Aluminium Boat Design

[Karl]

Hi All
I am a novice at boat construction, however I have the availablity of laser or water get cutting, bending and folding equipment, and also Mig & Tig welding.
However I have no idea were to obtain boat designs from.
I am ideally looking to make a lightweight sea going aluminim fishing boat 16 - 18 foot long, centre console layout.
Does anyone have any links to site for alu boat plans which i could use to abtain what i am after.
Also what would be the ideal size out outboard engine with this size of boat ?

Thanks all

[MarkC]

You buy a design, you have a boat designed, or you do it yourself.

Personally I would buy a design - why dont you try (look in the the boat designs under the directory here) Boden - they have many 'fishy' designs - wait, your in the UK and you'll be wanting inches instead of centimeters! try Selway Fisher who also has some 'working' boats drawn up. Ask the designer what engine is suitable!

[duluthboats]

Here is a good place to start your search.

http://www.metalboatsociety.com/

Gary

[mmd]

I have done several designs for aluminum in that size range. For practical reasons, most aluminum production boats in that size range are rivetted, not welded. The minimum plate thickness for mig welding in most shops is 1/8" (3mm), and this makes for a rather heavy hull. My boats were designed for clients who give their boats quite a beating (salmon and shellfish aquaculture workboats which are constantly being banged about) so the extra weight & strength was a boon, not a detriment. A boat of this size and type will move along with as little as 10 hp (7.5kw) and will have more than necessary with 50 hp (38 kw). If I might venture an opinion, and if your idea of "sea-going" is similar to mine, a 15-ft boat is too small to be safe in anything but ideal conditions. If there are no other restrictions I would suggest that for playing in big waters you should look at a boat in the 20 - 24 ft (6 7 metre) LOA range.

[profix]

thanks for your reply.

Do you have any designs / cutting patterns for an 17 - 24 ft long aluminium boats similar to the boston whaler type design ??

Many thanks
Karl

[jammer]

You might consider these people: http://www.metalboatkits.com/index.htm
They may be able to save you some work.