New photos 4/20/09 The 45-Plus Diesel Duck, Page 6 This boat has some engine room. These photos were taken soon after the launch. I’m assuming everything will be labeled soon because everything else about the boat is first class and seamanlike, and the engineroom should be the same. To many yachts have machinery…
New photos 4/19/09 The 45-Plus Diesel Duck, built by Townsend Bay Marine, launched 2007. The helm has all the instruments you could imagine. Commercial style hydraulic self storing anchor windlass. Note the “level winder Tony.” A “Tony” is a Ballard term used when you don’t know what something is called. What you do…
Page 4 of Building the 45-plus DUCK Forward view from inside the wheelhouse. View aft from the pilot house. The cockpit appears to be a very secure place from this view. Main cabin looking aft at access to stern cabin and wheelhouse. Port lite ring foundation appears to be epoxied in. Note…
By the end of July, 06, the ship is well along. This extended hardtop going over the cockpit is a good touch although you need to duck down to enter from the deck. That’s no hardship and until the 1960’s, was common. Designers used to think the good looks of the ship was important. That…
Les Schnick is a fine designer and draftsman (imagine, he actually does HAND DRAFTING still!! But of course his German name says it all…) who works with Townsend Bay Marine, among others. Les worked over the 45-PLUS and the owner, as well as I, liked his version. Here it is. This again shows that when…
New photos added 7/5/2017 She has a heavy bow stem! Look at the longs! It appears he’s being built “ship fashion” using “L” section longitutionals. And it looks like they’re using square stock to force the “L” stuff to bend “fair.” It ALSO looks like the longs are not notched into the frames but welded…
New photo 9/4/08 A not in order selection of photos….The new 462 Seahorse DUCK Sedan…. Sailing! Randall’s 462 Launched 10/8/06. The Fly Bridge is a good touch. Here’s the original Duck, a 38 footer built by Millerick Bros. in Cotati, CA back in 1989. I think. I forget. This shot is from 2004 and shows…
8/9/05 Here’s the aft cabin showing the big bed. Personally, I’d have put it in the middle but I suspect their interior layout needed it here. Besides, setting things up the way YOU like it is the reason for building a new boat! The head and shower going in. The galley. Stove location is always…
The galley in a Seahorse 44. That ugly red carpet is covering a beautiful teak & holly sole…. This is boat has a passageway below the house to the aft cabin. Don’s 44 in Hong Kong just before heading off to Japan. Access to aft cabin is via pilot house rather than passageway. Don’s version has…
11/4//2014 New rig drawings Seahorse 492 drawings10/28/2014 New 60′ Seahorse DUCK based research/survey vessel The Seahorse Built Diesel Ducks Currently featuring The 382, 462, the 462 Sedan and new in 2014, the 492 and 60 Survey vessel. The 462 Seahorse DUCK is a spectacular ship You’ll read in other places on this site how the idea of the DIESEL DUCK boats came about.…
Galley sink and water. It appears there’s pressure water. I guess I have to accept it’s the 21st century.. The finished bed. The slated top might be belter than plywood because it allows the mattress to “breathe.” Big, “airy,” and comfortable helm! Back wall of house Rig will be installed soon! Back to 38…
New pictures 3/28/2017 Base for chainplate. This is a good idea and obvious and I’m surprised I never thought of it. Instead, I’ve had the steel chainplate bent to go around the rail, or, made it up from 6 pieces of 1/16″ stainless. Actually, I never did that but saw it done and was impressed…
The hull is getting glassed. This is no fun…. This looks like no fun. Here’s some comments from RANDOM THOUGHTS about glassing hulls. I think my idea is easier! http://georgebuehler.com /coating/ Of course what I describe could only work if there is a layer of ply over the hull, and Fabio strip planked this boat hence this…
The hull is being strip planked with 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ material. This is very strong but laborious. But, it can be glassed (the narrow strips don’t swell enough to break the resin) so is probably less trouble than composite planking using plywood. Maybe. I’ve never done it so can’t say! Proud Poppa Stern deck…
Solid wood engine mounts bolted into floor timbers. This is a MWM model 229, 72 HP. which is a true heavy duty industrial and workboat diesel. Fabio says these engines are: “the dream of the Brazilian fishermen!” It’s going to be a little difficult to erect the frames where the engine sits. Personally I would…
