Freefall lifeboat?

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by causeway, May 7, 2012.

  1. causeway
    Joined: May 2012
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    causeway Junior Member

    What would you do with one of these things?

    [​IMG]

    *disclosure* i have some of these for sale, not this model but similar schat-harding and watercraft boats, i'm planning on doing a liveaboard conversion for myself.

    What would you do with one of these? I have 9.5m x 3.5m models and 11.5m x 2.5m ones. The plan is to have shower etc at the back of the boat galley living area in the middle with bed and storage at the 'v berth'. Is a longer more narrow boat going to be better or will it just roll and flop like mad? It'll be in a fairly quiet spot in a river marina if that makes a difference.

    Can anyone give me practical advice regarding these boats, anyone got experience with them?
     
  2. daiquiri
    Joined: May 2004
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    Location: Italy (Garda Lake) and Croatia (Istria)

    daiquiri Engineering and Design

    If you need few more of them, you could ask Costa Cruises. They have few second-hand boats of that type, used only once. ;)

    On a more serious side, I think that the topside has to be modified, and made more civil-looking. It gives a feeling of an emergency event in progress - not something one wants to see moored next to his/her boat while dining outside on a calm evening. :p

    The good news is that the big flat (or large-radiused) surfaces allow for installation of wide windows in some rather unusual, fancy and artful pattern - which can give a lots of natural light to the interior space. That is, if you like modern architecture and want to keep the actual superstructure. Just pm me if you need few ideas, as I have some...

    The 9.5mx3.5m has a nice deck surface (26-28 sq.m as a first guesstimate) for creating an arrangement for comfortable living aboard. 11.5mx2.5m has less usable area (23-25 sq. m) and will have smaller initial static stability but will also require less power for cruising. However, as I understand, cruising is not your priority - living in marinas and on moorings is, so 9.5m boat is imo more suitable for that purpose.

    Cheers
     
  3. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    "Ask Costa Cruises."

    LMAO.

    Must spread rep before giving it to Daiquiri again. :D

    Welcome, causeway.
     
  4. causeway
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    causeway Junior Member

    Heh, those costa boats look plenty useful to me!

    Yes this is as i have been advised, people have told me the narrow boat and the wider boat have similar space but i'm worried in the wider boat about the engine being in the way as well as the bridge. I uploaded some more pictures if that helps.

    http://imgur.com/a/E9WWv#0

    Have a look and tell me what you think. I like the industrial design and am aiming to do this on a budget so i'm not planning on making many changes on the superstructure other than windows. Do you think there is room on the back of the 9.4m boat for a bathroom? The 9.3m boats i have arriving shortly have flatter roofs which might be nice for a veranda type spot.

    These pictures are from a converted 11.5m boat, i actually like this interior, minus the saloon and galley.

    http://imgur.com/a/g7roE#0

    Thanks for your input and i'm sure i'll have other questions to pm you :p
     
  5. daiquiri
    Joined: May 2004
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    daiquiri Engineering and Design

    Now I am confused... The boat in the post #1 is not the one seen in the pics in the post #4. I would actually say that the boat seen in the picture enclosed to the post #1 is aesthetically much more suitable for a successful conversion than those in the post #4. So, which is the model you'd like to convert?
     
  6. causeway
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    causeway Junior Member

    I have a choice of at least 3 models you see! I've been advised that the 9.4m x 3.5m will be more usable but the design of the 11.5 x 2.4 in the second album there makes the choice somewhat more difficult for me, because i quite like it! Although, seems like it would be hard to navigate. Also the only 11.5m boats i have at the moment don't have engines whereas the 9.4m do!!

    Decisions decisions!
     
  7. daiquiri
    Joined: May 2004
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    Location: Italy (Garda Lake) and Croatia (Istria)

    daiquiri Engineering and Design

    The beauty is in the eye of the beholder - I personally prefer the look of the boat in the post #1. ;) The other boats would imho require a more extensive modification of the superstructure to get some decent aesthetic result. Do you have plans, drawings, measures etc of those boats?
     
  8. Submarine Tom

    Submarine Tom Previous Member

    I'd buy a deep sea vessel to mount it on, that's what I'd do with one.

    Yes, I do have experience with one, I drove it around for 20 minutes.
     
  9. liki
    Joined: Nov 2008
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    liki Senior Member

    Having been aboard one for a short tour it felt quite prone to roll and not especially good at motoring around with its engine. Loaded with full passenger count. Certainly something to consider when planning a conversion.

    The free fall experience was worth a try.
     
  10. causeway
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    causeway Junior Member

    rmI dont have a plan of the inside but if you click through the second album I posted up you can get an idea. The first album shows how the interior is currently set out in the 9.4m vessel. We just get these as surplus but if I go back directly to the company who made them they may be able to supply drawings. Thanks for the idea, I think I'll go do that now.

    From your experience with one of these, how difficult do you think it would be to get into mooring? I'm worried that I'll be able to convert it but not able to get through lock gates etc!

    Ha, unfortunately I can't afford a deep sea vessel! I would really love to try the launch in one!

    Inside there is a lot of material which needs ground back, a lot of which I assume is for the self righting mech.
     
  11. causeway
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    causeway Junior Member

    daiquiri: I can't pm you but i'm interested in what you have to say regarding windows and interior layout.
     
  12. Submarine Tom

    Submarine Tom Previous Member

    Causeway,

    They are very manueverable.
     
  13. causeway
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    causeway Junior Member

    Thanks Tom, makes me feel a bit better :p
     
  14. daiquiri
    Joined: May 2004
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    daiquiri Engineering and Design

    Unfortunately, I cannot work on that until friday, have a number of tasks to finish this week. Hope that's ok for you and that you can wait few days...
    Cheers
     

  15. causeway
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    causeway Junior Member

    Oh no hurry, i appreciate any help if/when you can provide it!
     
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