Beamier, a bit shallower for the length, and carrying a bit more freeboard than the DUCK boats, this series is meant for folks who are going to be living more in one area than actually cruising. The TASMAN SEA is plenty ocean worthy, but the emphasis is placed more on “creature comforts” than cruising. For instance, a pilot house this far forward has more "motion" than one in the middle or further aft. Although in practice, on a passage you'll be running on autopilot and laying about below reading. That's how I do it anyway... I love the layout; that engine in the bow opens up the entire rest of the hull. This isn’t a common installation to put it mildly, but neither the owner or I could see why it wouldn’t work. The whole trick would seem to be to make sure the shaft is well supported by “pillow blocks.” And, with a couple “U-joints” in the line, there should be absolutely no vibration. One guy said it wouldn't work because the motion of the bow lifting and falling would mess up oil flow. But, if you look at the stress a dune buggy or stunt airplane engine deals with, what this boat's bow would do even in a real storm seems small time. One change I'd do is give her a wet "north sea" exhaust. I don't care for the look of the stack sticking up like it is here.
The sole is all one level and features a real living room, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom; no compromises there! The house forward gives a “business like” look, and the first of these is going to have a hot tub mounted on deck behind the house! Like the DUCK hulls, these hulls are straight forward to build, about as simple as a rugged hull can be.
I’m thinking of doing a version laid out like the 59 Swan. One of these days....

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