Helm/pilot house location

The most important point is that it must have an easy, unobstructed view to starboard from dead ahead to 45 degrees aft the beam. This is so important that it even guides the placement of aircraft carrier islands.

 

I don't see that being an issue. I might also install cameras for the port and stern since I'll have some visibility issues

 

Depending on how much garage door clearance problem you have, there is always the possibility of taking the wheels off and supporting the frame on a custom dolly to roll it through the door. Its not something you need to do very frequently.

 

Why do most aircraft carriers seem to have their islands on the same side (starboard / right)? - Quora https://www.quora.com/Why-do-most-aircraft-carriers-seem-to-have-their-islands-on-the-same-side-starboard-right

 

Don't believe everything you read on the internet, there is a lot of misinformation. Like the poor research that leads to a lot of modern "history"... don't be influenced by unproven comments. Reduce it to the basics...when did the rules of the road come into being? Was that before or after the island? Or even the airplane? Hell...why do airplanes circle CCW like the listed quora comment say? Which side are their lights on...???

 

Well boys I'm not sure about what you guys are even debating. This ain't no aircraft carrier. That said, I'm working at an airport right now and can tell you airplanes can pattern any direction they need. Let's move on.

Taking the wheels off could be an option, but could be annoying doing that 10 or so times a year we hope to use it. I'll keep it in mind though. Thanks.

 

If a door isn't much more that beats pulling wheels.... a good way to make a boat not get used is to make it need pulling wheels to use...

For a small boat like this.... put your head out the window if you need to see a bit better out the side for a bit.... ain't no aircraft carrier....


Boats are fun to futz with but don't overthink them.

 

I am changing my mind. Option one, with the helm station dropping into a couch or single bed is good. I always hated the helm station in the space during any time inside. Walking thru the boat is an absolute requirement; so doors on each end.

In Florida, a covered and screened in outdoor area is another win.

Boats anchor bows to wind, so keep this in mind designing ventilation.

The other stuff is too much weight potential trouble in the size range specified.

 

What do you mean by the other stuff? If you mean the generator and fridge, then they weigh a combined total of only about 100lbs.

I'm considering layout and door locations. I'd like 4 berths. 2 singles for guests, and a double as a main bed for us. I'm not sure if I'd rather have a table booth that converts, or an other couch that flips out into a double.

 

I think the other two options are too much superstructure for the size range you want at under 24'.

 

I got you. I think the weight wouldn't be that different, but the wind exposure would be. I'll come up with a few more line drawings in a few days to express some more ideas.

 

It is everything, though.

Righting or heeling
Windage
Weight
Head clearance

I have been on a lot of houseboats and what makes them nice is a lot of glass in the salon. I rarely go up top because commercial houseboats for charter here and in southern Ontario don't use the flybridge station.

Another winner is roof insulation. You won't worry about freezing and going through hundreds of pounds of propane, but roasting. A private boat can use quite a bit of solar up top and the engines can charge the house bank and you might have enough juice for a small ac unit to cool the house down to sleep better. A common, flat roof avoids shading and would be easier to mount and wire pv. Sizing your roof ought to consider the panels. The cost is relatively low if you buy panels locally. I paid $280 for 620w. Roof insulating can be xps or an air gap. My roof used a 4mm okume headliner and beams about 12" oc. Mine are spaced for snow load; you can probably go 16" and still be able to carefully place pv. You won't be dancin up there, though.

 

I understand all those issues, which is why I steered clear of the pontoon conversations. With a monohull, keeping stringer height low, I'll be able to be much more stable.

We are in very different areas. A ton of glass means more heat soak in florida. We don't worry much about keeping the heat in, it's all about keeping it out.

This will be a foam core build, which gives a little R factor, that will likely be backed up with 2" insulation in the roof as well. I'll likely use a very light UV refective tint on the windows to help. The roof and walls will likely be 3/4" thick.

I'll be honest and say I have no real interest in a fly bridge. Been on plenty of boats with them, and I can live without. With the front door and windows open there was enough air moving through the little boat that we didn't use the fan until night time. So the roof will be used for the A/C system, maybe some solar panels, and light storage.

Keep in mind I will have a generator on board. This will power the A/C, fridge, conduction plate, and a low amp charger for the batteries. No propane.

 

If you are building with foam; just make the roof from inch r two marine foam. It'll be stiffer. No perforations; they/epoxy are poor insulators. Hand glass it all. I built up over 6mm ply, bonded the core to it and so no skin on bottom, just beams. And a top skin and tapes to sides. Then air gap or insul like another inch.

you can put glass under awning or eaves to cut down on heat, but the helmsman needs super amounts of glass in a houseboat; you want to see about 270 degrees actually minimum..from a starboard station back to the hip if you are hip towing so you know if the tow is still on all the way to 90 degrees or better to port to see vessels standing on so you don't turn into them; you won't hear or see them coming until last second; this I know...I really think about 315 degrees is better, so I already trimmed down what I'd want. The glass doesn't need to be super high or far down, but 18" vertical centered on the helmsman is about the lowest I'd go. It isn't about heat, but for the operator.

All the boats I've rented have had port stations. I think this is for either the stand on issue or because they are renting to landlubbers.

 

Also, all the rentals I've been on have glass sliding doors forward. This helps landing. When you land on unknown shore; up here, always looming rocks. So visibility to water at least say 50 feet maximum ahead is really helpful.