Thread: All things boat

G'day Rory

There are probably a squillion boats out there that loosely fit "5-6M with a cabin & can take an outboard".
So a few questions to narrow down the range to what particularly appeals to you.

= Power boat or sailing boat with an auxilliary o/b that can be motored when sailing doesn't appeal ?
= Monohull or multihull ?
= Displacement vs planing ? & how big a motor ?
= Maximum trailable weight ?
= Enclosed cabin with full sitting head-room? or crawl-in cuddy with a curtain for portaloo privacy ?
= Overnighting for how many bods ? Do they all have to be "inside" or ok for some to sleep in the cockpit ?
= Period vs modern styling ?
= Are so-called box boats ok? Or does it have to be more conventional?
= Construction method - modern ply/epoxy vs ply on frames vs strip plank vs cold moulded vs lapstrake vs clinker ?
= how much time have you got ?
= are you mostly in it for the building? or the using of the finished boat ?

I'm sure others will add questions... Here's a few links to chew over...
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/r/designers.cfm
http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/m.../designers.php
http://www.payneyachts.com/
http://www.jordanboats.co.uk/JB/iain_oughtred.htm
http://www.wallerdesign.com.au/
http://www.trailawayboatkits.com.au/index.html
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/rhturner1/
http://www.selway-fisher.com/
http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5649e/y5649e00.htm
http://www.jwboatdesigns.co.nz/

cheers
Alan J.

Howdy Rory,

AJ gives a list of some of the respected players in the field - some are better than others at putting plans together.

His initial advice is to really have a good think about how you will use the boat.

Also there are several main streams of boatbuilding these days ... but they come down to ...
1/ Do you want to get the boat in the water quickly
or
2/ Do you want to learn about the skills involved in boatbuilding .. so you look at the building as being the most rewarding part.

There are boats that go from one extreme to the other - with many in between. But I have found it to be the single most useful question when someone is building a boat.

Some methods are much faster than others. Others result in a more "traditional" boat. Some designers can make anything look pretty, others struggle with the most pretty construction methods to produce quite average looking boats.

Other thing ... do you care about going fast? If you don't it broadens the options a lot.

This is one example of a moderate speed power craft, using an outboard, that has modern, quick construction. It uses a stressed plywood skin to carry all the loads, instead of the traditional method of lots of framing. So it saves you a bundle in timber cost.

Devlin is a master at this style of boat. Construction is modern so saves labour and materials. It is not a boat for flat out speed but is economical to run through the whole speed range compared to production boats.



http://02abb62.netsolhost.com/surfscoter22.htm



Though ... if you forget about planing at all you can probably get away with 1/6th the power if you can settle for 6 to 8 knots and a more graceful progress. And one sixth of the fuel consumption. It is a hybrid between traditional structure and modern. I have stolen this image of the Duckflat site.

Originally Posted by b.o.a.t.

G'day Rory

There are probably a squillion boats out there that loosely fit "5-6M with a cabin & can take an outboard".
So a few questions to narrow down the range to what particularly appeals to you.
~snip~

Thanks Alan for the reply, you questions have got me thinking.

• It is about motoring, not wind power.
• Monohull.
• I am over the speed thing, so I guess that the engine size needs to be big enough to offer some safety in less than calm conditions but not big enough to plane & therefore does not need an oil tanker in tow.
• I am comfortable with 2000kg behind my 4x4.
• Crawl in Cuddy & curtain for the loo. Canvas is also an option over the cockpit area.
• 2 kids can sleep wherever.
• Not fussed about styling. Practicalities are more important than styling.
• Box vs Conventional - Jury is still out.
• I had thought ply on frames but I am not averse to any other method. I can lay my hands on hardwood for framing fairly easily & I am set up to prepare hardwood from slabs.
• It is not about time, it is about building at a pace that the budget can stand in between the necessary DIY & enjoying life in Qld.
• I am in it equally for the building & the and anticipated use. Also, being trailerable, for the ongoing alterations & improvements.
• This will be a huge change from the kitchen unit, built in cupboard, TV cupboard type of projects I usually do.

Thanks
Rory

Originally Posted by Boatmik

Howdy Rory,

AJ gives a list of some of the respected players in the field - some are better than others at putting plans together.

