Bayou belle provides one designer's solution to the search for an ideal river cruiser, and does so with the capabilities of the average small boat builder as a prime consideration. The structure is simple to fabricate and assemble, utilizing exterior grade fir plywood wherever pos­sible. The structural members are of oak or yellow pine although locally available woods of equal strength are entirely sat­isfactory. Only a band saw and a tilting bed table saw are required besides the usual chest of hand woodworking tools and a power drill with screwdriver attachment.

The outboard plan and profile shows a big pram-like hull on which is mounted a long cabin with four large windows on each side. Forward there is a small deck. Aft there is a cockpit and motor compartment covered with an extension of the cabin roof. A topside steering station, not un­like those used on deep water game fisher­men, is placed on the cabin top and a hatch in the cockpit roof gives access to the top. The plan view shows that a slatted side deck has been provided which runs the full length of the boat on both sides. Side braces support these decks, a touch that is reminiscent of old river craft. The in­board profile and arrangement plan illus­trates the manner in which the space provided by the pram-type hull is utilized.

This 24-foot outboard river cruiser boasts the comforts of home. Fig. 22. The long stroke formerly   used in rough grinding

  The area beneath the foredeck and in the forward part of the cabin is used for a pair of berths, divided at their heads by a bit of floor space and separated from the re­mainder of the cabin by a pair of low lockers. To port one of the lockers doubles as a steering stand, behind which a folding helmsman's seat is fitted. Opposite, a divan makes up into a double berth and serves as seats for the dining table, shown in dotted lines. The table stows in the low lockers to starboard. A galley counter is installed behind the steering station and the toilet compartment occupies the cor­ner opposite. The full length hanging space is fitted on the centerline and the space on top can be utilized for a radio or whatever is desired. Two folding deck chairs are shown in the cockpit. There are fuel tanks beneath fore and aft lockers built against the sides of the cockpit. Note that the cabin arrangement permits a chair at each end of the dining table. The ladder to the cabin top goes up the cabin bulk­head through the cockpit canopy while a double-hinged hatch covers the motors.

The lines and offsets define the form of the boat to the builder. It is important that at least the bow and stern lines and sec­tions be drawn full size. The middle of the boat is rectangular, frames 3, 4, and 5 being identical except for sheer height. The bow sections are slightly veed and have a considerable lift to both keel and chine. The sections aft are flat athwartships with a bit of rocker to the keel and chine. A standard camber of three inches in seven feet eight inches of beam is detailed, which permits all decks beams to be cut from one template.

The construction plan and profile, to­gether with the sections, show the details of the hull, cabin and interior. As can be seen, the bottom structure comprises four longitudinal box girders, plus the chines and keel, supported by six transverse frames and the two transoms. Where pos­sible plywood bulkheads tie the sides and bottom together to provide a very strong structure. The chine forward tucks in and upward, which gives the only winding or changing bevel on the hull. Every other piece of wood is capable of being cut on the band saw or table saw. The longitudinals comprise the bottom battens and those bat­tens notched into the tops of the transverse beams for support of the cabin deck. Double plywood gussets between frames tie these battens together into a rigid struc­ture. All plywood-to-structural-member joints are glued and screw fastened for which a waterproof resorcinol base glue is required. Fastenings should be of brass or bronze as indicated on the drawing, or of cadmium-plated steel for fresh-water use if desired. All paint should be the best marine grade, applied as directed.

The controls are a bit novel. Both steer­ing stations have complete engine and steering controls. The steering is by plastic-covered wire rope over roller-bear­ing or ball-bearing pulleys. The wire leads should be about as shown and fitted with guards where they are thought necessary. To reduce the friction load on the helms­man the two wheels are individually con­nected to the motors through snap hooks on the motor end of the ropes as shown. While this is not a necessity it does elimi­nate the extra effort on the part of the helmsman of having to turn both wheels and pulleys in addition to the motors. The two clutch and throttle controls operate through a differential unit also shown on the construction profile. Fit a metal guard over these units so that the lubricant there­on will not soil clothes and the units will be protected from rain and spray.

A word of caution. Bayou Belle is not a seagoing craft and is not capable of high speeds. She is not to be expected to ven­ture out on broad expanses of water where heavy waves may be encountered. She will cruise comfortably under the urging of 25 horsepower, but more than that will be wasted or inefficiently used. Her best speed will be about eight or nine miles an hour, attainable with one large or two medium-sized motors, on the flat placid waters of our inland rivers and lakes.

LARGE  SCALE  BLUEPRINTS  will  simplify construction. Send $15.00 to Twenty Boats
Plans Dept., The Rudder Pub. Co.. 9 Murray
St.. New York 7. N. Y. Specify Plan FB-362 Bayou Belle.

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