I am remiss in not having commented on the design of Idlewild before. After reviewing the web sites, she is similar to a boat I described about 6 years ago which crossed the Atlantic with a Perkins 4 108. That is 55 feet (or so) long, 11 foot beam, 3 1/2 foot draft, slighly over 30,000 lbs and 55 hp single engine. According to the sites she burns 1.3 gallons at 6.5 knots--and this is in line with other vessels of this type. Compare with other "passage makers"! 1000 gallons, and close to 5 miles a gallon! Very simple gear and utilitarian look. It shows that you don't need a million dollars to make a passagemaker--and is really close to basics. I might make different layout, with a sleeping cabin aft (unless I have missed it), but other wise it is a very practical layout.
Stabalization: looking at the photos I don't see any active stabalizers, or paravanes. One photo shows a small "stabalizing" sail aft and a small spinaker under way. There are some stability figures on Buehler's web site.
It would be most interesting to compare the cost of this vessel with some of the production boats. Buehler also says that this boat can be easily built in plywood (and perhaps for less cost).
Bob Austin
I am remiss in not having commented on the design of Idlewild before. After reviewing the web sites, she is similar to a boat I described about 6 years ago which crossed the Atlantic with a Perkins 4 108. That is 55 feet (or so) long, 11 foot beam, 3 1/2 foot draft, slighly over 30,000 lbs and 55 hp single engine. According to the sites she burns 1.3 gallons at 6.5 knots--and this is in line with other vessels of this type. Compare with other "passage makers"! 1000 gallons, and close to 5 miles a gallon! Very simple gear and utilitarian look. It shows that you don't need a million dollars to make a passagemaker--and is really close to basics. I might make different layout, with a sleeping cabin aft (unless I have missed it), but other wise it is a very practical layout.
Stabalization: looking at the photos I don't see any active stabalizers, or paravanes. One photo shows a small "stabalizing" sail aft and a small spinaker under way. There are some stability figures on Buehler's web site.
It would be most interesting to compare the cost of this vessel with some of the production boats. Buehler also says that this boat can be easily built in plywood (and perhaps for less cost).
Bob Austin
