Surf Scoter has a 65 hp Westerbeke inboard, generating a top speed of 24-25 knots with one person aboard and some 23 knots with two. We cruise comfortably at 17-18 knots, and get about 2.4 gallons/hour.
We selected it for use as a “mother ship” so we can run over exposed waters from one protected embayment to the next, planning to paddle our folding kayaks off the stern. Having a huge cockpit area with a combination engine box, sit-upon, and tabletop in the center of our “living room” makes this a good boat for two gunkholers. Sleeping aboard has been very enjoyable for us. We plan to use it a lot, both on the lower Columbia River here in Oregon and up in BC.
Dave Kruger – Astoria, OR
I built a “stretched” version of the cuddy-cabin 19-ft Bartender over the last couple of years, beginning with a frame kit from Bartender Boats to give me a jump start on the hull. The kit was an awesome way to get a hull up fast, especially helpful for a first-time boatbuilder like me, because the kit brings in frames that are already true and fair on their jig braces. Even so, there was plenty of interesting problem-solving as I got further along. Thanks to Bill and the gang of supportive Bartender owner-builders on the Yahoo Bartender group, I had a fine time, and the boat turned out very well. It always draws attention at the ramp, both with folks who know the design, and with others who wonder why it has two pointy ends!
