building a pocket trawler from an S2 8.0 C

As for a cockpit enclosure you might want to consider a hard top with cloth sides. When the sumbrella on my dodger rotted I made a plywood hard top on the existing frame with cloth sides. It has held up well surviving 50 to 60 knot winds and even a couple waves crashing over the deck when I bashed home from Mexico. Here is a better picture of the dodger. I have side curtains for it that go all the way around the cockpit.



This is what I am thinking about for my next boat.



25' loa and trailerable. Has a small diesel that needs to be replaced and it doesn't come with a trailer. It would make a nice pocket cruiser. Been for sale for awhile.

 

I'm replacing the old ysb8. It still runs good. Island Packet and motor for sale Daytona beach craigslist boats and parts.

Boat already has long shallow draft narrow keel. Deciding now to put a 3gmf yanmar in it and all the internals from the 31 Island packet I have.

 

Popeye, is the Island packet in rather poor condition?
I am just thinking that maybe it might be a better candidate for your trawler yacht than the S2 boat?

 

The IP is not in poor condition. It's also not what I would call a possibility for a pocket trawler. The little S2 is easier to trailer and launch. It also has the most room for the length. I want the bigger engine because it would run smoother and power the boat thru rougher conditions. It won't be fast but I'm not in a hurry. I appreciate all the input the above have given me but I know what I'm doing.