Millie Hill Version Two
From the designers website: “Update – 2008: After many years and several boats with our old venerable design called the “Millie Hill”, we set about to see what might be done to improve on the older design and build the smallest houseboat/shanty boat cruiser that might be possible to live aboard… and right about that time, along came John Zummo looking for a simple live-aboard. He was living in Friday Harbor, Washington at the time and needed more space than the 26 ft plastic powerboat that he lived on could provide.
So drawings were dusted off and sketches flashed back and forth in emails, and before long a signed check for down payment was in my hand and was quickly deposited in the bank to start construction. A very simple boat was proposed with a deeper hull than the old “Millie Hill” design and more established room for the twin sized bed… John and his dog would be mates on the new boat and they eventually decided to reside in Olympia, very near my shop.
The new boat floated on her lines when she was launched May 4, 2008 (even with all the gear a live-aboard might have) and with a 10 hp Yamaha hi-thrust outboard, she powers at what I would guess is 5 knots top speed. The covered afterdeck will pay dividends for barbecues on nice days and simply sitting and reading without being in the hot sun… We are thinking of drop down curtains for the winter that would make the afterdeck a covered and weatherproof porch in the winter and help keep the interior dry… Home builder plans are still available for the original design and this newer version should have its plans online in the next couple of months.
As per usual for me, during the whole construction process, I kept dreaming of my own “Millie Hill” with a small wood stove in it for some heat on a cool day and a lazy anchorage in some of the quiet coves nearby… That would be a very peaceful and satisfying way to spend some time!
Shantyboat Living Comments:
For pros and cons see version 1. Many would consider this design more refined and more attractive. Not a small project, but the shape and style of construction makes it one of the easier boats to build, even if it is a substantial project.
Plans and study plans can be downloaded or mailed.
Devlin Designing Boat Builders
2424 Gravelly Beach Loop NW
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 866-0164
Email Sam Devlin samd@orcalink.com
[anti-both]
AHOY!
Delighted to discover your refined design for the MH-2. Glad I had not started with the old one.