Mark Smaalders Yacht Designs

Designs for seaworthy, affordable cruising boats -- specializing in wood/epoxy construction


An Old Captivity


AUSTRAL MK II 
Click above for more Austral photos
Austral's design is an outgrowth of Wynfall, intended to provide additional space below decks, including standing headroom. She is slightly heavier, longer and wider, and has more freeboard than her smaller sister. These changes make a difference: Austral boasts a remarkable amount of space for a 29' boat.

The first boat built to Austral's design - named An Old Captivity - was launched by Chris and Penny Morton of Cabarita Beach, Australia and launched in late 1998. After her maiden voyage Chris wrote to me that "...she sails beautifully,...tacking through 80 degrees, picking up speed easily (even in light airs), and leaving little wake."

In 2003 I joined Chris for a delivery trip from Brsibane to Tasmania, and was very impressed with her performance on the 1100+ nautical mile voyage. The MKII version incorporates some changes that were made to the orginal design as a result of that voyage. You can read more about An Old Captivity in articles that have appeared in Classic Boat, Water Craft and Australian Amateur Boatbuilder (see publications page for references). 

Three construction options are offered for Austral: framed strip planking, sheathed strip planking, or three layers of veneer over a strip-planked core. Plans include complete details for either gaff or bermudan rig, and several arrangement options - click here for plan prices and ordering information .


Austral Particulars

LOA: 29' -6"
LWL: 25' -0"
BEAM: 10' -0"
DRAFT: 4' - 6"
DISP: 11,000 lbs
BALLAST: 3500
D/L: 314
SAIL AREA
Gaff (work): 503 sq.ft.
(total): 566 sq.ft.
Berm (work): 504 sq.ft.
(total): 513 sq.ft.
TANKAGE
Water: 75 gal
Fuel: 30 gal