K344 - 23ft "Heart's Desire II 1976" Atkin-Inspired Wooden Boat | Custom Build Consultation Deposit

Specification: Item K344 - 23L x 0W x 0H Inches (58.4L x 0W x 0H Cm)

Price: $ 100.00 ( This item is sold out, preorder now to keep this price )

Description:

The Heart's Desire II is a compact cruising cutter that beautifully reflects the ingenuity of traditional small-yacht design. With its distinctive double-ended hull, balanced cutter rig, and thoughtful interior arrangement, the boat was conceived to provide comfortable cruising capability within a remarkably modest length. Measuring just under 23 feet overall, the vessel demonstrates how intelligent naval architecture can create a seaworthy and livable yacht without unnecessary complexity.

Our workshop faithfully recreates this classic sailing craft using premium marine materials-including Western Red Cedar, Mahogany, Teak, and marine-grade plywood, reinforced with U.S.-made Hexcel fiberglass cloth, sealed with marine epoxy, and finished with System Three marine spar varnish for long-lasting protection and a refined natural appearance. Each hull is handcrafted using traditional wooden boatbuilding methods, carefully shaping the hull structure to preserve the graceful lines and balanced proportions of the original design.

Typical build time ranges from 4-6 months, depending on interior finish, rigging configuration, and customization requests.

Clients may customize interior cabinetry, sail configuration, deck hardware, wood combinations, trim details, and protective finishes, allowing each Heart's Desire II to reflect personal preferences while maintaining the character of this classic cruising cutter.

General Dimensions
- Length Overall (LOA): 22' 10?
- Length on Waterline (LWL): 21'
- Beam: 7' 8?
- Draft: 2' 7?
- Rig Type: Jib-headed cutter
- Total Sail Area: 288 sq ft
- Mainsail: 184 sq ft
- Staysail: 45 sq ft
- Jib: 59 sq ft

Performance & Use:

Designed for coastal cruising and protected offshore waters, Heart's Desire II offers a stable and reassuring sailing experience. The balanced cutter rig provides flexible sail handling in varying wind conditions, while the double-ended hull improves seaworthiness and directional stability. The modest draft allows access to shallow anchorages and quiet coastal inlets, making the boat ideal for relaxed exploration and traditional sailing enjoyment.

This wooden boat crafted by us is built from Atkin, with full credit given to the original designers. For each custom commission, we acquire the appropriate plans and construct the vessel to order-offering both full-size boats and finely detailed scale models.

Contact us to explore build schedules, finish options, and customization possibilities for your Heart's Desire II.

History:

The Heart's Desire II was designed during a period when small cruising yachts were evolving to balance seaworthiness, comfort, and manageable size. Naval architects sought to create compact vessels capable of extended coastal cruising while remaining affordable and easy for a small crew to handle.

The design incorporates a unique combination of Sea Bright skiff underwater characteristics and V-bottom topsides, producing a hull that offers both stability and efficiency. The plumb stem and plumb stern, along with the graceful double-ended configuration, contribute to the boat's distinctive appearance while improving performance in varied sea conditions.

A key objective in the design was solving the headroom challenge commonly found in small yachts. By using a broad double-ended keel and lowering the cabin floor within the hull structure, the designer was able to achieve over five feet of interior headroom without raising the cabin house excessively. This thoughtful engineering created a more comfortable interior space while preserving the boat's elegant profile.

Originally conceived as a practical cruising cutter for a small crew, the vessel also included provisions for auxiliary power. Early plans recommended a single-cylinder 6-horsepower Baby Huskie Palmer engine, capable of propelling the boat at approximately six miles per hour-close to the efficient hull speed for a vessel of this size.

Today, Heart's Desire II remains appreciated among traditional sailing enthusiasts for its efficient rig, classic proportions, and clever interior design, representing a thoughtful approach to small-yacht cruising that continues to inspire wooden boat builders and collectors.