candlefish 16

[jehicks87]

How would one make it a console-steering boat?

[Thorne]

Could you be less specific? <-- JOKE!

Seriously, what are we talkin' here? The answer with no other info would be, "Build it with a console"...

[jehicks87]

well, that would basically be the idea... Lol. The problem is, to do that and still have any descemt interior, i'd have to eliminate at least one bulkhead. How detrimental would that be to the boat's integrity? ...especially considering i would be overpowering it if i were to build this particular dedsign...

[JimD]

Why would you have to eliminate a bulkhead?

http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/42612/2523369480088484686S600x600Q85.jpg

You mean where the guy is sitting in this pic? I'd just butt partial bulkheads up against the console and maybe stiffen up the bottom a bit where the centre bulkhead span got cut away. 'Course, you could always email Sam.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2632/3721320676_27a026772e_o.jpg

[G. Schollmeier]

Step 1 contact Sam.
Step 2 think carefully about putting to much hp on it.

[jehicks87]

I have contacted mr. Devlin and he told me that it is entirely doable, but cautioned me against making it too complicated. Thats why i turned to yall. He said I could pay him to redesign it, or work through it when I come to it.

The engine im using is a 1959 mercury 35A. I'm kinda wed to that enine.

[jehicks87]

...35 isn't too much for that boat, what with the extra weight forward, is it?

[Robert Meyer]

I have contacted mr. Devlin and he told me that it is entirely doable, but cautioned me against making it too complicated. Thats why i turned to yall. He said I could pay him to redesign it, or work through it when I come to it.

The engine im using is a 1959 mercury 35A. I'm kinda wed to that enine.

I'm sure Sam didn't agree to a 35 horsepower engine as the plans specify a 25 hp max. James McMullen reported that his 20hp 4 cycle was more than necessary and that a 15 hp would have been fine. You might lower the sides of bulkheads 2 and 3 (front & back of mid seats) and build a console between them - however- the Candlefish 16 has little in the way of support for the double chine panels on each side except for the middle passenger seat. I'm enjoying my Candlefish 16 plans and plan to start construction later this year. Perhaps you need a different boat for your motor.

[Yeadon]

James let me tool his boat around Lake Union for a bit one morning this summer, and I immediately took it to the speed lane to try out the engine. We had three adults and a child in the boat, and the 20 hp wasn't even half throttle before the Candlefish planed. I'll admit I don't have a world of experience in these matters, but 35 hp would be a bit much for that boat. Knowing me, I'd add a 9.9 and be on my merry way.

That said, I think you could do a wheel at the aft bulkhead and just stand behind it and perhaps change the hatch orientation for easier access. But I wouldn't mess with the structural design laid out by Devlin.

Like Robert said ... might be you need to find a different plan.

It'll be interesting to hear what James thinks on the matter. I'd give his more opinion more weight than mine, too.

[G. Schollmeier]

http://www.caribiana.com/images/models_leftmain.jpg
You could put a simple console like this into the center bench which would still allow you to get around it. If you have the motor already I would worry about the weight and added stress on the trasom.
Gary :D

[jehicks87]

I'm sure Sam didn't agree to a 35 horsepower engine as the plans specify a 25 hp max. James McMullen reported that his 20hp 4 cycle was more than necessary and that a 15 hp would have been fine. You might lower the sides of bulkheads 2 and 3 (front & back of mid seats) and build a console between them - however- the Candlefish 16 has little in the way of support for the double chine panels on each side except for the middle passenger seat. I'm enjoying my Candlefish 16 plans and plan to start construction later this year. Perhaps you need a different boat for your motor.

Yeah, that might be... I'm just in LOVE with this design. It looks... great! The only design I think just plain LOOKS better that I would be interested in (one day) building in the 16' arena is the sexy jerricho bay skiff in this month's issue... but that would not be a good first build, methinks.

And I did mention my motor choice to Mr. Devlin, he didn't comment on it one way or the other... he did encourage me to go up to the 18' pelicano due to the console, but I'm not digging that design all too much... I'm confused at best, and downright lost otherwise.

