27 ft Barrel Back plan suggestions

[Wibling]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum.

I have a dream to build a mahogany 27 ft barrel back runabout, inspired by the classic Riva Aquarama and the Chris Crafts of the same era. Does anyone have any suggestions to plans that is available for me to have a look at? Ideally for dual V8 installation on shafts.

Thanks in advance

Wibling

 

[Angélique]

Hi Wibling, welcome to the forum

Glenn-L offers the 23' Belle Isle plans, maybe you can find it bit longer there too.

Good luck !
Angel

P.S. - Just saw... ‘‘Belle Isle…our largest authentic barrelback design’’ - So no 27' there.

 

[Wibling]

Thanks Angel,

I have had a look at the Belle Isle, and the Monte Carlo, also from Glen-L, and I do quite like them. Only I would prefer a more flarred bow, and the width for a dual engine installation.

Thanks again

Wibling

 

[Angélique]

I see on the Monte Carlo page ‘‘a classic barrel-back inboard 24' 6" runabout’’ so I don't understand ‘‘Belle Isle…our largest authentic barrelback design’’ from the Belle Isle page . .

But anyway both are for a single engine and under 27', so let's see what others have for you . .

Good luck !
Angel

 

[Eric Sponberg]

Hi Wibling, Welcome to the forum. Finding a design ready made for that size and style of boat is going to be very difficult--might not even exist for the DIY builder. The Glen-L designs are old and too small, and they don't have the best bottom designs.

There are a number of builders here in the US that cater to the 1920s-30s styles of designs which were promulgated originally by Chris Craft and Hacker Craft. These are the American equivalents of the European Rivas. Hacker Craft is still in business, and you can by a completed boat to their designs:

http://www.hackerboat.com/boat-designs?locale=en_US

There is also Van Dam Boats who design and build their own classic runabout designs:

http://vandamboats.com/design-gallery/

And there are others.

Another option might be to buy a weathered old boat and restore it. That is done a lot in this country. There are plenty of candidate boats and resources available. You could get them in just about any condition, from total basket cases to those that just need a varnish touch up. Buy on that matches your restoration skills.

For a modern custom design (modern bottom and powering, classic design style) tailored to your building skills, figure on a design fee of about US$1,000 per foot. So for 27', expect US$27,000.

I hope that helps.

Eric

 

[whiteguitars]

Hi Wibling, I'm looking for a similar design I think. I'm interested to hear how your project is moving along? did you ever find any designs that work for you?

 

[southfiddler]

Hello
I am new to this Forum and I like to build a runabout from scratch. I like to fit a I/O stern drive engine . In Glen L Marine toldme the boat can loose balance , because it is designed with central engine. Can you tell me if the modification is very complex or building the hull longer is enough?. Thank you

 

[Eric Sponberg]

Hello
I am new to this Forum and I like to build a runabout from scratch. I like to fit a I/O stern drive engine . In Glen L Marine toldme the boat can loose balance , because it is designed with central engine. Can you tell me if the modification is very complex or building the hull longer is enough?. Thank you

Glen-L was correct in stating that moving a big heavy engine aft from an inboard/shaft configuration to a sterndrive configuration will change the weight considerably and cause the boat to trim too much down by the stern. You have to either redesign the hull--in which case the lines and structure that you buy with the plans will be totally invalid--or you have to move other weights forward, like the passengers and fuel tank. That requires a bit of naval architecture calculating for weight and buoyancy shifts, plus the some of the structural elements may change and the frames and planking may be different--mostly the framing. If you have never done that before, that can be a very risky operation. If you are an experienced boat builder, then it's probaby not too difficult for you.

Eric

 

[rasorinc]

Keep the engine where it is minus the down angle and run a long sleved shaft direct to the I-O unit. redesign seating and try to run shaft below the sole. Seating ideas. http://www.boatdesign.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=18848

 

[southfiddler]

Modified plans for I/O stern drive engine

Glen-L was correct in stating that moving a big heavy engine aft from an inboard/shaft configuration to a sterndrive configuration will change the weight considerably and cause the boat to trim too much down by the stern. You have to either redesign the hull--in which case the lines and structure that you buy with the plans will be totally invalid--or you have to move other weights forward, like the passengers and fuel tank. That requires a bit of naval architecture calculating for weight and buoyancy shifts, plus the some of the structural elements may change and the frames and planking may be different--mostly the framing. If you have never done that before, that can be a very risky operation. If you are an experienced boat builder, then it's probaby not too difficult for you.

Eric

Hello Eric
Is there any boat designer who sells plans for building a Runabout like Tahoe 23 of Glen L with a I/O stern drive engine in it ?

 

[rasorinc]

I would go on the Glen-L forum and post your desires and see what their members say. I have seen those //glen-L mohogony boats with every type of engine combo there is.

 

[Eric Sponberg]

Hello Eric
Is there any boat designer who sells plans for building a Runabout like Tahoe 23 of Glen L with a I/O stern drive engine in it ?

Not that I know of. I came close with my Cherubini 20 which you can see on my website here: http://www.sponbergyachtdesign.com/CC20.htm, and you can see it on Cherubini's website here: http://www.cherubiniyachts.com/20.html.

This design started out as a jet drive, so the engine was already in the back. They then switched it to a stern drive I/O which works very well. The hull and the transom were already shaped to take the weight, In fact, to accommodate the stern drive, they had to put in insert into the mold to accommodate the mounting flange angle of the stern drive mounting. You can see it in one of the photographs of the Cherubini 24, which is a lengthened version of the 20 on my website, here: http://www.sponbergyachtdesign.com/CC24.htm.

The Tahoe 23 is a Riva lookalike with a reverse transom. To put a stern drive on that design, you would need to take a big hunk out of the transom to accommodate the mounting flange. Alternatively, you could add a bezel to the transom to mount the flange. Either way, you destroy the geometry and look of the transom.

My Cherubini plans are not for sale since they are proprietary to Cherubini--they bought exclusive rights to that particular design. A new design could be crafted, however, but that would be a custom design and a pretty expensive proposition. If you are interested, we can discuss that privately.

Eric