A pond boat?

[Roger Stouff]

Hi, kind people,

Here's the scenario: I am strongly considering building a boat to fish some of the local ponds around here. While my 12' bateau is very suitable for ponds, the problem is that none of these areas have suitable trailer access (and the boat is far too heavy to manhandle.)

So what I'm considering is this: The bed of my pickup, with the tailgate down, is about 9' long and 4' wide. I'd like something light enough to take in and out of the truck easily and store someplace out of the way, propped against a wall or flipped bottomside up and covered with a tarp or something. 10' would be maximum.

Stability is the key here. I don't want a pirogue or canoe. Nor a rowboat. Highish freeboard, transom to put a small electric trolling motor on. Something better than a floating box, but not too complicated. Usually fish alone, occasionally with another person. I can balance the weight accordingly, I think.

Ideas?

[Donn]

They aren't wood, but there's no better way to fish small water that you have to walk in to, than with a belly boat.

http://home.planet.nl/~rditmer/FF/Belly.jpg

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Donn:
They aren't wood, but there's no better way to fish small water that you have to walk in to, than with a belly boat....and you make good lunch for 'gators.

[ 04-24-2003, 10:09 AM: Message edited by: Venchka ]

[AngWood]

A nice little flatiron skiff. They make perfect pickup-truck boats. For $13 you can get a book of about 10 plans for small boats from Atkin & Co. (I think it's called The Small Boat Book). It's got two or three prams (also good) and two or three flatirons that might suit you. I built a pram ("Midge") from Sam Rabl's book and a flatiron from Ed Monk's book.

Here's one of the flatiron's in Atkin's book. The book also has plans for very similar 9 and 10 footers.

http://www.boat-links.com/Ideal/images/Dancer.gif

[Matt Middleton]

Hey Roger- do you have a prticular style in mind? My first thought was toward a short kayak or variation, because that's what I'll be using this summer. Maybe you could adapt something like this:

http://dragonflycanoe.com/stephens/plate50a.gif

But on further thought, the plywood pram (that just about every designer has a version) seems just the ticket. It would be the biggest (and probably most stable) type that you could fit in your truck bed, and it would be simple enough. (I'm assuming you'd want it built up quickly.) I had planned to build Gartside's version (7'9", about 70 lbs), but we were given a glass dinghy for free, so no need.

Good Luck!

Matt

[Roger Stouff]

Thanks!

Donn, it's true: That's a sure way to get your feet or whole leg taken off around here! :D I've looked at those before, but I just wouldn't feel safe in these waters.

Ang and Matt: That's kinda what I'm after, but no more than 10'. I don't think I'd like too much hanging out over the tailgate. And I'm thinking more open, Matt, no deck or rails even, more room to move around. Perhaps a pram would work, I'll look at some.

Keep 'em coming! And thanks!

[ 04-24-2003, 10:29 AM: Message edited by: Roger Stouff ]

[Donn]

I didn't think of gators. :eek: You'd need to wear Kevlar waders. The guide I fish with in the Keys, goes wading for Largemouth Bass in gator infested waters, and has a hilarious story about a stand-off with a gator, over a 6# bass. The gator won.

How about a plywood "Jon boat?" You could use it in little streams too.

[AngWood]

Aw, those gators won't bother you. Unless you go to Florida.

Here's a link to a pic of a little 8-ft ply pram, 70 lbs., built to Rabl's "Midge" plans.

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jagwood64/vwp?.dir=/My+Photos/Nautical&.src=ph&.dnm=AUBERGINE+again.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/jagwood64/lst%3f%26.dir=/My%2bPhotos/N autical%26.src=ph%26.view=t

[Donn]

I used to fish in a plywood boat that looked exactly like that, except for a little less freeboard. My father called it a "cement mixing tub."

[Alan D. Hyde]

Roger, this is copied from my response on another thread:

Herb "Dynamite" Payson has a good website:

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

Several people here have built his boats.

Alan

http://www.instantboats.com/images/skiff12.gif

[ 04-24-2003, 12:16 PM: Message edited by: Alan D. Hyde ]

[Keith Wilson]

Check this one out: Bolger's Rubens Nymph (http://www.instantboats.com/rnymph.htm).

http://www.instantboats.com/images/rnymph.gif

I built one a few years ago. Very stable, took about two weeks of part time work to finish, rows easily if not fast, and would work very well with an electric trolling motor. Ignore the sail. It's a little heavy to carry far, although you could build it a little lighter or rig up a portage yoke which would make it tolerable. It's not bad looking, and is easy to build if you don' mind taped-seam construction with lots of goop.

[ 04-24-2003, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: Keith Wilson ]

[Roger Stouff]

Getting closer. smile.gif 10' is the limit, though. I don't think I'd want 3' of boat hanging out over the back of the truck. I still don't like the idea of my legs hanging in the water either, Ang! smile.gif :D ;)

I like the johnboat idea...10' plans anyone? Don't know about stitch and glue, never did it, would prefer straight ply.

