Looking for plans for a small...motorsailor?

[kayak_4_3]

My self and my wife have been living on the central coast of BC for the past 4 years and have done a significant amount of sea kayaking along the coast during that time. However we now have a little one on the way and we are looking for another means of coastal travel. I built some boats along side my father in my teens, and spent most of my youth sailing. I would really like to try my hand at it again.

We are looking for something that meets the following critera;

- No longer than 20' (based on building space, 18' would probably be better)
- Stable (my wife does not like tippy boats)
- Fuel Efficient
- Suitable for the BC coast / Inside Passage (During the summer mainly, May-Sept)
- Has a cabin
- Capable of towing/stowing 1 or 2 Kayaks,

- Half the reason for building this is to extend our kayaking range (Go, Camp, Paddle, Explore, Motor Home on Sunday)

- Trailerable (more or less goes without saying at these sizes)
- Since speed is not important to either of us (we want comfort and efficiency) I think I'm looking for a motorsailer


Any suggestions? The number of plans available online is a bit overwhelming!

[TeddyDiver]

In that size I'd recommend you should choose a "single action" boat and in this case motoring rules IMO.
What comes to motorsailors under 30' just doesn't work..

[kayak_4_3]

Thanks for the reply Teddy, and the recommendation.

I will admit to having a romantic attachment to sail, but I do acknowledge that where we are on the coast the wind conditions are less than favorable for sail. Having talked to a few people up here they only get to sail around 15-20% of the time. (I can always build a little daysailer for the nicer days)

That said, what would you recommend for a motor design that is efficient, under 18' and has cabin/berths ? Again speed is not an issue.

[Squidly-Diddly]

Only if I was making an escape from Communist genocide or something.

[kayak_4_3]

Maybe I should have been a bit more specific,. Coastal was probably not the right word, we are not on the ocean. We are in the Inside Passage, Most of our travel and boating would take place between, Hakai, Bella Coola, Bella Bella, Ocean Falls and maybe as far north as Klemtu.

Here's a map of the region

We have kayaked much of this area in a Necky AmarukII kayak. Most of the locals get around in small fiberglass speedboats, and aluminum herring skifs.

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by kayak_4_3

That said, what would you recommend for a motor design that is efficient, under 18' and has cabin/berths ? Again speed is not an issue.

Smallish lobster boat http://www.onboardwithmarkcorke.com/...all-boats.html , Panga with cabin , maybe this Alaskan skiff http://www.duckworksbbs.com/media/bo...lman/index.htm

[keysdisease]

These design challenge entries meet much of your criteria, at least something to think about. A few are very clever on how they fit accomodation and they all look like boats and not boxy afterthoughts.

They are a little long to fit your needs but some of the ideas are valid at any length. A little more searching around proboat.com will yield more great information from the design challenge entries.

http://www.proboat.com/design-challenge-ii-winners.html

Steve

[Tad]

Any 18' efficient monohull, power or sail, is going to be "tippy" to some degree......so I would start looking for a small catamaran...the Jarcat is one, and Richard Woods might have something suitable.......

[BYDE]

Hello Kayak_4_3,
how about your own custom design?
it'd be in line with the average prices quoted for stock plans.
For more info you can also contact me by email

[whitepointer23]

Originally Posted by Tad

Any 18' efficient monohull, power or sail, is going to be "tippy" to some degree......so I would start looking for a small catamaran...the Jarcat is one, and Richard Woods might have something suitable.......

2nd the jarcat, terrific boat, roomy and fast under sail or power. seen one on the weekend , lovely boat.

[kayak_4_3]

Thanks to eveyone for your suggestions

@ Teddy the Outer Banks 20 looks amazing , and I love the lines on the The Panga 25, alas the later is much longer than the build space I have available.
I also think the Alaskan Skiff is an interesting idea to explore, in fact I am planning on ordering the book as a reference. Even If I am unlikely to build one.

@ Steve, I have been looking into the design challenge boats, they are beautiful, but not quite what I am looking for.

@ Whitepointer and Tad, Thanks for the suggestion, I've been looking at the various Cat designs, but to be honest feel a little intimidated by what I feel is the added complexity in construction. That being said a small cat (or maybe a tri) really does seem to be the best match for my design criteria.

@BYDE I'll be honest I haven't considered a custom design, This will be my first solo build (other than a kayak), and I would like to be working from an established, tested, design. My Dad and his buddies designed and built several custom boats in our basement over the years including a 26' trimaran, they always seemed fraught with delays and design revisions, and for this build at least I would like to avoid that possibility as much as possible. I imagine my next build (whenever that may happen) will be a more customized boat.


I showed these to my partner and after some discussion she is leaning towards a displacement hull. She really has no interest in going 'fast' (above 10-12 knots) or having a 'big' outboard (above 25hp). Luckily I seem to be leaning that way as well . We've always enjoyed the pace of sea kayaking and really aren't looking to go much faster, we just want to do it in more comfort.

For now I'm off to review Cat plans.