Design No. 165
Saloon Version
Click for: Doghouse Version
Design 165
Specification
LOA inc. bowsprit 6.670m 21'10⅝"
LoD 5.910m 19'4⅝"
LWL 5.532m 18'1¾"
Beam 2.275m 7'5⅝"
Draft, board up 0.400m 1'3¾"
Draft, board down 1.300 m 4'3⅛"
Displacement on dwl 900kg 1,985 lbs
Ballast 300kg 660 lbs
Trailer weight (approx) 700kg 1,545 lbs
Main area 11.337m² 122.03ft²
Jib area 5.710m² 61.46ft²
Staysail area 4.352m² 57.60ft²
100% FT area 8.679m² 93.42ft²
Headroom (doghouse) 1.820m 5'11⅝"
Headroom (saloon) 1.465m 4'9⅝"
Outboard (in well) 3-4.5 kw 4-6 hp
EU Category C - Inshore

Design No. 165 – 5.910m (19'4⅝") 3-berth yawl

Design 165 – Clarity
Design 165 came into being at the request of a builder who wanted a boat similar to Design 119, but with a separate WC compartment, and standing headroom in the WC compartment, the galley and the saloon. It was decided from the outset that the doghouse (to give the headroom) would have to be an uncompromising structure, rather than try to disguise it by raising the hull freeboard unduly or other fudges.

We expected the Design to be a "one-off", to the extent that we also planned a more traditional "Saloon" version of the boat, without the doghouse and with sitting headroom only, which we felt would have a greater market appeal. We were so wrong!! The doghouse version was an immediate hit, with boats starting to be built faster than we could keep up with the drawings and instructions. And even now (2020), with boats completed and sailing, we are still adding further drawings and instructions.

The boat shown above is "Clarity", built in Queensland, Australia and launched in August 2017 – as far as we know, the first of the design to be completed. It is Clarity's maiden outing, but a flat calm meant that it was mostly engine trials!

A slideshow of Clarity in build from start to finish is available hereWhen it loads it will be on "Pause"; hit "Play" to set it going or move manually backwards and forwards through the slides. When you close the window, it's best to leave the slideshow on Pause else it will still be running in the background. When it loads it will be on "Pause"; hit "Play" to set it going or move manually backwards and forwards through the slides. When you close the window, it's best to leave the slideshow on Pause else it will still be running in the background

Design 165
Design 165

The boat is built 'as standard' on six laminated frames as shown on the rightabove in these two photos of a Design 165 currently in build in Germany. In the first photo the frames are just set up in the building jig and the next operation, after bracing them, will be to laminate up the stem and backbone.

In the second photosecond photo above the hull is complete and has just been turned over. The building space is a temporary shelter, but the builder managed the turn-over with a simple frame and blocks and tackles within the quite limited area available.

After completing the filleting and epoxy coating of the hull interior and structures, this builder is currently constructing the cockpit and interior furniture, before fitting the decks and coachroof. This makes a lot of sense as access is much easier and working is more comfortable. Click the photos to see a larger version – in the photo of the frames you can also see the former for laminating the stem and apron; and in the hull photo there is a good view of the mast frame, which obviates the need for a mast post, so the vee-berths can convert to a double.

Design 165

The hull skin can be ply lapstrake as shown leftabove on another very nice Australian build, or cold-moulded – in both cases using wood epoxy techniques. A slideshow of this boat in build is available here. One interesting thing the slideshow demonstrates is that you can vary the number of lapstrake planks from the designed number (13 planks) – this boat has 10 planks and it has worked extremely well. When the slideshow loads it will be on "Pause"; hit "Play" to set it going. You can also move manually backwards and forwards through the slides. When you close the window, it's best to leave the slideshow on Pause else it will still be running in the background

While laminated frames are 'standard', the boat can also be constructed on ply sandwich frames (three layers of 10mm ply), with a ply sandwich backbone as well if wished. This is ideal for CNC cutting and the necessary cutting files are included in the standard Design Package. At least one boat is currently (2020) in build in England from a kit of these CNC cut parts.

And recently, for a builder in the USA, we have completed drawings for an alternative set of frames that can be made from a mix of ply and laminated sections, using thicker laminates. This helps to address a problem in the USA, where sliced veneers are not commonly available and sawn veneers are both expensive and wasteful. The only real disadvantage of using fewer thicker veneers for the gentler parts of the curves is that you may get some springback, so the components need to be assembled on the setting-out floor even more carefully than usual.

Design 165

The accommodation has three full length berths: vee-berths forward which can easily convert to a double with an infill, and a comfortable quarterberth aft. The port vee-berth has a small settee unit aft of it to provide extra seating in the saloon. The galley is a good size, with a 2-burner-&-grill stove, sink, and good stowage. The WC compartment has a full-size marine toilet and a small washbasin, with locker space; astern of the toilet there is a good hanging locker. A wet locker is located astern of the the companionway. The fresh water tank, aft under the cockpit sole, holds about 70 litres.

The comfortable full-length cockpit is 600mm (23⅝") wide and 375mm (14¾") deep with high coamings and deep seats. You can brace yourself properly when well heeled and, with cushions on the seats, sit comfortably when moored. The cockpit coamings twist out to about 10º to give added comfort. And the doghouse roof overhangs the cockpit by 200mm (8") to give extra protection and a snug place to sit with your back to the main bulkhead. The outboard motor sits conveniently in a well at the aft end providing good performance under power, both in ahead and astern.

The rig is a modern high-peaked gaff cutter, gaff sloop or a gaff yawl with a standing lug mizzen. Control lines, including single-line reefing on the main if wished, can be brought aft from the mainmast to the cockpit. On the cutter, the staysail can be set on a club boom, which makes it self-tacking – indeed on the yawl you can have a lot of fun just self-tacking under mizzen and staysail; it can make a snug heavy-weather rig too.

Building on a proven design this boat provides a very robust small cruising boat with an excellent accommodation, good sea-keeping qualities and performance under sail and power. She is easily trailed, and launched and rigged; and easily recovered. The doghouse version in particular makes a perfect small live-aboard cruiser as well as a delightful sailboat for weekends and holidays.

The detailed and accurate plans together with true step-by-step building instructions carry builders, professional and non-professional alike, through the building process simply and easily. And for larger boats particularly, they allow a managed build to be carried out very successfully. Plans are fully dimensioned; no scaling or lofting is required. The plans and instructions are practical, clear and detailed, containing everything required to build and complete the vessel. More plan info

Click here to look at the free study plans, sample instructions and specification for this design, plus a full list of the plans and instructions that come with the design package. As mentioned above, CNC cutting files are included in the Design Package, so don't have to be purchased separately.

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