Fabio Foncesca (love the name!) in Brazil is building a new 38 out of wood. He’s planning on cruising to the Azores with it. Here’s a series of photos that document progress. Here’s Fabio in front of his laminated keel. The almost completed keel. He glassed and epoxy coated it which is a good idea…
Jerry Price sent me these photos in Jan 04 showing that he is about finished building his 38′ DUCK out of wood. He’s doing a beautiful job; the boat is a little ship and shows a simple and seamanlike approach that has an appeal of its own. Don’t get me wrong! I love the high…
New 44 DUCK NOMAD, Seahorse’s 3rd and last Diesel Duck 44, hit the drink right side up this June 2003. Her topside finish is simply unbelievable as the photos with the reflections in them show. Keep in mind this is a steel boat! Jurgen (the owner) opted for forward slanting pilot house windows. It looks good! Since…
Diesel Ducksby George Buehler Yacht Design Cruise Report from The High Seas! 2/19/09 Marlene & Benno sent this email via Satellite (what a world!) in the original 41 as they were approaching Cape Horn. Note the well dressed German Yatchswoman at the door! Photos of the interior these folks built themselves posted here. April 2013, a Seahorse…
The engine is now in (as The Book says, it really is easier to do this BEFORE you plank!). Note the big Onan gen plant too, as well as the nice grated sole. The Aft deck is being built up from a layer of “beaded” T&G covered by several layers of plywood. You can see…
Page 4 of building a 55 DUCK Now that the main pieces are made, they’re assembled together and the boat starts to take shape. She seems to almost fly together! Go to next photos Go to beginning of series back to 55′ Diesel Duck
Page 5: Building a 48′ wood Duck All The plywood is now on and it appears it is epoxied, too. By the way, if I was doing this I’d coat the ply with a layer of cloth and resin BEFORE I attached it to the hull as it would be much easier to paint on…
Page 4: Building a 48′ wood Duck This boat is “Composite Planked,” using an outer layer of 3/8″. Some people use two layers but in this case we have a 1 1/2″ planked inner layer so only one of plywood is needed. As written elsewhere (read my BuildingBook!) this is a simple way to make…
The “Troller” (not Trawler) Yacht Concept This is condensed down from a couple chapters in my book The Troller Yacht Book, Norton Publishing, available mailorder from me or from better bookstores anywhere. I suggest if what you read here makes sense to you then read the book! It goes into far more detail….. We’ve all…
Added 8/13/08 Page 7, Building the 41-Plus DUCK The construction of the first 41-Plus is well along now and she’s showing some nice touches. Look at the teak house roof photos. It’s laid onto the steel deck of course, with neat “nibbed” ends. Teak is the traditional ship deck material because it is very directional…
page 7: Building a 55 Duck The pilot house is being raised now. By the way, notice how FAIR the heavy rub rail lays on….. Back view of the pilot house Sandblasting started tonight. We only sandblast at night because of the dust effecting the other workers. The blasters will work about 4 hours than…
Page 8: Building a wood 48 DUCK 10/19/04 With the hull complete, the exterior is now “glassed” over. If you’ve used really top level ply this may not be needed but I still would as the glass coat protects the wood from minor damage as well as the elements. The first step these guys did…
(New Photos 11/5/07) Page Two: Building the first 41-Plus DUCK in Turkey Already you can see the “cocky” air about her this ship has! This bow on view shows how “fair” the hull is. This stern has grown on me and now, aside from appreciating how practical it is, I even like the look of…
Page 18 of Building the 48′ Wood DUCK: Finishing up the Outside Posted 12/31/07 The rail isn’t done and the house isn’t painted, but she still looks fine. Here’s Kenny Kominski The Welder. Getting a guy to come down to the job isn’t so easy these days. If you look at the couple photos that…
Page 15, Building a Wood 48 Duck (added 2/6/07) Headed down the road to the boat yard for final work. Typical neat construction. Plywood is stronger than steel for the weight, and within the ability of almost all of us to work. It’s good stuff and makes a fine house, deck, or for that matter,…
Benno & Marlene’s 41 DUCK Interior; Stern Cabin & Wheelhouse Benno and Marlene had the hull built, then took the bare boat and built the entire interior and mechanical systems themselves. They did a wonderful job as these photos show.If you are a little handy, building yourself is a very feasible option. You’ll save plenty…
