RADFORD 350 - DESIGN #11 STEEL CRUISING YACHT

R350 in WA  Dsn011
L.O.A. 10.67m 35'0"
L.W.L. 10.00m 32'10"
Beam 3.32m 10'10"
Draft 1.50m 4'11"
Dspl 7,620kg 7.5T
SAIL AREA
Main 28.5sq m 307sq ft
Genoa 39.0sq m 420sq ft
Yankee 25.3sq m 272.3sq ft
Staysail 9.66sq m 104sq ft

The Radford 350 is the smallest of the R1000 Series steel cruising yachts. The easily driven hull has a moderate beam, long waterline and veed hull sections. The long waterline and veed sections, combined with the shallow keel and rudder & skeg, give very good directional stability and easy handling under sail.

Kit Assembly

The Radford 350 has a simple aft cockpit layout, shallow draft keel and an easy to build multi-chine hull which is available as a complete plasma cut steel kit . All of the hull and deck components, including the hull plate, are cut for easy assembly.

Accommodation

The accommodation is simple and open. An aft cabin to port has a double berth, hanging locker & stowage lockers including one between the engine and the cockpit sole. The galley includes double sinks, 2 burner stove with oven and the required galley lockers. Opposite is the head & shower with access to an aft stowage area. Headroom in the aft cabin and head is 1.83m (6'0"). Elsewhere the headroom is 1.88 - 1.9m (6'2" - 3"). The large chart table incorporates an ice box, lockers and instruments. Settees are 2m long with good seat width and angled backrests for comfortable seating. With the backrests removed, the settees double as very good sea berths. Outboard and forward of the settees are more lockers. The forward vee berth can be screened from the saloon if required. Good stowage is available under this berth.

Use the navigation aids at the top of the page to view the accommodation layout for the R350.

Deck Layout

Starting aft there is a boarding platform, then on deck two hatches provide access to the lazarette and steering gear. An optional FRP / foam sandwich watertight bulkhead is located between the lazarette and the accommodation. The cockpit sole runs through to the transom with the gas bottles stowed under the aft deck. The cockpit is 1.95m (6'4") long and the seats are 400mm wide. The distance from the cockpit seat back to the opposite seat front gives an ideal sitting position when the yacht is heeled. Either wheel or tiller steering can be used.

The companionway doors are set forward into the house and the sliding hatch overhangs these doors to give added weather protection. A combination solid and soft dodger can be used for cockpit weather protection. Reefing and other control lines lead aft to the cockpit for easy mainsail handling. Ventilation to the cabin is supplied by deck hatches and dorade vents. Opening ports in the house sides and cockpit seat fronts would further improve ventilation.

Forward of the steel collision bulkhead is a self draining anchor locker where an anchor winch can be fitted if required. For easier access to a wharf or marina, the pulpit incorporates a step, and does not protrude beyond the bow fitting.

Sail Plan

The double spreader rig can be used as either a sloop or cutter. With a fully battened mainsail, reefing headsail and staysail / storm jib this rig is suitable for short handed sailing.

Use the navigation aids at the top of the page to view the sail plan for the R350.

Loading

Waterline

Displacement

Loading

25mm (1") Up 7,280kg 16,050lb 0 0
@ D.W.L. 7,753kg 17,092lb 473kg 1,043lb
25mm (1") Down 8,236kg 18,157lb 956kg 2,108lb
50mm (2") Down 8,730kg 19,246lb 1,450kg 3,197lb

Expected Maximum

75mm (3")Down 9,236kg 20,362lb 1,956kg 4,312lb
100mm (4") Down 9,750kg 21,495lb 2,470kg 5,445lb

The information in this table shows the range of loading and changes in waterlines.

An effort should be made to build and load the yacht within the figures recommended. Overbuilding or adding any unnecessary weight during construction and fitout will detract from optimum loadings. See stability curves highlighting possible variations in righting moments based on different vertical centres of gravity.

Scantlings

The hull structure is based on a forward collision bulkhead, widely spaced transverse frames plus intermediate floors and longitudinals inway of the keel and mast step. The frames and floors are notched to accept the 27mm diameter chine tubes, the 40 x 5mm and 40 x 3mm flat bar stringers and the longitudinals.

The deck edge construction includes a 42mm S.S. tube which acts as a rubbing strake. Stanchion bases, toerails etc are welded to this tube. The stem is also a S.S. tube giving a strong, "clean" structure.

The frames, floors and keel floors, longitudinals, keel plating, rudder skeg and hull plating in the slamming areas are cut from 4mm plate. The balance of the hull plate, deck, house and cockpit are cut from 3mm plate. The total steel weight in the kit, including M.S. flat bar stringers, capping, chine tubes, deck edge tube and building jig is 4,500kg (9.900lb).

Tankage

Three water tanks give a total of 350 ltr (77gal) - two under the settees at 130 ltr each and another 90 ltr tank under the cabin sole. Two fuel tanks give a total of 179 ltr (39gal) - one under the double berth and the other forward of the engine under the cabin sole. An 86 ltr sump tank is provide, with space for more if required. The limit of ballast is below the keel / hull plate intersection and drains to form a bilge just aft of the mast. Spare anchor and chain can be stowed under the cabin sole forward of the mast.

Engines

S/L Ratio

Speed - knots

SHP

1.00 5.73 15.66
1.10 6.30 20.85
1.20 6.88 27.07
1.3 7.45 34.41
1.34 (maximum) 7.68 37.69

The maximum hull speed of the R350, at Speed / Length Ratio (S/L) = 1.34, is 7.68 knots. An efficient cruising speed is at S/L = 1.1, or 6.30 knots. The list shows the required shaft horsepower (SHP) for different speeds at 8620kg (19,000lb) displacement. Note the rapid increase in required SHP (hence fuel consumption) for small gains in speed.

Based on a speed requirement, select an engine which - running at an optimum RPM - will give the required SHP for that speed.

In Conclusion

The R350 is a strong steel yacht with good sailing performance which would suit couples who want to do long distance cruising on a budget.