Adding a little more funk

11:48 PM in Boat Plans

Sasha and I have been going back and forth on what to do with the brow of the pilot house.  Usually on work boats, the brow is painted something bright to stand out.  We both decided we didn't want to go bright, so instead we went funky.  I painted the brow in a variety of different lined patterns, all in two-tone gray and it definitely stands out.

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Design 5 - Thalia

9:04 PM in Boat Plans

Preliminary Design - 112' Performance Sloop

6:20 PM in Boat Plans

Here's a preliminary design of a 112' performance sloop, that was prepared in 2006. It was based on utilizing the basic engineering of s/y Zingaro, design #2642, but with a lower profile and a different layout. I think it's a great general arrangement plan.

Principal Dimensions
LOA 111'-7"
LWL 91'-10"
Beam 24'-9"
Draft 13'-0"
Displacement 213,587 lbs
Ballast 60,000 lbs
Sail Area 4,370 sq ft

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XC 45 MKII

3:36 PM in Boat Plans

The Xc45 was the 2009 European boat of the year. I liked the boat as soon I saw it except for two small details, the interior that even high quality looked a bit dated and uncharacteristic and the weight that looked a bit high to me for a 45ft modern boat (13220kg) even in one maximized for cruising. That could be solved at least partially with a more modern designed keel and a bigger draft. The max draft is only 2.2m and that on a 45ft boat is not much. Depending on the area of cruising a 2.5m would seem more appropriate to me (as max draft) and would offer a bigger protection to the rudder.

The rudder is the most fragile part of the boat and it is a bad idea to have a rudder that is not a lot less deep than the keel, at least on the med when the boat goes to the quay backwards. In many small town ports the bottom rises sharply near the quay. What is the use of having a smaller draft if that way the first thing to hit the ground can be the rudder? Better to have a much deeper keel, compared with the rudder, to be sure that it is the keel that hits the bottom first. Hitting slowly a soft bottom with the keel is not a problem, now hitting the bottom with the rudder going backwards, even slowly, can be a big problem. I believe that, at least for the med, the boat would be better with a 2.5m draft and that, in conjunction with a more modern keel would make the boat about 1000kg lighter.

Regarding the hull even if it remains actual, maybe it would have some advantages to have the beam a bit more pulled back, a bit like the designer, Niels Jeppesen, has done on the new XP55.

Anyway this is a great cruising boat and the excellent sailing performances of all Xc45 that have crossed the Atlantic on the ARC proves that it is a very fast boat in cruising conditions, fast and beautiful. A bit on the classic side, but a boat that will age very well in what regards looks.

The good news is that the design of the new interior is great and at least judging by the pictures it looks much more cozy and modern. I liked a lot, now I like it even more ;-)

Looking at  these movies we can see a lot regarding how the boat sails and it sails remarkably well:  A great cruiser even with a short crew or solo.

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Stern Cabinets

12:52 PM in Boat Plans

We are still in the rough phase of building, but the cabinets are pretty much in place.  I am back in business with a new camera body so I snapped some pics today before we progress much further.  

Standing in the the galley looking forward.  On the left is a blank wall that will eventually hold copies of our business license and other mandatory postings.  Next to that is a small cupboard that holds our dishes and flatware, there is usually a door on this but it's off for a coat of epoxy right now.   To the right of the walk way is more shelving that will hold a two burner stove below and oven tools above.   

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First Annual Anegada Festival of Paperwork

10:08 AM in Boat Plans

Yep.  Having fifty friends from the mainland in our backyard for a long weekend was pretty great.
 Only wish it could have lasted a few more days!   

 The weekend was well documented by our very talented Shira.    

Check out her photostream.

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The Heart of Operations

7:24 AM in Boat Plans

Probably not what you expected, but yes.  The head is the heart of our living quarters right now.   

Things left to do in this room…. I'd like to trim out under the sink to make it look a little more finished and I have tile to hang on the shower wall and the wall behind the toilet were the mirror is hanging.  

 

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