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Category: Powerboat

  • GRAYLING

    GRAYLING

    GRAYLING

    1915, 1996

    GRAYLING was built by Frank Rice of East Boothbay, Maine, for use by his brother George Rice in seining for herring and mackerel. In 1920 she was sold into the sardine industry where she spent the next seven decades as a cannery owned carrier out of Eastport, Maine.

    Plans were produced for GRAYLING as an historical documentation of her construction prior to her restoration and conversion to yacht use in 1996. Further drawings were made of her accommodations as converted. Many sheets were produced, including lines plan, original construction and layout, yacht accommodations, pilothouse, and sail plans.

    These plans will be of interest to model builders and those involved in researching or rebuilding similar craft. Please contact Doug Hylan regarding what plans are available and their cost.

    Particulars

    LOA64′ 11″
    LWL60′ 10″
    Beam12′ 6″
    Draft5′ 6″
    Disp.70,000 lbs
    Hull typeSardine carrier
    ConstructionSingle carvel planking over steamed frames
    Propulsion180 hp Detroit 671 diesel
    Speed11 kts
    PlansFor cost & other info, contact Doug Hylan

    OTHER REFERENCES:

    WoodenBoat 136 (page 99), 141 (page 80), 142 (page 78).

    OffCenterHarbor.com: Following a Course: A Centennial Tour of GRAYLING.

  • POSTHASTE IV

    POSTHASTE IV

    POSTHASTE IV

    2006

    POSTHASTE IV is a 34′ lobsterboat-inspired day cruiser.

    Her owner, an experienced Maine yachtsman, came to us with the basic concept, which we then took from drawing board through construction to final launching and shakedown.

    The cockpit provides a beautiful environment to explore the coast or simply enjoy an evening at anchor. A bronze wheel and custom helmsman’s seat provide a traditional look, and full electronics were included: radar, GPS, depth sounder, and VHF. Varnished mahogany and oak complement the teak sole.

    Satin varnish and a custom soft off-white are used extensively below decks. Large beveled glass windows – they’re too large to really be called “ports” – add to the light and airy interior.

    Small galley in a custom powerboat.

    The curved cabin sides were laminated from mahogany with inner laminations of Meranti plywood for stiffness and stability. They were then varnished inside and out. Curved windows were custom made for POSTHASTE with cut bevelled edges.

    Powerboat at anchor, reflection in the water.
    Varnished helm station.

    POSTHASTE IV was built in traditional lobster-boat fashion, with steam-bent white oak frames bent inside ribbands. The planking and backbone were both made from sustainably-harvested Central American hardwoods: the planking is Wana and the backbone is Angelique. As planking proceeds, the ribbands are removed. Planking started at the sheer and moved down the hull. Shortly after this photo was taken, we began planking from the keel up, leaving a “shutter plank” as the final plank to put on.

    Particulars

    LOA34′
    Beam10′ 5″
    Draft2′ 9″
    MotorYanmar 4LHA inboard
    Tankage55 gal fuel, 25 gal water
    Disp.10,000 lbs
  • SARDINE

    SARDINE

    SARDINE

    Harry Bryan garvey (repower 2020)

    SARDINE’s owner enjoys his Harry Bryan-built garvey on a crystal clear pond in Downeast Maine. The beloved boat is the epicenter of cherished family gatherings throughout the summer. SARDINE has always been quiet with a 4-stroke Honda in an insulated motor well. But switching to electric propulsion has provided the new and remarkable experience of silent, emissions-free swimming, stargazing, and exploring on the pristine pond.

    We installed a Torqeedo Cruise 10.0 with two 5 kW Torqeedo lithium batteries and a 240V fast charger. With her new electric system SARDINE was capable of better acceleration and slightly better top speed than with her 20 hp Honda.

    A pond/ lake house like this has proven to be the perfect venue for the latest developments in “e-mobility on the water.” Working with a talented crew from Nate Holyoke Builders and master electrician Matt Davis, a 240V shore power post was built on the dock that is in keeping with the aesthetic of the cottage. After an excursion on the pond, SARDINE can plug in as easily as making off a dock line, and can charge her batteries from flat in 2 hours.

    Photo / Video produced by Hemmings House Pictures Ltd., an impact film company.  

    Used with permission, all rights reserved.  www.hemmingshouse.com

  • Solar Expedition Boat for Australia

    Solar Expedition Boat for Australia

    Solar Expedition Boat for Australia

    Early in 2024, we were approached by an experienced Australian boatman who had heard of our work with electric propulsion. He sent along a design brief that demonstrated that he knew boats and was familiar with the advantages and constraints that go with marine electric propulsion. We don’t often take design commissions for construction in other shops, but this one meshed perfectly with my interest in the possibilities for low impact, quiet cruising.

