french style sailing barge

Hello all,
I am new here and have been searching for months for exactly what would work for me for a boat to build to liveaboard part to full time for retirement in 10-15 years.
I do not want to design my own nor reinvent someones design.
What i want:
1) A sailing barge sufficient to travel the great loop including the ICW protected coastal waters (Yes, I am aware that there are some long stretches of non protected sections on the ICW, Hence sufficient)
2) simple ease of construction with ply epoxy
3) a sailing mast that is quickly and easily stowed and raised via a winch (see mast in pics)for going under low bridges.
4) minimal sized sail just enough to provide a decent cruising speed, but doesnt need to be fast(it is retirement after all) what size would be sufficient to push the boat in the pics?
5) powered by an outboard, again what size would be good for it?

Im sure there is alot more i could come up with but this is just the basics, anywho, the french style sailing barge pictured is pretty much exactly what ive been looking for, love the look of it and would really like to make something like this work. the only changes I would want to make would be:
1) changing to more of a rounded roof
2) possibly extending the cabin area a little more forward as long as it doesnt throw the balance off.
3) adding a swing down catwalk on both sides of the boat for easy exterior walkway from bow to stern
4) add solar panels for electric use, a rain catch system

Please share with me how this particular boat will or will not work for what I have planned.
will i need a ballast keel of sorts, swing up side daggerboards or a centerboard?
Also have not been able to find any plans whatsoever for this type of boat,,,, any ideas?
All feedback is greatly appreciated!

 

pics didnt work

Ok, here are the pics,,,,i think

 

for ICW I dont think you need ballast, form stability only I think is only what you need, meaning a wide flat hull, which is very stable in sheltered waters. As to plans,, would be suprised if there were any,,, but do you need them.

Chapelle, in his book, has some lines for old sailing barges, its cheap, a good read, and lots of sound advice (yes its dated,,, but there are some sailing barges there)

 

this is about the closest i can find
http://www.georgebuehler.com/Rufus.html
the photo u showed looks a bit wider,, and has a pointier stern, so longer.. so maybe extend Rufus and narrow the bow a bit

 

Rufus

Yeah, I do like the Rufus, have looked at that as well as the GT27 and the River Walker, there's just something about that french style design that i really like. will probably end up going for one of those since plans are available.
As far as plans, i would prefer to work from a good set and dont really want to foray into the world of changing much, Im not a designer or engineer. I do have a ton of woodworking and construction experience and have no doubts that I could build any of these, but I do feel more secure working from plans, just the building construction side of me i guess.
I've looked around at boats for sale and have found nothing i liked, besides, since i have some time before need, would like the aspect and pride of knowing that I built something Im going to live on.

 

I think a search for sailing scows would bring the best results. I would try to base the design on a 4x8 ply , this would give a bottom width of 8', the same a Bolger's as29. The as29 is a barge after all. The side could be 4' high and have a flair of about 1/4" per foot, yielding a 10' breath at the widest point. This would seem to work at 32' LOD. Figure 5/8" rocker per foot LWL.

 

I like those things. What is the purpose of all the shrouds ? It wouldn't seem you could use a sail with all of them in the way. Why more than 2 side ones anyway?

 

Kind of off topic but here's another French houseboat being built. It starts at the bottom, so scroll to the bottom and go up. A few of the pictures can be clicked on to reveal more photos. Their are explanations in French, English and German for all the pictures.

http://bruno.chanal.perso.sfr.fr/cnc/Toue cabanee.htm

 

scow

Thanks Frank, came up with this one i like on a scow search, Garvey boat, no sail, somewhat similar hull lines, only on a scale to small, but could be adapted.
on second look the hull lines are actually quite different.

 

Shrouds

I agree SamSam, seems like overkill on the shrouds, especially since I would most likely lean towards a smaller mast and sail area. Looking at that, i would assume the sail would have to be toward the front, no way it would be usable amongst those shroud lines.

 

Checked it out, trying to stay away from the boxy hull, but yet still be easy on the construction. Looks extremely solid though.

 

I think it would be good if you defined the boat you want. What size cabin, is it mostly sail or motor, min, draft, LOA , ect ? A square sectioned scow with some curve to the sides and smooth rocker would make a better sail sail boat. OH and how much stuff do want to keep on board?

 

The first pics i posted are pretty much what im looking for, but maybe extend the cabin a little forward.

i guess sail when i can, motor when calm, half and half? but not in a big hurry ever.

Definately as shallow draft as possible.

Can you show me an example of: A square sectioned scow with some curve to the sides and smooth rocker would make a better sail sail boat.

As far as how much stuff, im quite the minimalist, in fact the size of the cabin in the pics would be just fine for me alone, but probably want extra bunks for guests.

 

Oh, as far as LOA, thinking in the 28-30 range

 

I like the long pointy bow and shallow draft, thinking I could point the bow into shore, flip down a ramp, and ride my mountain bike right off of her.