The HILDA 26 was designed along the lines of a traditional work boat, with enough comfort features and interior volume to appeal to coastal cruisers. the hull has a Vee bottom, with 14 degrees deadrise amidships, flattening out slightly towards the transom, and soft chines. The enclosed pilot house has full standing headroom (6’2") and allows two people to operate the boat under shelter, prepare meals, and sleep comfortably on two full length (78") "vee" berths. The main saloon area is 7 feet long and contains an enclosed head, galley, icebox, and dinette / chart table. Many power options are possible, depending on individual requirements, but a 40 hp HONDA outboard is recommended. In any case, the transom, which is varnished mahogany, is left intact, and the engine totally enclosed inside an insulated engine box. A boarding ladder can also be built into the transom, which would be especially useful when trailering, as it allows easy access to the boat in campgrounds or rest stops.

            The 7 foot long cockpit is self draining, and contains four 18 gal. fuel tanks and two 5 gal. propane bottles, located under the port and starboard gunnels. A 12" raised coaming separates the cabin from the cockpit. The cockpit is large enough for everything from fishing gear to lawn chairs, and can be customized for fishing, diving, or cruising. A short hinged mast and boom is fitted to the cabin top and provides space for a radio antenna, steadying sail, radar mount, or support for a sun shade. 12" wide decks and 8" bulwarks allow for safe movement fore and aft. A self draining compartment for the anchor rode is built into the bow, along with room for a windless. Electrical power comes from 2 deep discharge batteries located under the companionway step. The batteries are charged with solar cells and the main engine alternator

            Wood strip construction is recommended because it is easy to learn and does not require a lot of specialized equipment and tools. The hull and deck are built with 1/2" thick wood strips, over building forms. Cedar strips and exterior plywood panels are adequate, but the ideal building material is "DURA CORE" (a balsa cored, mahogany faced strip) from BALTEC. This material is expensive, but will save around 2-300 pounds, and lower the center of gravity slightly.

            Full scale patterns are used to layout the 8 deck forms and 8 hull forms. An unusual construction feature is that the deck is built first, upside down, on a simple 2x8 building frame. Starting with the deck allows the builder to gain experience, skill, and confidence before tackling the more demanding hull. The deck structure contains a 2" high coaming molded to form a leak proof joint where the cabin attaches, and a similar feature, in the opposite direction, surrounds the cockpit. After the deck is stripped, it is sanded smooth and covered with a layer of fiberglass. The hull forms are then placed in position, aligned, and tabbed to the deck. The hull is stripped over the forms, smoothed, and fiberglassed. Four of the hull frames are then removed (the rest are permanent), allowing easy access to the inside of the hull to deck joint for fiberglassing. The boat can now be turned over, and the outer deck surface, including the outside of the hull to deck joint, and the entire inside of the hull is fiberglassed. The completed shell is strong, stiff, and totally watertight

            The bottom is stiffened with two full length plywood stringers which form the sides of the engine well, saloon furniture, and cabin bunks. Partial stringers extend from the cabin bulkhead to the transom. The cockpit deck and cabin bunk tops are covered with 1/2 " plywood, and then glassed to the hull. This forms a rigid "box" beam with the hull and adds a great deal to the boat's torsional stiffness.

            The fore deck is level, with 6" of camber, and has a 12" raised trunk cabin that sets flush into the main cabin. Deck beams are not required because of the stiffening effect of the camber and the integral deck coaming. The cabin pieces are cut out, glued together, and fiberglassed while fitted to the deck coaming. The cabin is then removed, turned upside down, and fiberglassed over the entire inside surface. The cabin assembly is bedded to the deck coaming with 3M5200 adhesive, bolted in place, and fiberglassed. This is very sturdy construction, and has virtually no chance of leakage. The pilot house has a circular front, formed with 5 plywood panels, each containing an 18 inch square window. The plywood is fiberglassed, then varnished to a bright finish. If done with care, it will be very difficult to see anything except the natural wood grain. The pilot house is bonded to the cabin with more 5200 and screws. The cabin overhead is stripped over a simple cambered form, glassed, and bonded and screwed into the cabin. 6" overhangs are shown on 3 sides, with an "eyebrow" shade forward.

            The size and type of the propulsion system depends on the builders speed requirements and mechanical ability. The HILDA 26 will cruise comfortably at 10 knots with a single 15 hp outboard motor, but 40-90 hp will move her out at 20-25 mph. While outboards are the most simple power choice, a mechanically inclined builder could consider installing an inboard. Whatever the choice for propulsion, the engine should be totally enclosed in an insulated engine box, and a water lift exhaust system is recommended. This will almost eliminate engine noise, creating an ideal atmosphere for conversation, music, and nature to be enjoyed to the fullest.

            For coastal cruises or inland lakes and rivers, the HILDA 26 will be a hard boat to beat. Weighing only 3600 pounds , she will trailer easily and is equally at home in a anchorage, marina, or campground. This opens up "cruising" opportunities in areas normally reserved for larger boats and motor homes. Many variations to the design are possible, such as decorative bulwarks, "tug boat" styling, different cabin features, cockpit layouts, opening ports, hatches, and custom features for fishing, diving, or commercial use. The simplicity of the design, rugged construction techniques, and traditional appearance will insure that the HILDA 26 remains competitive with more expensive production cruisers for many years.