    Historically, the development of power boats has always been about going faster. Cheap petroleum and advances in internal combustion fostered this trend, despite the fact that high speed boating is among our most energy intensive and polluting pursuits. Batteries still have a long way to go before they can pack the power density of a good sized fuel tank, but low speed boating can be very efficient indeed.

    Hull shapes that are optimized for high speeds are inefficient at lower speeds — you have to go back almost 100 years for designs that are optimized for the upper hull speed range that is so wonderful for electric boating. Atlantic Canada’s Cape Island boats and Sam Crocker’s small fishing vessels were the mode for the hull shape for this design. A large solar canopy will allow true solar sailing on the sunny days around the summer solstice, extend battery range, and mean fewer stops for marina shore power. As batteries get lighter and cheaper, each of our new electric projects seems to include more of them.

    The design brief for this boat called for a boat large enough for spartan cruising for one or two people, with a beam narrow enough to avoid extra permits on Australian roads, and light enough to be towed behind the owner’s vehicle. A large solar canopy and traditional styling were also called for. With these parameters set, the rest is just details! Construction will start in the winter of 2025, at Denman Marine in Tasmania.

    At Hylan & Brown, we feel fortunate to have found a group of committed people who are interested in slowing down and enjoying the peace and quiet that comes with electric power boating. We enjoy the challenge of working with a variety of electric propulsion suppliers to figure out the best components to meet their needs and work hard to keep abreast of the best combination of new and reliable in this rapidly evolving technology.

    – Doug Hylan

    Particulars

    LOA30′
    Beam8′ 2″
    Draft14″
    Disp.3100 lbs
    MotorePropulsion Navy 6 (6 kW, 48V)
    Batteries30 kWh (Victron LFP)
    Solar1800 W (custom Solbian panels)
    Range70 nm at 4 kts, unlimited with solar
  • WOMBAT

    WOMBAT

    WOMBAT

    25‘ V-bottom launch (1992, 2026)

    WOMBAT is a cold-molded version of William Hand’s Piute III design, built by H&H Boat Works in 1992. When she arrived at our shop, she had already been converted to electric propulsion, but her owner was not getting the reliability or performance he expected.  The existing system overheated frequently, and the temporary fix was to reduce the motor’s maximum output from 15 kW to 10 kW.  Even before that reduction, the boat had fallen short of his speed and range goals.

    With those goals in mind, we designed a new system to deliver the power, range, and confidence he was looking for.  Estimating the right motor size required some careful judgment: WOMBAT’s hull design dates back to the early era of planing boats, and the old motor never produced enough power for meaningful testing at higher speeds.  Our experience with Harry Bryan’s Handy Billy – a similar boat we have built several times – provided the best guide.  Though those boats can typically reach about 15 knots with modest power, WOMBAT is longer and more than twice as heavy.  After weighing the variables, we determined that 40 kW was the right target.

    For the repower, we selected ePropulsion’s I40 inboard: a water-cooled, 96V, 40 kW motor, paired with two ePropulsion G102-230 batteries providing 23 kWh each.  Nautilus Marine supplied a new stainless steel shaft and bronze propeller.  In anticipation of higher speeds, WOMBAT’s owner also asked us to add full-length spray rails and wedges.

    Sea trials in late May confirmed the system was the right fit.  After a small propeller pitch adjustment, WOMBAT performed flawlessly, reaching nearly 17 knots at full throttle.  She trimmed well on plane with help from the wedges, and stayed dry in all but the steepest chop.

    Now back in southern Maine, WOMBAT is ready for the final carpentry phase, where her owner will build cockpit benches around the batteries and box in the prop shaft through the cabin space. We’re looking forward to seeing those finishing touches come together – and even more to seeing WOMBAT back on the water, delivering the quiet cruising, simple operation, and satisfying speed her owner envisioned.

    Particulars

    LOA25′
    LWL24′ 8″
    Beam5′ 8″
    Draft1′ 11″
    Disp.3400 lbs
    MotorePropulsion I40 (40 kW, 96V)
    BatteriesePropulsion G102-230 (x2, 46 kWh)
    Top Speed17 kts
    Range65 nm at 7 kts, 35 nm at 10 kts
  • BRENDA KAY

    BRENDA KAY

    BRENDA KAY

    29′ Beals Island lobster boat (2010)

    BRENDA KAY is a cold-molded reproduction of a 1950’s Beals Island lobster boat. The original boat, re-named DIANA after a 2001 restoration here at Hylan & Brown, was designed and built by Alvin Beal in 1952. She plied the waters of Downeast Maine for nearly a half a century until she came to us for a complete restoration and conversion to yacht standards. Lines were taken and plans worked up in the hope that someone might be drawn to the classic lines and much-proven seaworthiness of the type.

