North Light 33, Strip-Planked Cutter Profile & deck plan
General Specifications
LOA 32.8'
LWL 29.6'
Beam (WL) 9.8'
Beam (max) 10.9'
Displacement 16850 lbs.
D/L 290
Comfort ratio 40
Power 35 HP
Sail area 698 sq. ft.
SA/D 17
Water 220 Gal.
Fuel 50 Gal.



It's a lot of fun when a custom commission like this comes along. The general requirement was for a rugged, comfortable live-aboard with strong traditional looks, combined with modern wood/epoxy construction. This is a great approach as it allows the designer a lot of freedom to improve performance and handling, while staying within a great looking envelope. The cabin top is a cored ply sandwich, eliminating the need for transverse beams, while preserving decent headroom with a low, sleek house profile. Because of the lower number of floors needed with this type of integrated construction, we were able to locate the water tanks below the cabin sole and integral with the hull. This keeps the weight low in the hull and allows more capacity. The cabin sole, bulkheads and all major joinery are epoxy tabbed to the hull, so the entire structure works together as a unit. The hull shell is comprised of an inner layer of strip planking, topped by two layers of veneer and glass. This is a strong combination that is fairly easy to plank up.

The long keel and short rig are definitely going to be best off the wind. However, a lot of effort has gone into shaping the underbody, using modern foil profiles. While it's never going to be a speed demon to windward, a lot of people might be surprised at how well a properly shaped long keel can work.

The interior arrangement is highly customized, with galley and storage areas maximized. Locating the head forward is a great way to free up prime space on the boat, and is a feature that in many ways makes more sense than the v-berth that is normally located in that area. Overall, it should feel quite comfortable, with lots of room in the right places.

Auxiliary power is supplied by a generously propped 48 HP Bukh diesel. This is the same "big iron" used to power lifeboats worldwide. It was selected for its power to deal with currents, as well as its durability. A smaller, lighter engine that uses a smaller prop can be fitted for those planning on fewer hours under power.

The plan set includes all the standard drawings, along with full-size patterns for the station molds, stem and transom.




North Light 33, Construction Specifications
Hull: Wood/epoxy strip-planking with veneer and glass overlay
Deck and structure: Okoume marine plywood and mahogany
Rig: Standard aluminum spar sections and fittings
Building skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
 

Plan Set Pricing/Purchase

Complete set incl. full-size patterns $350.00 US

   
Study plan $20.00 US