Dimensions
LOA: 21 ft 8 in
Beam: 5 ft 8 in
Maximum Draft: 6 in +/-
Engine
Engine Brand: Nanni Diesel
Engine Type: Inboard
Engine/Fuel Type: Diesel
Engine Power: 20 HP
Tanks
Fuel Tank: (11 Gallons)
Description
I built Low Cay (Low Key) for use in the flats and on the reefs in Belize. Every decision made in the planning and construction was based on creating a tough, seaworthy, economical, shallow draft boat that could be driven onto a beach and backed back off. Nothing that matched those goals was readily available. At least I could not find it if it did. So, I decided if it was going to happen, I would have to make it a bit of an experiment.
Low Cay has turned out to be a successful experiment based on the William Atkin WWII crash boat Rescue Minor, and inspired by Robb White’s experience with his own version of this Atkin design. Robb White also called his boat Rescue Minor; but the boat actually differs from the original in significant ways. You can see and read about Robb White’s boat at www.robbwhite.com and in WoodenBoat number 189. There is an article by Atkin about Rescue Minor from Motor Boating, which I received as part of the plans package I purchased from www.atkinboatplans.com. I actually bought plans for two boats at the time, Rescue Minor and Shoals Runner. Although Shoals Runner is the length I preferred, I chose to attempt my version of Rescue Minor for a number of reasons. The main one being that Shoals Runner was designed in the 1950s as a lightly-built recreational boat, whereas, Rescue Minor was designed in the early 1940s as a stout, war-service crash boat.
It was important to me when planning Low Cay to retain the advantages of the Atkin design, shallow draft, protected propeller and rudder, efficiency with low power, strength, and seaworthiness. But at the same time, I wanted to build the boat as a strip plank, epoxy composite, sheathed inside and out with glass cloth as White did. The other major change is in the length. The Atkin design is 19’ 6” overall. I wanted a boat with an overall length around 22’. I spent a bit of time worrying this issue, primarily with respect to the tunnel configuration, but also with respect to beam. After studying the hulls of both Rescue Minor and Shoals Runner, I finally stretched the Atkin design by 10%, with proportionate changes to the tunnel and box keel. And, I did this without any change in beam. Low Cay has a resulting length overall of 21’ 8”. My hope was that one effect of this additional length would be to limit the slight out of trim issue that Robb White experienced at higher speed with his version of the design. Low Cay in fact runs perfectly flat at any speed. So the additional bouyancy forward did solve the issue that Robb White discussed in the WoodenBoat article.
The forward and aft compartments are water tight when latched closed making the boat nearly unsinkable. As with the original Rescue Minor, the boat can be lifted using only the bow and stern eyes. All deck hardware is stainless steel and through-bolted. The stainless steel and Sunbrella bimini top can be positioned either forward or aft using the deck track.
Mechanical / Electrical
20 HP 3-cylinder Nanni Diesel
10" x 10" bronze propeller
Dual-lever engine / transmission controls
Automatic electric bilge pump
2 NM LED navigation lighting
Dual electric horns
LED locker and engine compartment lighting
Dual deep-cycle batteries with isolator / selector
(1) Starting Battery
(1) House Battery
Galvanized trailer
LOA: 21 ft 8 in
Beam: 5 ft 8 in
Maximum Draft: 6 in +/-
Engine
Engine Brand: Nanni Diesel
Engine Type: Inboard
Engine/Fuel Type: Diesel
Engine Power: 20 HP
Tanks
Fuel Tank: (11 Gallons)
Description
I built Low Cay (Low Key) for use in the flats and on the reefs in Belize. Every decision made in the planning and construction was based on creating a tough, seaworthy, economical, shallow draft boat that could be driven onto a beach and backed back off. Nothing that matched those goals was readily available. At least I could not find it if it did. So, I decided if it was going to happen, I would have to make it a bit of an experiment.
Low Cay has turned out to be a successful experiment based on the William Atkin WWII crash boat Rescue Minor, and inspired by Robb White’s experience with his own version of this Atkin design. Robb White also called his boat Rescue Minor; but the boat actually differs from the original in significant ways. You can see and read about Robb White’s boat at www.robbwhite.com and in WoodenBoat number 189. There is an article by Atkin about Rescue Minor from Motor Boating, which I received as part of the plans package I purchased from www.atkinboatplans.com. I actually bought plans for two boats at the time, Rescue Minor and Shoals Runner. Although Shoals Runner is the length I preferred, I chose to attempt my version of Rescue Minor for a number of reasons. The main one being that Shoals Runner was designed in the 1950s as a lightly-built recreational boat, whereas, Rescue Minor was designed in the early 1940s as a stout, war-service crash boat.
It was important to me when planning Low Cay to retain the advantages of the Atkin design, shallow draft, protected propeller and rudder, efficiency with low power, strength, and seaworthiness. But at the same time, I wanted to build the boat as a strip plank, epoxy composite, sheathed inside and out with glass cloth as White did. The other major change is in the length. The Atkin design is 19’ 6” overall. I wanted a boat with an overall length around 22’. I spent a bit of time worrying this issue, primarily with respect to the tunnel configuration, but also with respect to beam. After studying the hulls of both Rescue Minor and Shoals Runner, I finally stretched the Atkin design by 10%, with proportionate changes to the tunnel and box keel. And, I did this without any change in beam. Low Cay has a resulting length overall of 21’ 8”. My hope was that one effect of this additional length would be to limit the slight out of trim issue that Robb White experienced at higher speed with his version of the design. Low Cay in fact runs perfectly flat at any speed. So the additional bouyancy forward did solve the issue that Robb White discussed in the WoodenBoat article.
The forward and aft compartments are water tight when latched closed making the boat nearly unsinkable. As with the original Rescue Minor, the boat can be lifted using only the bow and stern eyes. All deck hardware is stainless steel and through-bolted. The stainless steel and Sunbrella bimini top can be positioned either forward or aft using the deck track.
Mechanical / Electrical
20 HP 3-cylinder Nanni Diesel
10" x 10" bronze propeller
Dual-lever engine / transmission controls
Automatic electric bilge pump
2 NM LED navigation lighting
Dual electric horns
LED locker and engine compartment lighting
Dual deep-cycle batteries with isolator / selector
(1) Starting Battery
(1) House Battery
Galvanized trailer