Lyle Hess

Lyle C. Hess (1912–2002) was an American naval architect, particularly known for his Aquarius and Balboa series of boats, built by Coastal Recreation.

Early life Hess was born in 1912, in Blackfoot, Idaho, one of 12 children in his family. As a child Hess carved many toy, wooden boats. His father, Frank Hess, was a general construction contractor. Frank Hess helped build the Patterson Canal in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and also did railway construction. Frank Hess then moved his family to California to pursue work.

In 1938, at age 23, Hess married Jean "Doodle" Searing, a partner who shared his love of sailing. They went on to have four children together.

Hess quickly became an expert in the design of seaworthy trailer sailers and, as a result, was a designer in demand through the 1970s and 1980s. He considered the Falmouth Cutter 34 his best design.

Designs Sailboats designed by Hess include:

Balboa 20 (1967) Balboa 26 (1969) Kona 14 (1971) Ensenada 20 (1972) Montgomery 12 (1972) RK 20 (1972) La Paz 25 (1973) Montgomery 17 (1973) Montgomery 17 FD (1975) Balboa 27 8.2 (1976) Bristol Channel Cutter (1976) Nor'Sea 27 (1976) Aquarius 24 Pilot Cutter (1979) Montgomery 23 (1979) Montgomery 7-11 Falmouth Cutter 22 (1980) Falmouth Cutter 26 Falmouth Cutter 34 (1982) Nor'Sea 37 (1992) Fatty Knees (2000)