Page 6: Building a 48′ Wood Diesel Duck 6/22/04 The 48 DUCK is “flush deck and raised sheer” with just a wheelhouse, no other cabin. That greatly simplifies construction and the only side decks to make are beside the pilot house. Everything else is just plywood over the deck beams. Here’s the framed in side…
The 55 is a big one! The raised flush deck drops at the bow to make a secure anchor handling area. Go to next photos Back to beginning of series Back to 55′ Diesel Duck
New photos added 7/16/2012 The First 41-Plus DUCK Launched! Finally, in November 08, the first 41 was launched. She passed her EU Certification as Class A, Open Ocean, went in the water with no hassles, floating right side up even! She handles well and flat out supposedly hit 10 knots. That of course seriously sucks…
She’s now obviously a DUCK! The exterior metalwork is about finished. All the windows are cut in. Interior wood work will be starting now. The cockpit can just be seen. The cockpit is more obvious here. Also, again, look at the “skip welding” sign in the plate and how fair the resulting hull is. Guards,…
New Photos February 6, 2018 building the wood DUCK 49 Transom with stairway access cut in. Inside hull looking aft to transom Inside the hull looking forward House walls up, sole and roof framed Inside main cabin Cabin sole. I don’t know what the metal thing shown in the hatch is. Maybe a mast step?…
11/5/07 Building the 41-Plus Diesel Duck, Page 3 Hull closed in and windows cut out. I’m starting to like the forward leaning pilot house windows. The idea is to reduce glare I think, I don’t know. I always thought the idea was silly but like the transom, it’s been growing on me and now I…
Documenting the Building of a Wooden 48′ DIESEL DUCK Vickie & Harry Borchert were kind enough to send along these photos showing the 48′ DIESEL DUCK they’re building. It’s obvious that these folks are good carpenters. However, what also is obvious is how really straight forward this type of construction is. Don’t get me wrong;…
Page 8, Building the 41-Plus DUCK It’s good to see a ship actually being built because it gives you a good idea of the yard’s craftsmanship. When things look neat DURING construction you can have a good idea that things are being done correctly. So if you’re examining a boat, look UNDERNEATH and behind things.…
Kaya Cakar, owner of Asboat YachtBuilding, in Izmir. Building a steel 41-plus DUCK in Turkey Asboat likes to work from CNC cut material so is now making cutting files for all their projects. I’m glad Kaya is doing it because I do NOT have the skills and my ADD keeps me from even trying to…
Page 9, Building the 41-Plus DUCK I asked why they went to the extreme trouble of wrapping the steel like this, rather than use the “Floating Longs” system described elsewhere. Apparently the EU regs don’t allow longs that aren’t fully set into the frames. OK, we’ll develop the frames on new hulls…. These interior shots…
Page 8; Building a 55′ DUCK Steel boats when built using long sheets like these are tend to be pretty “fair” naturally. However, this boat is getting a real yacht finish so time is spent doing really good surface fairing. More fairing…… Looking pretty good even IF the photographer was a bit crooked…… I like…
How Diesel Ducks came to be….a brief History Much of the credit for the original Diesel Duck, the 38′ Patti Ann, goes to Pat Blackshaw. Pat and her husband Joe were long-time liveaboards but were fed up with sailboats in general and the handling, structural, and mechanical problems of their 45-foot fiberglass sailboat in particular.…
Page 5, Building the 41-Plus DUCK The exterior metal work is about finished and she’s primed. I make NO claims to being a metal worker, however, that don’t stop me from opinions, and, it seems to me with the “floating longs” and long plate way of building described in Random Thoughts, little if any fill…
I’ll get more drawings posted soooon but for now, here’s a newer interior idea. I like the passageway between the cabins shown on most of these boats but I also like the huge engine room offered when you don’t have the passageway. It’s all a trade-off and you can do it either way! A Tour…
5/12/10 Miscellaneous Photos in NO order! Seaductress at the dock in Canada. Note the double axles below this 41-Plus in Turkey, getting her primer paint. This has always been a thought of mine. Weld brackets to the keel you can attach several “low-boy axles” to her. Weld a serious 5th wheel “knob” to the bow…
