Munson Catamaran Hull Trailer-able Houseboat

I haven't seen this done before but I would like to combine the Muson Catamaran Hull design with a houseboat layout for my own personal use. Anyone seen this done before? Any thoughts on the subject good or bad?

 

I can not find a reason to use the Muson design for a house boat. I can find several reasons not to do so. Complexity and cost of the hull is one of the reasons. This configuration will be more sensitive about load positioning and passenger movement than would a simple barge like hull. ....the Burroughs hull for example.

Tell us how fast you believe that you need to go and there may be some other comments regarding hull types. Remember that if you want your houseboat to go fast you are talking about cubic money.

 

I see your point it is really not about the speed but the seaworthiness of the craft. I really like the Burroughs houseboat layout and ideas but I would also like it to be a vessel that would cross to the Bahamas safely from the
Flordia Keys. The Munson hull design looks like it would definitely do that. See this video for example.
I would not be going as fast as these boats but maybe a top of 10 knots.

 

Maybe you should look at my Skoota28 power at. We have been to the Bahamas twice in it. Had planned to be there this year as well but real life got in the way. We averaged 10 knots crossing the Gulf Stream on all 4 crossings using twin 20hp outboards. We have now done over 6000 miles in it without problems

I write this on board in lake worth Fl

Richard Woods of Woods Designs

Www.sailingcatamarans.com

 

I really like the Skoota28 and it would probably be my top choice if it would fold up to the US 8'6" legal road requirement without a permit. I admire your work and have been eyeing Jarcat 6, waller tc670 and Skip Allens Frogcat 22 designs as well but to have a trailer-able cat of at least 2:1 you
have to give up so much living space. I would also like to use it as a trailer-able camper like the Burroughs design. How do you make the 23' Burroughs barge like hull seaworthy and safe? That is my real question. Should it be built out of plywood or aluminum and what would be the cost
difference? Is there a ready make hull that could cut down on the building cost? kind of like the 8"6" wide Carolina skiff? ( I don't think that would meet the seaworthy requirement loaded)

 

As you may know we had our Skoota28 trucked from north of Seattle to Texas. Ok a wide load certificate needed but no escort cars. We also took the boat in pieces 40 miles to launch it. It was built in a shed with a 10ft wide door

My Skoota 32 is available as a demoutable option. One is building in the US

Of course my Skoota18 is only 8ft wide

Richard Woods

 

If you have ambitions for crossing the Gulf Stream, then the Burroughs design is not the one to choose. Richard's designs will do the job well. Since you are located in Griffin, I was thinking Lake Lanier or down the river from west point, Columbus and onward. On those waters a barge will work just fine. Not so the crossing to/from the Bahamas

Keep in mind that the cat configuration is more sensitive about the weight of the stuff you have in the boat.

 

People always think we are spartan cruising as, unlike so many bigger boats, we have no bike on deck no spare fuel cans lashed to stanchions etc. in fact we have everything stored in deck lockers. No boat bits in the cabin either

Right now on board we have a rigid sailing dinghy an inflatable kayak a bicycle a sewing machine 3 computers plus a CAD sized monitor. Lots of books and dvds. Staple food for 4 months fuel to get us well past Hopetown. Water ditto Hot and cold weather clothes

But you are right a 28ft trawler yacht could carry more. Certainly more fuel but then it needs to as it probably can’t do 8mpg

It’s hard to see what else we would need on board for comfortable cruising

Richard Woods

 

I'm torn between the cat design and barge. Is there a compromise between them in the order of importance:
1. 8'6" wide 17-25' long less than 13' height on trailer
2. trailer able camper for use both land camp sites and camping on the water, Airstream like layout except open where the living room quarters would be ability to fully stand in kitchen and wetbath.
3. light weight 3-5k lbs with trailer
4. motor sailor. 6hp and 20-50 hp power sources for redundancy and slow or high speed cruising. Ability to use Hobie cat 16-20 rigging if rigged for sail.
5. aluminum, glass/plywood, steel in order of preferred building materials. What is most suitable.
6. ability to cross Gulf Stream.

Thinking about just getting a salvaged deck boat and using the hull to prototype this out and see if it works. Maybe start with a model first ?
Any ideas from the professionals out there? Tell me what ideas are foolish or impossible. Or what ready made plans I have overlooked
Munson also makes a landing craft style hull like the attached that would be much easier cheaper than the cat/barge design. I'm also attaching other considerations.

 

The great thing about our Skoota compared to most other boats is that we can cross the Gulf Stream in 5 hours or less. And we can get to a safe anchorage like Great Sale Cay 100 miles from Floria in daylight. So we have many more weather windows available. You might be able to cross quickly in a planing barge or landing craft but most of your loading capacity will be taken up with fuel. You need a range of at least 150 miles. I certainly wouldn’t like to slam my way across the Gulf Stream in a barge. Way too uncomfortable

Steel is far to heavy for a fast boat under 25ft you will need to line an aluminum boat interior to avoid condensation and for aesthetics. Adding weight and cost. A wood boat like ours can just be painted. We did our 5 years ago still looks as new

If you want sail you have to include rudders leeway preventers and mast support in your list of design requirements. Probably none of those will work on a landing craft

Richard Woods

 

Messabout, Richard Woods I appreciate your input.

Would a Skoota 18 or Chat 18 be able to make a Gulfstream crossing? Probably not I would guess. Looks like I am swaying towards the Burroughs barge and keep it simple to meet most of my ambitions and forget the crossing. How about just hugging the coast of Florida could that be done in a barge?
Im pretty new to this and appreciate the responses. I am about to finish up my current project, an rv built out of a 10 ft box truck and wanting to take on this as a new project

 

On many days yes a Skoota 18 could make the crossing. But then what?

RW

 

Hey Richard - your "First Choose a Design" drop down could really be improved.

bateau.com does it a lot better for example. I cant even choose between Power and Sail, I have to know the length.

 

Sorry for the confusion. Scroll down the page and you get to the Powercat section

Dividing the designs into sections based on length seemed logical to me

You can buy all my plans from Bateau if you wish even though they are not all listed. When in the Us I always buy my material from them BTW. A very good company and Jacques knows his stuff

Richard Woods

 

I think the Munson design is a skiff with a keel. Skiffs are notable for the flat deck spaces inside and also chine walk in certain situations. The chine walk changes with the big keel. It is not a boat to convert to houseboat.

But then what houseboats make crossings? It is unwise to windage concerns unless you have lots of power. Most houseboats don’t.

I am building the demountable 32 Skoota. It can run on a semi to a marina for assembly.

I can think of a few options for you, but if you insist on trailering; the Skoota 24 would be my preference among them.

The Skoota 28 would be a nicer boat, but certainly not as easy.

If you did the 24; I’d be inclined to bring a reserve motor. Perhaps Richard could modify the transom for dual setup even.

Perhaps the bdeck clearance is not enough; I don’t know the numbers for it well. And since Richard is posting; I’ll leave the balance to him.

But I do not like your Munson idea; for the record.

I’d rather go in a well powered dual engine vee hull.