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 you’ll find one of them is exactly what you want. Most people end up making some changes; for instance, the interior is almost ALWAYS changed to suit people’s particular needs. That’s fine; no reason not to. In practice, you and the builder can usually work out most changes you want.

While most people want steel construction, I also offer wood construction plans for most of my designs. If you’re interested in wood boats, please click Wood Construction Details to see some details from the wood plans versions as well as a series of photos showing a wood 48 DUCK being built. Wood is out of favor in the general market but I’ll always like wood boats. Wood simply isn’t cost efficient to hire built; steel is far cheaper than good wood and much faster for a pro shop to work. But, the DUCKS in particular have hull forms that are very basic to build in wood and if you want to build the boat yourself and have some experience remodeling a house or similar, wood makes sense. The wood construction plans are all based on materials available in any good lumber yard. The larger designs use a “composite” hull which is a layer of common 1×4 (3/4″ x 3 1/2″) topped by several layers of plywood. It’s labor intensive but very simple. Once you’ve built the hull, the interior and mechanical stuff is the same issue regardless. The composite hull when coated with glass cloth and epoxy is no different maintenance than a fiberglass hull, and unlike steel or glass, requires no insulation, and, is quiet inside. Wood makes a good boat!

I’ve certainly written enough about the “Diesel Duck” concept, but just let me say one last thing. The original 38 has always been the basis for the rest of the family; all of them start with her simple and rugged lines. The exact proportions change sometimes; the 48 is trimmer for her length than the smaller ones and the 55 SWAN is more in proportion to the 44 than the 48. But they’re all DUCKS! By the way, the August 2004 issue of PASSAGEMAKER magazine did a very kind article about the Diesel Ducks!

	34′ Diesel Duck: I’m sure this will remain the smallest of the fleet. She was inspired by new laws in some new post Katrina Mississippi marinas that all boats must be under 35′. The marine industry ain’t happy about that one! I didn’t think 34′ would work, but it does! She’s a bit stocky of course but that’s OK.	$1,695
	35′ COOT is a medium sized Trawler Yacht that is specifically planned out for NW cruising.
	38′ Diesel Duck New LAUNCHED photos 12/12/17. Here’s the original Diesel Duck. She was built in steel but wood and even aluminum versions have been launched too. If marina slip fees are an issue where you live, the 38 is worth considering. Follow the photos showing the building of a wood 38 in Brazil.	$1,895
	382 Seahorse Diesel Duck: This is the newest of the Seahorse semi-custom production DUCKS, “budget priced” by today’s standards, and ideal for a couple. 6/26/06 I added a nice letter from a French film maker who ordered #3. His comments are interesting!
	41′ Diesel Duck: This version took the 38 and added 3 feet fwd. of the wheelhouse, making a big difference to the interior but adds little to the costs as the materials are almost identical and the outfitting including power and anchors are identical. 10/06: Letter from Benno and Marlene from Venezuela. 2/09 Benno & Marlene go around Cape Horn! New interior photos posted 2/15/2013	$1,895
	41′ New Wood Diesel Duck: added 2017. I decided to make a new (2017) of the 41. If there’s any interest I can do the plans over in steel but for now, this is a simple wood boat ideal for home building. Follow first time builder Scot Smith’s excellent blog as he builds his Sea Dreamer project.	$1,895
	41′ Diesel Duck “plus”: Ideas from the 462 and the 45-plus went into this guy, making a very comfortable cruising boat for a couple. She lacks frills and is just a no-nonsense and low hassle little ship, although of course you can jazz her up! New building photos and 3 D drawings added 3/8/08 and 3/11/08/ New photos 8/13/08/	$2,595
	41′ Diesel Duck “plus-2”: A 2015 fine tuned version of the successful 41-Plus.	$2,595
	44′ Seahorse Diesel Duck: This is the second DUCK, coming soon after the 38. Seahorse modified it some and built three, all of which have done long cruises. Here’s both the original and the new versions. Here’s a “walk-thru” video tour of the 44 DUCK, DESTINY, currently for sale in the Med.	$2,595
	44′ Duck “Italiano”: is a rather exotic variation of the 44, worked up by Eugenio Martinoni and marketed by his company.	$2,595
	45′ Plus Diesel Duck: Blending the 44 EVOLUTION and the 462 gets us this guy, or Duck rather. The first of these was built by Townsend Bay Marine in Pt. Townsend, WA.	$2,795
	46′ Diesel Duck: This version looks a lot like the “Evolution” series but isn’t. She was a preliminary for a guy who asked about the changes several years ago but then changed his mind. I liked her so went ahead and worked up several versions. It’s odd that several years later the thoughts behind her would end up as the “evolution” ideas in the others. New 11/20/02 “sedan” sketches.	$2,795
	46′ 2 Seahorse Diesel Duck: A whole new slant on the Duck theme, and only available as a semi-custom production boat from Seahorse. She’s got some modern touches but is still obviously a Duck!
	462 Seahorse (really 49) Sedan: (New interior photos added 8/2014) Based on the 462 DUCK hull, this coastal cruiser is a heavy duty sedan type a bit less gung-ho than her heritage but still plenty “game.” Like the original 462, she is only available as a semi-custom finished boat, from Seahorse.
	47′ Diesel Duck “plus”: 7/5/17 new Photos added. A guy who really liked the 45-Plus wanted “just a little more room” and the result is this boat. That extra 24″ doesn’t seem like much but it gives us a bit more spacious wheelhouse.	$2,995
	50′ Diesel Duck (47- Plus) Sedan: New PHOTOS added 8/20/2013 Like the 462 sedan, this is a bit less gung-ho version of her very solid cousin.	$2,995
	48′ Diesel Duck: The original and the “Evolution” model. She’s a comfortable cruising boat. Be sure to visit the photos of building Harry & Vickie’s Wooden 48.	$1,895
	49′ Diesel Duck WOOD: New photos added 12/19/16. A wood 472 with a “normal” transom.	$2,995
	492 Seahorse Diesel Duck: New in 2014, this boat takes the successful 462 and adds just a bit more space! Like the other Seahorse versions, this boat is only available as a finished yacht from Seahorse.
	55′ Diesel Duck: This is a substantial cruising home! Elsewhere on this site you can see photos of her being built. I can’t believe how disorganized this site has become…. Click to see the 55 DUCK being built!	$2,995
	55′ Diesel Duck “plus”: (revised 7/26/08) A slightly enlarged 55 with the “sugar scoop” (as somebody called it) transom that seems to be happening to all the new DUCKS. It makes sense, and doesn’t look to bad when you get used to it. The transom, I mean. The DUCK itself is gorgeous of course! AND, a throw-back to our roots, there’s a 59 Traditional based on the same hull, just with a “normal” transom” and of course, outside rudder!	$3,595

