Will my boat plan float?

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by Dr.Smart, Mar 1, 2011.

  1. Dr.Smart
    Joined: Dec 2010
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    Location: USA

    Dr.Smart Junior Member

    Okay, I will post in another thread in August what boat we need. :)
     
  2. messabout
    Joined: Jan 2006
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    Location: Lakeland Fl USA

    messabout Senior Member

    Doc; The guys are not intentionally beating up on you. All of us care whether another boatman drowns, so we are being up front about the problems with your project.
     
  3. wheels
    Joined: Jun 2010
    Posts: 28
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    Location: Folsom, Ca

    wheels Junior Member

    8'x24' simple barge. 8" draft at 8000lbs. sleeping room for 11 if you toss down cushions on the floor. portapoty out back. 6+ feet of headroom. fit out to your hearts content.

    using glass over marine ply for hull and exterior grade ply with epoxy "Paint" for the superstructure.

    some simple things to keep in mind.

    Each cubic foot of water displaced will float 64lbs.

    The fewer joints the better.

    keep as much of the weight down as low and centered as possible.

    I am not an expert nor should anything i say be taken too seriously. this is simply for ideas.

    If I were going to build a barge/houseboat personally I would go with an existing proven design. But if your heart is set on doing it yourself I would go to the local library and start reading up on boat building.
     

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  4. Dr.Smart
    Joined: Dec 2010
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    Location: USA

    Dr.Smart Junior Member

    Thanks for the reply! :)

    I think I am going to buy a large boat instead. :)

    Did you make that image for me?
     
  5. wheels
    Joined: Jun 2010
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    Location: Folsom, Ca

    wheels Junior Member

    yup, i enjoy the mental excercise, took about 10 minutes to sketch up. but as i said I'm no naval architect (yet) i was just trying to give you an idea of size.

    your original footprint of 12x25 wasnt really the issue it was the depth. to sink a 12x25 box one foot into the water would take 19,200lbs (8,700kg) so having a hull as deep as you were thinking would raise the center of gravity way to high. you would be running a serious risk of capsize in high wind/wave situations without a LARGE amount of ballast.

    for the size you were originally thinking of personally I would go with a catamaran type hull. 2 square boxes for easy build with flat bow and stern.

    the 12x25 deck here is supported by 3' wide pontoons drawing 1.5' draft at approx 9000 lbs.


    how and where you use your boat will determine more than the idea in your head usually. are you looking for a river barge, a lake houseboat, distance you wish to travel, weather conditions etc.

    good luck on the hunt for your boat. if you look hard enough there are some really great deals out there. just be sure to check whatever you decide on thoroughly for damage/rot/rust/delamination etc.
     

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  6. Dr.Smart
    Joined: Dec 2010
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    Location: USA

    Dr.Smart Junior Member

    Thanks for all the info, I will be sure to remember that when looking to buy the boat! :)
     
  7. kerosene
    Joined: Jul 2006
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    Location: finland

    kerosene Senior Member

    what is the intended use?
    Lake, river? How long range you looking for. Must have features besides the 10 bunks? Shower? kitchen?
     
  8. Dr.Smart
    Joined: Dec 2010
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    Location: USA

    Dr.Smart Junior Member

    We plan on using it to sail the ocean. And we plan on cleaning ourselves with towels. No kitchen needed, we are going to eat dry cereal etc.
     
    1 person likes this.
  9. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Dr.Smart, wise up please. You haven't remotely the numerous skill sets to contemplate ocean passages under sail, let alone the engineering, design and hydrodynamic skills to design you own boat.

    What you need now is sailing and building experience if you are planning on building your craft. Even if you elect to purchase a yacht, you'll need experience operating all it's systems, including the sails. Comments like "no kitchen needed" just reaffirm how grossly inexperienced you actually are, when in fact the galley and cook are the most important aspects of a yacht at sea.

    Get some experience and sea legs before even thinking about an adventure such as this. Other wise the likely course of events will be you and several of your friends will be very hungry, helpless and most probably drowned at sea, in a craft that's ill equipped and incompetently sailed.
     
  10. Dr.Smart
    Joined: Dec 2010
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    Dr.Smart Junior Member

    But we plan on buying one. We have given up on building it. :)
     
  11. bntii
    Joined: Jun 2006
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    Location: MD

    bntii Senior Member

    Hmmmmmm.

    'Sail' the ocean in a houseboat??

    Troll or a wacky sense of humor..

    Or... someone in drag?

    Is that you Apex? or Boston or...???
     
  12. Dr.Smart
    Joined: Dec 2010
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    Location: USA

    Dr.Smart Junior Member

    I didn't mean "sail" I meant "motor" you know, with an engine. And yes, I do planing on taking lessons.
     
  13. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Houseboats don't go in oceans and lessons can only teach you so much. Only actual sea time will teach you the things you need to know, such as the difference between motor boating or sailing the ocean.

    I know Bntii, it does seem as if someone is having some fun, maybe Richard's lighter side.
     
  14. bruceb
    Joined: Nov 2008
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    Location: atlanta,ga

    bruceb Senior Member

    The real deal?

    There is a two story "houseboat" docked at Green Turtle cay in the Bahamas that is very close to the concept and size. It made it from Miami, so I guess you could call it "sea going" and has even survived several hurricanes. It has quite a reputation-but not for its sea keeping abilities:rolleyes: It is named "Stranded Naked". Go figure;) B
     

  15. kdhorton
    Joined: Jun 2010
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    Location: El Paso

    kdhorton HM Small Boat Designer


    I've gathered this is a younger fellow, much younger, with dreams a mile high and a budget inversely proportionate. I wish someone had fostered my interest in boat design when I was that age, instead of being landlocked with nobody for miles around that new about much more than squat about designing boats. Now I'm 25, well past college age with a small family and the need to be around and design and build boats is re-emerging.

    The chances he'll get past the launch with this concept next summer is negligible. The potential to take someone who at least has enough interest to try and culture it is somewhat higher and more worth investing in.
     
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