Page 14: Building a 48′ Wooden Duck (added 10-06) The sound track from 2001 should have been playing during this, pulling her out from the barn! The rudder is hung for what should be the final time. It looks like there are zincs on the wood which is interesting; I wonder why? Must be some…
5/5/08 Page 6, Building the 41-Plus DUCK Engine is now in. This boat has a 4 cyl. Volvo, actually built by Duetz. International Capitalism! Ain’t it grand! Note also that the exhaust appears to be mild steel, not stainless. This is far better because mild steel corrodes evenly. Stainless will show little pin spots, then…
Page 2 of Building a steel Duck The Deck Beams The Engine Bed The transom. Note the curve. Carl likes round ends…. Go to next photos
What’s considered a ‘complete’ set of plans seems to depend on the designer. Obviously, a basic set of plans needs to contain enough info to build the boat! Now, the degree of detail might depend somewhat on whether or not the building is to be done by a amateur or a seasoned pro or for…
Page 12: Building a Wood 48′ DieselDuck 6/26/06 The shop roof is to low to add on the pilot house so, the walls were built half way up and the house will be finished when the boat is hauled out of the shop. Good looking brass portlights in the fwd. raised deck. These things aren’t…
Her galley is huge. She has granite counters, an apartment size fridge, trash compactor, micro wave, and washer/dryer. Engine room access door is across from the sink, next to the fridge. Aft is the owner’s cabin and head. The white horizontal door across from the stove gives full access to the side of the engine.…
Revised 12/5/07 Here’s the first 382 getting commissioned. The 462 is popular but is both bigger, and more expensive, than many people want. We thought a smaller version would have a place hence this boat, the 382. As usual, we started with my design and then Bill tweaked around with it to make it more…
More 382 DUCK photos Entrance to the below decks cabin. Elaborate fuel polishing/filtering layout looks good. Note what looks like two filters on the upper left. They are NOT filters. They’re dampeners for the flo-scan meter so no, they won’t dump fuel on the sole. I made that mistake too! Typical Seahorse fully instrumented helm.…
New photos added 12/5/07 X-raying the welds Note the first class keel cooling system. This is trouble free. And if it somehow springs a leak no problem. Simply pull the engine thermostat. If an engine doesn’t get above 140 degrees, the saltwater won’t crystallize. That’s why you see so many old raw water cooled car…
Page 10: Building a Wood 48′ Diesel Duck 8/9/05 The hull looks very fair in this shot. Note the chine; no wave at all to it! The waterline looks good too. Those cheap laser levels have sure made finding a WL simple. I’m pleased to see they’ve made the solid and simple rudder fittings I…
Page 9: Building a Wood 48 DUCK 10/19/04 They’ve really done a fine job of it…. Glassing the hull must be the absolute WORST part of the whole deal. It is really downhill now! Now attention is going to finishing the interior. Here’s the view in the main cabin (I think it is; maybe it’s…
New Blog Link LADYDEWposted 2/9/18 Teddy the Love Sponge relaxed wherever he was. links in no particular order…. Troller yachts This section of this site is devoted to my book, back in print 2011, The Troller Yacht Book, 2nd edition. Aside from trying to sell my book, the site is a collection of general troller…
Page 13: Building a Wood 48′ DieselDuck 6/26/06 The main cabin interior is looking good. Note how all the wiring is in a wood “channel”, easily accessible. Installing wiring or plumbing behind immovable furniture is common. It can be a huge maintenance headache, requiring disassembly of the ship to fix a problem…. The galley is…
Page 3: Building the 55 Duck Frames being assembled on Layout Table Bulkheads being assembled Go to next photos Go to beginning of series Back to 55′ Diesel Duck
Page 2: Building a Wood 48′ Diesel Duck After a several month pause to recover from an injury, Vickie & Harry are back at it. These photos came June ’03 The sides have their first layer and now comes the bottom plank. The first step is installing the stringers. The bottom is “cross-planked” which is…
Page 6: Building a 55 Duck I’m a pretty fair carpenter but I’m still amazed how people handle steel. Here’s some detail shots showing how those folks work. Keep in mind that hand work is a big part of it. And those of you with shipyard experience, look at the scaffolding….. The rounded corners of…
