
Displacement - 41 000kg (90 390 lbs)

She will be ruggedly built in steel but sporting a composite cabin trunk and deckhouse, thereby minimizing maintenance in this highly utilized area, aiding stability and keeping the overall weight within reason. The hull shape is a constant radius chine which will result in an easy to fabricate structure.

An important criteria for this vessel was the need to create a boat which has a sea-kindly motion, can be easily handled by a couple (if necessary) and which will comfortably accommodate up to 6 people on long passages or coastal cruising. Currently the owner cruises a similar size but much lighter (and therefore much livelier) yacht. The heavier steel hull we have chosen will dampen the motion, resulting in more comfort and a more rested crew when they reach their destination. The schooner rig is ideally suited to shorthanded sailing as the available sail area is divided into easily manageable amounts.
Furthermore, the classic styling was intentionally chosen to provide timeless appeal which presents an opposite to today’s crop of euro-styled cruising boats.
There is a comfortable raised deck saloon (offering great views) within in the deckhouse which also incorporates an inside steering station. Forward of this is the galley and 3 double cabins (2 with ensuite) and mess area and day head.
The sleeping cabins have deliberately been located amidships where the motion is least and well way from the activity in the cockpit. There is a workshop/sail locker forward which is separated from the living area by a watertight bulkhead and which is accessed from the foredeck. A pivoting section of the transom will provide access to the water and easy boarding.

This boat will satisfy the needs of those wanting to cruise in style and comfort.

Principal Characteristics:
LOA - 20.12 m (66’ 0”)
DWL - 15.5 m (50’ 10”)
Beam - 5.0 m (16’ 5”)
Draught - 2.15 m (6’ 11”)
Sail Area - 204 m² (2196 sq. feet)
Power - 204 m² (2196 sq. feet)
LOD - 18.3 m (60’ 0”)

View the plan

A keelboat being produced by a hardcore powerboat builder in NZ for a price comparable to that of the plastic imports! Are we a few pickles short of a cocktail snack?
Fact or fiction?

The keelboat fleet in NZ is not getting any younger and requires expensive, on-going maintenance
It is cost-effective to build keelboats under 15metres in NZ for prices equal to those of the European imports
The plastic imports don’t look too flash after a few seasons hard use in Kiwi conditions
It is possible to build an unbreakable boat with scintillating performance
Solid, reliable Kiwi-built ingenuity in a no-frills, uncluttered package
12 year warranty for a hull and deck structure.
We believe they are all true. Interested? Now read on. It is our aim to produce this boat from marine-grade aluminium alloy with an unpainted or clearcoat finish. AMF Boat Co. in Tauranga have a legendary reputation for tough, uncompromising, offshore-capable powerboats. All hulls produced have a 12 year warranty and so will this boat. Their workmanship is second to none found anywhere. If you have considered the European imports and are still not convinced then this will be the boat for you.
Aside from the structural issues this boat will feature:

Reduced beam for improved performance.
A stable, balanced hull with exceptional control in all conditions.
A generous interior layout not intended for a charter fleet. Retro-styling which is good looking and easy to maintain.
Radius-chine hull indistinguishable from a round-bilge shape (or the option of a single chine hull).
Tall or short fractional rig to suit owner’s aspirations.
Performance bulb keel with 2 draft options (or the option of a lifting keel).
Suitable for family cruising, club and coastal passage racing and offshore voyaging.
Low maintenance exterior finish. Synthetic teak deck or similar.
Contact us today to reserve your build slot for early 2006.

View the plan

Principal Characteristics:
LOA - 10.0 m (32’ 10”)
DWL - 9.5 m (31’ 2”)
Beam - 3.0 m (9’ 10”)
Draught - 1.6/2.0m (5’ 3”/ 6’ 7”)
Sail Area - 53.0 m² (570 sq. feet)
Power - 18 – 20 Hp
Displacement - 3800 Kg (8378 lbs)

For my cruising area, which is the NE coast of New Zealand’s North Island, this will be a great boat to visit the myriads of islands and bays which abound from the Bay of Plenty in the south to the Bay of Islands further north. The philosophy of this little cat is that she will be simple to build and maintain, will be devoid of complicated and costly systems, will offer “camping” style accommodation for up to six people and will offer exciting passages from one location to the next. More “bang for your buck” if you will!
As is evident from the drawings this design is still at the concept stage because “designer’s never seem to have the time to work on their own project’s, right?” In contrast to our specialisation in the field of metal boats, this cat will be built from plywood and epoxy, with filleted and taped joints and seams. Those wanting to “splash out” can sheath the entire hull in cloth but this won’t be essential. A good coating of two-part polyurethane over the epoxy resin will suffice.

Central to the theme of this boat is the absence of any athwartships bridgedeck structure. Less volume to be sure, but this results in less overall weight and keeps it simple (& less costly) to build. At this point I am envisaging large diameter alloy tubes as crossbeams which are simply lashed to built-in strongpoints on the hulls. I reckon that come winter I’ll just beach the boat at high tide, demount the beams and trailer her home where she can be cleaned & stowed away, ready for next year’s adventures.
Powering will be via a 20-25 hp outboard, bracket mounted under the aft main crossbeam. The rig is simple as can be with three stays only, rotating ply/epoxy wingmast. I’ve shown a trampoline in the bow but this can be omitted if the budget is tight. The asymmetrical spinnaker could be optional unless some racing is envisaged. Not shown but also possible (and necessary for racing) would be retractable daggerboards instead of the stubby fixed keels.

Let me know if this boat is as appealing to you as it is to me and we’ll see what can be done about getting the design back on to the drawing board and detailed for construction!

View the plan