15 Foot Utility with Outboard Power

[maxima302]

Hi All! I am seriously thinking about building a fairly simple 15 foot utility run about with outboard power this summer. Can anybody recommend a design? I really love the way the Ocean Pointer looks, but its a bit too large for me, and the cold molded hull will be too complex. Classic lines are very important to me! I suppose what I'm looking for most is a good hull, and then I can put whatever I please on for a windshield, etc. I'm looking to build something with either a lapstrake design or sheet plywood. Thanks for the help!

Mark

[Thorne]

I've been told the one used in our local TSCA group is a very nice cabin modification based on the Bolger Diablo hull, electric-start Honda outboard and all...but it looks a lot like one of the Gardner dory skiffs in lapstrake to me.

http://www.luckhardt.com/DMRow4/images/DSCN8397.jpg

http://www.luckhardt.com/DMRow4/images/DSCN8409.jpg

[dmede]

Thats a Diablo? It looks more like the Redwing to me.

There are some great old designs here:
http://www.boat-links.com/Atkinco/

Ken Swan makes a nice skiff, the Nez Perce I think. And I really liked the Macomber Skiff from the WB Small Boats magazine.

[Nicholas Carey]

Doug Hylan's "Ben Garvey", plans available from Our Sponsors as well as the man himself (http://www.dhylanboats.com/dhbplanbg.html).

http://page2.hudsonvalleywoodenboat.com/GARVEY2.jpg

[David G]

How about an Atkin design?

http://www.boat-links.com/Atkinco/Oar/index.html

"Never measure the height of a mountain until you have reached the top. Then you will see how low it was" -- Dag Hammarskjold

[plyboat]

Try This One http://www.devlinboat.com/dcsnowgoose.htm

[Thorne]

Goes to show what I know about powerboats -- Redwing it must be. Whatever it is, the owners Jim and Sunny really like it, and it certainly has the classic looks requested.

http://www.cmdboats.com/images/rw18web_arr.jpg

[kengrome]

I've been told the one used in our local TSCA group is a very nice cabin modification based on the Bolger Diablo hull, electric-start Honda outboard and all...but it looks a lot like one of the Gardner dory skiffs in lapstrake to me.Hi Thorne, I am a Diablo fan and I can assure you that the boat in your picture is most definitely NOT based on a Bolder Diablo.

Mark, I think a Bolger Diablo is probably one of the best 15 foot skiffs available to home builders so it is certainly worth your consideration. Here are some web pages to help you learn more about this little boat:

http://www.instantboats.com/diablostory.htm
http://www.kolbsadventures.com/diablo_1.htm
http://www.ourdiablo.hypermart.net/
http://www.psnw.com/%7Ejmrudholm/diablo.html
http://www.diabloboat.homestead.com/home.html
http://www.boatdesign.com/jumps/edsasser/Page.html
http://www.instantboats.com/diablo.htm

By the way, I did not necessarily believe all the great things Randy Wright wrote about Diablo on the first web page listed above, so I emailed him several months ago. He replied and reconfirmed that every word he said is true, and he still believes Diablo is the best handling skiff in its size range that he has ever been in.

[dmede]

Goes to show what I know about powerboats -- Redwing it must be. Whatever it is, the owners Jim and Sunny really like it, and it certainly has the classic looks requested.


Thats all right, I'm sure all stink pots look the same to you puff boat guys :D I don't know squat about boats with them flappy things on em.

I've seen a few pics of various Redwings and that onen is by far my favorite build. I think there is an Ash Breeze issue with an article on it. I agree it has a very Gardner or Atkin like look to it with the lapstrakes (esp the bow shot).

Another option for the original poster is the Simmons Sea Skiff. Classic looks, looks good with a small window and canopy, very sea worthy for its size and (I've read) realativly easy to build.

http://www.simmonsseaskiff.com/

[rbgarr]

Mark,

If you're going to use the boat for your photography, try getting in touch with Benjamin Mendlowitz through WB and see if he has a suggestion for a boat design in the size you're considering.

[DugT]

You might want to look at Charles Wittholz's Little Moby design. Also, Hartley & Brooks have several plans for plywood runabouts and ultility boats. Selway-Fisher has a few in that range as well, even a 15 footer based on a lobster-boat hull. And there is the Long Point Skiff by Tom Hill. Good Luck.

[maxima302]

Wow, thanks for all the replies and help! Some excellent designs within this thread. To me, the most appealing is the Long Point Skiff, by Tom Hill. Does anybody have an experience in building one of these (...as far as # of hours to complete, skill level, techniques...). This will be my first build, too ambitious?

Now.... anybody want to buy some photos to fund the build? :D

[David G]

Yes that looks like a Redwing. It's based on on old Chapelle 18' Camp Skiff design. Stambaugh updated and simplified the construction method and offers plans for 26', 23', 21', and 18' versions. Sam Devlin had an article in WB (#108?) about converting the construction from ply on frame to stitch & goo.

"The best thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never any use to oneself" -- Oscar Wilde

[Tristan]

Diablo is a good all around boat. We've used ours a LOT. I'd not consider modifying it without taking to Dynamite Payson or Phil Bolger though.

[Lewisboats]

Along the lines of Redwing...is Skiff America. I've met the man and seen the boat...very nice, fast, and amazingly smooth coming up on plane. It's the hook in the bottom...3/4" in the last 6 ft I think he told me. It goes together easily too if I am not mistaken. Here's the address to the home page: http://www.skiffamerica20.com/skiff.html


http://www.skiffamerica20.com/threeboat/pic14.jpg http://www.skiffamerica20.com/threeboat/pic4.jpg

http://www.skiffamerica20.com/florida/3.jpg http://www.skiffamerica20.com/misc/127.jpg

[maxima302]

Thanks again for all the help! Those Skiff America's are pretty!

So far, I'm sold on Tom Hill's Long Point Skiff. I just ordered his book on ultralight boat building. Anybody have any other good resources on the subject? Better yet, has anybody built one of these before? Thanks!

Mark

[Clinton B Chase]

Ken Swan boat design. One of my groups is doing his Nez Perce 13 1/2' skiff and it is a nice looking, utilitarian boat; rugged but pretty.

Cheers,
Clint

[amcvt]

Hi Mark,
I've been a fan of the long point since I saw Tom's at the wooden boat show in Newport last summer. I just recently got the plans and if everything goes according to schedule I hope to start building next month. There was another guy who built one in the Launching/Relaunchings section of the last issue of WB.... maybe you could get in touch with him.

Al