Martha Green
A 24' Skipjack Powerboat
By John Atkin
Principal dimensions of Martha Green are 24 feet overall by 21 feet 6 inches on the waterline by 8 feet 4 inches beam and 2 feet 11 inches draft. She is a "deadrise" hull and was conceived as "simple to build." Experience indicates once again that no boat is "simple to build." All those worth their salt, by the very nature of being so, are complex -- and all are well worth the time spent in their creation. However, Martha Green is a fundamentally simple boat -- there is virtually constant deadrise and constant flare, with no flam introduced in her forward sections. Her forefoot is constructed after the fashion of the Chesapeake Bay skipjacks -- staved up in a vertical manner for some 20 to 24 inches abaft the stem. At this point, bottom planking is laid diagonally about 4-5 degrees to the hull centerline.
Martha Green is powered by a Universal Utility Four fitted with a 2:1 reduction gear. With this little mill she slides along at a comfortable, and amazingly quiet, 9 to 10 m.p.h. And she is capable of maintaining this speed when the sea builds up.
Her arrangement plan indicates built-in berths in the forward part of the hull, with good sitting room in the ah portion of the berths. The galley, to starboard, is more than ample, with a bureau at its forward end, ash work surface, sink, and alcohol range. An icebox is fitted beneath the galley work surface. To port, a large shelf-top hanging locker provides excellent stowage for shore clothes. The enclosed toilet room is about 3 feet 6 inches long. There is 5-foot 11 inch headroom beneath the house-top beams.
The open cockpit, partially protected by a standing top or "pilothouse," is a delightful place to spend an afternoon on the sparkling waters inshore of our lovely Norwalk islands. A flush deck, fitted with adequate hatches, covers the power plant.
There appears to be continuing interest in wholesome little vessels of the nature of Martha Green. Over the years since she was designed, a great many of these boats have been built, including several in Bermuda. There is much to be said for the boat's relatively low initial cost, economy of operation, and minimum upkeep.
John Atkin drew a sailing rig for Martha Green, for steadying and to save on fuel when the wind is fair -- or just for fun! The sail plan is included when you buy Martha Green's plans.
 
PHOTOS OF MARTHA GREEN
Plans for Martha Green are $100

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