Boat designer?

I am considering purchasing a 50' hull. The boat has been repossed and the owner has no idea who the designer is. Is a permit required to build a boat or some other paper trail that I can follow to find out who the designer is? It could possibly be a Rhodes design or Hershoff I am not sure. I do have pics of the hull.
Joe
email jefferson458@yahoo.com

 

I guess it is an incomplete project. It should be OK. Be sure you build everything up to Federal standards.

 

The project is incomplete since it is just a hull. It would be ok I am sure if I had designs to complete the project but I don't so it isn't ok because without plans it remains a hull. I am looking for advise how I can find out who the designer is and how I can find plans to finish the project maybe I wasn't clear about that. I am not looking for reassurance. As far as federal standards the federal government never inspected the boat I have now nor could they care less.

 

Is it possible for you to post some of those pictures, maybe someone would recognize the hullform....?

 

Pics

Yes good idea I have attached two pics.

 

It sure doesn't look like the work of Phil Rhodes. What material is the hull constructed of? If its ferro-cement, it looks similar to some of the Samson designs of the 1970's.
Brad Kelneck

 

The hull is steel. If it is a Samson design do you know of a way of investigating it further, a web stie or a company address? Thanks for any information.

 

I have a Rhodes design boat and I agree it doesn't look like one of his designs. His boats are usually wood or fiberglass I thought. Hershoff is the same I thought. I am not sure if designs can cross hull material like that, from wood to fiberglass I understand but steel is a whole different ball game.

 

hmmm...those pics are making me lean towards Bill Garden perhaps??? I definitely don't think Rhodes or Herreshoff

 

As far as I know Samson was only ferro-cement.There are a ton of naval architects who have done designs for steel construction. Roberts was the most common and, while most of his designs over the last 10-15 years have been with fin keels and skeg rudders, I believe he did do some larger full keel yachts.
It seems from the pics to be soft chine? If so, the first soft chine steel designs were by Ted Brewer in the late 1970's. Again,though, doesn't look like one of his usual designs. Have you tried the metal boat society? They have a web site and I'd guess that might be your best bet for finding someone familiar with the design. In any event, as the owner of a steel boat (like myself), I'd highly recommend joining them (or at least checking it out). Good luck.
Brad Kelneck

 

Thanks I will check them out.