What style boats would you like to see?

[Kudzu]

I am doing a little research and I want your input. I am looking at branching into other styles of boats for Fuselage frame construction. Obviously anything with a gas motor is not a good idea, possible probably, but not something I want to do. I have been tossing around some ideas and need to gage interest.

Some ideas have thought about are a rowing boat. Propelled by oars and maybe even with a sliding seat option. This is a personal project so you may have seen some ideas I have tossed around. You will probably see one this summer, even if it just a personal boat.

A local client expressed an interest in a fish boat. Something wide enough to stand in, put an electric trolling motor on and stand and fly fish. I can envision a wider flat(ish) bottomed boat with wood slat floors to stand on. I would design it to propelled by oars for sure. Putting a trolling motor wouldn't be an issue.

I just have not had a lot interest in canoes. But maybe some sort of open cockpit, two-person design? Some sort of hybrid? Something I have not thought of?

One biggie that I have been thinking of a long time is a sailing design. Lot of work there but I am still very interested. This would take a lot of time to develop and some expense. So that is kind of down the list.

So, tell me what you would like to see. Maybe you have seen a design that you like, might inspire something.

[Hirilonde]

Not really a new type of boat for you, but maybe a more stable recreational design kayak. Or is the new Freebie considerably more stable than a Curlew? I finally got out on my Curlew the other day and definitely found it a challenge. It is one I am willing to work at but my wife is not interested. She wants something she will be comfortable in the first time out.

[Kudzu]

Yes, the Mess About is a lot more stable. Should be a good beginners boat. It started out as a fishing boat and I wanted higher stablity so that I could concentrate on tying on a lure, unhook a fish or what ever and not have to pay attention was going on around me. Of course I can fish out of any of them now but that one is the most comfortable. I can do what ever I want with no concern.

As I was working on it I saw the potential as a recreational boat and it is really a nice paddlig boat. It really surprised me at how good it paddles first time out. Just slow compared to the skinny ones.

You will find that you will adapt to Curlew really quickly. First couple of trips are bit spooky but I have only had one paddler every turn over a Curlew and he didn't listen and tired to lean to one side over the water while he moved his legs around. When I built the first one I could not use binoculars for more than a few seconds. After 2-3 trips I started to get really comfortable in it.

[Aethyr]

I would be most interested in a sail boat, either as an add-on to a kayak (trimaran) or beach cat style.

[SBknox]

I would be very interested in a decent sized catamaran.

[Kudzu]

Both of these interest me too. I looked at adding a sail to a kayak and being a sailor I didn't care for what I was seeing. Sailing kayaks are going to be very wet ride if you get any speed. And why sail if you can't go fast? But sailing with a face full of water in winter (our best winds) did not appeal to me.

I looked a Catamaran but the structure required looses most of the weight advantage for SOF.

I did come up with a design for a Trimaran that looks promising but still have some concerns about sail plan and the best way to do that. I really prefer a freestanding mast (no stays/guy wires) but that leads to other issues. Not exactly a simple project. I put it aside to think on a while. But there is a large print on the shop wall. I keep looking at it and thinking about it.

[woodman]

A design to which the seat can be raised and still maintain stability...And like stated even stand and fish out of..

This 15'X29'' is a stable design..sitting almost even with the gunwale

This is going to be an interesting one as soon as I get the funds for the fabric..It is 15'X32''

This 16'X36'' I can stand up in...(and weighs under 50lbs)

[chris.lewis.425]

My wife has asked for a shorter tandem with an open cockpit so we can go out together (and while I paddle is what she really means). I have some plans for a CLC Mill Creek 16.5 that I've been condsidering converting to SOF. The good news is that it will still fit in my garage.

Something like that would be nice.

Chris in Seattle

[Hirilonde]

I looked a Catamaran but the structure required looses most of the weight advantage for SOF.

I would never tell anyone something can't be done, but as Jeff has stated this really is the problem. A catamaran needs the structure that joins the hulls together and the joints to the hulls to be strong and ridgid. A SoF hull is strong because it is flexible.

Thanks for the info on the Mess About Jeff, now to finish talking my wife into having me build her one.

[DURRETTD]

Jeff,

I'd recommend you design a pack canoe, similar to a down-sized Stonefly. It may not be an intuitive choice for a lot of paddlers, but a pack canoe can be an excellent alternative to larger, heavier, enclosed kayaks. They aren't ideal for open water or winter use, but they're light and convenient. I use a double paddle, not a canoe paddle, and plan on getting wet (from drips from the paddle).

I usually paddle a 20+ year-old polyethylene Hydra Solo (17' x 22"). It's great for long open-water cruising, but it's heavy, so I'm looking at one of your designs in the 15' foot range to reduce wetted surface and weight. In the past, when I didn't feel like lugging the poly boat down to the water and back (it weighs 60 pounds going in and about 2,427 pounds when I pull it out after a long day on the water), I would grab an old Mohawk pack canoe (about 12' x 29"). It's light, easy to get into and cruises at a reasonable speed. Its only drawback is that it doesn't like short, steep powerboat wakes and is too wet for winter paddling.

Thanks for asking!