His initial advice is to really have a good think about how you will use the boat.
~snip~

I can picture a Surfscoter in my driveway in 3 years time. It is the kind of project to be savored, not rushed.

Thanks for all the help.
Rory

Thanks MIK

I'd quite forgotten about Devlin, although the Duckworks links list does have a link to their site.

It's a shame there isn't a website with a more comprehensive range of Bolgers works
than Instant boats. He has some gorgeous designs which just don't get the visibility
that they deserve, Fishermans Launch, Slicer, Barn Owl, Bright Thread &
Newfoundlander being a few which spring instantly to mind.

Now, about that solo expedition boat....
cheers
AJ

Speaking of Phil Bolger's powerboat designs, attached are photos are two I built sometime back, using Phil's Hope design. The clinker construction was of my own devising, but was done with Phil's written approval. One has a Yanmar 1GM10 inboard, and the other has a 15hp Yamaha 4-stroke outboard.

A word of warning to Milton477 - despite being an acomplished woodworker, you would be well advised to build a simple dinghy (or similar) as an introduction to the use of epoxy and other marine materials. You will find that you end up with a useful small boat, as well as easing your way up the learning curve. I've built close to sixty boats, and yet I'm still very cautious before taking on a 5 to 6 metre boat on my own.

Don't let that stop you - it is just a friendly warning from someone who has learnt the hard way....

Ross Lillistone

Originally Posted by RossL

Speaking of Phil Bolger's powerboat designs, attached are photos are two I built sometime back, using Phil's Hope design. The clinker construction was of my own devising, but was done with Phil's written approval. One has a Yanmar 1GM10 inboard, and the other has a 15hp Yamaha 4-stroke outboard.

A word of warning to Milton477 - despite being an acomplished woodworker, you would be well advised to build a simple dinghy (or similar) as an introduction to the use of epoxy and other marine materials. You will find that you end up with a useful small boat, as well as easing your way up the learning curve. I've built close to sixty boats, and yet I'm still very cautious before taking on a 5 to 6 metre boat on my own.

Don't let that stop you - it is just a friendly warning from someone who has learnt the hard way....

Ross Lillistone

You are probably bang on the money with your warning Ross & I will probably take your advice although I like living dangerously.

Thanks for your reply.
Rory

Originally Posted by Boatmik

Howdy Rory,

Though ... if you forget about planing at all you can probably get away with 1/6th the power if you can settle for 6 to 8 knots and a more graceful progress. And one sixth of the fuel consumption. It is a hybrid between traditional structure and modern. I have stolen this image of the Duckflat site.

Hey MIK
That boat is David Payne's 6M outboard launch, not Devlin
original image at http://www.payneyachts.com/motor_launches.htm
also an alternate larger (& better looking IMHO) cabin there too.
For what Rory describes as his requirements, it might be a hard boat to go past.
Support from an almost local designer as well.
Once fuel gets too expensive he can convert the o/b to use that compressed air motor from Melbourne.

Rory, how are you at woodwork where there's not a single straight line or right-angle about the place?
cheers
AJ

Originally Posted by RossL

Speaking of Phil Bolger's powerboat designs, attached are photos are two I built sometime back, using Phil's Hope design. The clinker construction was of my own devising, but was done with Phil's written approval. One has a Yanmar 1GM10 inboard, and the other has a 15hp Yamaha 4-stroke outboard.

A word of warning to Milton477 - despite being an acomplished woodworker, you would be well advised to build a simple dinghy (or similar) as an introduction to the use of epoxy and other marine materials. You will find that you end up with a useful small boat, as well as easing your way up the learning curve. I've built close to sixty boats, and yet I'm still very cautious before taking on a 5 to 6 metre boat on my own.

Don't let that stop you - it is just a friendly warning from someone who has learnt the hard way....

Ross Lillistone

Ross,
I have taken your advice & have purchased the plans for a Handy Punt. http://www.storerboatplans.com/Punt/Punt.html
Thanks for your input.
Regards
Rory

Thanks very much for the feed-back, Rory.

You have made a good decision in starting out on a simple project, and you will never regret the experience you gain. Don't be afraid to ask for advice along the way, and consider purchasing a copy of "The Gougeon Brothers on Boat Construction".

I can give you a list of recommended reading if you wish, and I'm sure that you will get plenty of input from other members of the forum.

Cheers,

Ross Lillistone www.baysidewoodenboats.com.au