Captain Cicero A 29' 10" Knockabout By William & John Atkin
A Round Bilge Auxiliary Knockabout
This latest design shows a shipshape and practical type of auxiliary cruiser and one in which a generous measure of simplicity is woven. In connection with the latter I must say that in these days of intricate mechanical and social developments, simplicity, with all of its old-time charm, is well worth flirting with. If it is not amiss, I should like to mention here that I, with many another, have a deep feeling that ere long many and sundry of us will be gently knocking at its door. At any rate, Shipmates, the premise leans in that direction.
Captain Cicero's sail plan shows a jib-head mainsail and a staysail. In my younger days this style of rig was always termed a knockabout; and is still a knockabout (not a sloop). Stem-head sloop also properly describes this type of rig, if there are two headsails and no bowsprit. The absence of a bowsprit makes the rig a knockabout. The area of the mainsail is 350 square feet, the area of the staysail 112 square feet; total sail area, 462 square feet. Only two shrouds each side adorn the design; one headstay and one topmast stay. Notice also, Shipmates, the absence of spreaders, jumper struts, tangs, winches, and permanent backstays. There are, however, runners -- blessed in use because they lead to the sides of the little vessel rather than to its centerline. The advantages and strength of this arrangement is perfectly obvious to practical minded sailors. Dead-eyes and tarred lanyards are also included in the sail plan. A solid mast thus has some flexibility and this it should have. The above would not do for a high-strung racing boat, but has many advantages in a simple type of cruising auxiliary. And the latter type is the subject before us.
The cabin plan of this latest of the family is laid out for the accommodation of a crew of three. There is a single pipe berth forward, stowage space in the fore peak, comfortable seat, hanging locker, sail bin and, tucked behind the main cabin bulkhead, a pump water closet. The main cabin has two built-in berths. There are lockers beneath one of these and beneath the other a water tank. The galley spreads across the after end of the accommodation space. And here we find a shipmate coal range, work table, ice box, sink, and dish shelves. The headroom under the cabin trunk is 5 feet 6 inches; under the companion slide and the skylight a full 6 feet. The motor is installed under the bridge deck and cockpit floor and is a Universal Atomic Four. Speed under power should be a good 7 miles an hour.
The design this month shows a well modeled hull and one which shows every promise of being a comfortable, able and well behaved cruising yacht, not by any means a racing machine, rather a useful, easily handled craft. The little vessel's overall length is 29 feet 10 inches; the water line length 25 feet; the breadth 8 feet 9 inches; and the draft 4 feet 10 inches. The freeboard at the bow is 4 feet 8 inches and at the stern 3 feet 5 inches. The displacement is 13,200 pounds which indicates generous room below decks for all the amenities required for comfortable living afloat.
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