On our shop floor is a nearly completed 18’ Rambler 18 outboard boat. It represents a step that I have wanted to take for some time. The idea is to create a design that is large enough for a family, uncommonly seaworthy for her length, and with lines that favor displacement speeds.
An 18’ outboard powered boat may well be the most common recreational boat on the water today, but it is invariably designed with a planing hull. As such, its low speed efficiency is compromised, and a minimum of 40 horsepower is required to lift the boat onto a plane with a modest payload. The ubiquitous deep-V design was never created for comfort, but to keep it from self-destructing a it leaps from one wave to crash onto the top of the next. As noted by Andre Mele in his book
. . . sign up to the right to get immediate access to this full post,
plus you'll get 10 of our best videos for free.
Get Free Videos& Learn More Join Now!!for Full Access Members Sign In
Stan Beloncis says:
Harry, can you provide any updates on the Rambler 18 outboard? I was wondering if she lived up to your expectations as explained in your opening post.
Robert Brockway says:
beautiful design, sharp boat.
MARK DORSEY says:
do you think miles per gallon will really be more than an 18′ version of the jericho skiff? isn’t a light boat with moderate deadrise pretty efficient ? i would guess the jericho shape is pretty good at displacement speeds as well. why not have the best of both worlds? and while it does look seaworthy, i’ll bet your going to get real wet
Harry Bryan says:
In reply to Mark Dorsey I offer the following. The Jericho Bay is a light boat with plenty of planing surface. This allows her to plane easily with relatively low horsepower as long as the total weight of crew and gear as kept down. The performance of an 18′ model would be nearly identical with the 15′ 6″ design if another 5 horsepower or so were added to lift the unavoidable additional weight. I will make some guesses as to the efficiency of an 18′ Jericho with a 20 horsepower motor, but they will be a poor substitute for actual measurements on the water.
With one 160 lb skipper she would probably top out between 15 and 18 mph and get 8-10 miles per gallon. With four adults she would be closer to 12 mph getting 6-8 mpg. It is unlikely that she would plane with more weight than that and would need to operate at displacement speeds.
The straight lines in the after half of a planing skiff like the Jericho will cause the transom to drag at displacement speeds. This will be of small importance with one person sitting as indicated on the design. With four or more people the drag will be considerably more than a hull where the lines (buttocks) rise to a relatively narrow transom at the waterline. She might still get 8-10 miles per gallon, but will have to hold her speed to 4 mph or so.
For comparison, the Rambler 18 with a 9.9 high thrust will (by actual measurement) top out at 9.8 mph with two adults aboard. At this speed she gets 12.5 mpg. At 7.8 mph she gets 16.8 mpg. With 4 adults traveling at 8.5 mph she gets 14.4 mpg.
The Jericho Skiff is an excellent boat but quite different from the Rambler. As to which boat would be wetter, the hull form makes little difference. Any boat under 20′, traveling over 5 mph diagonally into a stiff breeze will be wet. Without the windshield, foul weather gear will be a comfort in both boats. As designed, the Rambler’s windshield has proven to keep at least four crew members dry.
MARK DORSEY says:
those certainly are impressive mileage figures and no doubt the motion in rough stuff at displacement speeds is going to be much kinder and gentler with less snap.hull form can make a difference though, some flare at the bow can really turn water off to the side rather than let it slide up the hull and over the top. don’t get me wrong – it does look like a great boat that because of its ability to perform almost as well freighted as empty would make it a great island tender
Michael S. Ellegood says:
She looks like a comfortable, efficient and low maintenance boat suitable for both pleasure and utility work (crabbing, fishing, etc.) I like her classic lines. Should work well in waters like Puget Sound.
Brad Gray says:
Appreciation of quiet and natural surroundings. Reverence for the environment and respect for others. Yes, I’m definitely in the choir you’re preaching to. Watching the video posted at the bottom of your website just whetted my appetite for more. I, for one, would love to see an OCH video of this little gem! If anyone else agrees, please chime in. Maybe we, in the peanut gallery, can have some input???
Tipping my hat, sir.
Walter Connolly says:
Do i see a Parks planer in the foreground?
Dave Gardner says:
Very nice looking boat. She holds an air of sophistication.
Benjamin Mendlowitz says:
Harry this looks like a great boat, will you have it in the water at Mystic for demos, or on the shore in your usual spot?
Harry Bryan says:
We plan to show the boat on a trailer at our usual spot at the WoodenBoat Show. Hopefully we can offer trials to a “motivated buyer” at the end of the show or arrange for a demonstration at another location.
We should have sea trial photos and much performance data relating to fuel consumption, speed, handling in rough water and against the current in Woods hole.
Bob Lister says:
I like this boat a lot, will you have it at Mystic this summer? Funny but it is my wife that likes the bouncing of waves at 30 mph while I enjoy the slow sightseeing mode.