Need Help Choosing Boat

[flymann]

I am contemplating my next project, something for fishing the lakes and rivers here in Wyoming. I want something that is between a drift boat and a lake boat if that makes sense. I have narrowed my short list down to 4 boats. I know there are pros and cons to each, but I would appreciate some input from the forum.

Some requirements: I mainly want to row, but the possibility of using a small outboard or trolling motor is good too. The boat will be cartopped on a Jeep Grand Cherokee so weight is factor. The boat must also be strong enough to withstand some rocks (will probably use kevlar on the bottom).

Now the choices...

Little Laker - http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/nichols/laker/index.htm

12'6" motor canoe - http://www.selway-fisher.com/Mcanoe.htm

row dory - http://www.butlerprojects.com/boats/rowdory/index.htm

pacific troller dory - http://www.butlerprojects.com/boats/pacific/index.htm

[JimD]

All nice looking boats. In general if you want to row it then the boat cannot drag its transom in the water. And if you want to motor it the stern has to have enough bouyancy to support the weight of the motor so the boat doesn't porpoise. An alternative is to have a well for the motor that balances the weight. Not much mention of Little Laker's rowability although I think the write up does mention it doesn't have much rocker and with a wide flat transom it may be more of a planing powerboat hull than a slow speed boat for trolling motor or oar power. It would be nice if there was a photo without the motor on the transom to see how she sat in the water. Hard to tell if the Selway Fisher design is much different. The one shown at the SF website does not seem to be fitted with oar locks and there is no mention of rowing her. The first butler boat might be a good rower but is too dory, imho. You won't like the lack of primary stability and I dunno where you'd put a motor. Of the lot I like the Pacific troller and the nifty way the trolling motor is installed.

[Lewisboats]

I did up a boat for someone, which was a modification of another. It has aspects of a canoe but can also handle a motor. If you are familiar with a "guide boat" then it is similar to one of those. Here are the linesplans for it. A version of this boat has been built (the lines aft of the max beam are all straight...for planning) and the results were favorable. This one is the first modification with some tumblehome, a smidge of rocker and a narrowing aft. This one would run nicely with a trolling motor and not be too taxing with a set of oars either. Oh...and the waterline is at 810lbs or 6"...probably way more than you would carry. You would probably draft about 3-4" or 275 lbs to 425lbs...
Steve

http://angelfire.com/ego/lewisboatworks/Stuff/Guideboat15_Linesplan.JPG

[Tom Lathrop]

For your requirements, I don't think you could do better than Robb White's Sport Boat: http://www.robbwhite.com/sportboat.html

He took the basic design of the aluminum Grumman motor "canoe" which had been widened and a transom added for a motor. He added some thoughts of his own and did plans for a wood strip built version. Looks real good to me and at 88 lbs should be no problem for one man cartopping.