83' Expedition Yacht
Beam: 22'-0"
Draft (Hull): 5'-6"
Displacement: 200,000 lbs
Power: (2) Caterpillar C-18 / 670 BHP
Speed: 8-10 kts Cruise / 15 kts Max
Fuel Capacity: 5,000 USG
Water Capacity: 1000 USG
Construction: Welded aluminum
Profile & Arrangement
Hunt boats are known for their comfort and seaworthiness at planing speeds, and so it is unusual to see a displacement Hunt hull. But we have been long aware of the low speed abilities of the Hunt deep-V through our experience with pilot launches, which operate in all weathers and much of the time in displacement mode. At low speeds, the wide immersed chine flats damp the tendency to roll, and the Deep-V's lateral plane provides directional stability. While the typical Hunt design is optimized for planing speed, and is therefore less efficient at displacement speeds, a re-configuring of the afterbody will increase low-speed efficiency while retaining the other merits of the Hunt hull. If desired, the installation of full-width transom interceptors will allow semi-planing speeds with good efficiency and trim control.
The chance to make these ideas into reality came when a long-time client came to us with a request for a vessel that would take him and his family on long cruises. He was willing to forgo planing performance for the long range available when travelling in displacement mode. The 83' Expedition Yacht is the result. Construction is welded aluminum with integral fuel tanks containing 5,000 USG. The boat is to be simply finished, with unpainted aluminum the dominant theme, both to reduce first cost, and to simplify maintenance. With 670HP Caterpillar C-18s, or similar, top speed will be 15 kt., with a cruise of 8-10.