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Past Projects

Benford 19ft Junk Rigged Daysailer "Tardis"

This 19ft, Junk Rig daysailer is another creation of the Benford Design Group in Maryland USA. The vessel is to be constructed with the first skin being strip planked kauri with the second and third skins being double diagonal planking sheathed with 6oz glass cloth. The interior will feature traditional varnished timber.

One of her many features will be the solid Oregon wooden mast and single junk rigged sail. (click here to view more information and complete photo gallery)

Carter 52 ft Luxury Saloon Launch

Reknown New Zealand Boatbuilder and Designer Max Carter designed this vessel for Johnson Yachts International to be built from our yard on a semi production basis. This saloon version of Carter's current successful Flybridge Motor Yachts is to be powered by Volvo's latest concept in power boat propulsion, Twin Volvo IPS 500 diesel drive units which feature twin forward facing propellors and incorporating underwater exhausts and electronic steering as standard. These features mean better fuel economy and more boat maneuverability. It will have a top speed of 29 knots.

(click here to view more information and complete photo gallery)

55ft Benford Florida Bay Coaster

A creation of The Benford Design Group based in Maryland USA (click here to contact)

This boat will be the new home of a retired pilot based in Sitka, Alaska.

The vessel was launched on 31st October 2006 and the boat will be transported as cargo to Mexico from New Zealand in January 2007.

Special features include reinforcing the roof in such a way as to allow the owner to land an R22 Helicopter on it and it will also carry the owners' car.

(click here to view more information and complete photo gallery)

45ft Benford Design Double ended Gaff Rigged Cutter

The Benford Design Group in Maryland USA was commissioned to design this 45ft double ended gaff rigged cutter. Named "Archimedes" she features solid wooden mast and spars.
The hull/decks and pilothouse are constructed from computer controlled Plasma cut steel. She has been designed to survive a complete 360° roll over as her planned voyage is from New Zealand to England via Cape Horn.

(click here to view more information and complete photo gallery)

"ExcitorII" - 60ft Thrill Seeker Fast Tourist Boat

The new Excitor fast ferry was built for the Fast Boat Company based in the Bay Of Islands. Excitor will speed her cargo of adventure seeking tourists to a variety of sights at speeds in excess of 40knots.

Construction was a computer cut plywood kitset around four box section fore and aft girders.

She was built in only 4½ months Excitor is 60ft overall and 12.2 tonnes displacement with a top speed of 46 knots. She is powered by twin 800 hp Caterpillar engines through Vulcan drives to Seafury Surface Drive stern legs.

(click here to view more information and complete photo gallery)

60ft Max Carter Designed Canal Barge

This Canal barge hull is constructed from 8mm mild steel with the frames and longitudinals being 10mm. The decks and cabin top consists of 50mm laminated deck beams between a Fijian Kauri tongue and grove ceiling and a plywood top. The insulation consists of 50mm thermal insulation panels.

It is powered by a single 130hp marinised John Deere tractor engine with a hydraulic take-off for the bow thruster.

As the canal barge was being built for use mainly in European waters the John Deere engine was choosen as the parts are readily available worldwide.

(click here to view more information and complete photo gallery)