Happy Clam is the latest of over 65 boats having this unusual hull form that have come from the boards of the Atkin family during the past 25 years. They have varied in size from the 17-footer shown here to a 305-foot shallow-draft tanker developed during the past war. Each has proven seaworthy and successful in attaining high speed with low power.
Among the inherent advantages of this hull form are its shallow draft, great stability, and low center of gravity. Full protection for the propeller is provided by the box keel. Flow of unbroken water to the propeller is made possible by tapering the keel to the propeller post. The relatively wide, flat keel maintains the boat in a level position when beached or trailer-borne. The nearly level shaft angle, which is of value in performance, is not possible to achieve in any other hull form.
The principal dimensions of this little hooker are 17 feet over all, 16 feet on her designed water line, 5 feet 6 inches wide, and 11 1/2 inches draft. Her ample freeboard of 28 1/2 inches forward and 19 5/8 inches at her stern assist in making her a dry boat.
Happy Clam should do 14 mph with 5 hp., 20 mph with 10 hp. By all standards the prototype proved herself efficient; she was accurately clocked over the official measured mile off Lloyd's Neck in Long Island Sound, making 14.8 mph with a Palmer 6-hp. Baby Husky marine engine turning 2,250 rpm. The boat was comfortable in rough water and her owner ran her out of the inlets of Long Island's Great South Bay, to fish offshore. She was amazingly dry and stable and behaved herself in a completely satisfactory manner.
