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July 2002:
The distinctive design of the full size, live-aboard Queensland Moreton Bay cruisers and the Halvorsen cruisers from NSW has been transformed into this trailable motor launch commissioned from our Sydney based naval architect David Payne. With many semi protected waterways around Australia easily accessible by road, this is an ideal boat for leisurely weekend and holiday cruising at a variety of destinations. It provides comfortable accommodation for two, with additional space for children or guests in the cockpit, protected by roll down curtains. It has 2 m headroom throughout the saloon and cockpit, with 900 mm sitting headroom over the bunks.
Simplicity is the keynote of the hull construction, using marine plywood with external fibreglass reinforcement. It includes 2 x 6 mm layers for the hull bottom and 4 + 6 mm layers for the topsides, 9 mm for the cabin structure, with 300 gsm biaxial reinforcement overall. The planking is supported by typical longitudinals at the keel, chine, and sheer, with transverse floors and 9 mm thick plywood bulkheads. The fitout items such as berth tops, sole, and benches also bond to the hull to add additional strength.
The boat is powered by a single outboard engine to about 30 HP. This is located in an enclosed well just inboard of the transom, so it reduces noise, allows the motor to tilt as required, and does not mar the external appearance by having an outboard dangling off the stern of the boat. Fuel tanks can be stored close by, under the cockpit seats. This arrangement allows for boarding steps either side of the motor well, and a tilt up boarding platform is an additional option.
The boat has a double bunk forward, with further sleeping accommodation utilising the saloon settees. A modern chemical toilet or 'Porta Potti' can be fitted either under the forward bunks or in a separate enclosure. There is space for a small galley opposite the fully protected steering position inside the saloon, which has total all around visibility. Under the sole there is generous space for 150 l. of water held in integral tanks.
The well proportioned cockpit is fully protected from sun and weather with a canopy extension of the main cabin roof. It would be possible to modify the arrangement to give a longer open cockpit area, with or without a canopy, and do away with some or all of the saloon, such as to suit a fishing or diveboat vessel. By building your own boat you have that latitude to change many details, and customise the layout so that it suits your particular requirements.
Dimensions:
| Length overall | 8.0 m |
| DWL | 7.9 m |
| Beam | 2.4 m |
| Draft | 0.5 m |
| Trailable weight | 1000 kg |
Drawing:
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