LB26, a 26' lobster boat

LB26 stands for Lobster Boat 26 but this is not a traditional lobster boat. The hull lines show it's origin but that's all. We would call it a picnic launch if we weren't worried about being sued by some company who has registered that name...

The plans show three hull materials and two types of motorization: straight shaft inboard or stern drive with jack shaft. In each case gas or diesel to the builder's preference.

The preferred hull material is foam sandwich. We describe the method used to build the boat in our Foam Sandwich tutorial. Other materials are plywood core composite and cedar strip core composite. In all cases, the superstructure must be made from foam sandwich in all cases. This means that one can build a plywood cored hull with plywood stringers, frames and bulkheads but the sole, cabin, deck etc. Must be made from foam sandwich. It is a matter of weight, we want to keep the boat light. Since the builder must anyway use foam for the superstructure, why not build the whole boat from it? The plywood version will cost a little bit less but not much when looking at the total cost with engine.

The cedar strip version is available for those who like to work with that material.

Any of our builders who has successfully completed a boat built on a jig, from the FS12 to the C19, is able to build the LB26 in foam sandwich. He is familiar with the materials and the method.

The plans are extremely detailed. In addition to the standard drawings we show more than 20 dimensioned drawings for the molds, one per station. A CD with DXF files for the same stations is also included. The builder can bring that CD to any blueprint shop and have full size patterns printed, preferably on Mylar.

Here are some figures: LOA: 8 meters
Max. Beam: 2.47 m
Draft: 0.40 m
Displacement: 2,450 Kg
Deadrise at transom: 13.5 degrees
Deadrise midship/bow: 19/51 degrees
LWL/LCB: 43%
Designed HP: 200
Fuel: 360 liters

On the web page, we will publish more data like resistance graphs, performance prediction based on the Savitsky-Koebel method, trim angle in function of speed etc. The top speed at full load (2,450 kg, 5,400 lbs) ) with the 200 HP diesel will be 30 knots that means close to 35 mph in car driver's units. The boat will go faster with a lighter load.

The design is in full conformity with the ABYC standards and those are very close to the CEE standards. An ISO conformity certificate will be available on request for a fee.

Inside the boat has minimal but comfortable accommodations: vee berth, fully enclosed head with shower, small galley with fridge, standing headroom. The plans show fresh water and waste tanks.


The hard top is optional and BTW, the angle of the roof can be changed if the builder prefers it parallel to the waterline. As designed, the roof is horizontal at cruising speed trim (2 degrees). That hard top can be fully enclosed with semi rigid plastic sides, a great option for cold climates.

Jacques Mertens
Bateau.com
April 2007