The Brick

[Wavewacker]

Just thinking out of the box so to speak, I wonder if you could disguise a larger one, like 24/27/32 footer as a real boat using better port lights and vinyl graphics? Maybe you could put a V shaped rail off the bow and hang laundry on it at the marina, think others would notice?

I can't believe I'm "opening my mind" to this......someone help me!

[brucehallman]

Originally Posted by daiquiri

It take a lots of courage to put windows like those on a sailboat: http://shantyboatliving.com/2011/bol...ng-shantyboat/

Those windows are made from polycarbonate. The exact same plastic used with supersonic jet cockpit windows.

I used this material in the windows of my Micro Navigator, and in the process of doing that had the opportunity of doing strength tests.

Consider this: What would you use instead of the windows? Plywood. Yet polycarbonate is more than ten times stronger than plywood. I would venture a guess that the last thing to break on a Super Brick would be the windows.

[ancient kayaker]

Originally Posted by Wavewacker

Just thinking out of the box so to speak, I wonder if you could disguise a larger one, like 24/27/32 footer as a real boat using better port lights and vinyl graphics? Maybe you could put a V shaped rail off the bow and hang laundry on it at the marina, think others would notice?

I can't believe I'm "opening my mind" to this......someone help me!

I can help you!

Why disguise it? It's just a question of using it correctly. Here's how:-

Make it a bit bigger so it barely fits into a marina slot. Then throw non-stop parties! It should be the most popular boat in the marina - except to the neighbours . . .

It's the ultimate party boat, utterly stable, spacious and accessible from all round - none of that silly nonsense with gangplanks needed, and safe - drunks cannot fall through the gap even if they try. Best of all, when the marina management complains that you have merely planked in a space you can demonstrate that it floats and even sails.

Or course if you can be sure the marina management won't come around you can merely plank in . . . but I digress.

[CutOnce]

I know I will be painting myself a Philistine, but I feel a strange affinity for Bolger's designs. The 100% devotion to function over form causes a perverse reaction in me to appreciate the ugly boxes and think them beautiful. There are so many slip queens that are physically stunning, but so poor at what people really USE boats for that they get bought and forgot after a few uncomfortable attempts.

I think a Bolger box would grow to be a favorite - like an ugly dog that behaves better than purebred, being a best friend without conditions.

But then again I like looking at the pretty ones.

Terry's concept is closer to the truth than many of us would admit.

--
CutOnce

[ancient kayaker]

My first two dogs were purebred field dogs, lovely creatures, one utterly dumb but one of them was very intelligent, despite what people say about purebreds. Somehow over the years I found myself manoeuvered by unfeeling Fate into owning two crossbreeds. One is utterly dumb and the other is very intelligent. There's a message in there for me I'm sure, but I'm not smart enough to figure it out . . .

BTW I forgot to mention the best part: if you get to the point where you can't stand the Box any more, you can cut it down to deck level, plank it over and have a nice dock.

[PAR]

Originally Posted by ancient kayaker

. . . if you get to the point where you can't stand the Box any more, you can cut it down to deck level, plank it over and have a nice dock.

Or a concrete mixing tub . . .

[Wavewacker]

It's starting to sound like a very versitle boat....

A motorsailor that could be a houseboat or party barge, boat dock, floating bar, off shore casino or red light entertainment center, cargo hauler and concrete mixing box. Not many designs have such flexability!

[ancient kayaker]

Now we're all thinking outside the box!

[troy2000]

Originally Posted by ancient kayaker

Now we're all thinking outside the box!

Or in it....

[Wavewacker]

LOL....

Okay, seriously now, would such be used for a canal (long narrow) style landing craft to load and unload off the bow? Would...Could it sail with leeboards? Is there anything like that? Would amas help? Are we out of the box now?