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SHEARWATER 19
Aluminium runabout
If you take a Chris Craft Utility Skiff, cross it with an Albatross
speed boat and build it in aluminium at 19ft (5.8m), you’d end
up with something a bit like this. It’s called the Shearwater 19
and it’s the first boat intended for production from new builder
Seacott Marine. The hull was designed by Hal Whitacre in the
USA, as a variation on an existing design of his. It will be built
in aluminium, which is laser cut into the required panels and
welded to form. The layout is bespoke (“that’s the beauty
of aluminium”) and power is from a centrally-mounted,
four-cylinder, 135bhp Mercruiser petrol engine. Top design
speed is 30 knots. She’ll seat three on a bench seat in the
front cockpit and two in the rear. “I wanted to build something
with some classic style,” said Seacott founder James Oakley.
The boat is a shallow vee in form, more suited to lakes than
sea, although coastal work would be possible. Boat weight
is around 1,100kg for towing, and this one comes complete
with a twin-axle, four-wheel trailer with that in mind.
£POA, seacottmarine.com
Four years ago, we tested the Eagle 54, a Spirit of Tradition collaboration
between builder Leonardo Yachts and designer Andre Hoek, both based in
Holland. We noted that the modern underbody gave “impeccable handling
under power and excellent integral stability. She also sails like a dream. That
long waterline, modest displacement, lack of wetted surface area and slippery
lines mean she slices through the water like a knife through silk.” Now meet
the little sister, the 38. She’s designed to be comfortably singlehanded, and
again billed as a daysailer, notwithstanding a pretty nice, three-berth interior.Tel: +31 (0)515 209 002, leonardoyachts.nlNew Classics
EAGLE 38
Fine new daysailer
LOA
36ft 9in (11.2m)
LW L
23ft 7in (7.2m)
BEAM
8ft 6in (2.6m)
DRAUGHT
4ft 1in–5ft 3in
(1.25m–1.6m)