GERMAN / ENGLISH
This design is intended to offer a high quality cruising boat to the amateur boat builder.
Simplicity in the construction is the first priority, but the final product is much more than an easy to build cruising boat.
With full usage of interior space, the Multichine 28 rivals in comfort with much larger boats. Its private cabin aft, with settee and a double berth of large proportions, offers extra comfort below the deck bridge, where one can sit comfortably without touching the head liner. An opening port in the transom and another at the cabin trunk sidewall provide good illumination and air circulation. To port there is a very spacious heads with room for vanity unit, sink and toilet. Abaft the heads there is a good compartment for stowage of larger equipment, such as inflatable dinghy. A gas locker draining through the transom is the only compartment with direct access to the cockpit.
The L shaped galley, besides being very large, it also allows the cook to stay out of the traffic from the companionway hatch. Two sinks, icebox, stove and ample space in lockers, ensure a comfortable usage for living aboard or in long distance voyaging. To starboard, facing the sinks and icebox, there is an ample navigation quarter where the navigator seats facing aft, using the after seat of the dinette. This dinette is U shaped and surrounds a hinged table. Forward, another double berth extends up to the collision bulkhead. A curtain separates this fore berth from the dinette, when required, allowing the usage of the table area without disturbing those who would be using the berth. This area is served by a hatch, an important convenience, particularly in nice weather, when the hatch may be kept open.
Outside, the Multichine 28 has also many desirable features. With a small cabin trunk and a flush unobstructed fore deck, there is even room for a solid dinghy to be stowed there. The cockpit is large enough to be used, in warm nights, as an extra double berth, provided that the cockpit grating is lifted to the level of the seats, and cushions or sleeping bags available for this purpose are extended over the area. Another practical solution is the vertical transom, with external hinged rudder. The simplicity and low cost of this arrangement fits nicely with the purpose of ultimate simplicity of the design.
The principle of construction of the Multichine 28 is quite straightforward. First, plywood bulkheads or semi-bulkheads are cut to shape according to the full size patterns provided with the plans. Around these plywood rings, which are reinforced along their edges, the longitudinal structure is attached, followed by fastening and gluing the plywood planking over the structure. Finally, a thick layer of fibreglass is applied over the hull and deck, producing a watertight and very strong boat. Two coats of epoxy are applied throughout the interior, warranting a long, maintenance-free life for the boat.
Other features of interest for the amateur include: integrated tanks, skeg for the shaft tunnel, eliminating the expensive and delicate strut installation, deep anchor rode well and shallow draught bulbous fin keel with a flat bottom, a detail that allows the boat to sit on the ground directly under it, provided there is lateral support. This is a very desirable feature, since hauling out for underbody maintenance can be performed in any beach where the tide range surpasses the draught of the boat.
The Multichine 28, simple as it is, still manages to be very handsome. Its great comfort for its size, the toughness of its structure and the superb seaworthiness of its design makes this boat the best choice for those who dream with long distance voyaging, or wish to live aboard.