Specifications:

LOA: LWL: Beam: Draft (Keel): Displacement: Fuel Capacity: Deadrise: Freeboard (Fwd): Freeboard (Aft): Power: Construction:

23'-4" 19'-7" 8'-6" 14 1/2" 5,000 Lbs. 90 Gals. 16 Degrees 43" 28" 260 HP I/B Cored GRP

A number of years back, I found myself between jobs and contemplating trying to start my own design business. In the boat business, designers are never unemployed, they are actually "consultants." I didn't have many potential customers, but I did have some free time on my hands which led to this design. The idea was to come up with a design that was unique while still being conservative. It would also have to be practical to build in a production environment. I would then have something interesting to show any potential clients I might be able to drum up.
As it turned out, I never got around to finishing the design. While I was working on it, I called Sport-Craft Boats in Perry, Florida to see if they might need someone to design for them. This led to an invitation to visit their plant. To make a long story short, after showing them this design and offering some advice on their stringer systems, I was offered the job of Director of Engineering. This also included running the tooling department as well as quality control. Over time, my responsibilities grew to include lamination, OSHA, EPA and even advertising photographer. I am amazed I found any time to design anything at all during this period!

The 23' I.B. Center Console is a relatively simple boat. Her hull is a straightfoward Modified-Vee with a fine entry flattening to about 16 degrees at the transom. She has relatively wide chines that are angled down at about 5 degrees to help throw spray down and out. Back aft, her 16" diameter propeller rides in a shallow tunnel which keeps her draft under 26" at the prop. It also helps make it easier to load her onto a trailer.
Her layout is also pretty straightforward with a raised casting platform forward featuring two large fishboxes. Just aft of the casting platform are two more storage lockers in the cockpit sole. The console is somewhat unique in that it incorporated a pop-up electronics box similar to those on the large Buddy Davis sportfisherman. Although the Davis' used an electric powered lift, this one was layed out to use gas struts in order to keep the costs down. I believe I may have been ahead of my time in 1994 as I have now seen similar designs on new Grady-White center consoles in the last few years! The console tilts forward to allow access to the engine. Aft of the console are a couple more hatches to give access to the propeller alley and the steering gear.

Her construction was planned with production in mind. Her hull, deck, console and hatches would be molded in traditional female molds. Her original laminate schedule called for a cored hull, but I think I would revisit that if someone wanted to put her into production today. I guess with age I am becoming more conservative! The cored hull was originally proposed to allow larger spans between the stringers, thus making the fuel tanks larger. Her stringers would be foam cored hat sections or maybe a molded grillage system.

Over all, I think the 23' I.B. Center Console could still be built and marketed successfully. I envision her with outboard power instead of the inboard, a solid hull bottom and generally simple construction. She would look gorgeous with teak covering boards, teak rod racks and maybe a little more teak on her console. I know teak is considered old fashioned and high-maintenance these days, but white poly-plastic just doesn't leave me feeling all warm and fuzzy! If you are a production builder looking for something a little different, please don't hesitate to contact me.

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Study Plans: $16.00 US (Including shipping in USA)

Stock Plans: Contact Me!