Lars Modin Design IV

No tank tests and no other tests, we did not even have the D40 in the water until after the boat show when she was launched last year, so it was pure luck..

The handling is very good with no issues, they turn without sliding and without losing speed. They have no pitching and lifts the bow just a minimum to get on plane. So the performance figures are a combination of the hull shape and the low weight plus of course the modern diesel engines from VolvoPenta. We will soon test a D40 with the latest Mercruisers as well.

We also have forward sloping windows on fishing boats and smaller multi-purpose boats like the Targa line from Finland. But those are higher and slower than ours. In our archipelago with many thousand islands, it is essential to have a good and glare-free view, especially when it is dark.

At the boat show we got some feedback on the D33 design...

It seems as more people than we thought are more keen on speed than economy and want twin engines over a single. So she is now D34, extended by four inches and with deck and superstructure raised by three. The major changes are the dinette which now accommodates two forward facing passengers and the second cabin has got the entrance moved aft which allowed for a separate shower room. On top we have added a fixed glassroof aft of the electric hatch.

This means we can start with the hull production, 3D-files are ready for the CNC-robot. And pretty soon we will also make the deck files. I just have to consider some minor tweakes....

For the coming 50-footer I have considered to use the "grey-line" design I showed in my first thread on YachtForums in 2004. It is hard to know if this design would be better received on a 50´ than using the reversed windscreen design as on the D34 above...?

What do you guys think, will this design be the right for a 2010 50-footer?

Thanks Jannick, maybe you are right, I´ll give it a try.

Codger, this is why I am hesitating, a production boat for about € 1 million must be appealing to enough people before we invest in all the tooling. The workboat style windows are not what you find from other builders why people may not be prepared to buy them..?

Since I can not use a stepped hull for the IPS, I was looking into this design instead, but perhaps I can still make a reversed windscreen. We´ll see pretty soon..

Yes Nilo, it is just a matter of how different you dare to be...

As an example, Fjord made a 40-footer that reminds quite a lot of my "Greyline". It has received attention and design prizes, but I don´t think they sell very well? At least not compared to our 40-footers. So maybe I should continue that style, it is just that it becomes a little boring doing the same lines after six years...

I made a quick attempt of reversing the windscreen of the boat above but then I had to change the bow since it looked too strange. I already have a "white" 50´prepared that I will not show yet, but I think it looks better than this one...

Codger, I was just now talking with my father on similarities between Sweden and Canada and to some extent also New Zealand. Not only are our climates similar, but also our lifestyles and I guess this subdued attitude to show-off.

This new boat we would like to export to new markets, both in Europe and elsewhere, why I thought it should get a more modern styling, but I could be wrong. Our present clients like the practical details, like no canvas, and the fast ride as they use them as commuters mainly. A 50-footer will have a little different target group as it will be three cabins and more livable space, eventhough it will also have a 40-knot cruising speed....

Kelly, your observations are right, there has to be some surrounding support lines with a reversed windscreen to make it look OK. The transom is open with a hatch covering the cleats each side. Not much space for additional design features. And in fact, my design was presented to the guys building the Fjord, long before they started with their new line...

Outmywindow, I appreciate your advice to not follow the pack, it has worked well for us and we are pretty established here today. My question is what will happen on new markets, but since they are much bigger than ours, we just need a small percentige to be happy.

Codger, this boat will be owner operated. With IPS and joystick it would not be hard to drive and I think we will find our clients among pretty experienced people.

Finally, what I would buy..? I browsed through some magazines to find something, but even if I got any boat there for free, I did not find any production boat, regardless of size, that I would take.

In the past I liked the midsized Bertrams or Hinckleys, but they are not up to date and the Wally´s are a little over the top for me. Hard to please..

On this, I think they have gained more experience today and especially with the IPS II and more powerful engines you will have problems. Not only in turns, but the drives creates a lift when they are too angled which can make it hard also to maintain a straight course. You can build recesses as they do for the mid engine in a triple configuration, but then we have to test it out before making moulds...

Kelly, did you know that a 375 hp petrol V8 is now available with IPS on some markets, I guess the US being one of them.