Designing a boat...

[jeepster]

Im trying to design a boat

I am thinking something like a 14 foot grand banks dory, with a wider bottom, but not as wide as a drift boat, but wider than a standard dory, no rocker, almost like a pacific dory, but still tapered at the end so it rows well, but has a spot for a mid mounted outboard, I have an 8 horse tohatsu that I think would do the job. The forward compartment would be used as an insulated fish box, ideally this would be a boat for one guy to fish very comfortably sitting or standing all day, but enough room for 3 if needed

I want this boat to be transported on top of my jeep, it would be a beach boat.

The kind of fishing I want to do with this boat is go to whatever beach/area I wish to fish, launch the boat from the beach, troll flies by oar, fish the tide rips, tie up in kelp beds and jig for bottom fish, mooch for kings and silvers, hunt down pinks on west beach and when it's time to boogie, fire up the motor and zip back to the beach and load the boat on top of the jeep.

It would also be my duck hunting boat (lots of decoy room, to get me out to blinds) and possibly down riggers. The purpose of this boat is to fish and hunt. Not zipping around from spot to spot.

This is going to be a salt water boat, I envision a salt water drift boat for playing in the tides

What do you guys think? Any input, any ideas, add ons, or tips you can think of?


I want a tough no bs utility boat

Here is where I've been getting some inspiration

https://www.boatdesigns.com/products.asp?dept=753
http://www.spirainternational.com/hp_june.php
http://www.butlerprojects.com/boats/clarkfork/index.htm
http://www.spirainternational.com/hp_sene.php

[lokidog]

Boats without keels suck pulling downriggers, imagine a 12" straw as an arrow with 4" long and 1" high fletches on it trying to turn....   

[jeepster]

Boats without keels suck pulling downriggers, imagine a 12" straw as an arrow with 4" long and 1" high fletches on it trying to turn....   

Maybe a keelson or something, I'll figure that out later

[lokidog]

Actually, some kind of keel will make rowing easier as well since it will track better and you are not going to be trying to make quick turns and figure eights out in the salt... hopefully, anyways.   

I think you will have a hard time building a car toppable 14' boat though, my 14' Sylvan aluminum boat is not anywhere close to being light enough to even put in the back of a truck, let alone on top, although AI do not know the styles of boat that you are talking about.     Good luck and keep us posted with your progress.  I've been wanting to build a boat some time.

[jeepster]

I love weird and unique boats

I'd love something like that, with a lot less rocker, maybe try to incorporate a V to the hull a little,  a wheel to steer with, oars to fish with, and deck space to sprawl out, and be able to play around in tide rips, deception pass, and beach launch so I can be more flexible as to where I put in at

[L-ofalab]

That sounds like a great project. You will want to get or build a trailer because getting it on top of your Jeep and strapping it down might be tough. All 4 boat designs looed nice, I liked the Clark fork.

[Mfowl]

I agree with what others have said about putting the boat on top of your jeep, not gonna be easy. I'd put it on a little flatbed and get a cart you can slide it onto then walk it to the water. I've used a carpet dolly to walk a Jon boat into a few fishing spots, worked great. I liked the power dory on the Spira page.  Good luck with the build, keep us posted!

[PiNkPaNtHeR]

I also agree with what most of the others have said about not being practical to transport the boat on top of a Jeep (you didn't specify the model, but that's probably not the point anyway). I've been designing boats for over 30 years and can tell you that the finish bare hull of a 14-footer like you're talking about could easily top 350-400 pounds depending on the materials and finish. If yo're going to be in the salt water, I'd recommend that you use an epoxy resin system rather than a polyester resin system. It's a lot tougher, but it's also heavier.
If you're a first-time builder, you can hardly go wrong with the Glen-L design (first link listed in your original post). Glen-L has been selling their designs for over 60 years and has a full support system. They also have frame kits, fasten & finishing kits and everything you'd need to finish the bare hull. In some cases they even have cabin plans & a lot of options. One of the great things about their designs is that you can re-space the frames (within reason) to your liking - usually varying the overall length by about 10% - either shorter or longer than the original design. I've purchased, and still have two of their full plan sets, but neither one is what you're looking for.
You being in Anacortes, there should be plenty of boatbuilders around your area to help if you get into a bind. Wooden boatbuilders, by their very nature, seem to be particularly interested in helping others when they can.
Oh - another good thing about Glen-L is that they have trailer plans geared to their boat designs.
Feel free to PM me if you have questions. I'll do my best to answer them. If I don't have an answer, I'll try to steer you toward someone who will. Good luck to you. I look forward to seeing your project. It will likely be one of the greatest satisfactions in your life to build and use your own personal watercraft.
Here's another link: http://www.boatdesigns.com/18-Little-Hunk-power-fishing-dory/products/531/