Some advice please. I know this is a bit below most of you…

[SFC Hall]

But I’d appreciate the advice…

I want a winter project. Something easy and relatively quick. The only boats I have ever built was a Jon boat, and it turned out very nice and a canoe with my uncle as a kid.

Here is what I want… I have a LS 50hp Even sitting in my barn doing nothing. I want a boat for that. I want this boat to seats at least two, maybe more, be as small and light as possible and go as fast as I can safely make it go with that 50hp…

What do you recommend? I retire in a few years and when I do I am already sure I will be building a larger Hickman sled type boat for Lake Eire.

But back to this… I already have a fishing boat, although it would be nice to be able to fish off this… open bow maybe?...this would be just for fun, a small speedboat... maybe pull an inner tube and to go fast. Something I can complete in a few months at minimal expense. I have all the cable steering and throttle controls already.


My original plan was to just build a 13 to 15’ish simple flat bottom Jon and add two sponsoons behind the transom on either side of the motor to hold the weight. But then I though, I am no expert and I don’t want to over power a boat and be unsafe….


So what do you guys think?

[alan white]

I guess I wouldn't let the motor determine the boat if I could sell the motor and buy a smaller (newer?) one that suited the kind of boat I could and would build in a few months.
As power increases, the construction gets heavier and more involved. Now that spring has arrived, you could sell the Evinrude more quickly and find the right motor quickly as well.
I'm not saying you ought to build a light boat. Just reminding you that it's possible to go with your original plan.

Alan

[TAH]

My father once bought an expensive stereo option, and had his first new car built around it. Not saying it didn't work for him, but what he really wanted was that music machine. I think Alan White is correct in offering alternatives that don't center around your outboard motor. Woodenboat store might be worth a viewing. Consider the 15ft. San Juan dory. It might satisfy all your requirements in a rugged handsome package that will last for years.

Thomas

[SFC Hall]

thanks guys. I am in the thinking ahead stage right now. I won't get back from Iraq until mid summer... after a deployment, it takes 6 months to a year for me to wind down. I know I am going to need something to focus on during the winter.

[charmc]

Good advice already given on your choices to keep or sell the motor.

There are hundreds of designs available for home building. Here's a good beginning: http://www.boatdesign.net/directory/Boat_Plans/ .

Try a Google search for wooden boat plans for many more. Most plans web sites have at least a few illustrations and a brief description of the build process with estimated materials lists, some with costs. Some time spent in research will give you a short list of boats to give the most value for your intended use, skill level, and budget. Once you've narrowed your list or started your project, feel free to come back if you want tips and advice; there are many people here with the ability and desire to help amateur boatbuilders.

Good luck!!

[charmc]

Originally Posted by SFC Hall

thanks guys. I am in the thinking ahead stage right now. I won't get back from Iraq until mid summer... after a deployment, it takes 6 months to a year for me to wind down. I know I am going to need something to focus on during the winter.

All the best to you from a vet of another war era. Serve well and be safe.
A boat will make a great unwinding project.

[Jimboat]

SFC Hall - congrat's on your upcoming retirement.

You could find that your Hickman sea sled on lake erie may be a pretty "rough" ride. The sea sled design is very flat aftwards and gets it's efficiency mostly on very calm seas. you may be better to design a tunnel hull (power catamaran) that is best suited to your horsepower expectations and the type of exercise that you will see on Lake Erie.

[Ike]

SFC Hall, thanks for your service. Come home soon and safe. Keep your head down.

Some other alternatives Glen-L has lots of plans of different types of boats https://www.boatdesigns.com/departments.asp?dept=10

I bought some plans from Bateaux.com http://www.bateau.com/products.php?cat=16 They have a slew of boats under 16 feet that would fit your requirements.

[ted655]

Hmmmmm? Simple, fast, quick to build, not a repeat of your existing boat, able to handle a 5ohp OB. Now we have the parameters, so let's put our thinking caps on!
It needs to be hard chine, so ply sheets can be the material, (fast & simple). I'd say a simple speed boat/ run about, moderate deadrise. This gives the ease & speed of assembly, the use of the OB and the bang for the bucks & diversity of the use.
I also agree that Glen-L is the place to start looking first.
Oh, was there a color preference? I like Red.
Send pictures, OR the link to the final chaise. Good luck.

[J Reed]

My father, who is recently deceased, had been involved in a Sea Sled business with Dr. Sal Ianotti. With the estate possessions are many photos of Hickman and his Sea Sled, copies of original Sea Sled blueprints and a 29' fiberglass Sea Sled hull. I am interested in selling these items but don't know where to begin. Any suggestions?
Jeanne

[Ike]

FranklY I think they should be in a maritime museum. The Sea Sled was a major development in boat design. Have you considered offering them to an organization like the Marine's Museum in Newport News, http://www.mariner.org/library/searc...eriodicals.php, Or Mystic Seaport, or even the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian has a large collection of maritime related items at the National Museum of American History

[ted655]

http://boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=4654
http://www.geocities.com/knappseasleds/sled.html
.
Just a couple of links, among more, I found on Sea Sled'
This fellow has reinvented it, to some degree
http://www.craftacraft.com/one_ugly_boat
.
Was Sea Sled the inspiration for all the tri-hulls that were so popular thru the 70s? The Boston Whalers?
Not such a popular hull these days. The cat hulled power boats, with sharper bow entry's & more deadrise are common here in the Gulf. Reminds me of the ol adage, "Nothing new under the sun".

[Jimboat]

Jeanne - I agree with Ike...the Sea Sled is a truly classic design, and one of the very first designs to recognize the importance of aerodynamic lift in the enhancement of performance in powerboats. If your designs, drawings and photos are originals, then i would love to see them in a marine museum. Send me a PM or email and maybe i can help, Jeanne.

[J Reed]

Thank you for the feedback Ike & Jimboat
My husband did call Mystic Seaport and they were not interested. I need to sell the hull. It is included in the estate assets and I am the executor. The hull is not old, it was built in the '80's when my dad worked with Ianotti in East Haven. Whoever purchases the hull would receive the photos, etc. (at least this is the plan at this time). I do not know if anything we have is original.

[Jimboat]

Jeanne - PM me, i may have a contact for you.