We’ve just booked the late Feb/early March 2021 build slot for our third Braidbar. This blog will cover the planning of the boat as we work on it and then record the build, week by week. But first off, why go to the trouble and expense of yet another boat?
There are three main reasons for doing this. Firstly, tradition demands it. Every time Braidbar changes hands, we let the new folk settle in then order a boat. So, no pressure, James and Donna 😆.
Secondly, Sanity Again is going to need a repaint shortly, so it’s time we changed boats. 🤣
And in the last and chief place, we’re gonna need a smaller boat. It’s beginning to dawn on us that we’re not as young as we were and hauling 70’ and 23 tonnes about is getting to be a bit much.
So the plan is for number 3 to be a shorty, 50’ if we can do it. Electric drive, either hybrid or direct + genny depending on what’s around in nearly three years time, LiFePo4 batteries, gas free, whatever else James dreams up, we’re getting quite excited.
After we’d moved onto Sanity Again, I was chatting to Peter about ideas for our next boat and Sheila said we’d have another one “over my dead body”. Peter’s response was “that can be arranged...”. Turns out I’ve not had to be that drastic, but number 3 will be called OMDB in recognition of that exchange.
Here’s what we’ve put together so far as a design brief for OMDB. I must emphasise this is very much just our thinking at the moment and some of it will undoubtedly be changed over the next two years. But the guiding principles will remain: a minimum maintenance boat representing the best Braidbar can do. So she’ll be a stunner, come what may!
Foredeck
- Triangular hatch
Well deck
- Transverse locker
- Cratch
- Large water tank under
- Tank filler through gunwale
Saloon
- Free standing furniture
- no shelving needed,
- table hinged to wall,
- Reflex bubble stove
Galley
- Electric oven, induction hob
- Compact washing machine
- Fridge
- Extra length
- Houdini
- Triflow tap with basic filter
Cross bathroom
- Large shower
- Pump out or even an incinerating toilet
- Shower fan and light switched separately
Bedroom
- Inline bed
- Inline wardrobe
- Houdini over space at foot of bed
Engine room
- Hybrid or electric drive
- Hospital silencer
- LiFePo4 batteries
- Webasto
General
- Tyler standard shell, 50’ with maybe 1’ discretion
- Panelled walls, oak framed ash
- Panelled ceiling, white painted
- Portholes throughout
- Chrome brightwork
- Glazed sidehatch in saloon with CabinCare type flyscreen (possibly CabinCare blind)
- CabinCare flyscreens and blinds on Houdinis
- Vinyl wood floor Karndean/Amtico/Project
It will be interesting to see what engine or propulsion system you eventually fit as electric power is as I’m sure you are aware developing at a fantastic pace. I wonder if they will start selling a Napier spec boat....your experience having them built, cruising on them and living on them is as good as it gets, temped to say build two and I’ll have the other !!
ReplyDeleteYes, the drive is the really interesting bit. At the moment, James is pro the hybrid because you can get a drop in package and that’s not the case for the genny plus motor option, but there’s plenty of time for developments. Going round Crick is going to be more interesting this year than for a long time...
ReplyDeleteDo you think I should register the name “Napier model” and offer to licence it to Braidbar? ��
Bruce
I particularly like the OMDB name. Please stick with that!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Marilyn (nb Waka Huia)
If you want efficiency don't even think of Hybrid Marine's package. Our separate generator/batteries/motor arrangement seems to be giving us something like a 50% saving on propulsion diesel relative to direct diesel drive. Hybrid won't get anywhere near that. We're at Crick again this year so call round.
ReplyDelete