Dix 65 steel cruiser

DUDLEY DIX YACHT DESIGN

Dix 65
Radius Chine Steel or Aluminum Cruiser

Dix 65 Lorrigray II
Dix 65 "Lorrigray II"

Cruise or charter in comfort

~ Luxurious accommodation

~ Aft working cockpit

~ Centre protected social cockpit

~ Optional inside steering in pilothouse

~ Equal en-suite accommodation for 3 charter couples

~ En-suite double crew cabin

~ Alternative budget charter layout for dive or similar charters

~ Twin engine convenience

~ Flickr Album

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This design was commissioned by a client wanting a high level of comfort in a go-anywhere cruiser. The result is a large boat by most peoples' standards, at 65ft LOA, with many features to make life on board a pleasure.

The material specified was steel and, despite the heavy nature of the material, we have managed a moderate displacement of 34 tonnes. The hull has conventional beam/length ratio to give a good balance between sail carrying power and a comfortable motion at sea. The underbody is clean with a flat run aft to be easily driven.

The hull is single constant radius chine and uncomplicated to construct. The proportions of flat panels and radius are such that there is good roundness forward to minimise pounding when beating and flat after sections for off-wind performance and control. A radius chine design of this size is exceptionally easy to construct because the lines are relatively slim, with minimal curvature to the chine in profile and on plan.

Dix 65 drawings
Cruise or charter layout

The accommodation is very comfortable and works around a vast open plan saloon of 5mx5,7m [16x19'], which includes two seating areas. The galley has large work surfaces and facilities for preparing the fanciest of meals. The galley layout is suitable for 2 or 3 people to work simultaneously and a central post allows the galley hand to brace in a seaway from any position in the galley without having to strap in. The nav station is elevated and can have either full inside steering or an autopilot control panel.

Powering is by means of two diesels of 75hp each, well separated on opposite sides of the keel for maximum manoeuvrability. The starboard unit is under the coffee table and the port one is under the nav station cabin sole. Modern sound insulation materials ensure that noise will not be a problem. An alternative would be to site a single larger unit under the central galley counter.

A low-profile cabin forward of the pilothouse gives full headroom throughtout. Aft of the pilothouse and recessed into the cabintop is a relaxation cockpit with wrap-around coamings and a folding dodger for protection, seating seven. The broad coamings aft of this area house two large lockers for life rafts, fenders etc. Aft of the centre cockpit is a bridgedeck over the standing areas of the aft cabins. The main working cockpit is aft and seats ten. The stern has a boarding platform and seat, making a comfortable relaxation area at anchor. Overhead is a radar arch to carry all the electronic antenae.

Dix 65 Radius chine steel sailboat

The rig is a powerfull triple spreader cutter with fully battened mainsail and roller furling headsails. An alternative ketch rig has been drawn for easier handling. Of slightly more moderate proportions, it has a double spreader mainmast and single spreader mizzen. Performance is slightly reduced, particularly in lighter airs upwind.

An alternative layout is also available, as shown below. Suited to dive charters and similar work which does not call for as high a level of cabin luxury, it has four double cabins forward of the saloon, all with upper and lower berths. The remainder of the layout is unchanged.

Dix 65 Radius chine steel sailboat
Dive charter layout

Follow these links to:-

Material list

Stability curve

Article on radius chine metal construction

List of drawings

For smaller yachts of similar concept, see theVickers 45AC and Dix 57.

CHARACTERISTICS

LOA 19.80m (65'0")	LWL 18.00m (59'1")	Beam 5.30m (17'5")	Draft 2.00m (6'7")
Displacement 34000kg (74936lb)	Ballast 9000kg (19836lb)	Area Waterplane 57.6sq.m (620sq.ft)	Immersion Rate 590kg/cm (3303lb/inch)
Wetted Surface 82.4sq.m (887sq.ft)	Fineness Coef 0.67	Block Coef 0.42	Prismatic Coef 0.57
Displacement/Length 159	Sail Area Upwind - Cutter 282.25sq.m (3038sq.ft)	Sail Area Upwind - Ketch 233.16sq.m (2510sq.ft)	Powering 2x75hp inboard diesels
Righting moment at 30deg (cutter) 27884kgm (201678kgm)	Righting moment at 60deg (cutter) 30875kgm (223311kgm)	Righting moment at 90deg (cutter) 19613kgm (141855kgm)

Please note that our plan prices include for adding imperial measurements to our metric designs if needed by the buyer.

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This page was updated 1 August 2018