Skeg vs Built down in a 33ish footer

[Captlvb]

What do those of you with more experience with downeasts see as the pluses and minuses of the skeg and bulity down hulls for recreational purposes? Major concern is the pounding effect. As I am slowly getting older the run and gun of my center console is wearing off. Really just want a comfortable ride at 20 - 22 knots.

Boats I am thinking of are the Crowley Beal 33, Young Brothers 33, Flowers 33, H&H 32 and West Bay 31.

Hope this generates some good discussion.
Lou

 

[traditions]

Skeg boat in that size,32 Mitchell Cove.If you want a built down,I would say a 35 Duffy would be hard to beat,not that much bigger than the ones you mentioned.I always liked the 33 Flowers,I only knew of 2 of them as lobster boats.One had 300 horse and the other had a 400 something Volvo,and they both sailed along nice.

 

[Downeaster]

Skeg designs are generally designed in eastern Maine. Built downs from mid-coast to the south. I've spent a lot of time in both and I can't sense one to have better sea keeping ability over the other. I will say this though, hard chines are much more noticeable in this respect and if that's what you're considering, I recommend that you first spend some time in one in some snotty weather (following seas preferred).

Of the boats you list, I prefer the YB 33 followed by Jim Beal's 33 (BTW, Jim isn't related to Calvin). If I were looking for all out speed, I'd reverse the order of these two. I never got over some of the rough edges that the H&Hs bore during the days that Barry Hutchins (not sure which "H" Barry belonged to) owned things. Don't know much about Flowers but (I believe) that most of his designs originally came from somewhere other than Walpole. That said, Blitzen strikes me as someone who puts a great deal of thought into his boats and he most recently settled on a Flowers. Never set foot on a West Bay.

Is it a coincidence that the hulls you mentioned (the Flowers excepted) come from a very short span of the western end of Downeast (Lamoine to Milbridge)?

 

[Powderpro]

If you are considering the 33' range, look at the 34' x 13' Calvin Beal (calvinbealboats.com). In my opinion, it is the best downeast boat under 36'. It's beamy at 13', has room for a 28" prop, built by a top-notch boat builder (Stewart Workman), reasonably priced, proven design, stable and fast. If you want a 19-20 knot cruise, go with a 420 hp 6.7 Iveco with 2.25 - 2.50 reduction. If you want 22 knot cruise, go with 500 hp with 2.0 reduction. You will not be disappointed. My 34' Calvin did 33 mph (light) at sea trial with 500 hp Cummins. Get a little weight in it, it slowed down to 31.5 mph (26.8 knots) wide open, and was really a smooth boat.

If 33' is the longest you can go, I would look at the Flowers and Crowley Beal. The Young Bros is also 33', but is narrower at 11' beam.

The 32' Mitchell Cove is also a Calvin Beal design, so it will be similar to the 34' CB with a narrower 12' beam. The Ohara corporation has the molds to the Mitchell Coves. Wayne Beal has a 34' boat that is also designed by Calvin Beal, I believe the WB 34' has a 12'2" beam.

 

[Captlvb]

What was the real draft on your Calvin Beal? The real resitraction is draft more so than length. I figure 3' 6" is about the maximum.

Considering the boat will be used primarily on the drift I woudl think a skeg boat would be a must as the built downs are rolly, yes?

 

[Powderpro]

The Calvin Beal boats website lists the draft of the 34' at 3'10". From the measurements I have personally taken of the boat, I would say the real draft is in the 3'6"-3'10" range. My boat was basic and light, so I was probably 3'6" - 3'7". As a side note, the propeller apeture of the 34' Calvin Beal is approx 32.75" - 33"; So a 28" prop will just fit on a 34' Calvin.

The Young Bros website lists the 33' and 35's drafts as 3'2". I have no personal knowledge if that is correct or not, but the owner of the molds, Stewart Workman, could tell you. If the draft on the 33' for example, is truly 3'2", then the biggest prop you could fit under it would likely be a 24" diameter (again, no personal knowledge of the Young Bros, just an educated guess). 24" diam. prop on a light 33' boat is adequate, although I wouldn't want to go any smaller.

I think (not 100% positive) that the 33' Flowers will allow a 30" diameter propeller, which means it's draft will be at least 2" deeper than the 34' Calvin. Some may disagree with me (everyone has an opinion), but a 30" diameter prop on a 33' boat is overkill and not necessary. So if draft is an issue, I would probably steer away from the 33' Flowers.(for some $$$$ Ken Flowers could probably modify the keel and reduce the draft)


I can tell you with much confidence that of the boats available in the 33'-ish range, the 34' Calvin with it's wider beam, will be the most stable on the drift. Although, the 33' Flowers, 33' Crowley Beal, and 32' Mitchell Cove would probably be nice stable boats as well.

