Our Boats -- The Dyer 40

Dyer has been a name to conjure with in the boating world for many years, especially given the phenomenal success of the Dyer 29, of which 330 have been built. This does not detract from the slightly more modest success of the 40, which provides the same quality of craftsmanship as the 29 but with greater cruising ability.

First introduced in 1960, the Nick Potter design has been produced in a variety of configurations: cruisers, club launches, pilot boats, lobster and fishing boats. About 10 years ago the first 40 offshore Sportfisherman was completed.

Although the Dyer 40 is custom finished for each buyer, a typical layout would be to have the main owners cabin all the way forward with a V-berth, large hanging locker and plenty of drawer storage. In the main salon, further accommodation is provided by a convertible dinette settee, thus enabling four to sleep aboard without undue crowding.

On the port side is the galley, containing a top-loading refrigerator / freezer, gas stove, sink and ample locker space. With 300 gallons of fuel in four tanks and a pair of Caterpillar 3116s in the engine compartment, the 40 will top out at 24 knots. She will also cruise for about 500 miles at 21 knots, a range which makes a trip down island from the mainland eminently feasible, especially given the excellent seakeeping qualities of the hull.