Marsh Hen
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M H | |
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Reuben Trane |
| Location | United States |
| Year | 1981 |
| No. built | 40 |
| Builder(s) | Florida Bay Boat Company |
| Role | Cruiser |
| Name | Marsh Hen |
| Boat | |
| Displacement | 650 lb (295 kg) |
| Draft | 3.25 ft (0.99 m) with centerboard down |
| Hull | |
| Type | Monohull |
| Construction | Fiberglass |
| LOA | 17.33 ft (5.28 m) |
| LWL | 16.25 ft (4.95 m) |
| Beam | 6.25 ft (1.91 m) |
| Engine type | Outboard motor |
| Hull appendages | |
| Keel/board type | centerboard |
| Rudder(s) | transom-mounted rudder |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | cat rig |
| Sails | |
| Sailplan | Sprit rigged catboat |
| Mainsail area | 155.00 sq ft (14.400 m2) |
| Total sail area | 155.00 sq ft (14.400 m2) |
The Marsh Hen is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by Reuben Trane as a pocket cruiser and first built in 1981.[1][2][3]
The design was built by Reuben Trane's Florida Bay Boat Company in the United States. A total of 40 boats were completed between 1981 and 1987 when the company went out of business. A series of other builders acquired the molds for the Marsh Hen and the company's other designs and resumed production of some models on a limited basis. Other builders included Mirage Fiberglass (1988-1991), Custom Fiberglass (1992-1997), Sovereign America (1997) and Nimble Boats (1998-2003). Production of the design was curtailed by 2003 and the molds purchased by Marine Concepts, although no further boats have been built.[1][3][4]
Design
The Marsh Hen is a recreational centerboard boat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with teak wood trim. It has a catboat spritsail rig, with aluminum spars. The double-ended, canoe-type hull has a plumb stem, an angled transom, a shallow-draft, transom-hung rudder controlled by a teak tiller and retractable centerboard. It displaces 650 lb (295 kg).[1][3]
The boat has a draft of 3.25 ft (0.99 m) with the centerboard extended and 6 in (15 cm) with it retracted, allowing beaching or ground transportation on a trailer.[1]
The boat is normally fitted with a small, well-mounted, outboard motor for docking and maneuvering, but also can be rowed and is equipped with oarlocks.[1]
The open-boat design has a dodger that was factory-supplied as standard equipment. This acts as a sort of cabin top to provide sleeping accommodation for two people. The boat has a built-in ice chest and a portable-type head along with six lockers for stowage.[3]
For sailing the design is equipped with built-in flotation and a self-bailing cockpit.[3]