George’s Main Stock Plans: Here’s where you’ll find all of my OTHER cruising power designs. We spun this DUCK section off the main site because DUCK stuff was growing so rapidly! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE these boats! But I like the other stuff too! For instance, the 55′ IDLEWILD successfully made it through the NW passage in ’05 and then went on around the world. She finished her circumnavigation in Vancouver, BC., in the process setting the record for the longest non stop voyage ever done in a power yacht. You’ll see her, and others, at George Buehler Stock Plans.

Plans Prices & Order Form

George Buehler Yacht Design P.O. Box 966, Freeland, WA 98249
Telephone (360) 331-5866

e-mail: george.b@georgebuehler.com

Print & mail or fax, or e-mail the following info: Please note; These things are NOT refundable without prior agreement!

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Note! October 2014 the New Edition of my Backyard Boatbuilding Book hit the streets. It includes, among others, the building plans for the original wood versions of the Diesel Duck 38 and 48. BUT, if you buy the plans from me, you get 24″ x 36″ paper plans and any details possibly not in the book as well as any new versions that might have been worked out. The plans in the book are certainly buildable!

All prices in US dollars. If ordering from outside the US please use either cash, a bank draft in US dollars or a credit card. Credit cards are the simplest way to send money out of your country and are NOT subject to bank “exchange” fees. US banks do not accept EC dollar checks, nor do they accept personal or postal checks from countries other than Canada. All Building Plans come with a free copy of BUEHLER’S BACKYARD BOAT BUILDING.

Please note: Stock Plans are not refundable without prior agreement.

To all you folks who don’t believe my “Modified Dhow sail plan makes sense, read what Marlene & Benno say about it. They’re actually out cruising you know….. Marlene and I are very happy with the DD 41 and her performance, even under sail alone : Between Martinique and St. Lucia a nice 15 knot breeze over the port quarter invited us to cut the engine, feather the CPP propeller and let the sails take over. The duck moved along with 4 knots having George’s original design of 400 sq. ft. jib and main up. Not bad, isn’t it? A nice get me home rig, not designed for winning a regatta, but a good stabilizer and extra speed to save fuel. Whenever we have the chance, the sails are up to smoothen the roll.

Bodie welcoming you aboard the new 45-Plus!

Randal & Ruth still cruisin’!

Don’s 44 DUCK at the Hong Kong Yacht Club, shortly before cruising to Japan.

Seaductress, The first Seahorse 44, soon after her 2 year singlehanded cruise from China, through the S. Pacific, and Alaska.