Commentary By Frank Madd
WHAT IF?
Thirty years ago, during one of our regular office "what if" sessions, we got into discussing the sad state of what was being offered in the way of houseboats. People who wished a mobile liveaboard boat were offered only one kind of boat. Since several of us live aboard, or have lived aboard, we have a special interest in this lifestyle. The ability to tow waterskiers and consume a gallon or two per mile to go cruising seemed the antithesis of what was really required. What were being called houseboats were really house trailers with a box underneath to keep them afloat. The only quality control seemed to be in getting good four-color printing jobs for the sales brochures.
THE BETTER MOUSETRAP
Starting with a clean sheet of paper and open minds, we analyzed the requirements of the liveaboard. From this, we laid out the parameters of the ideal houseboat. It would have maximized living accommodations, operate at economical displacement hull speeds, and be built in a manner that would make it a good investment. Also, it must look like it belonged on the water; not like something styled in Detroit for cruising the Interstate highways.
THE STROKE OF GENIUS!
What finally got the project launched was Jay's idea to make it a small ferry boat in style and design. This gave us a boat that looked like a proper little ship, and one that would give the same feeling to those aboard. It also gave great accommodations, by making the cabin practically the full width of the hull. But, most importantly, it was an easily driven hull form that would provide very economical operation. One that could be cruised through the thousands of miles of semi-protected waterways where most people do all their cruising, and one that would have tremendous room for her size and all the features to make her an economical vessel to operate.
THE GOOD FERRY
The result of following these thoughts to their logical conclusion was the Waterbed 30. After Jay designed her in 1972, she was published in quite a number of magazines, and generated more mail than any other design Jay has had published. Thinking we were really onto something, we approached a number of production builders to see about putting her into production. Uniformly, their reaction was negative, ranging from a polite "no thank-you" to loud guffaws. To us, this seemed a sad commentary on the state of the boating business - no one was willing to do something to differentiate himself from his competitors. Here was a whole segment of the market that was being virtually ignored. No wonder so many builders folded during the recent recession; they had no idea how to innovate and offer different products that would set them apart from their competitors and give them a market all to themselves. Since those early negatives from shortsighted builders, we have had a gradually increasing amount of interest in the ferryboat style houseboat idea. A 34' version of the original Waterbed 30 was drawn up for one group. The resulting design has 50 to 100% more living room inside than most 40' houseboats. Her twin skegs protect the props and rudders, and make for graceful, upright groundings. The twin screws make for good maneuvering and the two small diesels provided safe and very economical operation. I think it's the most practical cruising boat I've seen in decades and I hope to live aboard one myself someday.
Jay has also drawn up what he calls the "office version" of the Friday Harbor Ferry. In it, he's got two staterooms, a roomy head with five foot long tub and shower unit and washer and dryer stack set, a good sized office, a large galley and dining and living room combination, and a cozy pilothouse. This 320 square feet of enclosed living space on the lower deck, and 170 in the upper house and 30 in the pilothouse for a total of 520 square feet. (The yacht version has 320 plus 80 on the upper deck for a total of 400 square feet.) If the office version was used for just living aboard, the space the office uses could be added to the living quarters, making it even roomier.
Discussions have ensued with a number of other people interested in a variety of sizes, including a 60-footer, all of which would be most delightful. However, action is what is now needed: bold, fearless and resolute. I am convinced that once this houseboat is built and marketed by a quality-oriented, efficient sales team, we will see this boom into an around-the-world solution for everything from housing shortages to co-op condominiums to charter boat dealers on lake and island resorts to straightforward boating buffs. Our conclusion is simply this: the design came in before its time. The public responded with resounding enthusiasm. The builders, stuck in "the known market", did nothing. After two decades of unwavering and increasing enthusiasm by clientele wanting these boats, the design is ready and waiting. If you are a builder who wants to build a delightful, practical, roomy packet, and you can handle the avalanche of waiting sales, the Good Ferry is here. Don't be hesitant: the public has been waiting for twenty years for this boat and when it's available, response will be high.
Choice Waterfront Homes
Available with panoramic marine views from Puget Sound to Alaska or Florida to Maine. An ideal liveaboard or retirement home or vacation home, the 34' Friday Harbor Ferry offers a majestic variety of unique marine park settings, each available without ever leaving home. These luxury homes offer low maintenance exteriors and warm wood interiors. All utilities are installed including washer and dryer, bathtub and fireplace. They offer two bedrooms, complete kitchen, large sundeck, and two viewing porches. Economical diesel power and large tanks provide for safe and low-cost operation. Neighbors too noisy? Move your house. Tired of mowing the lawn and raking leaves? Try Friday Harbor Ferry boat living for fast relief.
Caution: The Sturgeon Genial warns that Friday Harbor Ferry living may be addictive and habit forming ...
Study plans for these Ferry Yachts, and many variations on them, are shown in greater detail in our 360 page book, Small Ships, Fifth Edition. It has photos and more detailed information about them and scores of our other power boat designs. For more information about ordering it, see Tiller Books.
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