Bass Boat design, my first, will it work? suggestions...

[garrick]

I'm kind of new to just about everything, but i'm designing my first boat, it looks like a bass boat and I'm not going to be putting a real big motor on it. Its overall length is 15'6 1/16", greatest width is 6'6", and the height at the transom is 21". For the hull I will end up using some type of epoxy resin and fiberglass, probably west system and then reinforce it with some type of carbon or kevlar mat found at this site http://www.acp-composites.com/acp-mats.htm . My question is will I want to use a twill weave, or a chopped strand mat or what? also what type of thickness should I look at using and how many layers? What type of wood will work best for the deck/floor boards as far as the strength to weight ratio? suggestions needed, this is my first design. i'm still kind of working on the hull design a little bit, but here are some pictures of what I have so far that I made with google sketchup...


[IMG]http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c176/aedude006/boat3.jpg[IMG]

[messabout]

You do nice graphic work. The design is questionable. Plan view has the forward sections progressively narrower. This will not be a boat to be enjoyed in choppy water or big wakes. There may also be some issues with turning when at speed.The wedge shaped boat may be suited to all out, straight line, speed with big power, but not as a utility/fishing boat.

Not to insult you, but the plan view makes it look like a urinal. (a little humor there)

You will be farther ahead by useing conventional lines. Bass fisherman may be all over the boat when playing a fish. That is no doubt the reason for the relatively wide forward floors of a contemporary design.

[garrick]

so what? make it wider and not so narrow?

[PAR]

I should ask what are your design goals and how you think you've achieved them with this concept, before I comment on the design. Other critical information would be necessary like, target weight, HP, location of CG, etc. so that a reasonable idea of your design can be formed and of course commented on.

[lewisboats]

Oh....PAR....the volumns left unsaid with those two simple and elegant little sentences.

[Manie B]

Garrick dont do it - buy a plan and follow the instructions
here is areally cool boat http://www.bateau.com/studyplans/PH1....htm?prod=PH16
http://www.bateau2.com/gallery/PH16/index.htm

[garrick]

I wouldn't be using more than 30 hp probably, and it is just going to be used for fishing on small lakes.
I just want to design my own...

[PAR]

Do you have a more traditional drawing, showing the sectional shapes as well as the plan and elevation, but just the hull, with nothing attached? The location of seats and live wells aren't important in the hull development stages of the process. Drawing up a hull shape that will do what you expect it to do, is the name of the game first. Do you have a target weight, speed, an idea of the CG, etc.?

I mention the drawing because I see some flat areas in the profile drawing that look troublesome and I can't tell anything about the plan view shapes, because the only defining line is the perimeter, which likely is the rail cap not the hull. I'd like to see the chines in this view. There is a hint of sectional shape in the third drawing, but without stations for reference, I can't really see what's going on.

The location of the CG is a fairly important bit of information, particularly in small powerboats.

[SamSam]

Originally Posted by garrick

so what? make it wider and not so narrow?

You'll have to make the front wider so someone has room to move on the platform and there is more hull area to give added flotation and stability.

Here's a site where you can see what sort of drawings are required to get your idea across to other people. You have to convey the shape so people can picture it in their minds as 3D, as opposed to 2D.

http://www.svensons.com/boat/

The site will also give you an idea of what's needed for internal structure and support in wooden boats. Some of the same structures are usually used in composite boats like you are working on, such as frames/bulkheads, stringers etc.

Looking on the site I see a boat (Jet Joe) shaped like yours, but it is not intended for anyone to be on the front deck as a general rule.

http://www.svensons.com/boat/?f=Hydr...Joe/JetJoe.jpg

[garrick]

I dont know a whole lot about how to find or do what your talking about, I'm not using a program that is used to make boats and i've never made one before and dont know a whole lot about it, I just kind of looked at a couple different bass boats and tried to recreate them in a smaller version, the program I'm using is actually used to make cabinets and furniature, i'll make the front a little wider tonight when I get home tonight and then i'll repost a picture.

[garrick]

I was looking at some bass boats and my design is acturally very very similar to some of the nitro 640 boats, the older ones looked more like mine, and the newer ones have the front a little wider...

anybody think the kevlar or carbon mat from my first post in this thread is a good idea?

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by garrick

anybody think the kevlar or carbon mat from my first post in this thread is a good idea?

Nope! You better to read the Gougeon book so you get a better insight of the material for starters.

[messabout]

Teddy is right. Check out price and availbility of Kevlar and carbon fibre before you start. The prices for that stuff would startle an oil shiek. Teddy is also right about consulting the Geogeon book. They do wooden boats that are stronger and lighter than nearly anything you can build with sensibly priced composites.

[afrhydro]

garrick

i did it with my hydroplane of my own design and it took almost two years to make adjustments to finally get it to perform right
much easier to go with a set of plans trust me

and i been in the business for over 30 years
its not as easy as it looks
yes a basic boat is easy but to ride and do what it is supposed to is a another story

without 3d programing and simulated testing
it takes to much time to trial and error one design

[garrick]

I know it would be "easier" to buy some plans, but it's just something i'd really like to do myself. its not going to be a performance boat, its just going to be a fishing boat for small lakes, and my gf wants to lay down on the boat so she doesn't like the jon boat we use right now, and I need a project.