River motor cruiser

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Cap'nCapsize, Jan 18, 2008.

  1. Cap'nCapsize
    Joined: Jan 2008
    Posts: 1
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Sydney

    Cap'nCapsize New Member

    G'day, I've been looking for a river boat for a couple of years. Ideally I'd just like to buy one but have been unsuccessful in finding anything close to what I'm after. My last (larger) boat was a Sonata 26, an excellent craft & had many great points I'd like to retain, about 5 things I'd really love to fix :)

    Things I'd like to keep:
    - We have many interesting waterways on the eastern seaboard (of Austraila) so trailering is a must, the max width here is 2500mm or 8'2". The Sonata was a cow to get on a trailer straight!
    - I'm a sailor & like the yacht (sailboat) style interior. I'm looking for a cruising boat I could stay on for a number of weeks.
    - Weight is an issue, you have to push & pull trailerable boats to get them on & off. Bare hull < 1000kg I think is reasonable (the sonata was 1300kg with 560kg of centreboard ballast, which won't be needed in a motor cruiser.)
    - Shallow draft, the Sonata was 9" which was fabulous. We have many skinny waterways & being able to step off into ankle deep water reduces the need for a dingy.
    - The poptop design. Low windage to tow & in a blow. Excellent ventilation, headroom, light & view at anchor.

    Things I'd like to lose:
    - Slamming into chop. The sonata is a true sharpie, flat bottomed all the way to the stem :(
    - Direction less at low speeds. Maneuvering at low speeds in tight spaces with a cross wind was impossible. The only solution? come in backwards! Rocker fore & aft, no keel or skeg, centreboard up. She was a motored kayak! To be honest I'd like a twin engine (outboard) job, legs kick up out of the way for shallow anchorage. If one dies come home on the other. excellent maneuverability.
    - Sails, if I want to sail I'll tow the skiff :)

    Things I'd like to gain
    - An under cockpit dbl berth. Excellent use of space I think.
    - Ease of getting on to a trailer. The best way to achieve this I think is a straight sheer (like powerboats) & vertical rollers on the end of the trailer.

    LOA is not critical, 7.5M or 24' would be a minimum. I'm after something along the lines of a vee bow sharpie. Hull speed is fine, I'm here to relax & enjoy the journey. :)

    That'll do for a start, I'm hoping someone can suggest something I haven't seen yet. The best I've found is bluejacket boats & they're a long way off. Look forward to your suggestions.
     
  2. Pericles
    Joined: Sep 2006
    Posts: 2,015
    Likes: 141, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1307
    Location: Heights of High Wycombe, not far from River Thames

    Pericles Senior Member

  3. tom28571
    Joined: Dec 2001
    Posts: 2,474
    Likes: 117, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1728
    Location: Oriental, NC

    tom28571 Senior Member

    Cap,n I sent you a private email.
     
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