new Great lakes heavy weather cruising houseboat!

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by assycat, Jan 14, 2013.

  1. assycat

    assycat Previous Member

    Hey thanks David. Where can one get these?..ive looked at the library but nothing by Bolger in my area...so im relegated to seeking online...
    I find Bolgers stuff very unique and practical..the micro trawler is a beautiful design if you ask me...has the classic look to it. Hmm maybe im convincing myself to get a set of those plans, and or a book:)
     
  2. Submarine Tom

    Submarine Tom Previous Member

    WOW, that' quite a list for a design you've let go of.

    The thing is your buy-line reads "heavy weather".

    The words "houseboat" and "heavy weather" don't belong in the same paragragh let alone the same sentence.

     
  3. JosephT
    Joined: Jun 2009
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    Location: Roaring Forties

    JosephT Senior Member

    Agree with Tom. It would probably be best to ask how much you are looking to spend. From there you can better explore your build or buy options. Most likely you're best off buying an existing hull and restoring it to the desired condition. I would be inclined to go this route versus a clean sheet design.

    Something else, with the height of that vertical deck you're asking for problems in rough weather. In rough seas you'll need to factor that. Below is a pretty decent price for a cruiser with a single diesel.

    http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1981/Mainship-34-Trawler-2424123/Alton/IL/United-States

    Lots of boats this size cruising the Great Lakes.
     
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  4. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    If you have a tight budget, a used boat is much cheaper. For the cost of a diesel, about $18,000 you can cruise for years with a gas engine.
     
  5. assycat

    assycat Previous Member

    Hi Joseph. Ive looked at doing that- sadly when i did cost benefit analysis for building a boatvs buying and basically having to restore it , with what I can afford- there's not much to choose from in the way of a good hull.
    And im picky...Im trying not to be unreasonable here- and i understand what both you guys are saying. I just really like the idea of having a custom design.

    but yes that is a njice hull for 33,000 however im leary that there wouldnt be major work and things to do even at that price. Its been my experience that
    restoring a hull is as much if not more work to do. the reason is if hull repairs or even gutting it is involved you have to do twice the labour. first- the taking out of the guts, then the replacing of them. when building really gives me a new hull and my work is only a one time affair.

    Do you think even with a ballasted keel that the hull would be blown over?..you might not have seen it but the height off deck is only 9 ft to the roofline and the second level is only 6 ft x 12ft. I would really like to know what others think MIGHT happen in heavyier weather..? not because i want to argue but just because im curious...maybe i can learn what not to do next time?
     
  6. assycat

    assycat Previous Member

    Tom I think here lies the issue- I probably would have been better served to state- my 32 ft hull as a capable hull rather than one that is heavy weather. which implies that i plan to take the boat out into full gales in 12 ft seas. what i probably meant to convey is the boat could survive that if need be. in truth i wanted to just use it for coastal and short crossings of lake huron. and the shore of superior. But staying in close in case a wind picks up.
    Also use my weather channel and make sure no storms are blowing in, and if so seek shelter...not to "run forging ahead" into a storm..hopefully that might clarify it a little..whether that makes any diff. not sure...
     
  7. peterAustralia
    Joined: Mar 2006
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    Location: Melbourne Australia

    peterAustralia Senior Member

    fiberglass dont rot, (yes it can delaminate and blister, but in general it does not rot)

    Looks like a nice boat, that $33K one.

    If it goes slow, it is not considered sexy, thus resale price is lower, better for the new buyer. With the economy over there, prices are lower too, again better for the potential buyer.

    Even if u had it for 5 years, if u sold it again u might only lose say $10K, not a bad deal

    I will bow out and leave you to it.
     
  8. assycat

    assycat Previous Member

    No worries Peter, its always good to hear what others say and I always learn.

    I might build a test model add a bit of ballast and see where that goes...

    If I dont feel comfortable with a hull design I would never build it- I.e. if there were any doubts at all i would build one designed for what my needs are.
    fair winds to you!
     
  9. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    What is your building budget?
     
  10. spenance
    Joined: Dec 2010
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    Location: Hammondsport, NY

    spenance Junior Member

    assycat, after reading the posts it sounds like you are asking for help with your current design.
    This is the normal design spiral, going back to the drawing board is a constant.
    Its rare that a design will come out exactly right at the beginning.
    I currently have several plans going on at once, I continually rotate thru the details of each and tweek things until form, function and calculations all coverge.
    My opinion of your design is its out side of the "Good Basic Boat" box and this sends up flags to all who see it.
    Things I can point out to work on are.
    1. I see no rudder design- the keel size in the bow will over power a huge rudder and cause the broach in following seas. Trim the keel forward. A lot
    2. Free board. raise the sides. give it some bow, flair? This will help the looks of the cabin and bring it back in proportion. This will add to the space below deck.
    3. Please work on the hull shape, you can do better than a shoe box with a point, plan view. Add a little swoop to the sheer does wonders for the design.
    4. I know strait and square is saft to build, save that for the cabin, go out on a limb and warp the hull shapes, dead rise in the bow will go a long ways to make the hull sea kindly.

    Make some impruvements and repost so we can see how it's evolving.
     
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  11. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Spenance, it's pretty obvious that Assycat doesn't have the understanding of hydrodynamics and the engineering necessary to fully develop a 10+ meter vessel. Plans would pretty much be necessary and there are lots to choose from, including a few of my own.

    I back up the notion that buying a used boat will be faster and considerably cheaper than building a new one. Deals are everywhere and you can get boats at half and quarter of their value, in the current market. It's a buyer's dream. I bought a 65' yacht last year at a fraction of its value. I'm cleaning and replacing the obvious stuff and when the market turns around, I'll be sitting pretty with a sweet investment, just waiting on a buyer.
     
  12. WestVanHan
    Joined: Aug 2009
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    Location: Vancouver

    WestVanHan Not a Senior Member

    I'd say look in the US, as there's not as much boating in that Lakes area.
    Find something in the US,dollar is at par,US economy is still hurting,and maybe find a Sandy boat not too badly damaged...
     
  13. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    The market has been depressed for some time and Sandy didn't help. I don't recommend a Sandy derelict, but a boat that someone has lost interest in or has to sell because of economic or health reasons. The 65' yacht I got was from a fellow that had a damaged boat and a wife with cancer. The was desperate for funds and I helped.

    There are lots of boats like this, but they're not going to be found at a brokerage or in the paper. You have to ask around at each marina. This is the only way to find what's really out there. If you see a boat you like, ask about it. 99 out of 100 will be a bust and you've just wasted some time, but then again, you'd never know unless you tried.

    Simply put, if you want a 100k yacht, but only have 20k, you have to look at a few hundred 100k yachts, just to find a few (3) that will be in your range and more importantly are available. You don't get what you don't ask for . . .
     
  14. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    Heavy weather on a lake?

    Am I missing something.
     

  15. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
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    Location: Control Group

    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

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