Newbie V-Dory Occupancy Question

Hey all, first post here.

I am planning on building a 26-30 ft. V-Dory (I like the GlenL V-Dory design) and I was wondering if it would be possible (i.e. safe) to leave her pretty bare bones and just have bench seats running along the sides to use to transport people.

Would a V-Dory handle 20 or so people on a lake that can get a little choppy at times? Also what size motor would you recommend for this venture?

Much obliged,

 

20 passengers sounds like a lot for a 30 footer, unless youre running a passenger ferry or a tour boat. The key question is "if I load this up and then swamp it, will it sink? Will I kill anyone?" No matter how barebones you make the accommodations, you must build the hull so it will float if swamped. If your venture is a commercial one, your state or country (Ethiopia?) probably has regulations which bear on the matter.

 

Are you talking about the Big Hunk power fishing dory. 26 1/2' x 9.8' beam that can be extended by 3'? If so then 50 hp is the minimum power up to 1,000 lbs. so you could throw just about any size outboard on her. A 150 hp will give her lots of power.