DESIGNS

SUMMER KYLE
Tunnel-sterned motor cruiser
Design by Dave Gerr
Commentary by Joel White
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Particulars
41'6n
Draft
LWL 39'2"
Displacement 15,960 Ibs
Beam
Power 170-hp Yanmar
Cruising speed 12-14 knots
Top speed 16knots

T he design for Summer Kyle first

came to my notice in the form of a
press release from Gerr Marine. While
I tend to digest press releases with a
considerable sprinkling of salt, any-
thing from the board of Dave Gerr in-
terests me, and Summer Kyle proved
to be no exception. Designs from his
office are usually no-nonsense, good-
looking boats, with a considerable
leaning towards traditional styling. A
glance at the outboard profile of this
design would seem to confirm this
assessment.
Yet there is much about this boat
that is not usual or traditionalonce
the outer veneer of the 1930s styling
is peeled away. Most noticeable are
her hull shape, and her shallow draft;
these two elements are integrally
related to each other.
Quoting the press release: "Sum-
mer Kyle was designed for a client
who wanted extreme shoal draft, eco-
nomical operation at moderate speed,
and relatively long range on a vessel
he and his wife could live on for
several months at a time'long
exploring vacations.' He specifically
requested 1920s to 1930s styling." la
order to achieve very shoal draft in a
single-screw powerboat, Gerr has
used a hull form derived from the old
Sea Bright Skiffs of the New Jersey
coasta narrow flat bottom, hori-
zontal chines starting about Station 4

