As excited as I am by modern, sleek design, a classic boat will always steal my heart. My passion for traditional style, particularly former workboats converted to a life of leisure, led me to base this design, Husk, on the classic trawlers that spend the warmer months plying the expansive waters of the Pacific Northwest and southern Alaska.
I wanted to imbue the design with a touch of modernity, so, from a distance, Husk has the unmistakable lines of a classically styled trawler. Upon closer inspection, the boat has modern details.
Seen in profile, Husk has the bona fides of a classic trawler, with a high bow, reverse-raked windshield and beefy bulwarks. The mast doubles as a radar arch and can launch the dinghy from the boat deck. An exterior helm station can be added here for close-quarters maneuvering.
Utilizing brass hardware on exterior details—as frames in the portholes, and in the large tow ring—adds to the eclectic quirkiness of a converted trawler. On deck, her bulwarks are framed with pockets, giving a wider feel along the side decks and creating a nice pocket for lines and fenders. Her hull will be steel, topped with a lightweight, composite superstructure.
While many of today’s vessels incorporate raked amidships bulwarks with expansive glass to offer unobstructed views from the salon, Husk’s are full height, leaving guests less exposed on the side decks and from high seas. This design choice also allows for significantly less windage in the cockpit.
For a touch of the amenities that today’s buyers want, Husk is equipped with a drop-down transom and integrated swim ladders flanking the sides. From here, access to the cockpit is via a door on centerline. The cockpit has an L-shape settee to starboard, and an area to port for stowing kayaks and paddleboards.
The salon, entered through wood-and-glass sliding doors, has two settees flanking a dining table to port, abaft a credenza that houses an LCD TV and bar. Aft- and side-facing glazing fills the space with light. The goal of the layout is comfort for weeks at a time with family and occasional overnight guests.
Moving forward, the galley (just beyond the open staircase to the enclosed bridge) will have the hardware and stowage needed to spend weeks at sea, as well as a breakfast nook. For day checks or in inclement water, a panel in the sole allows for engine-room access. Opposite the galley is a space that can be used as a guest stateroom (with a single bunk over a double berth) or as an office when it’s time to put in some work.
In the bow, the master stateroom has a queen-size berth athwartships, which allows more walkaround room for owners. The master will have its own entry to the shared head. Where another designer may have squeezed in another small stateroom, Husk has stowage with room for a washer/dryer. The stairs that lead to the master stateroom lift to reveal another stowage area.
The enclosed bridge is equipped for lounging and comfort, ideal for long days at sea. In addition to the captain’s spot, there’s seating for at least six guests, including a companion chair for the mate to aid with navigation. The starboard-side helm is adjacent to a side door for line handling (there’s a portside door as well), to get to the forward lounge area, or to allow the helmsman better views aft when maneuvering in harbors. Like the rest of the vessel, all of the “wood” here is maintenance-free, made of CNC-milled composites.
Her single diesel engine eases maintenance and running costs, and ensures efficient cruising. At 6.5 knots. Husk will be able to reach 2,500 nautical miles with a 10 percent reserve. Her fuel tanks total just under 1,000 gallons, and will be set in modular boxes for ease of replacement with larger units, if an owner wants to extend range. Larger tanks, however, would cut into the machine-room space and spare-parts stowage.
Husk is a safe, smart vessel designed to withstand the elements of nature and time in a modern, yet classic package.
HUSK
LOA: 46ft. 2in.
Beam: 16ft. 2in.
Draft: 5ft.
Displacement: 67,000 lbs.
Fuel: 980 gal.
Water: 260 gal.
Power: 1x 280-hp diesel
This article was originally published in the October 2023 issue.