    In 2009 a customer from Virginia, having admired DIANA, commissioned a reproduction. To the eye, BRENDA KAY is a perfectly accurate copy of the original, belying the modernization of her construction and equipment. Her hull – with 8” of additional beam for space and stability – is cold molded, and she is powered by a 110hp Yanmar diesel engine turning an Evolution Marine Shaft System.

    BRENDA KAY won First Place for Professionally Built Powerboat at the 2010 WoodenBoat Show in Mystic, CT.

    BRENDA KAY is perfectly suited to short cruises with her simple yet comfortable accommodations, and her cockpit provides ample room for guests on day trips. At speeds up to 16 knts she cruises with comfort, safety and traditional style.

    Particulars

    LOA28′ 8″
    Beam8′ 9″
    Draft2′ 3″
    MotorYanmar 4JH4-HTE 110 hp diesel
    Tankage68 gal fuel
    Top speed16 kts
  • BAGATELLE

    BAGATELLE

    BAGATELLE

    Bowler (2014)

    Shortly after we launched the prototype of Doug’s Top Hat design in 2002, he sketched another version along the same lines but with a higher topsides, a windshield and shelter top. The idea was to provide better protection from the elements and more accommodations space for short cruises.

    Eleven years later a couple approached Doug about a small lobster boat design for day use and weekend cruises. On a whim he showed them his sketch and they were smitten.

    The new boat has a lot in common with Top Hat: a narrow twisting V-bottom with a fine entry and fairly flat run for good sea keeping, fuel efficiency and semi-planing speed; shapely topsides with flared bow sections transitioning gracefully to tumblehome at the quarters and a radiused transom; powered by an outboard in a well for quiet, fuel efficiency, economy and space saving.

    There are plenty of differences too: The sheathed strip plank construction method allowed us to do away with the sawn frames which saved labor and space; a cored foredeck eliminates the need for deck beams providing more head room down below; the main bulkhead was moved aft allowing space for a toilet opposite a sink and cupboards aft of the V-berth; and of course the higher raised deck sheer with windshield and shelter top.

    We’re excited about the looks and the capabilities of this little cruiser. From their home port in Brooklin, her owners will be a day’s cruise or less from countless friendly harbors, quiet coves, and islands to explore. They’ll cruise safely, quietly, and comfortably. They’ll get there in good time but they won’t break the bank on the fuel bill. And they’ll do it in style!

    Particulars

    LOA26′ 6″
    LWL25′ 5″
    Beam8′ 2″
    Draft16″
    Disp.3680 lbs
    MotorEvinrude 60 hp E-TEC outboard
    Tankage35 gal fuel, 12 gal water
    Top speed17 kts
    Cruise12 kts
  • GATSBY

    GATSBY

    GATSBY

    2018

    GATSBY’s hull is essentially the same as Doug’s Bowler and Top Hat designs. But each of the three designs has different sheer heights and main bulkhead locations. GATSBY’s sheer was lowered from Bowler’s to achieve a sleeker profile, and her main bulkhead is further forward to provide for an ample cockpit. With her raised foredeck, flaring bow, tumblehome stern and radiused transom, GATSBY’s topsides are a feast for the eyes.

    Forward of the windscreen and under the raised foredeck is a simple V-berth with plenty of storage beneath and a private head. A varnished mahogany windscreen fairs into a continuous coaming that establishes an inviting aft seating and social area. Along with the two fore and aft seat consoles further forward, GATSBY can comfortably seat as many as eight. A drop in mahogany table quickly converts the aft seating to a perfect space in which enjoy a chilled glass of wine, which is at the ready in the built-in refrigerator. The wonderfully curvaceous mahogany joinery is a joy to behold. Whether it’s in your gaze, under your hand, or against your back, the craftsmanship throughout is unmistakable. Topped off with custom colors and a brushed finish GATSBY cannot be missed!

    Underwater the narrow twisting v-bottom transitions from a fine entry to a fairly flat run, resulting in a wholesome combination of good sea keeping, semi-planing speeds and fuel efficiency. A 115 HP Yamaha engine provides quiet and reliable propulsion at speeds up to 30 mph.

    GATSBY was launched on July 2, 2018 in Hawkin’s Cove. Despite our best efforts to keep our launching plans under wraps, a small crowd of friends and family assembled to witness GATSBY’s first dip. It was all business as we checked bilges, scrutinized her trim, trialed systems and got underway for her first sea trial. But within 30 min we were already feeling really good about this boat and we were glad for the hugs and high fives that awaited us at the dock. As we have sorted out details and fine tuned her performance in the past few weeks, it has become clear to all of us involved that this is a special boat, and a shining example of how a collaborative process can really pay off.