[Matt J.]

Roger,
We've got 2 CLC Eastport prams, and I'm really amazed at their versatility. Row, sail, or mount a small engine on the transom and motor along. lateral stability is quite impressive. You can stand up without much concern of rolling the boat, and they can carry around 400 lbs.

See www.clcboats.com, (http://www.clcboats.com,) and look at the rowing / sailing boats, and you'll find the EP on either page. Also nice little tenders for your Elly someday ;) . That's what at least one of ours will become this summer if we do manage to buy a boat.

-Matt

[AngWood]

We saw a 10 or 12 foot gator on Alligator Bayou (sensible name, huh?) last weekend. He had no interest in us, and we were only 30 yards away. Some canoeists drifted within 10 yards. He just lay there on his log, probably listening to the distant subsonic calls of other big males. What a beautiful animal.

[Matt Middleton]

Hey Roger- try this 10 ft. pram: Ken Hankinson Pram (http://www.boatdesigns.com/cgi-bin/store/web_store.cgi?page=driftprams-8-10.html&&cart_id=4221937_8890)

Or this 10'8" duck boat:
Broadbill (http://www.boatdesigns.com/cgi-bin/store/web_store.cgi?page=duckboats.html&&cart_id=4221937_8890#BROADBILL)

Matt

[Venchka]

Say 'cuz, iffin you want a boat for south Luziana, get your plans from south Luziana.

10' Jon Boat plans (http://www.unclejohns.com/jonboat/default.htm)

or, get a skiff that will row, sail or motor:

Skiff plans (http://www.unclejohns.com/skiff/Default.htm)

I'd build the 11'-5" skiff, me. You won't notice the extra length in the truck and you'll have room for more beer! :D

Just a thought.

[ 04-24-2003, 12:48 PM: Message edited by: Venchka ]

[Roger Stouff]

They are beautiful. Still wouldn't want to be waving my legs or gronicles around in the water around 'em though! :D

[Roger Stouff]

Venchka THAT'S IT!!!!!

How did I not know about that site??????

Thank you ALL for your help.

Now, johnboat or skiff? Hmmm.... :cool:

[Bruce Hooke]

Well, I just posted this on the Punt thread but it seems too appropriate to this not to add it here as well...

This is my 10' flat-bottomed punt. For more about it check the punt thread.

http://members.cox.net/bghooke/Images/Punt.jpg

It's a great flat-water boat, but it's not real speedy... :D

[Venchka]

Roger,

You are welcome!

The SKIFF! You can sail it! Boats should have a point on at least one end.

Seriously, get a 12' 2x4 and carry it around in your truck for a while to see if the extra length is a problem. I think you'll really appreciate the extra length on the water.

No matter which design or which size, you'll have a neat little go-anywhere boat. We all know any boat is better than no boat.

[Roger Stouff]

Bruce: Needs more freeboard! smile.gif But thanks.

Wayne, I dunno. That's a good idea. I was looking at the 9'7" one. We'll see. I like a skiff, there are lot of them around here, all metal, though. I hope to build a 16' skiff this year, too.

I gotta start clearing out boats soon. :rolleyes:

Thanks again,
R

[Roger Stouff]

I'd build the 11'-5" skiff, me. LOL...you ain't Cajun, are ya, Wayne? smile.gif

[Hans Lassen]

Hello Roger,
have a look at the small Nutshell. It looks more like a boat than those boxes (excuse me, everybody, but a box is a box and a boat is a boat; mixing those just doesn't fit, does it?). It rows well enough (much better than a box when you have to row against a current or into the wind because the Nutshell has a true stem at the waterline: the blunt bow starts above the waterline); you can easily put a trolling motor on the transom, and the boat practically builds itself. The molds can be built into the boat at both ends so that they form the vertical parts of watertight compartments, doubling as storage lockers if you want them to. You can use pretty inexpensive ply if you paint the planks inside and out. It's very stable, and it's a looker, too. You might be able to finish the smaller Nutshell (7 feet something) at way under 35 kg so really anybody can help you getting it off your truck ;) .
Greetings,
Hans

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Roger Stouff:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr /> I'd build the 11'-5" skiff, me. LOL...you ain't Cajun, are ya, Wayne? smile.gif </font>[/QUOTE]Nope, but my brother is.

:D :confused: :D

[oldriverat]

Roger, check out Scotty's site. He's a friend of mine and could sure use the business.

http://smallboats.com/

You'll like the war canoe. It's cool. :cool: Also the Calico Hunter would be darned near perfect and it's beautiful!

[ 04-24-2003, 05:49 PM: Message edited by: oldriverat ]

[Roger Stouff]

I like the little skiff. Thanks!

[newf]

Funny you should ask.I just built a boat for that exact same purpose.it's a bolger skimmer from payson's"Build the new Instant Boats".4'x8'so it fits completely in box with gate up.i built it in 3 weekends(liesurely).for about 125.00can.good for up to 15hp.real fast.