Our present version of an outboard powered cruiser has been prepared geared to the times, so to speak and includes as many of the features of popular demand as in the light of experience seem practical. Regular readers of MoToR BoatinG will no doubt stand aghast at some of these features which do not follow entirely our old fashioned (but time proven) methods of construction. Hence, Unsanctioned is our selection of a name for the latest of MoToR BoatinG's design family which appear every month in these pages.
Unsanctioned is not a small boat by any stretch of imagination. While her over all length is only 22 feet her short overhang, full beam and ample displacement all tend to produce a BIG little boat. She is 19 feet 6 inches on her designed waterline and nearly 8 feet wide. Her draft, deepest at station 3 is 1 foot 1 1/2 inches. Freeboard at the bow is 3 feet 7 1/2 inches and 2 feet 5 inches at the stern with the greatest freeboard at station 2 being 3 feet 9 1/2 inches because of her hogged PT boat sheer. For all this high freeboard I do not feel she is ugly -- although she may do considerable wandering around while at anchor and be a bit of a bother (to use polite talk) in a beam sea. However, following the public's demands the design developed and we find headroom of 5 feet 10 1/2 inches clear under the sedan cabin top with a full width floor between the berths as well. It would be quite possible to have a full 6 foot headroom if the floor were lowered slightly -- but I rather drew the line at 5 feet 10 1/2 inches knowing what some of the critics would say of a relatively shoal draft cruiser having full standing headroom -- and designed by an Atkin.
Accommodations include the minimum for weekend cruises and should provide comfort for two. A berth is shown both sides and these extend forward under the helmsman's seat in order to gain 6 foot length and still provide a large cockpit. A watercloset is shown installed under the starboard berth.
Unsanctioned has been designed geared to the times as previously mentioned, and for the amateur who is in an all fired hurry to build himself a boat. Every effort has been made to design a relatively simply constructed boat and one which will, at the same time, prove practical, comfortable and safe. In the sections for example, flare has been introduced without flam to assure dryness and reserve stability. There has not been an attempt made to plank the topsides and bottom with single sheets of plywood. This, in my opinion, is a fallacy which is quickly becoming recognized. The development of sections and the adapting of form to suit materials tends only to produce wet, unkindly hulls. The simple straight sections, upon which three or more widths of plywood may be applied without the need for developable surfaces will prove far less work to plank than the application of a single piece. Those of you who have tried vainly to balance a large sheet of plywood across the surface of a table saw and follow the lines of deck edge and chine I am sure will agree. Not to mention the problems of hanging the monster against the hull and applying clamps in a hundred places at once to hold it fast.
The problem of power comes along. Unsanctioned is able to take full advantage of the very latest development in out-board cruiser power. At the August 1951 meeting of the Society of Small Craft Designers, of which I have the honor of being a member, Charles Ungerbuehler of New Castle, Delaware read a very interesting and enlightening report on his experience with the new Evinrude Big Twin motor. Unfortunately I do not have his paper at hand for I feel sure direct quotations from it would prove interesting to MoToR BoatinG readers. In any event I was very much impressed by Mr. Ungerbuehler's practical experience with this type of engine and decided to power the accompanying design with the Evinrude Big Twin. Equipped with a Cruis-a-Day fuel tank the ultimate in outboard power is realized -- or very nearly so. This particular engine develops 25 h.p. at 4,000 r.p.m. and is relatively light -- weighing 85 pounds. For fast cruising, for which Unsanctioned was designed, the Big Twin should prove particularly practical and successful under varying conditions.
Mind you, this 25 h.p. engine is no play toy and therefore take particular care in making the outboard well: its sides, front, supporting cross thwart and knee must all be carefully fitted and properly fastened to take the thrust of this great engine.
After the manner of most all the outboard powered boats we have designed in the past Unsanctioned is fitted with a watertight bulkhead immediately forward of the power unit. I believe the cut-out to take the motor at its proper level exposes the boat to unnecessary danger. In the instance of our present design the engine is covered with hinging flush hatches and hung in a well. All of which further eliminates the possibilities of having the engine (and boat) swamped in a following sea or under adverse conditions.
