18' Morning Tide Plans

Many moons ago when I first started as a designer with McGruers on the Gareloch, I drew the lines of a 19' pocket cruiser for myself, partly as the day job was full of racing yachts - I never got to build her but the drawing was kept safe and would casually drop into my lap just to remind me of her existence when I was busy searching for other things in the office.

I drew up a smaller version and called her the Morning Tide14 (after an area on the Thames I had enjoyed boating on) and you can see her on the Pocket Cruisers up to 16' page renamed as the Morning Tide 14 - at the same time I sketched 18' and 22' versions and after many years of gestation I have finally detailed the 18 footer.

She can be fitted out in a number of ways - the plans show forward V berths and a reasonable galley and WC compartment aft but one or other of these can be moved or omitted so that 1 or 2 quarter berths can be accommodated. The plans also show an optional outboard well.

Like her smaller sister, she has a long keel with a simple ballast box. Other keel options could be used.

Construction is egg-box type with ply frames and fore and aft girders slotted together - the hull panels can then be fitted and the chines finished in stitch and tape style, or stringers can be fitted and the planking completed plank over frame or clinker.