Jeff Spira's Mullet Skiff

[Metal Buyer]

Hello,

Just wanted your opinions on Jeff Spira's Mullet Skiff. It can be seen on his site: spirainternational.com. I bought plans for the 24 foot version. I live on the Chesapeake Bay and like the looks of work boats. I am getting away from high speed planing fishing boats and desire something slower, and seaworthy for my family.

Any opinions would be appreciated. I have the ability to build the boat, but I don't have the kowledge of boat designs that many of you do.

Thank you very much,

Terry

[Bill Perkins]

If you like Mullet Skiffs you should really check out Simplified Boatbuilding - the V bottomed boat -by Harry V. Sucher .I got mine at ABe Books .It's got allot of info and plans for Mullet skiffs . The plans shown in the book are available at their true scale from the Smithsonian .The Forward of the book is by Howard Chapelle. The acknowledgments include people such as John Gardener .

The chines forming the V bottom forward simply die out against the flat bottom a little abaft amidship .The boats seem well suited to plywood construction.They're intended to be cheap, and not necessarily last for ever .Some of the hulls are really handsome,.I'll scan one a bit later .

[ 11-22-2004, 05:52 PM: Message edited by: Bill Perkins ]

[Bill Perkins]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid147/pcbb3abae8c38ebc24b9c442c0dbe915d/f62a0cb9.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid147/p04f2c4edddfdc08e0134dd82a5a23bc7/f62a09fe.jpg

You can just make out an alternate, larger cabin dotted in on the second pic . This model was considered suitable for a small cruiser.

30 ft. by 8 ft. with 2 ft. draft .

http://spirainternational.com./gl_chub.gif

From the website you posted .

Sucher mentions that the stability of the type depends on the inboard engine ,centered in the boat .You can't just clamp a big outboard on because the wieght would be too far aft , and too high up .The big skeg is required for directional stability in any case .He also mentions that keeping the superstructure light is especially important .

[ 11-23-2004, 01:13 PM: Message edited by: Bill Perkins ]

[Metal Buyer]

Originally posted by Bill Perkins:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid147/pcbb3abae8c38ebc24b9c442c0dbe915d/f62a0cb9.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid147/p04f2c4edddfdc08e0134dd82a5a23bc7/f62a09fe.jpg

You can just make out an alternate, larger cabin dotted in on the second pic . This model was considered suitable for a small cruiser.

30 ft. by 8 ft. with 2 ft. draft .

http://spirainternational.com./gl_chub.gif

From the website you posted .

Sucher mentions that the stability of the type depends on the inboard engine ,centered in the boat .You can't just clamp a big outboard on because the wieght would be too far aft , and too high up .The big skeg is required for directional stability in any case .He also mentions that keeping the superstructure light is especially important .

[Metal Buyer]

Thanks Bill,

The drawings were helpful. My hull is pretty much the same, except that Spria altered the stern in order to plank with plywood. My plans also calls for a center mounted inboard.

Again,

Thanks