    GATBY’s owner is an experienced boater but new to Maine waters. An avid fisherman, his experience aboard a wide variety of sport fishing boats informed his decision making throughout the process. But from the start it was clear that this boat wasn’t about fishing, it was about family. There were conference calls involving multiple generations with a variety of opinions and perspectives, hundreds of drawings and photos exchanged covering everything from freeboard to color scheme, visits, lunch meetings, and a few last minute text messages. It all amounted to a very successful process and a vessel in which every one involved feels a great deal of pride.

    Particulars

    LOA26′ 6″
    Beam7′ 11″
    Draft17″
    Disp.3400 lbs
    MotorYamaha 115 hp outboard
    Tankage44 gal fuel, 12 gal water
    Top speed26 kts
    Cruise20 kts
  • DELIVERANCE

    DELIVERANCE

    DELIVERANCE

    43′ Workboat-inspired cruiser (2011)

    DELIVERANCE’s story began when a long time customer saw the design for MANATEE, a tiny coastal cargo vessel, originally published in The Rudder magazine in 1921. We extensively reworked her lines – beam and length were increased, draft and displacement reduced, her forward deck raised for better accommodations, and her forefoot cut away for better handling is a seaway. But her handsome workboat origins and classic detailing remain dominant.

    DELIVERANCE is a good example of what Hylan & Brown Boatbuilders has become known for: re-interpreting classic designs, and building them using the best combination of traditional and modern construction methods.

    Boat steaming at sunset
    Boat at mooring in harbor
    Outboard profile drawing of boat

    Particulars

    LOA43′
    LWL38′ 5″
    Beam11′ 2″
    Draft3′ 8″
    Disp.24,000 lbs
    ConstructionCarvel-planked Douglas fir over oak backbone
    Tankage360 gal fuel, 340 gal water
    Cruise8 kts
    Range1000 nm
  • TOODLIN’

    TOODLIN’

    TOODLIN’

    19‘ Glen-L Runabout (1999, 2026)

    We first met TOODLIN’s new owners when they visited the yard with one of our existing electric-boat clients.  They joined us for a sea trial on the Benjamin River, and while they enjoyed the boat we were aboard, they were especially drawn to several other boats in the harbor.  Fortunately, those boats were ours, too, and the conversation about building something together began there.

    The Albury Runabout caught their eye for its handsome lines, practical size, and inviting layout.  Their boat, however, would live on a Minnesota lake and be used mostly for swimming, relaxing, and “toodlin’” around.  They envisioned a sleek, curvy runabout with lower freeboard, better suited to their protected waters.  It would be powered by an electric motor, of course.  They understood the benefits immediately: no vibration, no smelly exhaust, and no more lugging fuel containers down the steep steps to their dock.

    Photo: Nick Parson
    Fast electric boat on the water

    We found them a strong candidate for conversion: a 1999 Glen-L runabout.  It was a home build, but capably done, with graceful topsides and a modified V-hull that could climb onto plane efficiently with modest power.  The engine she came with was anything but modest: a 5.4L V8 inboard.  Set amidships beneath a massive, varnished engine hatch, it dominated the boat and separated the two small cockpits.

    Together, we developed a plan to remove the inboard engine and open up the cockpit for more comfortable seating and lounging space.  Power would come from an electric outboard mounted on an Armstrong bracket flanked by swim platforms – preserving as much usable interior space as possible, while keeping the eye-catching varnished transom intact.

    Most of the owners’ time on the lake would be spent just toodlin’ around, but speed still mattered.  Based on their performance goals, we selected ePropulsion’s X40 motor, powered by two of its large 96V G102-230 batteries.  At 54 inches long and 400 pounds each, the batteries were a tight fit in a 19′ boat.  Combined with a 220-pound motor mounted on a 20-inch offset bracket, the conversion demanded careful weight studies to ensure the boat would trim properly after such a significant reallocation of mass.

    After a long road trip from Maine, she is now being enjoyed on a lake in Minnesota, where her wooden construction, hand-crafted detailing, and near-silent performance are attracting attention – and, we hope, winning a few more converts to electric power.

    Particulars

    LOA21′
    LWL19′ 10″
    Beam6′ 6″
    Draft10″ / 21″
    Disp.3100 lbs
    MotorePropulsion X40 (40 kW, 96V)
    BatteriesePropulsion G102-230 (x2, 46 kWh)
    Top Speed24 kts
    Range50 nm at 6.5 kts, 23 nm at 20 kts
    Electric boat underway with lots of spray
    26.5.26 Toodlin’ for Hylan & Brown-5