Small Boat Build

Hi, first post here and am kicking myself I didn’t find this great resource a bit earlier in the piece.

I’m halfway through my second boat which is being build ‘by eye’. It’s around 3m long as a replacement for a D4 pram that’s now a bit slow for adventuring with my 5yo, as we are going further to explore. (Mostly rivers/ passages)

I brought plans for a 12’ tango skiff but modified to suit my preferences. I have used the rear section as I thought this may give me a planing hull on the 3hp motor I currently have. But after reading through here I’m not to sure that going to happen...

The structure is very close to the pram, so am using the same size wood and construction.

It’s a very rewarding hobby building / driving boats. I have enjoyed looking at other projects so I thought I would share some pictures through the link below.

As far as a SOR

1. Faster than the pram
2. Room for an anchor (so I can sneak out and have a fish)
3. More dry storage area for fishing gear, lunch, coffee and general items.
4. Safer for 2 adults and 2 kids in good conditions, not worried about speed.
5. Small enough to be built in a single bay garage
6. Keep under the local 4hp limit so no registration is required
7. Fit on the current 6x4 flatbed trailer
8. Towed with my little car (Boat + acc under 250kg)
9. Single man launch and recovery
10. Easy construction method for self build
11. Buoyancy, if we tip out we don’t go to the bottom
12. Can drain the boat without tipping it over like I currently do.
13. Room for a fuel tank, only 1.1l built into the motor.

Pictures didn’t end up in order, but it shows the general process over the past 6 months.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/1B2Qjv1X3GWzCvUbA

 

Welcome. 3m seems short. How wide?
I built one 4.5m x 1.5m that was adequate for 2 adults and 3 youths barely.
Kayak bail pump works well for this size. No electricity and easy to use. I still carry one in case I lose power to electric pump.

 

I must say it does look nice albeit small for 4 souls.

 

What fun. Why did yo decide to extend the bottom like that instead of just making the entire boat longer?

 

Most of the time it’s just me and my son to give the Mrs a break (No2 on the way)
Occasionally we all pile into the punt and have a picknick on a sand bank in the river.
The drainage is only a real issue when washing down the boat on the trailer. It’s a pain taking the motor off, flipping the boat up to empty out all the water before putting it away.
At it widest, it’s just under 1.4m
The wierd extensions were part of the plans I brought for the 12’ skiff that planes on a 3.5hp engine.
Tango Skiff http://www.tangoskiff.com/

The length is mostly storage and transport from the current setup.

 

My skiff has weird extensions too.
Kayak bailer and a sponge will save you a lot of flipping over.

 

I would not give up any interior space for a gimmick stern that will ultimately slow you down.

 

I’m currently looking at putting a tunnel through the dry areas in the boat and a bung in the transom so all the water can go straight out the back. Will look into the kayak bailer though, it sounds like a good solution.
Do the extensions help much with low speed planing?

 

Well, we will find out how much of gimmick it is, after I’m back in the local waterways enjoying my new boat.

 

Welcome
I quick thought about washout draining.
If a drain plug/valve was installed low in the transom, could lifting the trailer's tongue high provide enough of an angle to drain?

 

They are called squat boxes. The extra length helps level the ride and reduces draught. So yes. 3hp may not plane if heavy load.

 

Photo taken during a camping trip shows the squat boxes.

 

Yes, that’s the aim for this boat. The previous boat was like emptying a giant bucket without any drain holes.

 

Interesting, thanks. The reason I brought the plans showing the squat boxes was the designer was getting almost 13mph on a 3.5hp engine. I though if I had that planing surface built into mine with a lighter boat, I might just make it onto the plane with the 3hp.
I’m not apposed to going a to a bigger heavier engine to get the extra power, but very interested to see if the 3hp will get it there.
Currently with small 2 strokes no longer available in this country new, I will be taking a 10kg weight penalty for an extra hp. (To keep under the rego limits)
Flip side is most new 4hp outboards share the same body as the 6hp...

 

The holes or notches in the bulkhead are called limber holes.