small power sharpie: advice

[Fredshoo]

Hi everybody

I would greatly appreciate if you can give me your opinion about the following hull design:

http://www.fibresrawdon.com/chaloupe/bigduck.htm.

This craft is called "verchère" in the province of Quebec, in Canada, and has been used for nearly a century as a working boat on the St-Laurence River. The characteristic is as followed: length: 18 feet, width: 72 inches, depth: 30 inches, weight: 350 lbs. Fiberglass hull with a double bottom. My initial intention was to build a small power sharpie like the Jim Michalak’s AF4. But since I don’t have the space and the time I would like to use the above mentioned boat as the hull and put a plywood cabin on it. Do you think this hull could make an able low cost cruiser sharpie with two berths and a galley?

Thanks in advance.

Fred

[John Bell]

I can't say if the boat you've shown there would be a good basis for you project. I do have an AF4, though. AF4 is about the simplest construction project you could undertake. Mine was ready for the water after 4 months of part time work. It took me another 4 months to get it launched but that was due problems sorting out the trailer and motor, not the hull.

While two could sleep in the cuddy, they'd better be close because it is tight.

JB

[retrowood]

Might want to look at Tracy O'Brians Kayliegh or Stambaugh's Red wing, both very nice powered sharpies.