Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 21
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    16

    Default Murray River cruiser

    I posted a question on the Duckworks Yahoo group asking for suggestions on a good (small, as it is for only one on board) design for cruising the Murray River and John Welsford reminded me of Storerboatplans.com. I have the Venezia plans which I love but haven't built, but I am now looking for something smaller to trailer across the Bass Strait on the Spirit from Tasmania.
    Something less than 20' would be OK, but I am thinking the sharpie style hull may be getting a bit too narrow to be comfortable. Possibly the 23' dayboat may be the minimum size in this style?
    If I were to do a week long cruise it would be better to hire something as crossing the Strait could be up to $1000 each way. So I am thinking of a few weeks minimum but am open to advice.
    Has anyone cruised the Murray on something smaller than a Mundoo or similar?
    Thanks for any suggestions, Brent (Tas)

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Warrnambool
    Posts
    49

    Default

    Hi Brent, I haven't started building mine yet, but my choice of vessel for Murray (and other sheltered waters) touring is a Redwing 18 -a Chapelle derived camper cruiser.

    http://www.cmdboats.com/rw18.htm


    Cheers Bill

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    16

    Default Murray river cruiser

    Hi Bill. Thanks for the suggestion. Another owner recommended one as he uses his on similar rivers in the USA. I looked at the specs and it is around the right size, but at $200 per sheet, the number of 12mm ply panels needed made me hesitate! I haven't dismissed one completely though as it is a well proven design. Hope you get under way with your build soon. Brent

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill P View Post
    Hi Brent, I haven't started building mine yet, but my choice of vessel for Murray (and other sheltered waters) touring is a Redwing 18 -a Chapelle derived camper cruiser.

    http://www.cmdboats.com/rw18.htm


    Cheers Bill

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Warrnambool
    Posts
    49

    Default

    Hi Brent, yes I think there's about twenty three 1/2" sheets I it. I intend on paying less than half the price you indicate though. Regards Bill

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    16

    Default

    Sounds a lot better price! I just checked our Bunnings store and they have 12mm for about $98. They can't tell me what the wood is, but it looks like a hardwood ply that actually seems to have good veneer thickness and no visible voids. I was originally looking at the Denman supplied Bruynzeel as they are Tasmanian and it would be about as light as you can get. Have you used the Bunnings ply? Brent

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill P View Post
    Hi Brent, yes I think there's about twenty three 1/2" sheets I it. I intend on paying less than half the price you indicate though. Regards Bill

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Warrnambool
    Posts
    49

    Cool

    Yes Brent I have used the 12mm Bunnings ply for a couple of outdoor projects and am very happy with it. I think it will be more than adequate for a boat which is going to be in a shed for 90% of its life. Regards Bill.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    NSW, Australia
    Posts
    474

    Default

    Just be aware that the Bunnings ply is hardwood and rather heavy for a given area, so don't use it if weight is a factor. Apart from that it should be ok.
    You know you're making progress when there's sawdust in your coffee.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Aberfoyle Park SA
    Age
    63
    Posts
    1,787

    Default

    Inspect each sheet closely.
    The Bunnies plywood I saw a couple of years back stamped BS1088 was junk.
    Voids, cracks and uneven veneers. Suspect BS actually stood for Bovine Manure.
    So bad I haven't been tempted to even look at their stock since.

    You'll pay more for Meranti BS1088 from a reputable supplier but they'll guarantee the quality of their stock.
    Alan J

    Nothing says "Unprofessional Job" so loudly as wrinkles in the duct tape. - B.Spencer

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Eustis, FL, USA
    Posts
    2,270

    Default

    I think the Chinese BS-108 junk that flooded the market at 1/2 price a few years back, should be over by now. Maybe a few sheets still laying in some warehouses, but most figured out it was cheaper to not sell it. I haven't seen or heard of any of this stuff in a number of years, though we got hit with this stuff a little before you.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Aberfoyle Park SA
    Age
    63
    Posts
    1,787

    Default

    Here, it wasn't all that much cheaper for Bunnies junk vs quality.
    Something like $95 (Bunnings) vs $98 at DFWB in 6mm
    Alan J

    Nothing says "Unprofessional Job" so loudly as wrinkles in the duct tape. - B.Spencer

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Eustis, FL, USA
    Posts
    2,270

    Default

    Yeah, they beat us up pretty good over here, with real 1/4" (6 mm) BS-1088 for $80, with the junk at $60 or less. I know one guy with two pallets of the stuff, crying horribly having to replace what he'd installed it in. He's part of a buyers coop I'm part of and I almost got in on the deal, but I didn't need the thicknesses he was getting.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    16

    Default

    The latest price at Bunnings here in Tas is $52 for 240 x 1220 x 6mm. Apart from being heavy, it looks really good, at least on the face veneers and with no voids around the visible edges. They sell smaller sizes too which are cheap enough to buy and do a boil test on. Brent (Tas)

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    adelaide sth.australia
    Posts
    9

    Default

    Hi Brent,We did the run last year an awesome trip the design we used was a modified version
    of the Atkins Russell R very happy with our choice
    http://atkinboatplans.com/Oar/RussellR.html


    The Afloat magazine did a story of the trip http://magazine.afloat.com.au/?iid=105280#folio=22

    John

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Warrnambool
    Posts
    49

    Default

    Great article John. What a wonderful adventure.!

    Just wondering if thicker ply on the hull would have helped avoid holes ---was it all 6mm?

    Regards Bill P

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    adelaide sth.australia
    Posts
    9

    Default

    Hi Bill, Our boats were built very light so we could use the low powered British Seagull Outboard,9mm bottom
    with 6mm sides we carried a lot of gear spare motor and enough spares to build another couple, fridge, porta
    pottie, etc. Build your boat the way the designer has drawn it check the quality of the ply before you buy. Just
    about anything can do the trip there is a mini tug going down the river at present pick a design that you can use
    after the run.
    Here's another design that was on our short list and I'm still thinking about building the Bowdidge
    Designed "Bosuns Mate 23" http://www.bowdidgemarinedesigns.com...s_Mate_23.html

    Snags you will hit some especially in the upper section as the hull goes over them they are pushed down then the
    outboard flicks up no problem as long as you’re motor can move. The story suggests that my boat (Lazy Gull) was
    holed by a snag it wasn’t were sure it was a star dropper that did the damage, an easy fix. The other boat hit a
    monster that would’ve hurt even a modern plastic boat, two of the boats will be at the Goolwa Wooden Boat Festival
    if anyone wants to know anything about the trip or boat just ask.


    John

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Murray River Paddle Steamer
    By xgrain in forum BANDSAWN BOXES
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 20th November 2012, 12:05 PM
  2. Murray Cod
    By old dog in forum FISHING
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 25th May 2009, 03:58 AM
  3. Murray River Photos from flight 221 (er actually 756) - a bit scary
    By Boatmik in forum Michael Storer Wooden Boat Plans
    Replies: 29
    Last Post: 4th March 2008, 05:32 PM
  4. river rocks for dry river beds
    By manofaus in forum LANDSCAPING, GARDENING, OUTDOORS
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 26th October 2007, 08:36 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •