Preview: A 16-foot Pilothouse Motorsailer? You’ve Got to be Kidding!
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August 29, 2017
Email this Video to a FriendIn our travels, we’ve seen a number of fascinating designs. But nothing caught our eye like HEATHER – a 16-foot pilothouse motorsailer – that had us all saying “You’ve got to be kidding!”
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Comments, Thoughts or Suggestions?You can leave a comment or question for OCH and members below. Here are the comments so far…
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26 Responses So Far to “A 16-foot Pilothouse Motorsailer? You’ve Got to be Kidding!”
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Patrick McBride says:
It has been quite a few years since anyone has commented so I hope someone will see this and respond. Is Marty still using Heather? I would love to know how she sails, and how the hybrid propulsion system worked out?
Nate Rooks says:
Hi Patrick – We’re always watching the comments! Not sure if Marty is or if he’s out cruising, but HEATHER is now owned by legendary small boatsman Howard Rice.
I believe the hybrid propulsion system is still in the works, as Marty had to pass her on while the project was still in the planning phase.
Paul Squire says:
Love this boat! How’s it going 6 years on?
Nate Rooks says:
Hi Paul – See above. Howard Rice is now HEATHER’s owner, and still working on the project, but she experienced a long hiatus after this video was made.
michael fitzek says:
am speechless!, what a great design and ingenuity!
everything one can ask for without the work and cost of the upkeep on a bigger boat!
Chris Methot says:
It would be nice if OCH could do a video on various hybrid small boat solutions. The practicality of solar as opposed to generator would be interesting.
Peter Rose says:
Thank you for this story, the boat is a beauty, and would love one :)
David Tew says:
Is it possible that I saw Heather at the PT Festival in 1978 or 9? If so I was gobsmacked even then.
Marty Loken says:
David – The boat was launched in April, 1979, and first appeared (in public) at the 1979 Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival, organized by The Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle. It’s likely that Heather also showed by at the 1979 Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend….so, yes, you might have seen her there.
Hudson Barton says:
As you say, really well thought out. I love the bilge keels. Other than the 16′ length, what are the other stats? How does she perform? Besides the Arrangement Drawing, what other drawings are available?
Marty Loken says:
Hudson – Construction plans are not available; the Arrangement Drawing is the main illustration we have on the boat. She sails better than most onlookers might suspect, and has surprised some larger boats. While I photographed the boat under sail back in the 1980s, I’ve never sailed her myself, so if you begin to follow my FB page next Spring, you’ll see reports on our sailing and cruising adventures with the boat. – Marty Loken
Thom Loftus says:
It is the ultimate little dream boat – Have fun Marty!
Say, just wondering, heading to the PT Wooden Boat Festival next weekend. Are Eric and the OCSC crew already in town making movies for OCH? Love what you guys are doing!
Thom Loftus says:
sorry, not OCSC – OCH :)
Marty Loken says:
Thom – Yes, they’re here for the Wooden Boat Festival and production of more videos. – Marty
Ralph Johnson says:
Amazing design thought and craftsmanship, wow.
But another set of eyes will help review the hybrid propulsion concept. Power is power and converting a minimally small generator from low intermittent loading to extended propulsion charging loads seems illogical. The generator is probably oversized but getting some other engineering input can’t hurt. Small generator fuel efficiency is always low and the power conversion losses are high compared to a reduction gear
Marty Loken says:
Ralph – Others far more expert have been consulting on the electric-drive idea and I might be misunderstanding your comments about the generator, but it will not be driving the motor in any direct way–just stopping or slowing the rate of battery drain in the 48V system. The rough-draft plan involves four 100+AH AGM batteries, motor with reduction gear, controller, two chargers and a 2,000-watt Yamaha generator that would only come into play during lengthy passages. There would also be 1-2 solar panels that would mainly come into play when the boat was at anchor out in the bay…merely keeping the batteries topped off, not providing much else to the system. Comments and suggestions are warmly invited, since we want to get it right–and the whole electric-drive system may not be installed until our second summer of use (2019). – Marty Loken
Bruce Bolster says:
Just curious as to why you would want to ditch what seems to be a very sanitary diesel installation with what appears to be a very well maintained, low mileage unit. Yes, they are noisy and smelly, but also expensive to procure, complicated to install and economical to run. The first questions I would be inclined to ask would be: does it run, and are parts available? If the answers to those are yes, then I would be inclined to live with it for a season or two to get the measure of the boat with diesel power, before tearing into a major retrofit. My sense is that a lot of diesel-to-electric conversions happen when a rusty old engine finally bites the dust, and a complete replacement would cost as much as the boat is worth. However in this case, if it ain’t broke……,
Richard Whiting says:
SWEET!
Russ Manheimer says:
What a joy. Enjoy your geezerhood Marty. Thanks OCH.
Ed Altonji says:
Worth waiting 35 years!
So, when do you think you’ll sell … just to set my own wait expectation.
Drake Christensen says:
Wow!
Alex Zimmerman says:
Love the idea of a capable micro-cruiser like this. I do wonder what you do for a dinghy though. No space to carry one on deck
Marty Loken says:
Alex – I generally tow a 50-pound, 8-foot plywood skiff but am building a 40-pound, 6′-8″ 4mm Portage Pram for HEATHER, from a kit that’s being made available by Small Craft Advisor magazine and Duckworks Boat Builders Supply. (I’m building what’s actually the kit prototype; the pram kits will be available in the marketplace by October, after we prove out the design.) The other option for a boat like HEATHER would be a super-light, cheap inflatable raft or kayak…or inflatable SUP…but for cruising semi-protected waters I prefer a hard dinghy with good gunwale guards to protect the little mothership.
Tony Vink says:
Oh yes, that is beautiful. I think most subscribers here would love a boat like this.
Just load it up with grog, biscuits, and lemons and go!
David Graham says:
Every young-at-heart guy needs one of these.
An amazing concept.
Neo Sovereign says:
Oh my… I think I’m in love.