Newfoundland boats

R

Robert H. Wilkinson

New member
A few years ago my local dealer (Bridge Yachts Ltd.) in Port Dover began selling Seabreeze boats. Their semi displacement keeled hull intrigues me. They now offer a 23' pilot house which can be moderately powered, will withstand fairly heavy seas and yet has a relatively shallow draft. I haven't seen the 23' model but it appears to be reasonably priced. They are very "utilitarian" with comfort features being a bit spartan, but they are very rugged in construction (their rub rail would rival a tugboats)

Check out their website and tell me what you think.

If you want to get into the Newfoundland frame of mind before going to their website, check out this awsome video on U Tube--
"The little boats of Newfoundland cover by Robert Churchill"

Regards, Rob
 
These are fairly typical of "Down East" type of semi displacement boats. Note that they spec up to 225 hp for the 23--a boat about the same size as the C Dory 22, which does fine with 70 to 90 hp. The ride in chop would be better than the C Dory, but down wind/waves, may suffer as many of the semi displacement boats do.

From what I see there is not the cabin functionality of the C Dory. There are a number of these type of boats around, and they are popular for some good reasons.
 
Look at Seaway boats, Maritime Skiffs, Parker Boats (modified v models), the list gos on, anything that needs a 225 hp is off of my wish list. That rules out most if not all deep v's. Just my drift.
D.D.
 
Looks okay. But what exactly makes these boats semi-displacement? Outboard bracket with power up to 225HP. I bet its fully planing with that on it.
 
The hull lines are what make these type of boats semi displacement. I suggest a copy of David Gerr's "The nature of Boats" for every boater's library.
 
Thanks for the replies. I couldn't find any specs but this is definitely not a deep V. If you look in their photo gallery at the 2200, the transom deadrise looks similar to the CD. The specs for the 23 go from 90hp to 225 or duals. The 19' walk thru rigged with a 90 Suzuki has a WOT of 47mph. Their website has a link to a Power Boat Television test of the 19. This leads me to think the 23 will do well with less power. Some are pictured with a 130 Honda. Obviously their hulls will handle up to the 225 rating tho.

I will look for a copy of the book you suggested Bob, and you are right about the cabin functionality. Most of the ones I have seen (19-22') only come with 2 seats. They do look like a ruggedly built, seaworthy, well priced boat tho, for anybody that wanted to finish their own cabin interior.

Hey - most Bratts revamp their cabins to suit their own specific needs anyway! :lol:

Regards, Rob
 
23basic_open3-lg.jpg

Above is the drawing of the Seabreeze basic open from the stern.

Note that the chines are rounded (with a little ridge at the very outside to keep down spray, which can be a problem with the round bilge hull) There is a keel, which will run all of the way forward.

The C Dory bottom is almost flat, with a very small amount of deadrise (about 3 degrees or so), with also a reverse flare at the chines, but with very hard chines). Basically this illustrates the difference between a semi displacement hull and planing hull. The semi displacement can go fast, and will plane with enough HP. The ride will be softer into chop, but the deep forefoot can catch and cause handling problems if the bow is down as you go down wind/waves. The semi displacement generally will be more efficient in the transition speed. However, the C Dory planes at such a low speed, that I doubt that this is a feature which is of much use in comparison.
 
Thanks for the technical info Bob. I understand how the deep forefoot smoothes out a headsea and I can see how it might cause bowsteer in a following sea but I am wondering - is it harder to trim up the bow on a semi-disp. hull - compared to a planing hull?

Regards, Rob
 
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