The principal dimensions are: L. 0. A. 26 feet, this brings her in class one and permits the simplest of government equipment; combination side lights, and all that sort of thing. Her water line length is 24 feet 11 inches; breadth 8 feet and draft 2 feet. Forward the freeboard is 3 feet 9 inches and aft 2 feet.

There is a big cockpit, 10 feet long and the width of the boat. It is water tight and self bailing. The mast, besides carrying the sailing lights carries a short boom which is used for an awning pole. There is a flush hatch in the short after deck which can be lined with zinc or copper for use as a fish box, or for locker space depending upon personal preference. There is a wide after seat with lazy back. A thwart across the cockpit is the ideal place to sit while the boat is under way. Five persons can rest here in comfort.

The cabin is not large, but there is enough room for two to sleep on very decent sized built-in bunks. By installing a small pump closet under the forward ends of the bunks, all to be hidden by cushions and a curtain, the sanitary arrangements will be taken care of. Despite the low freeboard and flat cabin top we have over 4 feet 2 inches headroom in the cabin and this is ample for this type boat. You know there is no way in which to build a shoal draft boat and one having at the same time moderate freeboard so as to have full headroom. Personally I feel that most of our cruising motor boats are too much out of the water, and far too little in, to be safe in bad weather. After all we stand up very little in small craft and it seems a pity to spoil the looks and the ability to keep going in bad weather for the sake of headroom. I am afraid the plan of the cabin shown here does not give an idea of the room available for cabin accommodations.

An engine which develops about 100 h. p. at approximately 2,400 r.p.m. gave excellent satisfaction in Rip II and this looks to be a good choice for Ripalong. I believe the new design will do up to 25 miles an hour with a high speed engine of moderate weight and developing in the neighborhood of 150 h. p. The motor will be in the cabin but if you pick one out that is as free from mess when it is running as the Scripps was in the original Rip II there will be little need to box it in. I rather fancy to have a motor out where it can be seen and be the easier to take care of.

A study of Ripalong's lines will show a distinct reverse curve in the rabbet line and buttocks, also in diagonal 1. It will also show perfectly flat sections from station 7, and aft; the load water line is nearly parallel to the center line from station 6, and aft. Now these features coupled with a comparatively full bow of generous lifting capacity cause the boat to lift bodily. When under way at speeds over 15 miles an hour the first Rip does not stand up on her tail like so many of our fast runabouts, but rather rises for her full length and goes ahead with a very comfortable motion even in rough water. I have had her out in bad easterly weather when it was too rough for most small cruising boats and little Rip was steady, and remarkably comfortable considering she was making over 20 miles an hour. To be sure she was wet when going into a quartering head sea; but show me the small boat that is not. Off the sea she runs beautifully, this I know is the beneficial action of the long keel and the full lifting bow. I think, too, that the round bilges make an easier boat than the square corners of the V-bottom type. I do not want folks to feel I depreciate the V-bottoms, for certain purposes the sharp chined model is supreme.

There is certain comfort in knowing that the rudder and propeller is fully protected with a metal shoe. This little packet can be run aground, beached, rolled up on rollers, and handled anywhere without fear of damaging the propeller and shaft. Boats with exposed shafting hanging in a strut are cussed things to haul out and one has to be on the lookout for driftwood every minute. Of course the additional surface of the long keel adds resistance, and cuts something from the speed; but its advantages far outweigh its disadvantages.