Stanley Woodward, Jr. was a lover of boats. He enjoyed using them, but he especially enjoyed the creativity and personalization of building them. Woodward had a long, interesting relationship with designer Phil Bolger. The first boat Zimmerman Marine built 40 years ago, Tartar, was a Bolger-designed runabout that Woodward commissioned.

In 2019, our team at Zimmerman Marine’s location in Mathews, Va., had a chance to revisit a Woodward boat when his son asked us to make some changes to a build originally known as Design No. 505.

It’s a boat that Woodward and Bolger collaborated on in 2016, and that started out as a 27-foot, cold-molded cabin cruiser with an 8-foot, 2-inch beam. Woodward later lengthened the boat 3 feet and worked with master builder David Judson on some subtle and not-so-subtle changes, including to engine power. Originally specified for twin outboards up to 300 hp total, the boat was built with a diesel engine powering a jet drive because Woodward wanted to explore the Chesapeake Bay without worrying about crab pots or shallow water.

He did just that, several times, aboard Chispa (“spark” in Spanish) before he died in 2016. His son, Attila Woodward, loved the idea of perpetuating his father’s boating legacy, but Chispa was a bit slow for his tastes, with squirrelly tracking at low rpm. She also needed better interior and exterior spaces. So, we all got to work.

The Wish List

Attila had given the project a great deal of thought. First, he was interested in returning the boat to outboard power, and increasing that power to exceed 40 knots (the old diesel topped out at 29 knots). Attila also was confident that the switch from a jet-driven diesel to gas-powered outboards would improve tracking at speed, and Chispa’s close-quarters handling.

He also wanted to add more cockpit seating, which the repower would allow. The engine was covered by a box in the cockpit, and removing it would open up the cockpit for comfortable seating. It would also move a great deal of the engine noise aft.

In addition, Attila wanted to increase the cabin top forward, to cut down the size of the forward cockpit and increase space in the interior, which would receive a modern galley and systems.

The master plan was to execute all these changes while maintaining as much of Chispa’s original look and feel as possible.

Because the changes exceeded our design capabilities, we referred Attila to DLBA, the Virginia-based naval architecture and engineering firm founded by Donald L. Blount. DLBA worked with Attila to make changes to the hull, to support the speed and keep spray at bay. Weight studies were performed, and new tankage was drawn along with CAD drawings to give everyone an idea of what the project would look like.

Time to Cut

The modifications called for changes to the chine and running surfaces, and for filling the big hole in the bottom where the jet drive once lived. Fortunately, the well-built marine plywood and epoxy fiberglass-sheathed hull was straightforward to modify. The most time-consuming part of the hull work was the fairing to accept fresh Awlcraft 2000 paint. After that, a new Armstrong outboard bracket was fitted, along with some strengthening of the transom’s interior. The bracket makes a great swim platform, and increases buoyancy and the waterline aft.

The new plans called for twin Mercury 225s, which outboard specialists Swords Marine Service installed and rigged, along with the control and monitoring systems. The existing diesel tank was flushed, and an additional fuel tank was built to fit in the space where the old engine had lived, giving a total capacity of 230 gallons between the two tanks. Fuel plumbing and filtering were upgraded, along with installation of blowers and a fume alarm. Careful attention was paid to the American Boat and Yacht Council requirements for ignition protection for gasoline-powered boats.

At the helm, a Stidd chair was installed, along with a Furuno multifunction display with radar, a Vesper Cortex VHF radio with AIS, and a Zipwake Dynamic Trim-Control System. A companion seat was built opposite the helm with a backrest that can face forward or aft to suit the dinette, which converts to a third berth.

The galley was upgraded with trash stowage, drawer refrigeration, and freshwater filtering. A covered nook in the forward cabin was built to mount the electric head, along with a holding tank and macerator pump. A hanging locker and shelves were fabricated to supplement the newly expanded V-berth, and a varnished teak-and-holly sole was added to complement the interior. We painted and varnished nearly every interior surface to yacht standards.

The electrical system was improved with additional battery capacity for the new refrigeration, a 2,000-watt/100-amp Magnum inverter/charger, and two Solara 150-watt cabin top-mounted flexible solar panels controlled by Victron regulators. The additional capacity and charging can allow days at anchor without shore power.

To set the right mood for entertaining, Bluetooth-controllable LED strip lighting was installed throughout the cabin and cockpit, along with a Fusion Entertainment audio system.

Back in the cockpit, seats were created with capacious lockers beneath, along with filler pieces that can add seating across the back of the cockpit. Mock-ups were made for the cockpit coamings, which were modified to get the shape, size and comfort just right. Additional opening lockers forward double as steps to the side deck. Bay Canvas Marine Upholstery created new cushions inside and out.

Launch Day

The boat was stopped as it headed down the launch ramp for a rechristening. Everyone who worked on her shared breakfast, and, after a splashing of bubbly from the owner and his wife, Khanh, it was time to see what the boat could do.

The extra horsepower certainly made a difference, as did the work to the hull. The ride is composed, the steering responsive and predictable. The new top speed is just over 40 knots, and range is 365 nautical miles at 25 knots.

One of the issues with the jet drive was that the steering could wander at speed. With lifting strakes and a hard chine, and with the outboard lower units acting as course-stabilizing appendages, the tracking is greatly improved. The Mercury joystick makes maneuvering in close quarters precise and predictable.

Attila concentrated on creating different comfortable spaces on the boat, as well as opening windows and hatches for plenty of breeze inside, along with lots of light when desired. An adherence to good design values makes the boat feel cohesive and come alive.

One of the most enjoyable things about a project like this is chasing the owner’s vision. Success is not just in the grand ideas, but also in the detail work. Aesthetics were extremely important to Attila, not only in terms of color and finish, but also in relation to the size, shape and placement of equipment, furniture and trim.

It is satisfying to create a truly custom piece of work that shapes an owner’s dream into reality—and that continues a tradition of boating that began many, many decades ago. 

This article was originally published in the January/February 2023 issue.