45 ft Gaff-Rigged Motor Sailer "Dakota", Design #114

This design was commissioned by an Alaskan builder who wanted a comfortable floating home with the capability to carry him south to avoid the long, dark winters. He needed a light and airy interior, inside steering, good visibility, a reliable engine, and an efficient galley.

Construction:The plan is drawn for glued construction, which the owner will do in yellow cedar. Planking is one layer of 7/8-inch strip planking followed by one diagonal layer of 1/4-inch planking and another 1/4-inch layer fore and aft. Total: 1 3/8 inches of planking. Sheer strakes have an extra 1/2 inch of thickness. There is also a 3-inch guard capped with gumwood through the body of the boat.

Frames are 3-inch x 3 3/4-inch on 20-inch centers, laminated and set up before planking. Decks are double skin red or yellow cedar with 2 inches of fitted insulation between the beams. Centerline members are laminated yellow cedar.

The engine is a naturally aspirated four cylinder Cummins 80 BHP diesel with 3:1 reduction and a 25-inch three-blade propeller.

It is rigged as a gaff ketch, with wooden spars and galvanized steel fittings and deck hardware.

Construction: strip planked

Length on deck: 45 ft 6

Beam: 13 ft 7 in
Length waterline: 38 ft 6 in
Draft: 5 ft 8 in
Displacement: 35380 lbs
Ballast :9500 lbs
Sailing rig: Gaff ketch
Sail area: 937 sq. ft
Fresh water: 1070 litres
Fuel capacity: 1500 litres
Building time: 10000 hours
Skill level: High