Chinook Post - 65' Aluminium Express Cruiser
Chinook Post's hull lines are based on the Canadian Fisheries Patrol A Post Class hull series originally designed by William Garden over 30 years ago. These vessels, which continue to ply the waters off the West Coast of British Columbia, were also built at the Philbrook's yard. Since 1950, Philbrook's Boatyard Limited has earned a reputation for superior quality and workmanship and is known in the industry for its commitments to customers. Gregory Marshall re-drew William Garden's original hull lines to suit Chinook Post's characteristic patrol-like appearance and also incorporated its functionality, elegance, performance and comfort into the vessel's overall design. For example, the yacht's hull shape has a fine entry as well as deep vee sections and straight buttocks aft, producing an easily driven, seaworthy hull. The yacht's structure has been designed to Lloyds Special Service Class Rules and has been built under survey by Lloyds.
On the main deck, Chinook Post's theme is comfort in open living. The galley (at midship) is the central point for entertainment and relaxing, as it shares space with the main salon. Three steps up forward is the pilothouse where guests enjoy views from the settee and the convenience of a day head. The entire interior is finished in natural West Coast Douglas Fir, Corian counters and leather upholstery which was constructed in-house. Soles are laid with cork for comfort and safety.
The interior incorporates a 3-stateroom layout to accommodate the owners and their guests in exquisite comfort. Each stateroom has a private head with shower and plenty of storage space. The VIP stateroom is forward, crew/guest cabin is aft and to port, and a roomy utility room complete with washer/dryer, deep freezer and workbench is to starboard. Access to the midship engine room is through the utility room. Aft of the engine room is the owner's private master stateroom.
Chinook Post is powered with twin Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines, which meet the emission regulations for 2004 and are rated at 700 BHP at 2300 rpm. This power plant will produce 24 knots top end with an easy 20 knot cruise. With a fuel capacity of 1600 USG, Chinook Post will have a range of over 1000 nautical miles at 18 knots enabling its owner to make non-stop trips from Southern Vancouver Island to Ketchikan Alaska.
Though this vessel looks determined, Chinook Post has been built to the highest of yacht standards. The enormous aft deck will be the focus of all exterior activities from entertaining to fishing. The owners' passion for sailing will be nursed by launching the 12ft Whitehull rigid bottom inflatable with a 36 hp diesel outboard from the cabin top, eliminating the need to store or carry gasoline. Chinook Post's mast doubles as a launching davit and crows nest where the remote helm station will allow the yacht to be controlled by the ultimate flying bridge.
"I dream my painting and then I paint my dream", said Van Gogh. Well, it is this same process that brought images and forms from the imagination of designers, computer artists and talented woodworkers into reality on the Chinook Post.
From initial drawings created by Naval Architect, Greg Marshall, with input from the owners, a Philbrook's employee altered them using computer technology to custom fit every inch of the interior of Chinook Post.
The process continued on-board, beginning with the construction of the forward statesroom using a material known as "Tricel", an airy, almost hollow material with a honeycomb style interior, which was chosen for it's light weight. All of the cabinets and drawers were constructed of this newly innovated material. The bulkheads and walls were constructed of a similar material called "500 Core Cell", laminated between 4mm Marine Plywood.
Due to it's hollow features, in every place where a screw or bolt needs to be utilized, a space is machined out, and a plug of solid wood is inserted so that the screw has something significant to hold on to.
Quarter Sawn Douglas Fir veneer was then glued and vacuum pressed to the Tricel panels, being left to dry completely overnight. Vacuum bagging laminates ensure integrity and rigidity. Once completely in place and dried, the edges were sanded.
A space was left between the top edge of the counter and the top of the drawer or cupboard for two reasons - function and form! Not only does it add to the aesthetic appearance of the overall design, the cupboards and drawers are not opened by handles, but rather by touch latch, and the space allows room for fingers if preferred.
The simplistic beauty of the Douglas Fir creates a feeling of openness, airiness and spaciousness, which causes Chinook Post's 65 feet to appear to be much more, due to the unbroken, flowing lines.
The paint department finished the project by protecting the beautiful wood with clear, protective varnish, which highlights the wood's natural grain.
From imagination, to computer images, to wood in form and function, took well over a year and the full time focus of many of our skilled craftsmen. The dream is now visible for all to see and admire!!