Trying To Get This Right The First Time....

[seeleylaker]

I'm currently looking at three designs for a first time build: PAR's Digger 17, Spira's Hatteras and Bolger's Diablo Grande. None of them are exactly what I want. I would like to add a small storage cuddy and windshield a little forward of where a center console is usually shown. I'm looking for some protection from cold winds and rain and a little increase in fishing room aft. Certainly don't want to upset the balance of the boat or cause instability on the water. I'll use the boat alone on the larger lakes in NW Montana. Weather forecasts for wind are generally fairly accurate in the area and I know when to stay away. But one never knows.....

I'm fairly sure I have the skills and common sense to get this done (I'm a retired custom home builder with 20+ years experience as a finish carpenter). I also don't see a real problem with lowering the floor (deck) on the Diablo. Would like to stay in this size range because I'm 71 and need to launch and recover by myself.

So, worth pursuing or no???

 

[tom28571]

Your list covers quiet a large size and design range. Digger is a very nice boat but is flat bottom and maybe not the best for weather on large water. Diablo Grande is also fairly flat and narrow bottom and generally known to be a bit skittish with much power. The Spira V bottom dory looks to be a good rough water boat that can handle all you want to do. Another boat with an excellent pedigree is the 18' B&B Marissa which is a bit more complicated design than the others but can be had in kit form.

 

[PAR]

Welcome to the forum.

Digger can be fitted with a small "doghouse" forward and one has been done this way, with no ill effects, other than the associated windage you'd expect. You'd stand ahead of the center console location (a couple of feet), about at the back of the casting deck. Balance is maintained by moving the tank(s) aft, under the side seats, as well as the battery(s). The doghouse would be a straight taped seam build from 1/4" plywood or could be "stick built" over 1x2's and again a 1/4" plywood skin (ditto the roof). Both will be relatively light, should offer good protection and leave the back half of the boat open to fish from.

I agree the B&B Marissa is a nice boat and much better suited to rougher condisions, though is considerably more of a build than a Digger, both in materials and effort. I've had several rides in a the Bolger Diablo and wasn't impressed with it as a fishing platform. The Spira V bottom dorys seem overly heavy for their length, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, if you want a tough *** workboat. My digger design offers a regular and heavy duty version and this HD version has very similar scantlings to the Spira V bottoms, the only difference is I offer the choice. I've found most don't need the HD version for pleasure boating or fishing. If I remember your needs correctly (I could be mistaking you with someone else), you were looking for a stable, relatively low speed fishing platform, with the ability to get up a scoot if necessary, so you don't make a career out of getting back to shore. Digger will need the least amount of power of the three you've chosen, for the same MPH target.

It's your call, but one of the most difficult things a builder has to do, is find the design that fits. This can take as long as the actual build. Give B&B and Spria a call and see what they have to say, about a doghouse or cuddy as you envision. Bolger isn't available, but I'll bet with some inventiveness, you could manage with that boat as well.