LRC/XPM design rationale

“The LRC/XPM design portfolio is the culmination of countless hours spent dreaming and sketching. To begin with, I wanted to achieve a comfortable 58ft vessel to live, voyage, and work onboard for the fussiest client of all, myself. At the top of my list of desirable attributes were rugged simplicity, efficiency, safety, and affordability. I wanted to be able to do all maintenance myself.

I was initially going to build a sailing yacht, feeling that sailing would be more economical. It soon became apparent, though, that for the cost of the mast, sails, rigging, and related maintenance costs, I’d be able to buy enough fuel to go a very long way indeed. The 58ft engine’s size is what one would expect to see as an auxiliary in a sailboat this size. Windage is a fraction of a sailboat with no mast and rigging causing drag.

With a powerboat, I can point exactly where I want to get to and probably get there when I want. The comfort of sitting in a stout pilothouse when it’s windy and rainy outside is priceless. A shallow draft allows entry into the most exciting cruising grounds, including European canals. With low air draft, bridges are no obstacle. There is more choice of anchorage.

Construction is aluminum which I chose because of its strength, lightweight, and the fact it can be left unpainted. I think the unpolished workboat look will help the boat blend in various ports around the world.”

Dennis Harjamaa (artnautica.com), o/b LRC58 Koti, Auckland (NZ)