a great VolksCruiserish design of the coastal variety...

The fact of the matter is not everyone needs to cross oceans in which case this sort of VolksCruiserish design makes all kinds of sense...

Seriously, a boat like this could take you from Nova Scotia all the way down to the Caribbean (or if you're of the West coast tribe, Alaska to Central America)... What's not to like?

Tad Roberts has this to say...

She is about the most basic possible liveaboard coastwise cruiser for two people. The great loop, inter-coastal waterway, and the great lakes are her haunts. Some plywood, an outboard, one mast and a sail, and away you go. The cabin is full width and 13’3” long; there are large storage areas forward and aft. The mast folds in a tabernacle and is unstayed. She could carry a dipping lug sail or the Chinese balanced lug. She will sail to windward but will not point high, reaching and running will her best points.

The raised deck sides are intended to be full length plexiglass. Down below is a large galley on port, with private head and heating stove opposite. There is room for a composting toilet. Forward is a raised (windows at eye level) U-shaped settee berth. My though is that the table folds in half athwartships, so that an athwartships double can be left made up forward and leave two seats aft at the table. If you’re having guests for dinner, unfold the table and pull the filler cushion, and dinning for 8. More storage plus a huge water tank is under the settee.

Speed under power will be in the 6-7 knot range, depending on final weight.

This boat actually makes a whole lot of sense. More info from Tad can be found here.

Of course, I'm sure if you wanted something along these lines in a bigger version that Tad would be more than happy to oblige...