Marissa 18
High-Performance, Economical Center Console Skiff
The Marissa 18 from B&B Yacht Designs was designed to be an economical center console boat just big enough to be really practical. By keeping the top end speed down to 25 knots, construction could be made lighter, which in turn meant a smaller motor and lower fuel consumption. She’s 18 feet long with a beam of 6' 10". Her motor uses a 20-inch shaft. She looks like a good family project.
She won the WoodenBoat magazine Pursuit of Pleasure at Two Gallons per Hour contest. At a cruising speed of 15 knots (17.27 mph) she is capable of 15 mpg — Wickford to Block Island in 90 minutes on 1.7 gallons of gas and Wickford to Newport in 36 minutes on 0.7 gallons. She can average 10.9 mpg at 21 knots (24.16 mph) if you’re in more of a hurry. That places any destination in Narragansett Bay within practical day trip reach. She’s capable of 25 knots with the right motor.
Marissa 18 CNC-Cut Plywood Kit
A kit is available for building Marissa at $6,422 plus shipping. The kit contains:
- All (CNC cut) plywood parts, as well as solid wood keel/stem. Includes shipping crate. Does not include solid timber for side stringers, cleats, inwales or gunwales.
- Epoxy and fiberglass kit with resin, hardener, thickener, fiberglass cloth and tape.
- Metal fittings (deck plate, cleats, bow eye).
Construction uses the same technologies as the Peeler Skiff, About Time and requires little or no more skill. Bob and I could have built About Time in half the time if we’d started with the skills we acquired while building her. I believe the new Total Boat brand paints and primers are easier to use than the Interlux Brightsides paints we used on About Time. All but 2 of the 19 plywood sheets are 9 mm (3/8") and are easy to handle — even easier when they’re already CNC cut.
My best guess is that she would cost an additional $5000-$6000 over the kit price to complete (locally sourced timber for side stringers, cleats, inwales and gunwales, paint, lights and hardware, fuel tanks, safety equipment, swim platform, construction consumables like sandpaper and paint thinner, and other incidentals).
Yamaha Mid-Range (30–40 HP) 4-Stroke Outboard
Yamaha 40 HP 4-Stroke 20 Inch Shaft Remote Electric Start Outboard Motor (approximately $4500)
The 30 hp version is the same weight and cheaper but would need to operate at higher throttle settings for equivalent performance. The technology of the 25 hp motors from the major manufacturers is not in the same league as the mid-range 30–40 hp motors.
Specifications:
- Horsepower: 40 hp
- Cylinders: 3 cyl
- Shaft Length: 20"
- Steering: Remote
- Starter: Electric
- Weight: 214 lbs
- Full Throttle Range: 5000–6000 rpm
- Displacement: 747 cc
- Induction System: EFI
- Warranty: 3 Years
Standard Package Include:
- Power Trim & Tilt
- Steering Link Arm
- Fuel Line
- Manual
