Bo and Kara Delaney are devoted to their boat. Their ice-blue Swan displays the timeless lines of mid-Atlantic boatbuilding: a sharp entry forward, generous bow flare for big-water handling, a cambered foredeck to shed water quickly, an elegant sheer and a spacious cockpit. The hull was designed to perform in the open seas off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, offering a combination of seakeeping and classic Carolina style.
The Delaneys have kept a boat in Marstons Mills on the south side of Cape Cod since 1996 and have logged hundreds of coastal cruises and island trips, often aboard a 21-foot Contender that remains in the family and was passed down from Bo’s parents. Bo grew up on the water around Virginia Beach and Annapolis, while Kara’s formative time on sailboats gave her a lifelong love of being on the water. After they married, Kara embraced powerboating alongside Bo, and the couple continued to refine what they wanted in a new vessel.
After two decades of running an open small boat and dealing with the rigors of saltwater exposure, the Delaneys decided it was time to upgrade. They initially considered a Tides 27 and other builds, but their search broadened to include custom Carolina designs. In October 2021 Bo found a Hudson 32 listed in brokerage, and the boat’s single diesel and bow thruster matched two must-haves on their list. Working with broker Daniel Smith of Middle Sound Boatworks in Wilmington, North Carolina, they arranged an inspection, sea trial and a meeting with the builder-owner Victor Hudson. The Delaneys purchased the boat that November.
Built in 2014–15 by Victor Hudson and his father James, the 32-foot vessel is a hand-built Carolina fishing boat based on naval architecture by Steve French and associates at Applied Concepts Unleashed in Stuart, Florida. Constructed using cold-molded wooden techniques, the hull was assembled on a precision jig: two diagonal layers of wood were applied and bonded with West System epoxy to create a strong, cohesive structure. Fir planks were used on bottom surfaces and in structural areas for their strength and rot resistance, while okume planking was chosen for topsides and deck areas because its fine grain remains inconspicuous beneath paint. The exterior was finished with fiberglass cloth and West System resins to prepare the surface for durable coating.
Originally named Knot Fancy, the boat’s interior was built with a utilitarian, fisherman-friendly layout. The Delaneys, however, wanted a more refined interior for comfort on longer trips. Their broker introduced them to Steve Brodie of Pacific Seacraft, who reworked the cabin enclosures, installed new cushions and reconfigured the V-berth so the couple could comfortably sleep on board. Brodie’s trim work—paint, teak accents and stainless lighting—elevated the interior to a yacht-like finish, and the boat was rechristened Swan. The Delaneys brought her north to Cape Cod in May 2023 and have praised the quality of the pre-delivery modifications and the collaborative experience with the Wilmington boatbuilding community.
Performance and economy are key to the Delaneys’ enjoyment. Powered by a single 575-hp CAT C9 diesel, the boat cruises efficiently. At 23 knots the engine consumed about 11 gallons per hour, while a slightly higher cruise of 24 knots used approximately 12 gph, which Bo considers an ideal 50 percent engine load. Builders estimated higher-speed capability—peak speeds and continuous heavy-load operation—but the Delaneys prefer the sweet spot for comfortable, efficient passages. At those cruise speeds the pair can routinely reach Martha’s Vineyard for breakfast or make an overnight run to Nantucket with solid fuel economy and a comfortable ride.
Look for Swan in New England waters in coming seasons. Her distinctive silhouette and Carolina pedigree are eye-catching, and the Delaneys enjoy sharing the story of finding the boat and the craftsmanship they encountered during its transformation.
WALKTHROUGH
Swan is a custom Carolina express with a deep fishing cockpit of roughly 100 square feet. The cockpit is outfitted for serious angling with a well-padded Pompanette fighting chair built from teak and stainless, rod and gaff stowage, saltwater washdown, and aft gunwale lockers with tilting doors that provide toe clearance for anglers fighting fish from the boat’s side. Two lockers flank the centerline steps, and beneath those steps are iceboxes that drain directly overboard.
The bridge deck is nearly as large as the cockpit and covered with GatorStep non-skid material that resembles teak planking while offering excellent traction. The helm faces a Pompanette captain’s chair and features a dash capable of accommodating a Garmin 1040 multifunction display, dual digital information repeaters, the Caterpillar engine readout, a stainless wheel, and space for a VHF, single-lever binnacle and bow thruster joystick. To port, a long bench seat includes additional stowage below. The entire bridge deck is protected by a hardtop for comfortable operation in varied conditions.
Below, the cabin balances white fiberglass surfaces with warm teak trim and carpeted sidewalls. GatorStep is also used in footed areas, and there are two storage cabinets—one with a solid teak top. A port settee converts to a queen-size berth, giving the boat overnight capability despite the owners’ choice to forgo a dedicated galley; the Delaneys intended Swan primarily as a dayboat with occasional overnights.
Specifications
LOA: 32’
Beam: 11’3”
Draft: 4’
Displ.: 24,000 lbs.
Power: (1) 575-hp CAT C-9 diesel
Fuel: 202 gals.
Water: 100 gals.
This article was originally published in the September 2023 issue.