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WELCOME TO JOHN HOLTROP'S BOAT DESIGNS

You really can build that dream boat! My plans and building techniques are tailored to the first time boat builder. Unsure about your ability? Try one of my small boats first. Look around the site and if a design interests you, take advantage of my free e-mail study prints and building manuals. A CAD program, or viewer, is required to view my drawings, which are in AutoCAD (*.dwg) format. Many CAD programs or viewers are available, some for free. I suggest you do a search for "cad viewers dwg" using WWW.GOOGLE.C0M .

Once the software is installed you will be able to open my drawings, experiment with interior options, and email the changes back to me for discussion. Consultation and minor design changes are included in the cost of the plans. If you see something that's "almost what you want", or have any questions, CONTACT ME.

The Technical Articles section contains my thoughts on a variety of boat design issues, including a list of "Best Blue Water Cruisers" (Cruising World, April 98), based on a fuzzy logic selection criteria. I update the list periodically, and have added a new section that lists boats that are "on the list" AND cost less than 100k.

WHAT'S NEW

ALLSPICE 6: a SIX foot long dinghy / tender will fit almost any fore deck. Fore and aft seats let the rower balance the boat, and allows the transom to be used as a foot brace. The seat is cut out between stations 3.5 and 5 (18") to reduce roll by lowering the center of gravity when when stepping down into the boat. A light weight version will weigh a bit over 40 pounds.

OSPREY 14: High performance catamaran, featuring a free standing "Bi-Plane" rig. This design was one of the winners in SMALL CRAFT ADVISOR's 2004 Design Challenge.

Latest Pictures of Hilda 26: Builder Keith MacFarlane puts the finishing touches on OPUS. She is on her trailer and looks great!

MOLLY 24 : Pocket Cruiser, classic lines, sloop or cat boat rig, 6' headroom, water ballast, trailerable.

WHISPER GLIDE 20: A twin hull, easily driven (gas or electric) pontoon boat, with a touch of class.

DESIGNS

For more information, click on any of the pictures.