[G. Schollmeier]

That is always the way it goes. "I like that boat if it only had........."
Gary :D

[Robert Meyer]

Remember also that the transom is laminated from three 9mm layers of ply thus 1 1/8" thick. It is well supported as designed but I should think a bigger/heavier motor would require more strength. The bottom of the Candlefish also calls for 9mm ply and might cause flexing with a big standup console attached without careful support design. I think a Simmons Sea Skiff might be a better boat for your motor - or check out the San Juan 16 by Nexus or one of the Spira boats.

[jehicks87]

That is always the way it goes. "I like that boat if it only had........."
Gary :D
yeah... its a shame too cause its such a beautiful boat. And I love the utility of it, more than anything else.

RobertMeryer... I've looked those. Nix the sea skiff, just not what I need or want really. Nor is the san Juan 16, I was looking for more "classic" lines than that.

I'm curious... how much more can an old 2-stroke 35 horse weigh than a modern 4-stroke 25 horse? I think imma google that!

[Robert Meyer]

I understand exactly what happens when you are smitten by a design. I have loved flush deck powerboats forever but could never find one I could afford to build. The Candlefish 16 (and also the Jerico) are boats I need rather than love. You might check out this Spira design.
http://www.spirainternational.com/gl_kach.gif
This a vee bottom Carolina Dory designed to use your motor and with it's 5/8" bottom should handle a console well. Good luck is your search - it's the most fun part of the process.

[jehicks87]

I got info on the honda 4-stroke 25 hper... a solid 170 lbs. Wow. Much more than i thought it would be.

Robert meyer, I appreciate your time in here, this is one of the reasons I posted here. About a year ago I was going to take the plunge and build a Fast Skiff 17 from bateau, but other obligations came up, then lack of funds, yadda yadda yadda. never got around to it. Then, I'm getting my fix of grainy, figured, and sealed maritime goodness from WoodenBoats, I flip to the back, and BAM! there she is... the candlefish 16. Lol. I think that is when it was over for me... I know that the interior isn't what I want, but it's hard to shake that first impression.

Now, the jerricho is the same way. I LOVE it, and it has the perfect layout for me. But I don't think I can do a planked hull for my first boat. Not that I'm not at least moderately handy with wood... it's just... that's a very specific set of skills.

And on the complete otherside, JamesCraft's boats are goregeous as well, and I've got a hankering for the Hornet model, but I don't want a kit... gawly, it seems there always just one little thing that really just isn't so little.

[Robert Meyer]

Jehicks87 writes:
"Now, the jerricho is the same way. I LOVE it, and it has the perfect layout for me. But I don't think I can do a planked hull for my first boat. Not that I'm not at least moderately handy with wood... it's just... that's a very specific set of skills."

I think building the Jericho Bay Lobster Skiff might work with your motor. It has an inch and three quarter transom and is glassed inside and out. Both the Candlefish and Jericho require a building jig. Strip planking might be more forgiving than stitch and glue if you make a mistake - like two - one hundred dollar sheets of plywood clamped together and cut out with wrong sheerlines. Also, Tom designs rugged boats with beautiful lines and from what I hear he responds to his clients promptly. You can't grow and move to a higher level unless you challenge yourself. I'd contact Tom Hill and see what he thinks.

[bracmon]

What boat is this? Nice looking boat.


http://www.caribiana.com/images/models_leftmain.jpg
You could put a simple console like this into the center bench which would still allow you to get around it. If you have the motor already I would worry about the weight and added stress on the trasom.
Gary :D

[James McMullen]

As the owner of a Candlefish 16, I think your idea of a 35 hp is perhaps dangerous, and sorta contrary to the design goals of this boat which were to be a lightweight and fuel-efficient design. The 20 horse we have on ours is already total overkill, and in retrospect we would have very easily been content with a 15. I don't think I'd do such a big motor for a low-resistance, lightweight skiff like this.

As far as a center console, I really don't think there's any problem with adding one, but for our purposes using it as a utility skiff, I'm not sure I'd want to sacrifice all that useful space in the middle of this small little boat myself.

http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/44304/2618714370088484686S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2618714370088484686YjxKDr)

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/43182/2940804760088484686S600x600Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2940804760088484686zfHebB)

[G. Schollmeier]

What boat is this? Nice looking boat.


www.caribiana.com (http://www.caribiana.com)