 

[Captlvb]

Thansk for the insight PowderPro. In the long run a few inches might not make a huge difference. The channel has more mud than sand and we could eventually plow or blow a little channel for ourselves. Do like the 34 Calvin. Pretty and as you mentioned bigger all around.

 

[Powderpro]

Here are pics of some 34' x 13' Calvin Beals, the molds that Stewart Workman (SW Boatworks) now owns.

 

[Tumblehome]

Love the 34 Calvin, the Sheryll Ann works in my neck of the woods.

 

[Blitzen]

Thansk for the insight PowderPro. In the long run a few inches might not make a huge difference. The channel has more mud than sand and we could eventually plow or blow a little channel for ourselves. Do like the 34 Calvin. Pretty and as you mentioned bigger all around.

Is there any chance you can go see the owner of the "Edna B" or the boat, I think you will be very surprised at how big the boat is and he can give you some good insight on how it handles the waters in your area. For speeds above 20kts, and comfort in any real sea you will be better off with a built down hull. If speed is not a real issue and stability on the drift is more important then you have a lot more choices and the CB34 is a good one.
There is also the CB34 "Free Spirit" run by Capt. Steve out of Egg Harbor, I have spoken with him and he is very happy with his boat and could also give you some good insight.

 

[Captlvb]

Blitzen "Edna B" is just a few lagoons up the creek from me. I might stop by one afternoon this winter and see what beer he likes to pick his brain a bit. Speed is NOT a huge factor but want to be around 20 knots.

The center console we have now is a deep vee and rocks the hell out of you in choppy seas on the float.

 

[Blitzen]

Blitzen "Edna B" is just a few lagoons up the creek from me. I might stop by one afternoon this winter and see what beer he likes to pick his brain.

I think that is money well spent. You can come see me anytime I like Bud.

 

[Captlvb]

What does your Flowers draw? That is a skeg built boat correct? How is the ride?

 

[Blitzen]

What does your Flowers draw? That is a skeg built boat correct? How is the ride?

The boat draws 4'4" and it is a unique bottom as it starts out as a built down hull and pulls in more like a skeg design. The ride speaks for itself, my crew calls it the "snoozer curiser", very soft comfortable ride.

 

[cb34]

Flowers 33

Anyone know what power the Edna B has and what kind of performance is achieved?

 

[Blitzen]

Anyone know what power the Edna B has and what kind of performance is achieved?

I could find out about the power but not sure about the performance #'s. If I get the info I will post it.

 

[BillD]

33 Flowers

What do those of you with more experience with downeasts see as the pluses and minuses of the skeg and bulity down hulls for recreational purposes? Major concern is the pounding effect. As I am slowly getting older the run and gun of my center console is wearing off. Really just want a comfortable ride at 20 - 22 knots.

Boats I am thinking of are the Crowley Beal 33, Young Brothers 33, Flowers 33, H&H 32 and West Bay 31.

Hope this generates some good discussion.
Lou

Skeg boat in that size,32 Mitchell Cove.If you want a built down,I would say a 35 Duffy would be hard to beat,not that much bigger than the ones you mentioned.I always liked the 33 Flowers,I only knew of 2 of them as lobster boats.One had 300 horse and the other had a 400 something Volvo,and they both sailed along nice.

I thought I'd resurrect this thread for discussion purposes. I have the same questions as the member who started this thread.
20-22 knot steady cruise and reasonable comfort.

Also Tuna Pursuit is assessing a couple of 34s on another thread he started.

There'' some decent info here for Tuna Pursuit.

And to answer a question I have that came up on the other thread.....

A member posted:

"Flowers 33=Calvin design=skeg design"

Is the Flowers 33 a "skeg?, built down? or hybrid?"

Curious,

Thanks Bill D

 

[Blitzen]

Bill,
The Flowers 33 is a hybrid of both styles, the change in design allows for the engine to under the deck. Orginally designed by Calvin and modified by Ken.

 

[BillD]

Bill,
The Flowers 33 is a hybrid of both styles, the change in design allows for the engine to under the deck. Orginally designed by Calvin and modified by Ken.

Excellent !!!!!!!

 

[plowin]

Bill I highly reccomend driving up and going for a ride on Kens sons boat. It is a 33', go on a shitty/breezy day. I think you will be pleasantly surprised! I wish the day I went for a ride in february was a little shittier but I was able to compare it to what I have now and thats all I needed. They are very accomodating in regards to test rides, do yourself a favor and take advantage of that.-MB