The Way We Were Part 2
A Plea for Simplicity in Small and Medium Sized Powerboats
Last month we asked the penetrating question, “If we use our boats for the same functions we did 50 years ago, why in the hell have boats gotten so damned complicated?” The answer, as I revealed last month is CREEPING COMFORTS OF HOMEISM.
Infrequent Visitor
Yes, people had as much (maybe more) fun with their boats in the 50’s as we are having now yet, spurred on by creeping comforts of homeism (and boat builders/dealers wishing to garner extra profits on “options”) the complication of boats has increased exponentially. Our family’s boats in the 50’s were truly owner maintained.
In fact, in the 30 years of boat ownership that I can remember, I can recall turning to outside help (a crusty engine mechanic) only a couple of times when an engine problem had us completely stumped. A couple of times in 30 years! The modern counterpart to this boat requires the frequent services of specialists: diesel mechanics, electronics technicians, electricians, and spray paint applicators. Not only does this kind of thing keep the boat out of service, but it is also damned expensive.
The X Files
Although most of us presently have boats, most of us also have, tucked away in a secret drawer or file cabinet, a file labeled “Next Boat.” I have such a file, the contents of which I will lay bare. It is for the boat that will replace my existing 47’ state-of-the-art, high tech, high speed, planing express cruiser with two big diesel engines, diesel power plant, air, multiple refrigerators, microwave, T.V.’s, VCR, stereos and a full complement of Super Mario Brothers electronic navigational games. Although I don’t use the boat a hell of a lot, I soon realized that much of the expensive gear fitted aboard is useless or not required. That’s when my new boat file started. Here’s what's in that file to date:
General Description
SIZE/TYPE: 45’ to 50’ Sedan Cruiser with inside/outside controls.
COMMENT: The length I need to get everything in.
SPEED: Max speed 28 knots. Honest cruise speed 22 knots. Cruising speed must be maintainable in a seaway.
COMMENT: Navigating a boat at anything over 22 knots in inland waterways for long periods of time is like playing a demolition derby video game but with higher stakes. Also, high speeds are only available in near flat calm conditions. A boat that can maintain 22 knots in four foot waves is faster than a boat capable of 40 knots that can only maintain 18 knots in four foot waves.
HULL FORM/EFFICIENCY: Fairly narrow semi-displacement. Beam between 13’ and 14’.
COMMENT: A 45’ waterline length hull will never plane until it is doing just over 26 knots. At 22 knots, it will be inefficiently dragging square corners through the water. At 22 knots a semi-displacement hull is approximately 20% more efficient than a hard chine hull of the same length. Looking for around 1.5 m.p.g. at 20 knots. Minimize appendage drag (speed tubes, flush fittings, and single strut).
ACCOMMODATIONS: One large, one small stateroom with one large head and shower. Comfortable saloon aft with galley down one step open to saloon. Large aft cockpit with awning. “Step up” open control station fitted aft in lieu of full flyingbridge. Forward cockpit. Opening windows including windshields. Lightweight, simple interior construction.
CONSTRUCTION: Foam core fiberglass sandwich throughout.
COMMENT: For smaller craft, nothing is stronger and lighter and easier to work with. Weight to be minimized.
STYLING: Updated Midnight Lace.
COMMENT: The original 44’ and 52’ Midnight Laces remain two of my favorite small craft designs blending elements of some of the greatest designs of all time: Consolidated Commuter boats and Elco World War II PT boats.
FINISH: Foam brush applied.
COMMENT: The difference between a “3 footer” and a “6 footer” (see October, ‘93) isn’t worth the trouble. Owner “touch ups” easily accomplished.
EQUIPMENT: Minimum and simple.
COMMENT: Here’s where it gets hairy and controversial.
Well, we’ve cut the typical 15 systems (actually most boats this size have around 20) down to only 7 and greatly simplified the rest. We’ve saved a bunch of money, much weight and tons of aggravation. The boat will run faster, quieter and more efficiently. Boatyard bills will drop dramatically.
It seems anyone who has “sweated the details” in any business long enough will eventually come up with his (or her) own unconventional ideas for simplifying whatever their business may be. Car designers build simple, open wheeled basic cars. Bakers advocate unleavened bread and carrot cakes. Home builders erect log cabins. Clothes designers introduce gunny sack dresses. Gourmet cooks revert to country cooking and, yes, designers of high tech, state-of-the-art powerboats advocate going back to marine basics.
Visionary without Oarlocks
At this point, I’m sure you have one of two reactions to all this: 1) Ol’ Fexas has finally gone round the bend, is rowing without oarlocks, operating with an overflowing holding tank, etc. 2) Fexas is a visionary, a man of great wisdom, a poet, scholar, gentleman and speaker of truths.
I’ll settle for something in the middle.
(Reprinted with permission of Regina Fexas.)
If you would like to read more of Tom's pearls of wisdom, tune in next Friday -- "Fexas Friday."
Better yet, why not get a full dose of infectious Fexas whenever you need it -- and buy one of the volumes below. Better yet, why not buy all of them -- we call them the "Fexas Five." They will provide many evenings of fun reading (better than Netflix), and you'll make the widow Regina very happy knowing that Tom will live on with you the way most of us remember him.
Order 1, 2 or "The Fexas Five" --
To find the "Fexas Five" on Amazon, click here...
Tom Fexas (1941-2006) was one of the most influential yacht designers of the last quarter of the 20th century. With the narrow Wall Street commuters that were built in the 1920s and '30s always on the back of his mind, he wanted to design boats that were at once fast, comfortable, seaworthy and economical to operate. Over the years, he and his firm designed over 1,000 yachts for some of the most prestigious boat builders in the world, including Choey Lee, Palmer Johnson, Grand Banks, Mikelson Yachts, Burger, Abeking & Rasmussen and many others.
Even though toward the end of his career he only designed megayachts and superyachts, including the remarkably influential PJ "Time" in 1987, he is best remembered for his first major vessel in 1978 -- Midnight Lace -- which became a series of 44-52-footers. They were light, narrow, and fast with relatively small engines. He was also influential in the boating community because of the monthly column he wrote for Power and Motoryacht, which began in its very first issue in January 1985.