Question about boats

[Cliffmeister2000]

I started this thread asking a question about load capacity in boats

Now the question: Are there formulas for sizing boats to butts? Is the issue on the jon boat the water displacement, or the aluminum? I'm actually thinking of something I could put a trolling motor on, and carry on the pickup in front of the weekender.

Any info would be appreciated!

Today I found the following statement on "Uncle John's Boats":

"The Coast Guard formula to compute the safe load of a home built boat is as follows. Determine the amount of weight it takes to "sink" your boat. Put the boat in the water and fill it with water counting the number of gallons it takes for the gunwales to be even with the water. Water weighs eight pounds per gallon. Multiply the number of gallons by eight and you will know the total amount of weight it takes to "sink" your boat. The boat will not actually sink because wood is buoyant. The Coast Guard then recommends multiplying the total weight by a factor of .3 to determine the "maximum safe load"."

Because you have to build the boat and try to sink it to calculate this, it isn't as useful as I had hoped it would be, especially since less than 1/3 of the boat designs I have looked at include the capacity rating in the information. However, I'm leaning towards the Skiff style boat, the SK115 from Uncle John, which is rated at 550 lbs. As a first boat, It seems the best mixture of design, cost, capacity, and ease of build.
http://www.unclejohns.com/skiff/Default.htm

[Miriam C.]

Wonder which really intelligent government person decided this. Not a math person but I am thinking that volume is volume and and you should be able to figure it that way.

BTW why isn't there a plug and play for this sort of thing? We all have puters so someone smart needs to make a lil program.

[Frog]

If you want something right away you might want to look at this website:
www.Porta-bote.com. They come in 8', 10', 12', and 14' lengths, fold to 4" thick and can be sailed, rowed or powered. I don't own one so I can't vouch for them. However, they have been around for quite a few years and look pretty versatile. They have the advantage of being a cartopper with minimal wind drag and can be hung in a garage since they fold to 4" thick. They can also be side mounted on an RV. Maybe worth a look.

Not a beauty, but a tough, very stable and seemingly versatile boat that can move along with an electric trolling motor or small gasoline kicker.

Good luck.

[Roly Nelson]

Oh my gosh, wish I had all of that floatation info back in 1948 when I built my 4 ft by 8 ft hydroplane with a 10 horse Merc motor. It was the fastest thing on the river and I used to have my girl friends sit on the flat front deck while I screamed along, jumping inboard wakes, making a fool of myself at 30 mph. We even waterskied behind it, doubles of course, made out of 6 ft 1 x 6 material, the grand daddy of the single ski used today. Wish I had invented the wake-board, I would be a millionare today.
Roly

[Cliffmeister2000]

If you want something right away you might want to look at this website:
www.Porta-bote.com. They come in 8', 10', 12', and 14' lengths, fold to 4" thick and can be sailed, rowed or powered. I don't own one so I can't vouch for them. However, they have been around for quite a few years and look pretty versatile. They have the advantage of being a cartopper with minimal wind drag and can be hung in a garage since they fold to 4" thick. They can also be side mounted on an RV. Maybe worth a look.

Not a beauty, but a tough, very stable and seemingly versatile boat that can move along with an electric trolling motor or small gasoline kicker.

Good luck.

Thanks, Frog. I'm in no hurry, but I am forced to be frugal. I have decided that if I am to own a boat, I will either build it, or find someone who needs quick cash and is offering a bargain I cannot refuse. I'm thinking $500 would be my max expenditure.
As I am leaning towards building, this project must take a back burner position until a few other projects get completed. (finish teardrop, rebuild old camp stove, etc).

[doug hodder]

but I am forced to be frugal. I have decided that if I am to own a boat

Sorry Cliff, but I found humor in this string of words that you put together...I realize that you are speaking of something entirely different, but the old saying goes...."A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into" somehow, it's not so bad if you built it as opposed to making payments on one. Doug

[Arne]

have you considered an inflatable?

http://www.nextag.com/pontoon-fishing-boat/compare-html

[Cliffmeister2000]

but I am forced to be frugal. I have decided that if I am to own a boat

Sorry Cliff, but I found humor in this string of words that you put together...I realize that you are speaking of something entirely different, but the old saying goes...."A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into" somehow, it's not so bad if you built it as opposed to making payments on one. Doug

I am quite familiar with the saying, and agree wholeheartedly! However, I think it is intended for bigger boats with motors and trailers. Boat motors require a tremendous amount of maintenance per running hour, then there's storage fees, licensing, etc. I want one that I can carry by myself, pack on the pickup while towing the Weekender, and row somewhat successfully around the edges of the lakes we have behind the dams in the East/Central part of our great state.

Okay, maybe a 5hp trolling motor...

[Cliffmeister2000]

have you considered an inflatable?

I looked at Zodiacs, but not pontoons. Whatever I get has to handle 2 people and 400 - 500 lbs. Thanks for the idea, I'll poke around at these a bit.

[Gary and Cheri]

I've always thought that as a fly fisher I would buy a boat similar to this:

for two people

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 00_175-5-1

or for one

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 00_175-5-1

Reasonably foldable, compact, light wieght. Can't water ski behind it though.

Gary

[Cliffmeister2000]

Very nice, but way out of my budget!

[ZendoDeb]

If you are still looking for small boat designs, here are two dinghies I like from B&B Yacht Designs (Will *probably* build the catspaw to save space, and probably before I build my weekender.)

The Cat's Paw is a pram style dinghy. Cutting the bow down does not impact safety - they are a bit slower - but increases load-carrying capacity in the same length.

The Spindrift is a more standard-looking dinghy. It may suit your needs better.

Both come in various sizes and both can be built in 2 pieces, so that the halves nest together saving space.

If that doesn't appeal, there are various folding boats you can build, though they are usually smaller. One of the simpler ones is the Flapdoodle - I haven't found anyone who has built one however, though I haven't looked for a while.

[Cliffmeister2000]

Nice boats! Thanks! I really like the Birder design.

I have put my boat building plans on hold for now. New, lower paying job is requiring adjustments in every aspect of life. As soon as I am adjusted, I will address this again!

[dwgriff1]

I have been thinking about building a boat as well.

My memory is that frame and skin boats were talked about here once and did not get much respect. But if the original Alaskans could hunt whales from one it should work for me.

I like the weight of the finish boat and the ease of construction. I want one just for rowing, no motor and no sail, but it has to go on and off the car or tear easily, and I am exceedingly old.

dave

http://gaboats.com/boats/classic10_photo.html

[rowerwet]

another good site for boat plans, construction instructions, motivation, and building materials go to duckworks.com.
I plan on building a TTT with a boat that fits exactly on the roof upside down, with a scow type hull (look up gavin atkin and his mouseboat designs)
A boat with a flat bottom will have the most initial stability (won't feel tippy), if you are a heavy person this is the boat type you want. If you are looking for something to paddle or row you want a tapering bow and an equaly tapering stern (tapering from the bottom up), a square stern is for planning with a motor and will drag horribly under human power. I like phil bolgers comment on the shape of a boat that the best shape is one that would go easily through a sea of frozen peas. Water isn't easily compressed and if you can enter and leave the water with little fuss (wake) you will go faster.
For human power you want a bottom that is a long curve with the deepest part in the middle and no sharp bends for the water to go around. A pointy (across) bow (like a canoe) doesn't matter unless you get into big waves.
the easiest shape to build is a box with a curved (front to back) bottom, at the speed you paddle or row, straight sides won't slow you down much at all. If you look up gavin atkins mouseboats (I have built two) just increase the length and width to fit your trailer or car. If you need more weight carrying capacity make the sides deeper.