Scooter Design Q’s

Howdy,

I’m new to boat building but have been kicking around the idea of making a 15’ scooter. However, I have some questions.

Regarding bow rake. Does more bow rake or a higher degree of bow rake mean the boat can handle more severe chop?

Draft- I know hull width is the greatest determinant. Does hull depth have any effect? What’s the minimum hull depth needed? Keep in my mind, my brother and I are both 300 lb men and will be on it the most.

Does the bow need to be tapered? If I opt not to how will this affect the boat?

Where the plywood is glassed together on the bottom of the hull. To reinforce- do I need to glass a 1x3 or 4 flat across the seam or one on each side of the seam vertically?

What thickness of ply would I need for the bottom and top of the hull? I assume 3/8”-1/2”?

Lastly, if I were to do a cat hull design. Could I get away with cutting strips of plywood 6-8” wide and glassing them on the bottom versus building them into the frame of the hull?

I will upload drawings when I have a good idea on the direction.

 

The start of a design is a Statement of Requirements (SOR). That is what drives the design and answers your previous questions. You should include constraints like minimum cruising speed, maximum length, number of passengers, final cost, and any other aspect that can't be changed. The second part is the wish list. This is what you would like, but may be modified or changed if it conflicts with the first list or other items.

 

Colin, I have to ask, what type of boat is a 'scooter'?

Have you drawn any sketches so far? If you have, can you post them now.
And do you have any photos of other 'scooters' for reference?

I am baffled here as to why you would want to do this?

Your best bet for either a monohull or a catamaran design is to buy a plan for a boat that is proven to work, rather than trying to design it yourself.

 

To answer your original post

LOA- 15’
Width- 7’
Speed- 30 mph by myself- mid 20’s loaded
Price range- TBD. Excluding the motor I believe I can build, glass, & gel coat for around 5 grand.

The boat pictured is pretty well exactly how I’d want to set it up

 

I’m definitely going to buy already proven plans from either Glen L or Bateau but will add my own twist.

 

Here are a couple of previous threads on Flats boats - you can use the 'Search' function in the top right corner to look for more.

Help with scooter boat design https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/help-with-scooter-boat-design.63339/

Building a boat for Texas flats. https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/building-a-boat-for-texas-flats.54072/