need advice on boatplan selection

Hi,

I am new to this forum and to boatbuilding in general. I live in Turkey near the blacksea and wanted to build my own little boat to go fishing at the shore maybe up to 1-2 km off the shore...

After searching the web for plans I was completely overwhelmed by the endless designs.

After looking at prices for boatmotors, I was somewhat disencouraged, as I don't have that much money to spare.

I was wondering if it is possible to effectively row boats that are designed for small outboarders. I was looking at 16 feet skiffs and dorys (have to keep it shorter than 5 metres in order to keep it taxfree)

I would like to build a nice little boat and row it in the beginning until I find an affordable outboard later on.

What kind of hull would i need ? I have no idea how flat bottoms would behave on the blacksea. As far as I can tell, Fisherboats here usually have a V hull and seem to be displacement boats

I just want to go out fishing from time to time in a boat big enough for 2 big fellas plus, maybe from time to time, my two nephews

I would be highly greatful for any tips or recommendations

thanks

 

Flat bottom skiffs are fantastic when operated with low power.

Flat bottom skiffs are easy and cheap to build.

Flatbottom skiffs give the most amount of usable interior space.

Vee hull shapes add a level of build complexity and cost to what is supposed to be a simple low power boat

A design by Boatdesign net contributor PAR called digger 17 is a logical flat bottom skiff.

https://www.woodenboat.com/boat-plans-kits/digger-17

Boats of this style are the common inshore work boats of the world.

 

Micheal, I'm still enamored with the designs found in your recent post on another thread.

http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5649e/y5649e00.htm

MM

 

Look around the local area and see what the fishermen are using, boats of different areas evolve over time to suit the local conditions.

 

As a rule, boats designed to motor well row poorly. This said, Digger 17 poles well and if a thwart is installed, can also row well if lightly loaded and properly balanced.

Row boats are shaped differently then powerboats, so if you want a boat that rows well, you'll need a real row boat. The FAO designs row moderately well, but not as well as a real row boat.

When selecting a design, you have to carefully define your needs. So, if you want a powerboat that can row, the skiffs and FAO's if balanced properly can row. Later if you want an outboard, some minor modifications can be employed and you're now a powerboat operator.

Used outboards can save a lot on money. Of course these come with their own issues, but most can be repaired and made serviceable, for a lot less than a new engine. A new $2,500 engine, say a 20 - 25 hp, could be had for as little as a few hundred, but will require a few hundred to repair and get back into running condition. For a good used motor, expect to pay at least half that of a new engine. This will get you a good engine that likely just needs a tune up and replacement of consumables (plugs, filters, etc.).

The point I'm making is don't "settle" because of the cost of an outboard. Everything can be had cheaper if you do some searching. Had I used this logic with my other half, I could have found a much easier version to live with.

 

A brilliant designer and a philosopher to boot.

MM

 

the Black sea can get pretty rough, you take a boat like that out there just make sure check the forecast before you go.

in sheltered bays and coves, close to shore and on fair weather days you will be fine, just realize if the weather changes when you are very far off-shore you could be in for a dangerously rough and wet ride back in such a light open boat.

 

18 feet, but the taxes can't be that bad. Here are a whole lot of pictures of gunning dories. They're seaworthy fast rowboats, just the right size for 2 big guys. A small outboard in a well will serve you quite well. I would choose a Honda 2.3 air cooled.

http://www.google.ca/search?num=10&...0.125.1140.1j9.10.0...0.0...1ac.1.H9xN_d8q2UI

Here are free plans in a great book, one you'll never regret having bought.

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=John Gardner&sts=t&tn=Building Classic Small Craft

 

My suggestion is a dory skiff

A dory is a sea going rowboat. A skiff is more of a flat bottomed sailing or power boat. A dory skiff is a cross between the two.
5m length, that is about 16ft? 14, 15 or 16ft is an excellent size for a rowboat

here is my 2c worth,
http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/popular-mechanics/Amateur-Work-3/A-Rowing-Skiff.html#.UPUAaVIQ7To

I would be looking for boats very similar to this.

a more seaworthy boat, but slower under power might be something like this
http://atkinboatplans.com/Oar/Calypso.html

trouble is that one is a bit too long, I know John Gardener has a 14ft version of a very very similar boat

If it was me, I would go for 15ft length, a very very nice size, not too big, not too small. Maximum width about 4ft 8 inches


more plans here

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/r/plansindex.htm

 

I disagree about a dory. A real dory is only a good sea boat if weighed down with a half a ton of fish. Modern boats often are called dories, but really are greatly modified, having only dory like styling.



A look at the Atkins dory skiff is a classic example of what I mean. One look at her sections and it's pretty obvious what she needs, before those quite tender sections have sufficient bury, to offer some sea keeping ability.

The Gardner modified dories (at least he admits what they are) row fairly well, but once you place an outboard on one, their qualities change considerably, (unless it's very small).

This is my point, the search for a design can be daunting and difficult, as it should be. It's just as easy to build a boat you'll hate to us, as one you'll love, so take the time, do some studying and select a design as well suited to your needs, with the option of growth as your situation changes (you may be able to afford an outboard someday).

Lastly sea keeping ability, especially small craft, is more about the skipper than the design. Yes, some design details are necessary, such as adequate freeboard, sufficient scantlings, etc., but the real key is the space between the skipper's ears. A reasonable skipper, can take a less than desirable craft, into questionable conditions and have little difficulty bringing it home, without issue. On the other hand, a novice or foolhardy skipper, can take a well founded design, into relatively easy sea state conditions and still manage to find a way to get into trouble.

 

"Lastly sea keeping ability, especially small craft, is more about the skipper than the design."

"the space between the skipper's ears"

Witticisms ....

 

maybe the dory skiff is something that I like, and perhaps not suited to you

I do like this one, if built out of plywood it would go well
http://www.atkinboatplans.com/Sail/Erika.html



Now lastly,,, this one looks really really nice, even PAR would have to agree. Make it out of plywood and remove the sail rig. If PAR does not like this one, I will eat my hat.... or failing that,, even go to church. A fraction too much beam for me, but not bad

http://atkinboatplans.com/Sail/Katelyn.html

This is nice too
http://atkinboatplans.com/Oar/Sprite.html
for me its quite beamy, and would not be an ideal rowboat in rough water, really depends on how rough the water is, if you only going out when the weather is not bad, probably a real nice boat. For me a good rough weather rowboat should have a narrow waterline beam and move with the waves.


you can see the contrast here, this one is about 12 inches narrower
http://atkinboatplans.com/Oar/Jebb.html
for me freeboard is a bit high, thus more windage and makes it hard to row in strong winds

So you have 2 similar row/power boats, one is 3ft 9 wide, the other 4ft 10
for rowing I prefer the narrower one, for power I prefer the wider one.

 

A good fishing skiff needs to be a tough ultilty boat. Something you can bang around, drag on the beach, tie up in crowded harbors or haul ashore on a sled.

http://

The North Coast of Turkey, Black sea, is very beautiful and not a particulary rough sea area. Summertime is normal. The coast is many times rocky and the harbours are crowded with small craft.



Its unfortunate that you need a small boat to sidestep the tax man.

One problem with small boats is that they arent self bailing at the dock. I prefer something a little bigger and self bailing.

 

this one is ok too, I think you get plans from intenet, less than $5

http://www.dngoodchild.com/5038.htm

looks like a nice compromise row/power boat

 

this would be harder to build
but you could add an inboard engine (air cooled), might be cheaper use a lawn move engine and a shaft and propellor, not as good as an outboard, but if you have oars for an emergency then should not be an issue

http://www.dngoodchild.com/7060.htm