New photo added 9/4/08

I've written before how no design springs from a vacuum and ALL designs are a combination of a lot of folk's ideas in most cases, going back years and years. This boat is MY combination of great ideas by several people. Bill at Seahorse's ideas on their first 44 and then the 46-plus, Les at Townsend Bay Marine, building the first 45-plus, added some new ideas he and Ross, the boat's owner, worked up. I liked the way those boats ended up but saw some things I'd do differently. I started drawing out ideas that took features from all of those and Paul Bubak decided he liked what was starting to appear. Of course he had some ideas that I liked, and the result is this boat, the 41-Plus Diesel Duck!
This "plus" and "2" stuff sounds silly but it's accurate way to label them because it means the Length on Deck "plus" a bit since the deck is cut off, making a swim step that is actually part of the boat rather than stuck on the back. This is nothing original with me of course and is quite common on new boats. I think it takes a while to get used to In fact, I originally thought it was ugly but the look grows on you because it is very practical. Now I actually like it!

This boat's hull was based on the 44 Evolution, but "cut off" to be a little over 41 on deck. I also deepened the rabbet aft a little and widened the WL a bit in the forward and aft sections which increased her displacement a little over the 44.

I drew an interior I would want to live aboard. Personally, I think the RV industry does a better job than the boat industry designing interiors for cruising. I've boat and land cruised. I like elbow room. I like an interior that will, as used to be the rule with boats and STILL is with RVs: easily drink six, eat four, and sleep two. I like a big owner's cabin and comfortable bed big enough for two and a medium sized dog or two, along with elbow room. Gotta have elbow room. So, the 44's house was moved a station fwd. and that gives a decent stern cabin.

I originally had mixed feelings on the passageway idea between the cabins but after seeing the way Seahorse placing the galley there opened up living area, I've become a convert. It gives lots of extra interior space because the galley is in the passageway. It does detract from a huge engine room, but that room is still more than sufficient to house the engine and stuff. Keep in mind this DUCK was drawn for me, not as a commission so what you see are ideas of how I'd do it. Of course if you build it you're free to change (I really didn't say mess...) things how you please.
The passageway makes it hard to install watertight bulkheads each side of the engine but frankly, with a heavy steel (or wood) hull I don't worry about that sort of thing. Sure, if you're headed for the Arctic that's another issue but even then, this boat's 1/4" steel hull backed up by closely spaced Longitudinals, could take a hell of a blow without damage. But WT doors can be fitted there if you want to.
I really like the cockpit aft of the house that Seductress, the first Seahorse 44, had. I believe that was the original owner, David Katz's idea. Along with the cockpit, she has 18" side decks. That's enough to easily move around on.
You'll note several versions. Paul likes the hardtop. I know it makes sense and I'll probably come to appreciate it but right now, I'd look at an awning first. It all depends of course on where you're going to be using her. I've sat outside in enough sailboats where I like sitting in pilot houses these days. But I agree the hardtop makes the cockpit more of a permanent living area of the boat. All the versions have a roof bridge. I like steering from up in the air. Aside from being fun, it gives much better visibility than the wheelhouse for docking and entering narrow channels. The pipe railing version is very traditional . It offers minimal windage, and canvas side curtains could be attached for normal use.

Here's the Seahorse built SEADUCTRESS's roof bridge. This sort of open air helm was common on old time tugs. I've read about pilot boat and tug captains washed clear off the roof when crossing the Columbia river bar back in the early 1900s when "men were men, by golly!"

Of course she has my "Modified Dhow" sailplan. You'll read a lot of stuff on the net about why it's no good and why other arraignments are better. If you read my The Troller Yacht Book or my discussions on my web sites, you'll see why I like it. If you disagree, fine, go for what you want. I like it and I ain't interested in arguing or even discussing it further than what I've already written about it!. I ALSO like the "Bubak Modification" as I call the junk rig. Actually, there's no reason you can't have them both!

I'm very pleased that Kaya Cakar, at Asboat Shipyard in Turkey, really likes my designs and wants to custom build them and even offer NC kits for some of them! You can find his web site on my LINKS section. He's offering excellent prices, a fast delivery time, delivery in Izmir which is right in that wonderful Turk and Greek cruising area, relatively inexpensive shipping to the Gulf coast of the US if you'd rather it was shipped home, and since he is a CUSTOM builder he welcomes any custom touches you may want to do to yours.

On to Construction photos of Building a New 41-Plus at Asboat, Izmir, Turkey.