[hpv-boats] First V16 Series Boat Launched

[Rick Willoughby]

The first of my V16 series design has been built in Maine over the past 15 months and was launched this week.  

There are photos linked here:
http://www.rickwill.bigpondhosting.com/V16-64_Bow.jpg
http://www.rickwill.bigpondhosting.com/V16_64_Side.jpg
http://www.rickwill.bigpondhosting.com/Folding_Prop.png

The V16 hull shape is more complex than the V15 series, having variable side flare, which reduces drag slightly.

The boat has been fitted with a Gates Carbon Drive belt to eliminate problem of chain corrosion.

The boat uses one of my commercially produced folding props with stainless blades.

Boat is 6.4m long with design displacement of 130kg.  Actual boat weight is 24kg.  The main hull is 11kg of that.

Rick Willoughby