Page 3: Building a 48′ wood Diesel Duck The raised aft deck beams are now in place…. Inside the aft cabin. It really is simpler to install the tanks and engine BEFORE the frames are up…….. Inside looking aft. Very pretty fuel tanks. I don’t see the engine yet either….. By the way, I’m just…
This little ship is rapidly becoming one of my favorites. She’s sort of an Evolution version of the original 38, but a but more so in that she really is a new design, beamier and with considerable more refinements. I don’t sell the plans; she’s only available as a finished semi-custom production boat from Seahorse.…
Page 17 of Building the 48′ Wood DUCK 12/31/07 Lots of work has been happening. Harry & Vickie have lived aboard from last May to November, when the weather chased them out. They hope to relaunch next spring and head south where they can stay aboard full time. Michigan ain’t exactly year around boating country!…
Page 1: Matt’s 49 going together Hull “in frame” as it’s called Stern view. Matt sure has a nice “shed” to build in Fuel tank with numerous inspection/cleaning hatches Tanks and engine in place Bottom planking going on. Have you noticed how neat the woodworking is on these photos Planking completed and hull sheathed On…
Building a 55′ DUCK (Construction started late December 02. She arrived in Seattle Oct. 05) Carl & Kim Staub had me draw the new DieselDuck 55 for them, and we’re all very happy with the way she turned out. She’s a real ship, and has become and will likely remain, the Flagship of the Diesel…
What’s considered a ‘complete’ set of plans seems to depend on the designer. Obviously, a basic set of plans needs to contain enough info to build the boat! Now, the degree of detail might depend somewhat on whether or not the building is to be done by a amateur or a seasoned pro or for…
2/7/2018 New Photos Building the Wood 49 12/12/17 Launched photos of Building the 38 in Brazil Marlane & Benno’s 41, off Cape Horn A “Stock Plan” is a set of building plans that is already drawn so is the least expensive way to get a set of plans. I offer quite a variety, so hopefully…
Added 6/6/07 The Launch! Well, after all the work we’ve seen documented here, the ship is ready to go into the water. She ain’t done but she’s close enough, and Harry and Vicki want to move aboard. It appears they are wasting a perfectly good cocktail pouring it on the bow. But then perhaps it…
Benno & Marlane’s 41 Diesel Duck Interior page 2 Engine room access from main cabin Hatch in wheelhouse floor allows removal of engine, batteries, and other bulky items Half Spiral stair from wheelhouse to main cabin saves space. Like the athwart ships bed in the stern, this is another good idea I didn’t think of!…
The Fitch’s 462 DUCK in the Panama Canal. Benno & Marlane in their 41 made the passage east to west a year earlier. The DUCKS are getting around! Panama marina, waiting for her locks date. The gates start to close… Water rising…. If you’ve ever “done” the Seattle locks you can guess how much turbulence…
Users guide to the Recreational Craft Directive Any boat sold in Europe must be certified by the EU as to its construction and systems installations. The certification is expensive and time consuming which is why very few yachts sold in the US can be sold in Europe “off the shelf.” They all can be but…
The second photo shows the top of this stairway in the wheelhouse. This is the access to the below decks living area. On to Page 3 Back to Previous page
New Steel Versions: The Evolution Models The first DUCKS built in steel all floated below their waterlines when fully fueled and loaded. I never considered that an issue because it’s typical of all cruising boats; the DWL (Drawn Water Line) means just that; loaded for use is always something else. After all, a couple 44s…
Interior Ideas showing a Seahorse Built 44 DUCK The 44 DUCK shown here has two interior versions drawn so far. First, the “traditional,” which is the original of course. There’s a full hull width engine room, and access to the fwd and aft cabins is through the pilot house. Then there’s the new one that…
This stripped down version of the 48′ Diesel Duck surrounded by “the flock” shows her strong NW salmon troller roots. As recently as the 1970s she would have been a practical salmon troller. For that matter she would be today, but regulators have destroyed practically all forms of the family owned fish boat in America…
Various Details 7/18/02 New 44 going together. Note how”fair” the unpainted steel hull and rails are. Here’s what the stern “ladder”looks like from the deck. Note substantial welded life rails. Again, note how “fair”the seams and plate are. Dry exhaust. The problem is it leaves fine soot on the sails and deck, and is just…