Modified Tolman Alaskan Skiff?

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Silas McGhee, May 18, 2024.

  1. Silas McGhee
    Joined: May 2024
    Posts: 5
    Likes: 0, Points: 1
    Location: Homer, Alaska

    Silas McGhee Junior Member

    I've been doing research for an appropriate boat design for Kachemak Bay (Homer, Alaska). I stumbled across Tolman Alaskan Skiffs, a very impressive stitch and glue boat. I'm drawn to this design because they were originally made in Homer, for Kachemak bay.
    The Tolman Skiff - Small Boats Magazine (smallboatsmonthly.com)
    [​IMG]
    With Tolman's 18-foot standard design in mind my idea is to replace the high bow with a closed bow and build a sitting-height pilot house midship, roughly half the boats length. But still using Tolman's building methods. My goal is to create an economic climate controlled small boat for recreational use. Would this modification achieve what I want without making it unsafe or inefficient? Any other thoughts or opinions are appreciated.
     
  2. Milehog
    Joined: Aug 2006
    Posts: 645
    Likes: 173, Points: 43, Legacy Rep: 215
    Location: NW

    Milehog Clever Quip

    Renn Tolman designed a brilliant family of boats. Making them easy to build well was a crowning achievement.
    Sitting height cabin sounds good. Half the boat's length? Not so much.
    Are you going to enter the cabin from the cockpit and crawl-waddle to the front of a cabin that long? You will get tired of that after a couple outings. Consider that much cabin top weight that high on a boat. With the small cockpit that will result you will stow stuff-weight on the cabin top. 1/3 or 1/4 cabin to boat length is more realistic.
    I don't think trying to re-invent the wheel is a good idea here. Take some time and look at all the Tolman Skiffs you can find and learn from that.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2024
  3. Silas McGhee
    Joined: May 2024
    Posts: 5
    Likes: 0, Points: 1
    Location: Homer, Alaska

    Silas McGhee Junior Member

    I see your point and agree about all the added top weight. I suppose I like the idea of a roomy small boat interior. Regardless of how long the cabin would be, the bow height needs to drop due to visibility issues of sitting down. The bow was originally designed to have no water come over so I am not sure if a covered lower bow will accomplish the same thing? If I were to make a taller cabin I would not be concerned.
     
  4. comfisherman
    Joined: Apr 2009
    Posts: 830
    Likes: 420, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Alaska

    comfisherman Senior Member

    Basically building a c dory 16, but tollman and 18'?

    Of the homer designed cross bay commuter type boats, hamms k bay seems like the one. The mold was floating around fb marketplace and cl this spring. We had a 16 out of it and there were a lot of 20s, would think an 18 would be an easy one to make. It seems to pack weight a little better, does good in kackchemak chop and clearly adapts to cabins very well.
     
  5. Milehog
    Joined: Aug 2006
    Posts: 645
    Likes: 173, Points: 43, Legacy Rep: 215
    Location: NW

    Milehog Clever Quip

    I'm not sure where you got the idea the bow impairs the sight lines when seated. A quick search shows images of Tolman Skiffs, with and without cabins, with seats behind the wheel.
    FWIW I had a C-Dory 22 with similar proportions.
     
  6. Silas McGhee
    Joined: May 2024
    Posts: 5
    Likes: 0, Points: 1
    Location: Homer, Alaska

    Silas McGhee Junior Member

    Tolman had a lot of influence from the Cook Inlet Dory and C-Dory. Tolman's earlier skiffs were largely based off a Hamm skiff. After reading Tolman's book he does openly admit, "overall you could say the construction was George's [Hamm] and the design was mine." So, I suppose it would be personal preference when it comes to design. The big difference is Tolman makes the DIY process much easier.
     
  7. Silas McGhee
    Joined: May 2024
    Posts: 5
    Likes: 0, Points: 1
    Location: Homer, Alaska

    Silas McGhee Junior Member

    My idea came from a section in Tolman's book where he says, "The downside of such high bows is that they restrict the operator visions somewhat. I recommend steering these skiffs from a standing position unless the water is calm and you're going slow."
    I have to admit, I have no personal experience with any Dory or "Dory type" boat. Therefore, this is an educational guess of sorts.
     
  8. C. Dog
    Joined: May 2022
    Posts: 307
    Likes: 105, Points: 43
    Location: Coffs Harbour NSW Australia

    C. Dog Senior Member

    I have used small power boats a lot in rough waters, and because seating is always basic it is generally much more comfortable to stand.
     
  9. Milehog
    Joined: Aug 2006
    Posts: 645
    Likes: 173, Points: 43, Legacy Rep: 215
    Location: NW

    Milehog Clever Quip

    Maybe go on the fishyfish forum and ask owners for their thoughts on the sight lines?
    On my C-Dory I got rid of a roll bar anchor because seeing it annoyed me.
    I could have raised the seat but being an anchor geek it was an excuse to buy another.
     
  10. fallguy
    Joined: Dec 2016
    Posts: 8,057
    Likes: 1,827, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: usa

    fallguy Boat Builder

    A bunch of Tolman’s have been built with houses. You need to understand most boats have a certain amount of displacement and a certain amount of weight. The difference is the limiting factor. And for this reason, an 18’ skiff is harder to put a cabin on than a 22’.. The same size and construction cabin will be a larger percentage of the difference on the 18 footer.

    The first question then is why 18 feet?

    In general terms, an 18’ boat would be better served by a lighter softtop.

    Construction of a hardtop is certainly possible, but materials would need careful consideration to keep it light enough to not put the boat below her lines or create stability concerns; especially for drifting more comfortably.
     
    Milehog likes this.

  11. johnnythefish
    Joined: May 2016
    Posts: 72
    Likes: 13, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: E.A.

    johnnythefish Junior Member

    Have you looked at the C17 or C19 designs on boatbuildercentral.com? Not dissimilar to the Tolman’s, relatively easy/ similar build and they have “cabin versions”
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.