BERET is another in my “Hat” series – a line of powerboats that, for some unfathomable reason, are all named after hats. They have hard-chine hulls and, for ease of construction, are generally planked with sheet plywood. They are of the semi-displacement type, designed to use modern outboards for power, although most of them can be modified for inbard diesel propulsion. The series can trace its genome back to Harry Bryan’s inspired little Handy Billy design, and thence back to William Hand, who in the early 1900s pioneered the concept of chine-type hulls for powerboats.
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Bruce MacNeil says:
Doug, I sincerely admire your designs and style, they are beautiful and very traditional. On another note I am restoring the windshield on an Able 34 built in 1995. We have a three window windshield and want to add a opening window in the center. Do you have any suggestions for a mahogany opening window design that does not leak. We imagine a hinge at the top and bottom opening as one option. any thoughts.
Thank you for your thoughts, Bruce.
David Tew says:
Oh, goodness. How did I miss this?! I fantasize of a partnership with two or more other couples each taking six weeks of winter in southern climes in respite from Maine winters.
Christopher Chadbourne says:
Doug,
I like Beret… and the design philosophy she represents.
I’m glad that someone is finally making the point about using modern outboards for main propulsion. If you cruise at speed length ratios of 1 to 1.2, it’s surprising how economically even an (ahem) portly hull form can be pushed along. They might be the modern equivalent of all those Chrysler crown gas engines that used to power West Coast troller fishboats.
But it’s also surprising how a short steep chop can make a cruiser like Beret pitch. Would you please comment on the availability and use of long shaft outboards to get those props further down into the water?
By the way… in the late 1960’s Charlie Wittholz drew a series of tug cruisers much like Beret. They were for clients of moderate means, and so tended to be built in small commercial yards like Carl Rice’s yard in Reedville Virginia. Good oak and long leaf yellow pine were the order of the day, and tasteful paint set off their solid construction and simple joiner work.
Chris
Doug Hylan says:
Hi Chris,
As you perceive, Charles Wittholz’s trawler series was part of the inspiration for BERET. And, I will agree that there are times when those props could ventilate in a severe chop. On the drawings, the props are set for semi-displacement speeds, with the anti-cavitation plates at the bottom of the hull. At higher speeds, I think the hull would squat enough to keep the props in good water.
If you were intending to mostly run below hull speed, it might be better to set the props lower. There would be a slight increase in drag due to the extra amount of lower leg projecting below the hull, but that would be negligible at the speeds you mention.
Motor manufacturers have come out with extra-extra long shaft motors, thanks to the current trend of trying to fit more and more motors on the sterns of deep vee hulls. These are mostly only available in the upper horsepower ranges, but even the Yamaha mid range motors are available with 25″ legs. So, I think there is the opportunity to address your concern by using these motors and setting the props lower.
Many years ago, I did some cruising in a Frank Day lobster boat with a Chrysler Crown engine. Even with the most rudimentary of engine boxes, that boat was quieter than a diesel with a thousand bucks worth of sound proofing!
Thanks for your insightful comments, Doug Hylan
Gregory Phillips says:
Vey nice in all respects, Doug.
Greg Phillips
Brooklin
Apalachicola
Randy Pickelmann says:
Hi Doug!
Nice boat!
As a long-time live aboard trawler driver and a long-time Florida resident, I have two thoughts.
First, by using outboards, you remove a significant heat source from inside the hull to outside. At the end of the day, after shutdown, our diesel continues to heat the boat through the evening…whether we want it or not.
Second, don’t be too quick to dismiss air conditioning. If you are planning to spend time in Florida, especially in a marina, air conditioning greatly enhances Mom’s comfort. As we all know, if Mom ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy! When you are at anchor or on a mooring and there is plenty of breeze, no problem. But in a marina where you aren’t able to lay head to the wind it gets miserable pretty quick. I’ve seen what happens to you Maine boys when the thermometer climbs above 90 degrees!
Christopher Chadbourne says:
Randy,
I couldn’t agree more about the comfort price you pay for a marine berth in a hot climate. For years my boats swung on a mooring on the Chesapeake Bay; we loved it, summer included. When we moved our motor cruiser to a berth at the head of the T pier we really noticed the difference.
Notwithstanding, I propose two complementary old-time alternatives to air conditioning for Beret. First, A proper anchoring/mooring system should always be paired with a proper dinghy and dinghy access. How about davits and a transom door for Beret? (Saves the cabin house top for solar panels…) Second, I’m sad to see the demise of wind scoops and awnings, especially on power cruisers. For instance, a wind scoop on Beret’s forward hatch combined with a foredeck awning (to shield the pilothouse windows) and side curtains (to block the afternoon setting sun would help a great deal.
Chris
Bill Mayher says:
Doug,
You have pretty much nailed the design we have been talking about since the early fall: the whole tug trawler thing, ventilation and views, good seating in the main saloon, relative simplicity (especially if one takes up the outboard motor option), attention to shippy details. Nice going.
Bill