Happy Spring!

It's been a long, cold, snowy winter on the "frozen tundra" we call home - Downeast Maine. Those little shoots in the garden are a welcome sight indeed. Here are some of the things we've been involved with during the cold months:

Interiors

Over the winter we designed interior components for two Lobster Yacht renovations and a new passenger ferry for the College of the Atlantic, in conjunction with two Maine companies: The Hewes Company in Blue Hill, (www.hewesco.com) and Wilbur Yachts in Southwest Harbor (www.wilburyachts.com). Throughout these projects, 3D imaging has been incredibly useful in aiding visualization of the new furniture arrangements for both owners and builders. Compare the 2D vs 3D representations below:

FRIB

Some years ago, friend, colleague, and well known life raft survivor Steven Callahan (www.stevencallahan.net - after May 1) designed and built an unusual dinghy that combined the rowing, sailing, and motoring attributes of a fine lined classic small boat, with the safety and practicality of an inflatable. He made the craft fold in half to be able to fit on the deck of a small cruising boat, and fitted it with a full length canopy that would allow the boat to be used as an ocean survival vessel. After two years of daily use as the "family car" while cruising, Steven had a list of ideas for improvement. This winter, SWYD worked closely with Steven to update the design - now dubbed the FRIB (Folding Rigid Inflatable Boat) - by incorporating the new ideas into an improved version ready for production.

PC 52

Winter 2011 also saw the completion of the preliminary design phase of our 6th PC powered cruising boat - the PC 52. This design features a large comfortable central cockpit with bench seats and table, 360 degree views, and shelter from the elements. Below decks are 3 staterooms, salon, galley, and central walk-in engine room. The full width aft stateroom with en suite head and shower has direct access to a private aft cockpit and swim platform. The PC 52 will cruise comfortably at 15 knots burning a modest 7 gallons of fuel per hour with a range of 1000 miles.

To learn more about the PC 52 and our entire series of fuel efficient, sea worthy powered cruising boats, including a summary of our PC powerboat philosophy, visit the Yacht Designs section of our web site.

52 DS

This proposal - on the boards - for a classically styled daysailer combines traditional yacht styling with current generation materials, foils, and sail plan, including a self-tacking jib and under deck line leads. Not everyone needs a 52' Daysailer. But there are some for whom a powerful, fast, sleek and stable Daysailer with a 13' long cockpit, L-shaped seating with fixed table, separated helm and line handling station, and interior with dinette seating for 7, full width double berth, and full head and galley, perfectly fits their lifestyle. Daysailing is all about aesthetics - the shapes, fit and finish of the yacht, her progress through the water, the efficiency of harnessing the wind, how she merges with the environment - it's emotional, and the 52 DS seeks to maximize the experience.

Professional Boatbuilder

We are very pleased to have had a bit of a write-up in the latest issue of Professional Boatbuilder magazine (April/May 2011). You can read the article here: ProBoat article.

To learn more about the PC 52 and our entire series of fuel efficient, sea worthy powered cruising boats, including a summary of our PC powerboat philosophy, visit the Yacht Designs section of our web site.

With best wishes for everyone on and off the water - have a great summer!

www.weissyachtdesign.com
steve@weissyachtdesign.com

p: 207-667-1189
c: 207-460-2626
Trenton, Maine 04605 USA