Hull

Seeker's steel hull was formed by folding and pulling large plates into shape in a process called Origami Boat Building. So the hull is formed before much of the framing and bulkheads were installed. The hull carries the rig, machinery, living spaces, ballast, and every load imposed by offshore operation.

Comments

How fast can Seeker sail?

Her hull speed is determined by her length at the waterline and that number is about 11 knots. We have touched 13.5 knots, but that was a lot of wind pushing us south around Cape Hatteras. In down wind conditions with 15 knots off the stern quarter, or coming from behind but not directly behind we will do 6.5 to 7 knots with all three sails up. With the wind on the beam, directly from the side we do about 4.5 knots in 15 knots of wind. And we will heal to about 12 degrees. Sea stats or how big the waves are will change these number as well as how much cargo and fuel we are carrying. And tell you the truth, I'm guess a bit at the numbers. I never built Seeker as a go fast boat. She is big, heavy, strong and slow. I always wonder why people who want to get somewhere fast choose sailing when we have airliners.

Talk to Doug

Junk Sails and Beautiful Frames

Starts at 3:58

Junk Sails and Beautiful Frames

Starts at 6:54

Zonker regarding the cargo hold frames: That is the actual structure supporting the plate. I once told him in a Youtube comment that they were very silly with the huge cutouts so they'd collapse if ever loaded. He was not appreciative of the suggestion to change them.

Its not uncommon for hull strength to be misunderstood and for some reason the cargo hold frames got a lot of attention.

Frist off, they are not even needed. The frames not not part normal Origami boat plans. And no Origami steel boat has ever been known to have suffered structural failure.

The frames were added to Seeker as an extra measure. They do stiffen the hull sides, but they more importantly attach to the frames in the keels helping Seekers ability to withstand a grounding in rough seas.

And yes the lightening holes are on the inward side of each frame where compression loads would be greater but they were not cut to save weight. They were cut because they are beautiful and provide attachment point for tables, equipment and securing cargo.

Sailing Anarchy

Hull

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