NEW PLEASURE LAUNCH

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 305, 9 December 1931, Page 5

NEW PLEASURE LAUNCH

HASTINGS BUILDER’S WORK. LAUNCHING AT WEEK-END. A twenty-two foot motor-boat which will be taken to Napier on Friday for launching, has just been completed by Mr. Denis W. Hursthouse, the wellknown Hastings engineer, with the assistance of the staff of his works. She is a trim and sleek looking little craft, and is as strong as she is racy. Mr. Hursthouse has never before attempted any task of this kind, yet even an experienced yachtsman would find no evi dence at all that the boat is amateur built. No doubt man- Hastings residents will be interested in the work, and Mr. Hursthouse will be pleased to allow anyone to inspect it before the launch leaves his works on Friday. The boat will be taken by train to West shore. The construction is of a particularly interesting type, and gracefulness of design has been maintained without sacrificing strength. She is a V bottom boat, and falls away with a nice sheer to a box-shaped stern which allows her to squat, well on the waler. The pro peller is well forward, and the steering is worked by a vertical wheel situated just outside the engine room. The planking is of unusual width, and was steamed and turned in Mr. Hurst house’s own works, where an improvised steam-box was made for the purpose. It runs aft with a handsome sweep, and is painted white with an offsetting of teak running along the edge of the decking. The planking is lined inside with wide laths, so that the boat is almost entirely double-skinned. Tho decking is solid and strong, and is given additional strength by the use of steel elbows which brace the decking on to the main part of the hull. Indeed, the whole of the construction is of such strength and solidity that the boat could easily stand up to any buffeting that a cruising launch is likely to be called upon to suffer. The interior is well equipped with lockers, and cushioned seats are provided in the engine-room. The beam is 6ft. Bins., and provides plenty of room, with ample headroom provided by a well built up deck-house. The lighting is excellent, and gives tho cabin a roomy and bright appearance. The craft is a great credit to its builder, nod will make, a fine addition to the local yacht ing woild.