This boat is very much based on the 38 ft. Gollywobbler that we built a few years ago. The biggest changes have been in the accommodations and in the power package. The goal here is to create a boat that can easily handle two couples cruising with comfort (i.e. built-in berths) and to allow this boat to cruise at speeds in the range of 18 – 20 knots with good fuel economy. Let’s look at the power change first of all and then discuss what spaces opened up as relates to that change.

The primary concern here was to move the engines aft out of the people spaces of the boat and into the stern. Using the concept that we tried successfully on the Topknot 32′, I have moved to a stern drive diesel configuration. I have specified using twin Volvo 41 series stern drives. They have 185 horses each and fit nicely in the stern with a space for generator between and the daybed concept over the top. This will allow some sunbathing room in the cockpit of the boat and should be comfortable when using the cockpit after a days worth of cruising. A barbecue could be run on the daybed platform and with a couple of comfortable deck chairs under the covered cockpit, you can relax out of the weather at the end of the days cruise. The main salon itself has better lounging areas and better communication to the galley area. Note that the bar and refrigerator is opposite the sink and range areas of the galley. There is also a nice skylight over the galley, which gives us enough room for a 9’3″ Guppy sailing dingy over the main salon roof.

Going up a few steps into the pilothouse, you find a chart table and helm area to starboard with a sliding door for access to the fore deck. On the port side, an “L” shaped settee will allow plenty of comfortable seating for the peanut gallery critiquing your navigation. Going below forward into the fo’c’sle, you find the head is to starboard and has enough room for all of its functions, especially at the water closet area. The enclosed shower is through a doorway and has a curtain to keep spray out of the head area proper. Opposite the head area are lockers and a swinging door accessing the guest cabin below the pilothouse proper. There is full 6’2″ headroom below the “L” shaped settee and the large double berth is athwartships with lots of storage room both hanging lockers and drawers. Your guests won’t have any problem staying comfortable here in this cabin with the only small privacy issue being the use of a common head compartment for the two cabins. I’ve provided a slide out pocket door at the front of the head bulkhead which would allow the fo’c’sle cabin to be private to the coming and goings in the head compartment in the day and evening.

I think that this boat would be comfortable with the two couple arrangements and with a cruising speed of 18 knots and fuel consumption of about 10 gallons per hour, should be a fine platform for your West or East Coast wanderings. — Sam Devlin

The Gollywobbler 43 is available as a custom build from Sam Devlin.