Dan

[Kudzu]

A design to which the seat can be raised and still maintain stability...And like stated even stand and fish out of..

This 15'X29'' is a stable design..sitting almost even with the gunwale

Tall order to do that and keep the width down to manageable. I to like the idea but seems like there are a lot of draw backs. At 36" wide you just about need to sit in one of the ends to paddle. Paddle solo you have your bow in the air because your sitting in the end where it narrow. Or you have to use a really long paddle. Narrower boat with outriggers strikes me as a better combo but it looks like training wheels. Boat is much faster that way.

This is going to be an interesting one as soon as I get the funds for the fabric..It is 15'X32''

This one caught my eye when you first posted it. I like the deck shap a lot. Have toyed with something similar but never drew it up (yet).

My wife has asked for a shorter tandem with an open cockpit so we can go out together

I hear you. I have a few inquiries about tandems and I think most people are really thinking more canoe styling with an open cockpit rather than kayak when they say tandem. That probably needs to move up on my list.

I'd recommend you design a pack canoe, similar to a down-sized Stonefly. It may not be an intuitive choice for a lot of paddlers, but a pack canoe can be an excellent alternative to larger, heavier, enclosed kayaks.

Stonefly has been very slow to sell and I mean VERY SLOW. So I have stayed away from Canoe designs. Maybe I have not reaching the right market but I have really been hesitant to spend the effort to do another canoe. I have been looking at Bateau and Piroque and small boats like that. They are good canidates but it no one wants one it no sense putting the effort into it.

But that is why I am asking. Trying to get a feel for where the market might be. Starting to think about a new book and looking at options.

[von]

Jeff,

How about a decked canoe. Still double bladed propulsion, but could be a single blade. Jem has two, Northwind and Southwind, both quasi-replicas of the Kreuger decked canoes. Or maybe like the Bell Canoe Rob Roy. Your Mess Abouts are close, but beam-y by comparison.

von

[woodman]

The hull on all SOF I see have a keel stringer is this style of hull possible?

And then their is the Pirogue with a slight V which is pretty flat bottomed which can be done..

[Kudzu]

I don't see how to get around a keel strip. You could could do multiple strips along the bottom without one down the center but your still not going to have a flat bottom. The skin is going to arc upward some regardless how you configure it. The wider the spacing the more the fabric will arc.

[Kudzu]

How about a decked canoe.

Totally doable but as I mentioned, Stonefly has had so little interest that I am really hesitant to put a lot of effort into another canoe.

[paxtonm]

Hi,

We still have an older Hobie 16, and it is a blast, but the mast is a beast to rig. We would love a sailing-rowing boat a little bigger than Dave Gentry's Shenandoah Whitehall, maybe around 15 feet. That would get much more use than the Hobie. In fact, we would sell it to make the change. Probably we would prefer a sprit rig, just for shorter spars. I think it's cool you thought to ask!

[Kudzu]

I am seriously interested in small sailing boats. I actually have a couple of designs on the computer. I have decided to do another book and this time I want to show the versatility of Fuselage frames construction and do something other than than just kayaks. What exactly that is I am not sure yet. I am looking around right now.

Sailboats are on my list for sure. I don't expect one to be in the book because that is something I would have to build and test before I would dare release it. I see a lot of experimenting and frustration to on the first one. Not to mention that sails are not cheap. Even experimenting with a few poly tarps I would spend some money trying different rigs. I just see that taking a lot of time.

But I am very interested and just looking for ideas. What type of sailboat are interested in? Style and size?

[jerryg]

Hi Jeff,

Great topic.

Have you considered single and/or double sculls? I always thought these were sleek and fast looking boats, but could never afford one because of the very high price (mostly because of the exotic materials used). It seems to me that SOF might be a natural way to keep the weight down and build a pretty good scull variant (many images available on Google Image).

Of course, the hardware might be expensive, but I think it would be a cool build, and the boat would be pretty amazing looking.

[paxtonm]

Hi Jeff,

I was thinking of a sailing skiff, skerry or whitehall type boat, something that would take a centerboard trunk and a kickup rudder, suitable for two. At my age, performance is less a factor than comfort. I'd like to be able to row it, of course, and I'd like to to retain the advantages (weight, buildability) of SOF. I guess kind of picnic boat?

[Kudzu]

Have you considered single and/or double sculls? I always thought these were sleek and fast looking boats, but could never afford one because of the very high price (mostly because of the exotic materials used).

Yes, well a recreational shell with drop in rower has been in the back of mind. My next project is likely a rowing Whitehall. I have been fine tuning this for a long time and just couldn't bring myself to build it, but I think it is time. The idea is is a fixed seat boat that can be made, maybe even converted easily between fixed seat and drop in rowing unit.

Stability numbers look good but with the round bottom I have to question that. But it should be an easy moving boat and I have an idea to even have a varnish transom too!

I was thinking of a sailing skiff, skerry or whitehall type boat, something that would take a centerboard trunk and a kickup rudder, suitable for two.

Just curious. I have looked for inspiration and found lots of ideas. Obviously love the look or a Whitehall but this one is to narrow for sailing I suspect. But as I have said, sailboats are ways down the road.