Plans for classic powerboat?

[John Gearing]

Okay, I went and promised SWMBO that I would build her a classic powerboat in the style of the Gar Woods and CC's and Gold Cup racers. I've seen the plans WB has and am looking for more design ideas. Something over 28 feet long, preferably. Any info greatly appreciated.

Yes, Todd S, I know that I first promised a sandbagger a few years ago! My only excuse was being back in school, but now I've graduated and will be able to start some building projects. May do the power boat and sandbagger at the same time. Depends on the building space I find.

[Bob Perkins]

Take a look at:

Hankinson Designs
http://www.boatdesigns.com

They have a 28' Mahogany runabout.

I'm building a 23' myself.

The plans in WB are nice, but I'm pretty sure they were designed for batten seam construction. They would be nice, but a lot of maint I presume..

[ 06-01-2003, 10:38 PM: Message edited by: Bob Perkins ]

[ishmael]

Not to disparage anyone's designs, but I wonder who controls Gar Wood's plans. It would be fun to build a new boat--maybe with an updated epoxied bottom--to an old design.

I assume Hacker and Chris designs are still propietary, especially Hacker since they're being built again, but I don't know about Wood's. I also don't know if he designed many recreational boats.

Great question and a fun potential project. Anyone know who holds Gar Woods plans?

[John Gearing]

Thanks for the tip, Bob! That's a nice site! Looks like Hankinson not only designs his own stuff but also sells other designers' plans as well. I like the Miss Chris but I have a feeling that SWMBO wants to sit all the way at the back, as if in Baby Bootlegger. Ken Bassett of Onion River Boatworks had a design in WB's "New Designs" section in Jan/Feb of '99 or '00 of a longish classic-looking powerboat that had the seating way aft. Guess I'll have to drag she whom I'll be building this for over to the computer and let her have a look at the website you suggested.

Ish, once upon a time backin the late 80's and early 90's someone was building under the Gar-Wood name in Watervliet, NY. As it happened, I was living near there at the time but never got down to their shop. IIRC they built three or four different models, but whether any of them were "original Gar Woods" or not I don't know, except that none of them were the model of the raceboat Wood had that ran four Packard engines blowing through open pipes!! Sadly, the new Gar Wood went under in the 90's. I heard a rumor that a customer cancelled at a critical moment and the cash flow crisis did them in. Dunno who has the rights or plans to the originals, but agree that it would be fun to find out.

[ 06-01-2003, 10:01 PM: Message edited by: John Gearing ]

[TR]

John;

All the way back you say? Have a look at this <a href="http://www.nhacbm.org/Obsession.htm" target="_blank">

The Obsession Boys</a>

72 MPH so far. Nice boat too.

Best, Tad.

[JimD]

If you like Hankinson then check out Glen-L which has a number of 'instant classics'

[John Gearing]

Tad, the HP numbers are right in her ballpark, now if I could only stretch that sucker to 36 feet!

Baby Bootlegger....
http://www.seqair.com/Other/Bootlegger/Baby1.jpeg

By the way there is a great short article about Baby Bootlegger, Mark Mason, and his other boats here! (http://www.seqair.com/Other/Bootlegger/Baby1.jpeg)

[ 06-02-2003, 08:35 PM: Message edited by: John Gearing ]