ECO-TOUR/RAVEN 29'

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The growing success of various environmentally themed businesses around the world has prompted me to design a small vessel intended to open the sheltered waters and coastal wilderness areas of the Pacific Northwest to the discerning public.

There are a number of unique problems that must be solved for a small vessel to meet the needs of a "bare boat" charter business in remote areas. Some of the more obvious are:

1. The vessel must be easy and intuitive to handle.
2. She must be safe and seaworthy through out a broad operating range.
3. This vessel must be comfortable for two to four adults for a week or two of wilderness exploration.
4. This vessel must possess a high degree of reliability and simple robust systems packaged in comfortable pleasing surroundings.
5. She must be capable of coping with significant sea conditions. Even the sheltered waters of the Pacific Northwest present stretches of open water, vicious tide rips and unpredictable winds.
6. A shallow draft with upright grounding abilities are also necessary to minimize the stress of the inevitable grounding in large unfamiliar tides and shallow water explorations.
7. Displacement hull speed to minimize breakdowns and injury to the public and the vessel. This requirement has the added advantage of supplying the vessel with a large cargo capacity, good fuel effiency and quiet operation.
8. A large open deck is desirable for comfortable sitting, eating, fishing and sightseeing.
9. Safe egress to small skiffs, kayaks, swimming and diving is another requirement.
10. From owner's point of view, easy clean up and fast return to service in important.
11. The vessel should be able to function as a working vessel throughout the remainder of the year in a variety of cervices such as subsistence fishing, crabbing or even cargo transportation.
12. Finally, spring cleaning and return to charter service must be accomplished with minimal hassle and support facilities.

Most of the above requirements are not being addressed by the existing boating industry. I believe that I am the only designer that has attempted to incorporate these modifications into an affordable 29 foot vessel. The 29 foot prototype eco-tour vessel that I have named the "Raven" is currently about 50% complete and is available for inspection to interested parties.

In addition, the 25 foot proof of concept vessel, "Shadowfax," is available for sea trials and handling demonstrations.

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Raven Workboat Prototype
29 x 11.5 x 3
6,500 lbs. displacement

The vessel is highly adaptable with a very large flat work area suitable for a variety of fishing operations: crabbing and shrimping, trolling or jig fishing. It could be adapted to eco-tourism when fishing seasons are closed or unprofitable. Raven is an excellent vessel adaptable for a variety of near shore fisheries. This is a proven hull form that is safe, stable, economical, and versatile, while requiring minimal maintenance.

The original concept renderings of the Eco-Tour vessel were made during the Spring of 2003. In building "Raven" I am finally getting an opportunity to work in full size and real time, which has been very liberating. As a result, numerous modifications and simplifications have evolved. Realizing that fully two-thirds or more of Raven's service life would probably be in some non-charter mode, i.e., fishing, crabbing, cargo transportation, etc. I have endeavored to supply the vessel with robust systems and easy transformation from one configuration to another. Consequently, I do not know what the completed vessel will look like and have produced no drawings other than the quick sketch shown at the top of the page.

The rear "bait house" is easily removable when warranted, providing an expansive open deck. Simple canvas side panels for the "bait house" create ample room for a guest, providing a walk around double bed at night and covered deck area during the day. Hand rails on the top of the "bait house" provide yet another large area for sun-bathing or sightseeing. With the aft state room configuration this 29 foot vessel has comfortable sleeping space for four large adults in two separate quarters; two single bunks in the foc'sle and a walk around "queen size" double aft. A large compost toilet/shower/sauna is on the aft port side of the pilot house and a similar "wet deck" on the starboard side, intended for fish cleaning and other messy chores.

The five foot wide opening transom transforms into a swim step or loading ramp. This feature facilitates the loading of skiffs, kayaks, ATVs etc. With 12 feet available from the back of the hatch to the transom and over 9 feet of potential width several ATVs could be accommodated on deck. Creative loading would allow for 60 or more full-size crab pots. This boat is also an excellent choice for long-lining. By putting a small freezer on board this could turn into a small-scale fish processor. Replacing large quantities of catch with high-quality product to be sold directly from the boat, cutting out the middle man.

These are some of the highlights that are to be found on this remarkable 29 foot vessel. The eleven-and-a-half foot beam makes folks feel that they are in a much larger vessel that one would normally associate with a vessel under 30 feet. I've been told by people with 40 footers that they are envious of the volume!

POWER—

The first vessel is intended to be powered with a 33hp Yamaha 3 cylinder diesel and a 3 to 1 gear reduction. Cooling is intended to be with a radiator. Using a radiator is possible because of the large engine room which allows ample access for air movement and ducting. A number of advantages can be had using radiator cooling:

1. No thru hull fittings, pumps and plumbing.
2. Proven technology
3. Simplicity of engine insulation
4. Ease of maintenance
5. Lower initial cost
6. Availability of a large volume of warm, dry air to be used or not.