DART

Featured in Design Sketchbook from WoodenBoat Magazine: This is the 3-D concept drawing and design profile you can read in WB No. 273, March/April 2020.

This is the basic Sea Sled shape: a conventional powerboat hull with a flat transom sliced vertically down its centerline, bow-to-stern, the halves then transposed and reconnected. Wavemaking energy is thus driven under the hull, rather than away from it. Sea Sleds are, essentially, modified scows, and as such they are quite stable.

The tunnel curves down gradually as it approaches the transom, and terminates underwater. The dodger is easily removable for transport.

A 9.9-hp motor provides ample power to achieve the desired speeds, but a 6-hp motor will deliver respectable performance.

Steering is either by tiller or by a set of motorcycle-style handlebars.

Laurie McGowan is a Nova Scotia–based boat designer with a diverse on- and below-water work history. He specializes in energy-efficient commercial and pleasure boats. More of his work may be found at mcgowanmarinedesign.com.

Do you have a boat concept you’d like to see Laurie McGowan develop for Sketchbook? If so, send it to Sketchbook, WoodenBoat Publications, P.O. Box 78, Brooklin, ME 04616, or email it to sketchbook@woodenboat.com. Your letter should be no longer than 500 words.