In the 50’s the outboard engine really came into it’s own with lightweight, reliable, powerful 2-cycle engines. Small boat designers took advantage of this over the water improvement and many pocket outboard cruisers -- capable of being trailed -- were offered up to the public in response to the increase interest in recreation boating. Glen-L building kits (15’ Cruisette & 17’ Sea Knight), and production boats by Bell Boy (below 1956 15’ 11” Bell Boy Express Cruiser – note the duel 25 hp Yamaha’s Photo: Mike Radder) to name two companies who offered small cabin vessels termed Express Cruisers.
Navel Architect Weston Farmer drew a seminal version of this genre in his design SIMPLEX. We have here a boat that can carry four to the fishing grounds, or with her Spartan accommodations can camp-cruise two with a load of gear, keeping in mind to use care in open water. The bunks are 6’ 4” long and set back from the useful forepeak. The cockpit is 5’ wide and 8’ long. All this in a tight plywood package to be pushed by a single 50 hp outboard -- or two 25-30 hp. outboards.
Features of Note: The powder horn sheer gives SIMPLEX her military look. The bottom is a warped plane both fore and aft and athwart ships. Westy states that SIMPLEX is a result of his experience designing PT boats during WW II. Note the ‘belly shims’ added to the bow frames to allow the plywood to lay with a slight convex curve pushing water down and away as SIMPLEX moves forward.. The bottom at the transom ends in a slight ‘V’ with the outside chine flattening out to a ‘shelf’ to aid planing. In a moderate chop this boat should have a relatively soft ride. The decks extend down the sides, keeping crew weights where they belong – inboard to the center of the boat -- and the deep cockpit gives a secure feeling aboard. Plenty of windows light the cabin interior giving an open feeling when hunkered into the cabin. The transom cutout can be widened to allow tandem outboards, say two 25 or 30 hp., for that extra bit of cruising security.
Adding Features: The forward cabin could have swing down shelving built on the bulkhead above the aft portion of the bunks for a cooking station in inclement weather. A Porta-Potty toilet could be added to the forward athwart ship section of the bunks. And a hatch in the cabin top, just over the head, would allow one to stand inside the boat -- waist high -- to perform the anchoring chore.
SIMPLEX Particulars: LOA 18’, Beam 7’ 5”, Draft 13.5”, 50 hp. max., Speed Light 25 mph. Construction is Marine Plywood, frames of fir and oak. Fiberglass soaked in epoxy could be added to the hull to improve longevity and finish. Plan Availability: Mr. Farmer’s book “From My Old Boat Shop” has an article on SIMPLEX with lines, body plan and offsets. D. N. Goodchilds website Shellbacks Library has a Plan Packet available for SIMPLEX design # 5846. Full size plans available from: Weston Farmer Associates 18971 Azure Road, Wayzata MN 55391.Attachment: Simplex.gif (Downloaded 135 times) Last edited on Sun Feb 26th, 2006 06:36 pm by Thom V |
