4-seater runabout

Full specification

Wooden ships comments on this 4 seater runabout

The theme of the runabout was popular, dictated by the many accessible inland and sheltered waters of the US east coast and Europe and many exquisite designs evolved in the US and in Europe. One thinks immediately of the Italian Riva and the American ChrisCraft.

Although  not so well known in Europe, William Hand was a marine architect working in Bedford Mass.and designed many boats on the same theme. Of course price was always an issue so ease of construction was a consideration in the design which follows Hand’s established practice of a V-bottom and chine.

Great care was taken over the choice and weight of the power unit and the balance of the boat at speed.   A contemporary article describes the construction and specification in great detail. This enabled young boat-builders Kyle Abingdon and Maris Skabardis to build her in 2012 as a demonstration of the skills and ability they bring to their new boat building and repair business established in Kent in 2011.

The boat was nominated for the Classic Boat Magazine  2013 New Build of the Year.

A short article and photos were published in the American Wooden Boat magazine in July 2013.

Recognising that a boat like this will inevitably spend a lot of time out of the water on a trailer and when launched from time to time must stay dry, they chose Robbins Timber Elite marine ply for the hull skin.

The keel, hog, apron and web frames are all in teak. The stem is laminated teak.

The deck is laid in African mahogany over an epoxy-sealed marine ply sub deck. The seams are payed with Sikaflex DC.

The cock-pit is lined in teak, the benches are all teak. All structural members are fastened with silicon bronze screws. Bright metal is polished stainless steel.

The rudder and shaft P-bracket were custom made in cast bronze.

Single center-line polished stainless steel mooring cleat on the fore deck with fair leads either side and a single mooring cleat on the aft deck. Ensign staff mount on the aft deck. The stem is faced with a stainless steel protection strip and carries the eye bolt to haul her back onto her trailer.

In view of the comments in the original article concerning hull balance and the difficulties which can be encountered by over-powering a boat it was decided to keep to the original specification and install a petrol engine which is lighter than an equivalent powered diesel engine.

The 4-cylinder fresh water cooled 1.6 litre Ford Watermota was chosen, an engine located and completely rebuilt. All invoices for this engine rebuild are included in the sale for future reference.

The boat cruises comfortably at 15knts with a maximum speed close to 18knts. On sea trials in a small chop off the Kent coast she proved to be dry and stable. Flexible mounts ensure vibration-free running.

The engine is fitted with a Hurth gear-box. Conventional shaft drive to 3-blade bronze prop. Vetus water-cooled exhaust keeps the noise level low.   Single lever Morse controls.

Steering on Teleflex Bowden cable ensures smooth and precise control to the bronze spade rudder.   12v battery in a sealed battery box in the engine compartment.

The boat has an aft cock-pit fitted with a bench seat against the after bulkhead comfortable for 2 passengers. Forward of this is the helmsman’s bench seat, again comfortable for 2 The steering wheel is fitted to port, engine instruments on the dashboard and the throttle/gear control on the coaming to port. Battery and fuel shut-off valve immediately to hand on the dashboard. Stern gland greaser under the helmsman’s seat. Split windscreen is more or a wind deflector than a screen.

Like the E-Type Jaguar, this boat has a long flat fore deck stretching out in front of the driver. There are two hatches edged in polished stainless steel; the forward hatch is a stowage locker to take mooring warps and fenders, the after hatch immediately in front of the windscreen is the engine access.

New cushions for both bench seats. Whale 12v bilge pump on a float switch. 12v nav lights. Bow and stern mooring warps 3 fenders.

Heavy duty, braked galvanised road trailer included in the price.

This is a brand new boat, a fine job which the builder’s are justifiably proud of and which deserves to win the New Build of the Year Prize.

Disclaimer:

These particulars have been prepared in good faith from information provided by the Vendors and are intended as a guide, Wooden Ships cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. The Purchaser should instruct his agent or surveyor to validate all details as necessary and satisfy himself with the condition of the vessel and its equipment.