Glen-L Tango as a power cruiser

I have completed one build, a 9-1/2 ft S&G pram, that is now used on our local river, and local small lakes. I am 6' 2" and 190 lbs, so I max out this little boat, but it is a lot of fun. It rows well and the little 30 # thrust ETM pushes it right along. I motor up the river and casually drift back down.

My second build is about 75%. It is a 14 ft outboard skiff that is based on Spira International's Seneca. It is screw and glue plywood on lumber yard pine frames. It is a "big" 14 footer (about 250 pounds) and should be great for two big men fishing. This will be my primary fishing boat. I am building it open with lots of room for fishing.

In my part of the country everyone has a pontoon boat for just cruising around and having a good time with friends and enjoying the weather and beauty of the water. I would rather build a wooden boat than buy a pontoon boat. I want something I can build myself from wood, that will hold 4 adults, and will just motor around on little fuel and not much noise. Because I go to the Lake Michigan Eastern shoreline I want a boat that can motor out from the connected lakes and rivers into the big lake when the weather is reasonable. My boat should be able to take up to 4 foot swells and winds to 25 knots, while I hurry back to shore. This is one of the reasons I like the idea of a motoring sailboat; I know they can handle the weather better than a broad stern powerboat; plus I like the looks better. Most of the weather is from the West, so getting off the big lake means a following sea.

Just like most of you who build your own boats, I am not even through with this one and I am already thinking of the next bigger one.

The Glen-L 19 is another boat I am interested in. It is a little longer, displaces about 150 pounds more than the Tango, with the same beam and hull weight (according to the specs, anyway).

Richard