Cross-Planking Suitability for “Large” Boat

You could look at modern versions of Dutch sailing barges.

 

Yes! Actually, if there were lots of previously owned Dutch Sailing Barges here, like in Europe, I’d probably consider that very route. That’s where I first got the idea to incorporate lee boards to sail a flat bottom boat. Although not quite as big as I’m thinking, some of the French Toue Cabanee river boats are interesting to me. These days, they appear to be built into what are essentially great big metal jon boat hulls and often include a fold-down mast and sail. If the hull was a little beamier and had some more freeboard than typical, and a better sailing rig, it would probably get the job done for me. You mentioned in another thread that jon boats could incorporate some vee in bow section that would also be helpful.

 

The Dutch boats are quite beamy. Canal boat are narrow because they need to fit in the width of the canal and locks.

https://external-content.duckduckgo...18b830e2c2e114164a1c3a3316d081dbbde2772b2f313

 

Lovely boat. The beamier type barge hull is the sort of thing I had in mind.

 

Is this a solo endeavour or will there be capable assistance? On a 45 foot solid timber sailing houseboat everything you handle is heavy, bulky and dangerous, plus mentioned open water passages are Russian roulette.

Have a look at Richard Woods Gypsy (or other models of sailing catamarans around 30' long), loads of space for a couple, capable of ocean crossings, can be beached for maintenance and can be disassembled and trailed. More importantly, it is easily handled solo.

Sailing Catamarans - Gypsy - 8.5m Budget Offshore Cruiser with central cuddy https://sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/designs-2/3-25ft-to-30ft-catamarans-designs/176-gypsy

A well travelled and highly modified Gypsy:
Light Wave – 28 then 32 37 foot Catamaran – Time For a Catamaran Adventure https://www.time-for-a-catamaran-adventure.com/light-wave-woods-32-37-sailing-catamaran/

 

Thanks for the examples - I’ll take a look. I could probably limit single-handed use to motor cruising, but what you’ve discussed I need to give more serious consideration to.

 

Scow for a more basic catamaran style check the Wharrams. The term "Wharram custom innovations" is not always considered in a favourable light. Some are great, and some more about marketing hype.
Tiki 38 - James Wharram Designs https://www.wharram.com/gallery/tiki-designs/tiki38

There is also a free set of rough plans being touted, but would suggest very much "buyer beware".
The $21K catamaran: Build a cat fast and cheap https://www.thecoastalpassage.com/cheapcat.html

 

Thanks. I love the aesthetics and many of the design concepts of the Wharram boats. I’d love to spend some time on one. However, I anticipate my wife and I traveling and living aboard much of the time in northern climes. While I enjoy lots of exposure to cold air, she definitely does not. So, one of the important aspects of our boat will be the ability to enjoy an excellent view of our surroundings from inside the cabins, pilothouse, etc. much of the time. I just don’t think we could safely add enough accomodation (and big ports) up on top of the bridge deck to meet our needs.

With that and other issues in mind, I’ll probably choose to narrow our objectives to relatively calm waters and to emphasize motor propulsion over sail propulsion.

That doesn’t rule out catamarans, but would probably entail something unusual. What this fellow has been doing with a sailing catamaran modified for electric motor propulsion might suggest a potential solution:

SHEWAC Aberration https://martinottaway.com/rhemmen/shewac-aberration/

 

I think you should take a good look at Oddity, a yacht that's built to do the same things you think you want to do. No, she's not cross planked she's plywood and the bottom has a 3/8" steel plate to protect it when she takes the ground, a feature I highly recommend.