"PC" Powered Cruising Boats

Transcription

1 This new series of powered cruising boats from Steven Weiss Yacht Design combines fuel efficiency, classic yacht styling, and uncompromised sea kindliness. Designed to cruise effortlessly in the semi-planing speed zone, PC powerboats are powered by single, efficient, electronically controlled diesel engines. They all share the common attributes of maximum length waterlines, moderate displacement and beam, and minimal wetted surface. They have been designed from the outset to benefit from advances in modern composite yacht construction, utilizing high strength fibers such as Kevlar, unidirectional E-glass, and carbon fiber, latest generation foam cores, lightweight composite panels, and infused vinylester and epoxy resins, to save weight without sacrificing strength, and maximizing performance. All have been designed to conform to the latest ISO RCD standards for construction details and stability.

2 In recent years, due perhaps to ever tighter schedules, competing interests for our leisure time, or ease of operation, many former sailors have turned to power boats for both day outings and longer cruises. Often these vessels are of substantial displacement though intended for high speed operation, requiring a pair of high horsepower, high fuel consumption engines to achieve their design speeds. These high-powered planing boats can take us to favorite destinations in a fraction of the time spent being driven by the wind, however they do so at great cost. The ferocious fuel consumption of the high horsepower engines required to propel a cruising boat at planing speeds is enormously expensive and ethically dubious in an age of diminishing resources and environmental degradation. The twin engine installations which are most common add substantial weight, are costly to purchase and maintain, and rob valuable interior volume. The planing boats' typical high deadrise hulls reduce their efficiency even more, but are necessary to absorb some of the impact caused by hitting waves at high speed. These boats are often loud and uncomfortable under way, and cause large wakes which can disturb fellow boaters and delicate shorelines. Ironically many of these high-powered boats, optimized for high speed, spend much of their time under way slowed to semiplaning speeds to reduce fuel consumption, increase range, and make life aboard more manageable. Of course their heavy engines, ancillary equipment, and the extra fuel to feed them are not only unnecessary at these speeds but cause even less efficient operation. Some ex-sailors turn to displacement trawlers which can offer generous interior volume and great operating range. Such boats typically have excellent fuel efficiency, but are limited to cruising at sailboat speeds, and most require some form of active stabilization to minimize uncomfortable and at times dangerous rolling.

3 A number of cruising boats are intended to operate in the semi-planing speed zone, however many of these are based on designs originally produced for commercial fishing, exemplified by the Maine lobster boat. Though often capable sea boats, the evolution of their form has been driven in large part by practical commercial considerations and not necessarily by the needs and priorities of cruisers. And many do not incorporate the efficiencies developed from advances in naval architecture and construction materials and techniques. PC powerboats take the semi-planing cruising boat to the next level. The genesis of the PC concept of powered cruising boats came from several disparate sources: The first was simply observing how powerboats behave and are most often used in the real world. Many people prefer to cruise at a leisurely pace, enjoying the scenery, navigating with confidence, and avoiding uncomfortable slamming. The second source of inspiration came, ironically, from long-distance offshore sailboat racers, such as those of the Volvo Round the World Race and Vendee Globe. These latest breeds of race boats routinely sail at planing speeds due to their light displacement, hull form, large sail plans, and canting keels. If such large vessels can be made to move across the water well above displacement speeds powered only by the wind, surely a motorized vessel can do so without requiring enormous amounts of expensive and wasteful horsepower? A third source of inspiration came from some European designs of similar performance concept to the PC range. While these proposals are often intriguing examples of cutting edge industrial design, they often lack the aesthetic connection to more traditional yacht styling popular in the US. and elsewhere.

4 Much of what originally drew many of us to the water is often missing in the powerboat experience. For those of us who love living in the natural environment, enjoy the simple sensory pleasures of sun and wind, the call of a seabird, or the water reflecting the colors of the sky, we do not regard the smell of diesel exhaust, the roar and vibration of high powered engines, or being tossed around by violent wave impacts as complements to the experience. The PC concept seeks to create powered cruising boats capable of reasonable cruising speeds that appeal to the sensibilities of sailors. All PC powerboats shelter the crew and guests from spray, wind, and sun, but do not seal them off from the natural environment. The helmsman and navigator are not isolated at the forward end of an enclosed salon (which may be doing double duty as dining room, tavern, or movie theater). The pilot house areas are all open aft (though can be enclosed with removable curtains), so that the sights, smells, and sounds of traveling on the water can be appreciated. The crew are positioned with an elevated height of eye for excellent visibility without having to resort to the excessive motion and exposure of a flying bridge. Minimizing mechanical noise and vibration is another way to enhance the powerboat experience, and maximum acoustic abatement is a primary concern in our designs. Single engine boats obviously have far fewer components that contribute to noise and vibration than a twin engine vessel, and we specify a range of technologies and materials to minimize mechanical noise and vibration through proper insulation, seals, and exhaust components.

5 The single engine arrangement in all PC Powerboats becomes particularly advantageous in the larger models. Because a single engine installation requires significantly less width as compared to the typical twin engine layout, single engine PC Powerboats can be designed with passageways linking a forward salon to a private aft stateroom - an arrangement long valued in center cockpit cruising sailboats. And because the deck superstructure is arranged to provide adequate headroom below, the centerline engine rooms benefit from near full height headroom as well. Engine access and associated maintenance can be accomplished in an enclosed and dedicated space without the open hatches or upended engine boxes that can be so disruptive to life aboard. Complete details of the PC powerboat range, as well as our innovative sailing designs, are available as downloadable pdf documents on our website: