ocean pointer

[lou]

has anyone in the new york area built an ocean pointer? I'm interested to know how the boat handles and if it would be wise to fiberglas the outside of the hull.

[davebrown]

lou--i don't have an answer for you--but i am dismayed at how little response there is, and evidently, interest, in building these OPs.

i am gearing up to build one, and watching posts on it.

i think we should petition wooden boat to build one in their how-to column.

[Crusoe]

I bought the book ( the pics are pretty crappy, but good enough I guess). And my first thought was, "I,d probably 'glass the hull".
I don't see why you wouldn't, other than cost, but better builders than I might have a reason.

[ddorgan]

I am at the planking stage on a pointer. I know of finished boats with and without glass on the hull. I will probably glass mine since it will live on a trailer and I think the added abrasion protection is justified.
Lou, I had the privilege of driving a pointer from Brooklin, ME to Castine on a blustery day. The ride was a little wet (I imagine that any 20' boat would be wet in those conditions) but comfortable and confident. That ride cinched my resolve to build my own.
I have built only kayaks before this, and find this project to be challenging, but doable.
Dan Dorgan

[pipefitter]

I liked the OP when I was looking to build a boat and I ended up settling on the Simmons Sea Skiff because I liked the boat and there was tons of info and pictures.The large following pertaining to the boat gave me more confidence in choosing it. Maybe you guys can get this OP more exposure. After I first read thread I looked everywhere online for info and found hardly anything. Nice looking boat though.
Also,as far as getting wet in a chop,I have found very few power boats that I have ridden in that dont get you wet at those sizes. Some are real bad but most get you a little wet. Depends on how fast you need to get where you are going when the conditions are like that. The worst being the low sided,blunt front jon boat shaped hulls with low sides. Seems the OP would be as good as any in it's size and style.

[ 06-18-2005, 12:29 PM: Message edited by: pipefitter ]

[bruceS]

Can't help with how an OP handles as I haven't finished construction yet -- will get back to it in the fall. http://www.brine.ca

I'm sure the boat will be wet as there is no spray deflection forward near the w/l, but my guess is it will give a fairly soft ride.

I glassed the bottom as it will be trailered.

[Crusoe]

:cool:

[helvit]

lou-- "has anyone in the new york area built an ocean pointer? I'm interested to know how the boat handles and if it would be wise to fiberglas the outside of the hull."

Lou I didn't glass the hull and everything's fine.
The trailer is a jon boat trailer from LoadRite, with bunks and keel rollers. The painted cedar is surely softer than what you occasionally contact, and wants some seasonal care.

Handling-- that's a complex question, but there's nothing I'd rather do than work the Pointer (and find fish) under various inshore conditions. Flat bottom is definitely not soft on plane, but gets you quickly and efficiently to 30mph with 50hp. Round bilge, fine entry, tallish bow... very nice, predictable, but not a lot of flare so if you're making sense, easy does it in a chop.