Thai Long Tail

I've checked around for designs on building a Thai long tail, I understand that they are mostly eye-balled and use no plans on paper. I've seen some designs for the large traditional long tails. this is the style I'm looking to build:

Something fast but not as unstable as the competitive racers, I have no boat-building experience but I have construction experience. I am looking for tips and ideas on how to build one ot these such as dimensions, materials, curves, angles, assembly tips etc.

 

Welcome here, to say that first.

When you use the search function above, you´ll find quite a lot on this topic!

Regards
Richard

 

I've searched quite a bit, I've got all the info I need on the motor but none on the craft

 

The James Bond film, The Man With The Golden Gun has a bunch of footage of these. I don't know how much these designs have evolved in the past 35 years, but they seem to be long, narrow, mostly flat-bottomed. Think of a narrower dory.

 

Yes, craft info hard to come by. I made electric version over 15 years ago and mounted on a 12' rowboat. Worked fine with a lightweight 2 hp motor equivalent to 8+ hp IC. Mounting postion and pivot balance are critical with heavy IC versions as the stern will be very heavy (motor + operator). That's why the longtail boats tend to be very long to compensate. The James Bond film mentioned illustrates their unique capabilities. Also they are exceptional shallow water craft only exceeded by airboats in places that are accessible to them.

Porta

 

You might check out http://www.okiegatorairboats.com/ as I think they may do some custom longtails on Gheenoe-type boats.

Most of the "Americanized" longtails are placed on jon boats, via mfrs. like Go-Devil, Mud Buddy, GatorTrax, GatorTail, Scavenger and several others. Latest trend is short shaft, so that the air-cooled motors operate more like outboards. Buddy of mine runs one and they are quite capable, but can be a handful to run, are relatively slow for their given power, and I can run just as shallow in a good tunnel-prop boat while carrying a much larger load. Do a web search for "mud motors", lotsa good info on refugeforums.

 

Thanks for the great info, I think I will go with a Gheenoe Canoe style boat for my Thai Long Tail

 

Ok, the Gheenoe didn't work out, too wide, heavy, etc. I found a picture with the info I need, I will attempt to build a Thai long tail (give me time, I'm new) and I will post all the info and pics here when I'm done.

 

Long Tail

Cant wait to see it. Mike