2009 Huckins Atlantic 44 Sold Boat in Stuart, FL US

The term "custom" as it applies to yachts has become difficult to pin down. The only predictable trend seems to be that, in recent years, custom yachts have grown exponentially in length. That is why the products of small yards like Huckins are so interesting. The boats Huckins builds are not megayacht milestones or speculative ventures. Huckins creations are inspired by yachtsmen who dream of boats and time spent close to the water. FREEDOM is a great example of how such projects come to life.

The family-owned yard has been building boats since 1928 when Frank Pembroke Huckins figured that folks needed a more efficient way to get about on the water. His patented Quadraconic hull form gained recognition in PT boat design competitions during World War II and later served as a platform for the Huckins yachts that followed in peacetime.

FREEDOM's owner, a knowledgeable yachtsman who grew up boating on the Great Lakes and in South Florida. Like all recent Huckins launches, FREEDOM's hull and superstructure were built "one-off" over a male jig. Closed-cell foam coring was secured to a computer- cut jig and the outer fiberglass skin was laminated and faired. The jig was then removed, and the inner skin was laminated.

FREEDOM's classic styling and all-weather air-conditioned helm station fit her owner's needs perfectly. When skies are clear, the windshield can be opened with a push of a button, flooding the helm with fresh air. Isinglass curtains can be lifted and the side windows opened. The flying bridge is set back far enough to allow space for hatches in the overhead. Stidd helm and companion seating and matching Garmin plotters allow the mate to navigate and transfer data to the skipper at the wheel. When work is done, a lounge area aft has a settee and a wet bar with an ice maker and an insulated ice chest. A gate leads to the cockpit and a transom door allows access to the integral swim platform.

FREEDOM is laid out for a cruising couple with an open main cabin and a single stateroom. For the occasional guest, the settee in the main cabin converts to a double berth with the push of a button. A Huckins designed table easily adjusts from cocktail to dining height and the galley has drawer style, under-counter refrigeration. The stateroom has a queen island berth, two hanging lockers, and a vanity. The head compartment is separate from the shower compartment, which makes sense for a cruising boat with a single head. The owners called on interior designer Michael Demanes to work with Huckins on FREEDOM's interior decor. The look, inspired by a classic antique sailing yacht design, features granite, teak and holly soles, and raised-panel, satin-finished mahogany joinery.

FREEDOM is fitted with Hamilton Jet water jets. In recent years, jets have gained popularity with Huckins's customers, Purcell and her team have mastered their marriage to his slippery Quadraconic hull. Huckins still keeps a close eye on weight and balance, and - unlike many modern builders-has avoided the temptation of adding too much beam. FREEDOM's 30,000-pound displacement and slim, 13-foot, 9-inch beam suit her form perfectly, and her performance and feel is uniquely Huckins-exhilarating! She rises evenly to plane and has a running angle of 3 to 3.5 degrees. With just 6 degrees of transom deadrise there is no need for tabs, and turns are accomplished with a minimum of banking.

A maximum speed of 30.2 knots at 3350 rpm. At 3000 rpm, provided a cruising speed of 22 knots and the Cummins electronic gauges indicated a fuel burn of 32.8 gallons per hour. Her 2-foot, 7-inch draft allows more access to the skinny waters of Florida and the Bahamas. Fussing with engine throttles and water jet buckets while maneuvering dockside can sometimes be a bit confusing. HamiltonJet's electronic control system minimizes the challenge. Simply move the mouse-like controller in the desired direction and the boat responds to your command. FREEDOM's bow thruster can also be applied, but it is not linked to the system.