New-wavemonohull
Newcastle Herald
Saturday September 12, 1998
THERE is no more stirring sight than an Aussie surfboat crashing through a cresting shore break, four bronzed lifesavers slaving at the oars.
They are a marvel of seaworthiness as they tackle the seas head-on before riding the foam back to the beach with the ease of a dolphin, bow high, sweep standing proud in the stern.
It was enough to motivate Sydney boatbuilder and designer Rob Howe into emulating the hull form when he set about creating the Howe 20.
So obvious is the resemblance, in fact, that one feels inclined to give the Speedos an `atomic wedgy' before boarding.
Says Howe: `I've always had a great respect for surfboats and what they're able to do, and I wanted to take their design attributes and create a utility or sporting boat that can give a good comfortable performance and take a hammering as well'.
His earlier models were mostly employed as work boats, with one or two serving as commuter boats on Pittwater. Now Howe has refined his idea, offering the 20-footer as an upmarket `Classic Sporting Boat'.
Unfortunately it's easier to sell a radical tax package than introduce a new concept into the conservative marine market, and the Howe 20 will initially be regarded suspiciously.
`Is it stable?' is the question already asked most commonly.
The answer is yes. While it may look long and thin, it measures more than seven feet (2.20m in fact) across the girth. Sure, it doesn't have hard chines to provide initial stability, but the flared topsides soon stiffen her up. If anything, a less jerky motion results from having a soft turn of bilge.
It's underway that the hull form shines. All the ingredients are there for the smoothest and most efficient ride imaginable in a 6.3m monohull ? a long waterline (only 20cm shorter than overall length), slender running surface, subtle keel rocker and a light weight of only 320kg.
Transition from displacement to planing mode takes place at a higher speed than usual, and there is almost no perception of it occurring. Conventional deep vee powerboats tend to bury their sterns and struggle over the planing `hump' ? not the Howe.
The recommended powerplant is a Yamaha 50hp four-stroke since its power delivery ideally suits the easily-driven hull. Top speed is 27 knots and it achieves 18-22 knots at cruising rpm, while delivering excellent fuel economy.
A late addition to the hull was a waterline strake, situated amidships, to generate extra lift and deflect the water away to the sides. It has resulted in a three-knot increase in the cruising speed.
Fast cornering produces no propeller cavitation, but the banking angle can take some getting used to. As your confidence grows, however, you find the boat can power out of turns.
Hull construction comprises rigid PVC foam sandwiched between quadraxial stitched glass cloth, with an extra layer of this material below the waterline. Howe prefers this to woven cloth, as it doesn't stretch or distort when wetting out.
He finishes the hull with a stainless steel rubbing strip running from the sternhead to the transom along the ellson.
The Howe 20 is available in two versions ? tiller steered and centre console. The latter is fitted with a steep top, helm seat, cuddy cover, rod holders, fish box, under-floor kill tank and nav lights.
Price as tested was $34,450 including trailer and 50hp 4-stroke outboard. The tiller-steered version costs $31,000, while the base hull with console starts at $25,500. Phone Howe Shipwright Services, ph (02) 9979 8948, fax (02) 9979 1587.
Mark Rothfield is Editor of Modern Boating.
© 1998 Newcastle Herald