Looking for plans for a small...motorsailor?

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by kayak_4_3, Mar 18, 2011.

  1. kayak_4_3
    Joined: Mar 2011
    Posts: 7
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Bella Bella,BC

    kayak_4_3 Junior Member

    My self and my wife have been living on the central coast of BC for the past 4 years and have done a significant amount of sea kayaking along the coast during that time. However we now have a little one on the way and we are looking for another means of coastal travel. I built some boats along side my father in my teens, and spent most of my youth sailing. I would really like to try my hand at it again.

    We are looking for something that meets the following critera;

    - No longer than 20' (based on building space, 18' would probably be better)
    - Stable (my wife does not like tippy boats)
    - Fuel Efficient
    - Suitable for the BC coast / Inside Passage (During the summer mainly, May-Sept)
    - Has a cabin
    - Capable of towing/stowing 1 or 2 Kayaks,
    - Half the reason for building this is to extend our kayaking range (Go, Camp, Paddle, Explore, Motor Home on Sunday)​

    - Trailerable (more or less goes without saying at these sizes)
    - Since speed is not important to either of us (we want comfort and efficiency) I think I'm looking for a motorsailer


    Any suggestions? The number of plans available online is a bit overwhelming!
     
  2. TeddyDiver
    Joined: Dec 2007
    Posts: 2,614
    Likes: 136, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 1650
    Location: Finland/Norway

    TeddyDiver Gollywobbler

    In that size I'd recommend you should choose a "single action" boat and in this case motoring rules IMO.
    What comes to motorsailors under 30' just doesn't work..
     
  3. kayak_4_3
    Joined: Mar 2011
    Posts: 7
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Bella Bella,BC

    kayak_4_3 Junior Member

    Thanks for the reply Teddy, and the recommendation.

    I will admit to having a romantic attachment to sail, but I do acknowledge that where we are on the coast the wind conditions are less than favorable for sail. Having talked to a few people up here they only get to sail around 15-20% of the time. (I can always build a little daysailer for the nicer days)

    That said, what would you recommend for a motor design that is efficient, under 18' and has cabin/berths ? Again speed is not an issue.
     
  4. Squidly-Diddly
    Joined: Sep 2007
    Posts: 1,958
    Likes: 176, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 304
    Location: SF bay

    Squidly-Diddly Senior Member

    "little one on the way" and under 20' boat on ocean???

    Only if I was making an escape from Communist genocide or something.
     
  5. kayak_4_3
    Joined: Mar 2011
    Posts: 7
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Bella Bella,BC

    kayak_4_3 Junior Member

    Maybe I should have been a bit more specific,:). Coastal was probably not the right word, we are not on the ocean. We are in the Inside Passage, Most of our travel and boating would take place between, Hakai, Bella Coola, Bella Bella, Ocean Falls and maybe as far north as Klemtu.

    Here's a map of the region

    We have kayaked much of this area in a Necky AmarukII kayak. Most of the locals get around in small fiberglass speedboats, and aluminum herring skifs.
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2011
  6. TeddyDiver
    Joined: Dec 2007
    Posts: 2,614
    Likes: 136, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 1650
    Location: Finland/Norway

    TeddyDiver Gollywobbler

  7. keysdisease
    Joined: Mar 2006
    Posts: 794
    Likes: 43, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 324
    Location: South Florida USA

    keysdisease Senior Member

    These design challenge entries meet much of your criteria, at least something to think about. A few are very clever on how they fit accomodation and they all look like boats and not boxy afterthoughts.

    They are a little long to fit your needs but some of the ideas are valid at any length. A little more searching around proboat.com will yield more great information from the design challenge entries.

    http://www.proboat.com/design-challenge-ii-winners.html

    Steve
     
  8. Tad
    Joined: Mar 2002
    Posts: 2,321
    Likes: 214, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 2281
    Location: Flattop Islands

    Tad Boat Designer

    Any 18' efficient monohull, power or sail, is going to be "tippy" to some degree......so I would start looking for a small catamaran...the Jarcat is one, and Richard Woods might have something suitable.......
     
  9. BYDE
    Joined: Mar 2011
    Posts: 54
    Likes: 3, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 66
    Location: Italy-China

    BYDE Junior Member

    Hello Kayak_4_3,
    how about your own custom design?
    it'd be in line with the average prices quoted for stock plans.
    For more info you can also contact me by email
     
  10. whitepointer23

    whitepointer23 Previous Member

    2nd the jarcat, terrific boat, roomy and fast under sail or power. seen one on the weekend , lovely boat.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Mar 21, 2011

  11. kayak_4_3
    Joined: Mar 2011
    Posts: 7
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Bella Bella,BC

    kayak_4_3 Junior Member

    Thanks to eveyone for your suggestions

    @ Teddy the Outer Banks 20 looks amazing , and I love the lines on the The Panga 25, alas the later is much longer than the build space I have available.
    I also think the Alaskan Skiff is an interesting idea to explore, in fact I am planning on ordering the book as a reference. Even If I am unlikely to build one.

    @ Steve, I have been looking into the design challenge boats, they are beautiful, but not quite what I am looking for.

    @ Whitepointer and Tad, Thanks for the suggestion, I've been looking at the various Cat designs, but to be honest feel a little intimidated by what I feel is the added complexity in construction. That being said a small cat (or maybe a tri) really does seem to be the best match for my design criteria.

    @BYDE I'll be honest I haven't considered a custom design, This will be my first solo build (other than a kayak), and I would like to be working from an established, tested, design. My Dad and his buddies designed and built several custom boats in our basement over the years including a 26' trimaran, they always seemed fraught with delays and design revisions, and for this build at least I would like to avoid that possibility as much as possible. I imagine my next build (whenever that may happen) will be a more customized boat.


    I showed these to my partner and after some discussion she is leaning towards a displacement hull. She really has no interest in going 'fast' (above 10-12 knots) or having a 'big' outboard (above 25hp). Luckily I seem to be leaning that way as well :). We've always enjoyed the pace of sea kayaking and really aren't looking to go much faster, we just want to do it in more comfort.

    For now I'm off to review Cat plans.
     
Loading...
Similar Threads
  1. xellz
    Replies:
    36
    Views:
    5,960
  2. Daniel Mazurkiewicz
    Replies:
    41
    Views:
    4,059
  3. Nathaniel Kennell
    Replies:
    18
    Views:
    7,553
  4. Schoolbus
    Replies:
    23
    Views:
    19,800
  5. upchurchmr
    Replies:
    3
    Views:
    3,089
  6. bjdbowman
    Replies:
    22
    Views:
    8,613
  7. Dirk6001
    Replies:
    23
    Views:
    10,399
  8. Kevcann3
    Replies:
    16
    Views:
    3,712
  9. suprathepeg
    Replies:
    14
    Views:
    5,768
  10. Tropical Sailor
    Replies:
    32
    Views:
    15,542
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.