November/December 1994 103

DESIGNS
.,;-'*
Summer Kyle's lineage can be traced through
William Allan's tunnel-sterned designs back to
the Sea Bright Skiffs of the NewJersey shore.
and running to the stern, and a tun-
nel stern (which Gerr credits to naval
architect William Atkin). The tunnel,
starting about amidships, is an in-
verted V-shape, with the box dead-
wood separating it into two tunnels
from Station 6 to Station 9. From
Station 9 to the transom, the tunnel is
a single inverted V with straight sec-
tions running from the submerged
chines to the centerline of the tran-
som above the designed waterline. The
104 WoodenBoat 121
k 5 li
perspective lines sketch shows the
shape clearly.
With the boat floating at rest on
its designed waterline, about one-
third of the 22"-diameter propeller is
above water while the remainder is
submerged. The shaft is horizontal,
as the flat bottom construction allows
the engine to be mounted low in the
boat. There is much that appeals
about this tunnel configurationthe
shoal draft will permit exploration
-***-i-
of many places that are off-limits to
deeper craft. Gerr states, "You can
run at full cruising speed anywhere
there's 24" ofwater or morea sim-
ply incredible, almost unbelievable
thing!" If I were running at 14 knots
in 24" ofwater, I believe my heart
would be in my throat the whole time
for fear I might suddenly arrive at a
place with only 18"ofwater!
The flat bottom is to be plated with
'/4"copper-nickelplate,andtheboat
can be grounded out without fear of
her falling over, another appealing
trait. The propeller and rudder are
well protected from damage by the
box deadwood and skeg that support
the bottom of the rudder.
I do have some concerns about
this tunnel. A naval architect friend
who has done dozens of designs with
tunnel sterns tells me there are two
definite no-no's in tunnel design:
First, the top of the back end of the
tunnel must be completely below
water when the boat is at rest; other-
wise, when the engine is put into
reverse, the propeller will fill the tun-
nel with air bubbles and the boat will
not back down. The second concern
is that the rudder when turned must
not close off the tunnel, as there
needs to be plenty of room for the
slipstream from the prop to escape.
Summer Kyle's design seems to vio-
late the first rule. In talking to Gerr
about this, he tells me that Atkin
had a number of boats built with
this tunnel arrangement, some of
which are still in service.
My friend also tells me that if there
is too much hook downward in the
after end of the tunnel, the boat will
run bow-down and consequently be
very wet. Again, I can'tjudge if this
will be a problem with Summer Kyle.
T he arrangement plan is nicely
set up for extended cruising for
two, with the possibility of two more
guests. The owner's cabin aft is large
and pleasant, with a big double bunk,
a dresser, and a good seat next to the
bunk. However, the only head is for-
ward, making it a bit of a trip from the
after stateroom.
Amidships, the pilothouse floor is
raised over the engineroom. There is
plenty of seating, a large chart table
to starboard, and a wet locker. In
addition to regular floor hatches
over the engine, the entire pilothouse
floor is designed to be removed for
complete access to the machinery
below.
Down two steps from the forward
cabin, the pilothouse contains the gal-
ley to port and a dinette with table
opposite to starboard. This can con-
vert to a double berth. The head is to
port, with a shower and hanging
locker to starboard. Having a shower
separated from the head is fine lux-
ury on a small cruising boat. I have
never liked entering a head compart-
ment that appeared to have recently
contained a lawn sprinkler, and which
had the atmosphere of a tropical rain
forest. Right forward, there is a space
that can be used either as a workshop
or for V-berths each side. If extended
cruising with two couples were con-
templated, this would be the second
stateroom. The head and shower
doors are arranged to close off the for-
ward space for privacy. Altogether,
this is a conventional but excellent
arrangement for a boat of this size.
Because of the space taken by the
tunnel configuration and the steering
gear mechanism, there is no cockpit
where one can sit outside to enjoy
fresh air and the sunset. Gerr has
done his best to overcome this prob-
lem by making the pilothouse as airy
as possible. Virtually all its windows
open, there is a sliding hatch cover
over each side door, and there are
larger sliding hatch covers over the
steering and navigation stations. In
addition, the after deck over the laz-
arette is big enough for a couple of
folding deck chairs. Still, I would miss
not having a cockpit.
T he machinery specified includes
a 170-hp Yanraar diesel, with 350
gallons of fuel tankage, giving about a
700-mile range at cruising speed,
according to Gerr. Also specified are
large battery banks, an inverter and
converter, a hot water heater, an air
conditioner, an 8-kw generator, and an
Espar hot-water cabin heater. With
all this equipment properly installed
and running, the crew should not
suffer for lack of creature comforts.
Construction is to be strip-planked
wood, glued with epoxy, and the
outer surface sheathed with fiberglass
laid in epoxy. This is a cost-effective
way to build a boat of this size, and
should facilitate building the unusual
shapes of the tunnel stern. While not
specified, I imagine that decks and
superstructure will be wood framed,
plywood sheathed, and covered with
'glass and epoxy. Or the decks could
be teak veneered for a more yachty
appearance. Gerr tells me that the boat
is under construction at the Kortch-
mar & Willner yard in Greenport,
November/December 1994 105
DESIGNS
1 liiiir 1
If"
li
iiF^n
Long Island, New York. In addition,
there has been so much interest in the
design that Cape Dory is considering
building the boat in fiberglass.
Summer Kyle is an appealing boat
for anyone wanting a medium-sized
power cruiser. Her overall appear-
ance is traditional, and 1 think quite
good-looking. Her relatively narrow
beam and long hull lines, combined
with a single-screw diesel of moder-
ate power, ensure a boat that is eco-
nomical to operate and maintain.
The raised forward deck configura-
106 WoodeaBoat 121
o
tion gives maximum usable space in Intracoastal Waterway, taking advan-
the accommodations, while the many tage of the good days to run, and ex-
hatches, portlights, and windows will ploring the countryside when the
provide plenty of light and air below. weather threatens, could take them to
The dinghy can be carried on the Florida and across to the Bahamas for
after cabintop and easily launched a winter spent in tropical climes. The
using the mast and boom. The mast trip back home, following the spring
will also be useful for carrying steady- north, might be the best ofall. -1.
ing sails. Gerr has done a fine job of
providing all the necessary elements Joel White designs, builds, and writes about
for fun, comfortable cruising. boats.
I am envious of Summer Kyle's Plans for Summer Kyle are available from Gerr
future owners. A September depar- Marine, Inc., 838 WestEndAve., SuiteBB,
ture for a leisurely trip south on the New York, NY 10925.