First-time builder, please help with desicion

[jehicks87]

Hello everyone, as my title says, I am beginning my first ever build! :D

I live in Arkansas, and am wanting a homemade boat for use on our local lakes, mostly for fishing and just running around. My requirements are:

Stability, first and foremost
Useable space, close second
Speed!!! hehe...

I have already aquired a 1988 Merc 35 HP outboard, so that is going to be what is used to push it around.

I'm looking at two versions each of two seperate designs. One, the Phil Bolger Diablo. Two, the Diablo Grande. Three, the Bateau OB15. Four, the Bateau OB 18.

The Diablo/DG would be easiest to build, but I am concerened about its stability and useable space. Would it be possible to widen the bottom of the Diablo in order to enhance its stability?

The OB15/18 use stich-n-glue construction. What is that?

Any other concerns I should know about, or any other designs I should consider?

Thanks in advance for you guys' help, I am deffinately looking forward to beginning and sharing this experience. All my friends say it "ain't gonna happen"... I just smile.

[JimD]

Greetings and welcome to the forum. I wouldn't mess with Diablo's shape. If you're not willing to build it as drawn you should go for the Bateau boat. Stitch and glue means the boat has no frames, just shaped plywood panels that take the shape of a boat when the edges are 'stitched' together, kinda like dress making with plywood.

[Brian Palmer]

Pick up the latest copy of our host's annual magazine, Small Boats. There is a good article about the Diablo.

Brian

[jehicks87]

Unfortunately, the only publication from woodenboats that circulates where I'm from is the main pub, "woodenboats." What were some main points of the article?

As far as stich-and-glue, I have limited access to woodworking supplies and area, so Jig-making would present a problem. I have seen where people have stretched the Diablo, but not widened it. What you're suggesting is simply not to mess with it in that way?

How would one optimize the interior space on the diablo, or DG? Is it possible to move the supports without losing structural integrity?

And BTW, thanks for the welcome! :)

[Thorne]

Until you know a LOT more about boat design, stability under power, and all sorts of other stuff -- just find a plan that meets your needs and build it.

Powerboat design is quite complex, as the hull shape has to perform well yet be safe in many different angles (both fore-and-aft and side-to-side) when moving at speed. Don't mess with it...

Many of the designers that sell plans offer support via email, web forums, or even phone -- so you can always ask them about any desired modifications you have in mind. If they will go for the design mods, great!

As for building, I highly recommend getting one or more of these books from our kind hosts at Wooden Boat. They will explain the terms, building methods, and associated costs so you can make an educated decision on what to build and how -


http://www.woodenboatstore.com/images/300708.jpghttp://www.woodenboatstore.com/images/325111.jpg http://www.woodenboatstore.com/images/325116.jpg http://www.thomasjhillboatdesigns.com/images/book_cover_tn.jpg

http://www.woodenboatstore.com/Clink...nfo/325%2D116/ (http://www.woodenboatstore.com/Clinker-Plywood-BB-Manual/productinfo/325%2D116/)

[jerry bark]

ben garvey is worth a look, with 35 ponies and needing stability and usable space it should be about right for a first time builder.

good luck
jerry

[jehicks87]

Guys, thank you for all your help! After fumbling around some more, I found the perfect solution: the Bateau Fast Skiff 17. Great roominess, so many options, and stability, stability, stability. I reckon it'll go close to 30 mph with a 35 horse, don't you?

http://bateau.com/studyplans/FS17_study.htm?prod=FS17

The basic version of the hull weighs 315 lbs, add to that four seats and two castic decks, I figure shell weigh closer to 350-360. What say ye?

[hwsiii]

You need to go with the plans from Bateau. NOBODY can offer you the SUPPORT that you get from them and their FORUM. Just look and read the posts, if you have any questions about that.


H

[Woxbox]

Looks like it will fill the bill just fine. You'll find the speed very sensitive to weight. Alone, maybe 30 mph, but with 2 or 3 fishing buddies, probably not.

[chicagoross]

Excellent choice! Very capable design, just right for the size motor you have, and there are quite a number of builders on the Bateau forum in various stages of building the FS17; you'll have answers overnight or sooner to any question that may arise during your build. You won't believe how important that can be, especially to a first time builder.

[TimmS]

Hey guys,

I'd just like to throw in a little fact about the Diablo. I have a good friend who has one and alone in it I have gone 17 knots (checked by GPS). that is with 9.9 hp! I think it is an awesome little boat.

[jehicks87]

Oh absolutely the diablo is a great design. I figure I may build one one day, but for what I need in a first boat, I feel it just isn't the best choice.

Thanks for all your help guys, I'll be posting here regularly. Look out for a build thread from me in the next month or so. :D

[JimD]

Have you worked with epoxy before? You'll need relatively a lot of it for the bateau design.

[KingKuvas]

Just finished a Lady Bug plywood skiff and installed a 40 hp 2 stroke and boat moved out at around 37 mph with 2 adults in it Ken was great help with building and it only took 5 weekends to completeyou should check out that boat did a lot of research before getting plans/directions as i am cheap. his plans were easiest i have ever seen by far you should look him up

[jehicks87]

Yes, I've worked with fibreglass before, and feel relatively confident with my skills. Same goes with the woodworking, but I have much more experience with that side.

[ben2go]

I have the same requirements as you.I'd look into the GV line up at Bateau and check into these http://www.boatplans.dk/pictures.asp?id=14 .There are some smaller versions without the cabin.

[KingKuvas]

I think you should look at the skiff i built got plans from Ken at www.ladybugboats.com (http://www.ladybugboats.com) easy to build very stable and powers easily with 30 hp mine runs in the mid 30's

[cybulski]

alot of different boats here. I looked at hundreds before i finaly settled on a design, http://www.svensons.com/boat/
http://www.smallboatdesign.co.uk/
https://www.boatdesigns.com/departments.asp?dept=2

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

Guys, thank you for all your help! After fumbling around some more, I found the perfect solution: the Bateau Fast Skiff 17. Great roominess, so many options, and stability, stability, stability. I reckon it'll go close to 30 mph with a 35 horse, don't you?

http://bateau.com/studyplans/FS17_study.htm?prod=FS17

The basic version of the hull weighs 315 lbs, add to that four seats and two castic decks, I figure shell weigh closer to 350-360. What say ye?

The hull weight that Bateau shows are calculated weights using a computer program. It is very hard for first-timers to build to the low limit. Part of it is lack of technique (too much epoxy) and part is inventiveness. Everyone wants to make the boat "better" or "stronger" and that, invariably, means more weight. Many first-time builds weigh double the design weight. Hitting the minimum takes a lot of self control which only comes with experience.
The best way to get familiar with S&G is to build a small boat like the Cheap Canoe. You will learn the technique and if yours comes close to 40 lb. you have promise as a lightweight builder.
S&G, by the way, is the fastest way to build a hull. An S&G hull of 18 feet will take about a year if you can get organized and if you can hustle. Most of us can't.