Conversion from trailer-sailer to low power motor boat

Next big idea - retrofitting a front hatch vs. slot top cabin

OK forum - opinions please. My Hartley 18 does not have a forward hatch. It would make the boat more comfortable to work and sleep in if it did. How should I go about sourcing and fitting one. I am also a bit interested in retrofitting a slot-top like the AF4 - would this be a step too far?
Peter

 

The slot top would compromise much of the deck and cabin strength. I wouldn't recommend it.

A forward hatch is a simple thing to make and doesn't require a lot of difficult joinery. On the other hand you can buy one (bring a big purse, they ain't cheap) and follow the instructions inside. On a boat that size, I'd use 1x2's for the edges and a piece of plywood bent over it, for the top. You could install a prism for light below if desired.

 

Tardy response

Apologies for not responding sooner - I think a home-made hatch would be a better option. The Hartley has two quite simple hatches at the back of the cockpit - they are basically a wooden lid held down with an ocky strap. It would be fairly simple to emulate these.
Peter

 

Can't decide

The tiller is gone again and I am back to a centrally-placed outboard. It works better this way on the river. The big rudder was better in the bay.

 

as af4 gets mentioned yet again.. lol I wanna build one!

I do like your camper, and have though about converting a small fiberglass cabin sailboat for power (if I find one for near nothing thats appropriate to start with), grafting foam, luan, and fiberglass to change the hulls shape for slow planing, but honestly, I could probably just go ahead and build a new af4 cheep enough.
what you have for power now, would probably just shove it (af4) up onto a slow plane.

 

How far do you want to go?

This was a trailer sailer once, Tinkz

http://yachthub.com/list/boats-for-sale/used/trailer-boats/custom-trailerable-cruiser/65505

Beautiful job.

Peter

 

Hartley 18 - Slot Top

Its happened - after nine months of ruminating and the boat sitting there unused because it did not properly fit the purpose. I bought a circular saw and cut the slot top.

I then had to build up and extend the runners for the hatch to return some lost strength. Not too hard - I love West System. I would not want to stand on it but it serves, especially on a river where we get up on the boat rather stepping down on it.

I have chopped the ends from the old mast to use as a beam to support a tarp and insect mesh for camping under.

The boat does not even look that strange. How unusual is a sailboat with the mast carried horizontally?

Still working on it. But happy times in the shed.

What got me going was some U Tube footage on the AF4 and Skiff America. My boat does not perform like these but the idea is similar. Credit to them.

Peter

 

Terminal Trawler

Is this what I have - a terminal trawler?
Nudge
Has any one else done this?
Peter

 

i have a sail boat ...(yes!) ... picking it up this weekend..
till the day i learn to sail..im going to just motor cruise around ..it has two sleeper berths.
thinking it be alotta fun camping out. .. i do have a standard yammie 9.9 long shaft...might trade it in for a high thrust model.

looking forward to this.
peabody

 

Check out the art of motorsailing on the main. The ride will probably be more comfortable.

 

Just hoist the sail and go for it. The art of sailing isn't especially hard, though doing it well is as challenging as any other sport.

Better yet would be to take out a buddy that actually can sail and have them show you the way things work. You'll learn much faster and you'll be propelling your boat as it was meant to be, not to mention for free, by mother nature.

 

thanks guys... trouble is i know nobody who knowshow to sail.
zero .
im in central missouri . asked all friends and family. non of us know a thing .
let alone knowing anyone who sails...lol
but i think i can figure it out.
but see ? that's why im asking about the use of my yammie 9.9... a small motor cruiser till i know how to use a sail.
i was under the impression the yamaha high thrust would be a better motor for a sail boat.
but anyhow . thanks.
peabody

 

The 9.9 on your boat is more motor then you need. A high thrust version wouldn't make you go any faster, but would be able to shove more weight.

Put an ad in the paper or on line for someone to show you how to sail. You can muddle through. but it's a lot easier (and safer) having some basics in hand as you learn. I've preformed this task countless times and after an hour, they're on their own and better for it.

 

Your thoughts welcome

I have two older Highlanders. Only need to sail one and was thinking about converting other to beach/bay cruiser. Thought about removing centerboard box and center board and adding a strongback? down the hulls center similar to a pennYan hull. I would mount the outboard on rear and possibly add some hard chines on upper hull sections. Wanted to keep the deck the same but put in a slightly elevated floor with additional foam floatation. rearrange the seating to across the hull. I would mount a gas tank in front..20 gal.and place hose under flooring. What are your thoughts. Saw one like this on Cape Cod and it seemed most roomy, dry, and easy in and out of back waters.

 

A proper steering wheel and throttle up front makes motoring much better. It gets you away from the motor and eliminates the awkward body position of tiller steering. That looks like a good boat for conversion.