Copyright 2001-2007 inclusive McGowan Marine Design, Inc.

LeBlanc Forchu 45-55 (13.7 - 16.8 m)

Based on a narrower LeBlanc hull, the new mould, built in 2004, usually accomodates boat lengths from 45' to 55' (13.7 - 16.8 m) at widths of 23.5' (7.2 m) and wider. The mould may be used for vessels up to 80' (24.4m). Nova Scotian workboats have widened to L/B ratios of 2/1 in the last few years, due mostly to the need to move large amounts of lobster traps at one go in the lucrative winter fishery, and surprisingly, performance hasn't suffered. Due to the weights of these types of boats top end speed has always been limited to hullspeed and less, but now stability and comfort in a seaway has increased markedly, and the wider boats regularly head out into 40 knot winds and 10' seas while lighter vessels remain in port. The resulting hulls make for excellent cruising boats.

I increased the deadrise forward and flattened the run aft and added a 'hook' to the run to allow for more efficient larger, and slower turning props. Hulls are used for lobster fishing, dragging, seining, trawling and cruising.

Here are some examples of boats from this mould: