MANCHESTER YACHTS 29

The Manchester Yachts 29 launched in 2017 with twin 375-hp Crusader gas inboard engines mated to traditional prop-and-shaft running gear. In late 2018, the builder announced an outboard version, further evolving a concept that’s been in the works for a while.

Inboard or outboard, the Manchester 29 uses a Blackfin Combi hull, one of the best-riding fishboat running bottoms ever designed. Crocker’s Boat Yard in Manchester-bythe-Sea, Massachusetts, refurbishes the Blackfin hulls with design tweaks from Zurn Yacht Design in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and Ray Hunt Design in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

“So, we’re building these boats from existing Blackfin hulls that need some love, which gives us the opportunity to strip them down and perfectly reconstruct them, but without all the costs associated with designing, building and maintaining molds,” says Peter Alcock of Manchester Yachts. “Adding outboard power required some design work and transom upgrades, but we’re very happy with the results and how the Armstrong outboard bracket looks.”

According to Alcock, performance with twin 300- hp Yamaha F300 4- stroke outboards is similar to the numbers Manchester Yachts calculated with twin 375-hp Crusader inboards.

“We expect to see a cruise speed of about 22 to 23 knots with the F300s, which is within a knot or two of the Crusader inboards,” he says. “Top end with the outboards is around 33 knots, while the Crusaders top out at around 36 knots.” Alcock sees a number of advantages to using outboards on this style of boat, including simplicity on several levels.

“Outboards don’t require all of the through-hulls, plumbing, electric and other mechanical systems that inboards do,” he says. “Getting the engines and those systems out of the boat frees up a lot of space. Of course, the outboards also are much quieter, and their exhaust is often less smelly. Being able to tilt the engines up for beaching or anchoring in shallow water where you can jump out and walk ashore is also an advantage.”

Because every Manchester 29 is a custom build, buyers can outfit the boat pretty much any way they want. “The outboard engines free up a lot of interior space,” Alcock says, “so we are likely to see more requests for customization with this type of propulsion.”

LOA : 33’ Beam: 10’6” Draft: 3’6” Power: (2) Yamaha F300 4-strokes