Drift boat

Discussion in 'Wooden Boat Building and Restoration' started by Ashland, Jan 19, 2018.

  1. Ashland
    Joined: Jan 2018
    Posts: 1
    Likes: 0, Points: 1
    Location: Ohio

    Ashland New Member

    Can someone give INFO on the amount of rocker needed on a 16' drift boat build i am planning to build ? in laymens terms instead of of ALL scientific jargen & formulas ?
     
  2. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
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    Location: Monroe WA

    ondarvr Senior Member

    There is no "right" amount of rocker, drift boats vary a great deal depending on how you plan to use the boat.

    More rocker typically results in greater maneuverability, less rocker increases directional stability and reduces draft.

    So how do you plan to use it?
     
  3. Barry
    Joined: Mar 2002
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    Barry Senior Member

    There are many sites offer that inexpensive drift boat plans. Under 100 bucks.
    The plans that I used were from Ken Hankinson but I think Glen L has these designs now. Just look on the internet for others and even perhaps free plans. There are many forums for
    fly fishing or just drift boats that can give you an idea of what options that you might like.
    The advantage is that you have the offsets, or even full size paper plans, and the smaller components drawings

    I have built 4 of them, and up to 16 feet. The oars came from Oregon if I remember correctly, Sawyer Oars, fibreglass shaft, wood blade and steel weighted handles so they would balance. These were expensive but if you were rowing for a long distance, the weighted oar was nice.
    If you get to choosing the oar length and there are a couple of options for the size of boat or height of the side, go with the longer oar as they are easier to row and if you are strong, will provide a long stroke and a flatter oar angle.
     
  4. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Welcome to the forum.

    The terminology and "scientific jargon" is an odd necessity, with engineering disciplines. Yeah, to the novice a bit daunting at first, but it makes sense once you get your head around the physics, math, etc. Is it necessary? Probably not so much, for someone interested in self designing a modest size drift boat. Of course, to get laymen formulas and ratio guidelines, you'll need to know some of the fundamentals, wherein lies the rub.

    Barry is correct (as usual), for a one off you're much better off, just spending 50 bucks for a set of plans, where the math, hydrodynamics and appropriate rocker are already calculated for you. If the aestedics don't appeal to you change them, just leave the important stuff (like rocker) alone, so the boat still does what you'd like and not flop over on launch day. Raise/lower the freeboard if you like, change the sweep of the sheer, maybe different rails and scantlings, all with moderation, so you don't dramatically affect the weight, CG or safety of the boat.

    Making modest changes to a homebuilt is pretty common. On my designs, I've all but stopped drawing up interiors, as I've found the builders just do what they want anyway. I do provide general scantlings and guidelines (a few different methods too), to how I'd like to see the interior built, but that's as far as I go now. I'll suspect you'll be no different and the net result will be a JoeBlow designed drift boat, that looks a bit like one, but the bow may be a slightly different shaped, the sheer a different sweep, plus all the other changes you'll incorporate, making it "your boat" not another cookie cutter version, of some common design. This is one of the cool parts about building your own.

    Hankinsons designs are now carried by Glen-L.com (I told you he was usually correct).
     
  5. Ben munson
    Joined: Oct 2018
    Posts: 1
    Likes: 0, Points: 1
    Location: Mentor Ohio

    Ben munson New Member

    Hey Barry new to the forum and new to boat building. I’d like to start a 12-14’ Pram for river fishing. Is there any particular plans you know of that are going to be easy to assemble. I’d like to get my feet wet “ no pun intended or course”
     

  6. Barry
    Joined: Mar 2002
    Posts: 1,851
    Likes: 505, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 158

    Barry Senior Member

    There will be many, as stated in the earlier post, Ken Hankinson was one, and GlenL might be another, but I am sure that there are many and perhaps some for free.

    The construction is usually pretty simple. Often they have the seats made without anything underneath. We made all of ours with the top of the seat being a hinged door which allowed us
    to put a cooler to hold fish and refreshments, extra rope, rain gear etc. But keep it lightweight
     
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