Re: New member & request for ideas
Welcome to the group. If a trolling motor will do it, and you don't
actually need to troll, consider oars. No heavy battery to pick up, and
a lot less $. Comparable performance. No need to charge before boating.
That's assuming your back can handle it (mine can, and it's pretty
flaky). I've found paddling to actually help my back, tho your results
may vary. THere's a wonderful essay on rowing in Bolger's book, Small
Boats. Somewhere Michalak has a good essay on why rowing is useful but I
only found his essays for the converted. One of these two said that many
fishermen using outboards to go fishing nearby are like people using
airplanes to go to the supermarket a few blocks away. Or something like
that.
If you end up with 12V motor on a paddling or rowing boat, use a long
cable to get the battery weight out of the stern.
Consider starting with something small, quick and easy. Lowers the
pressure on you, and maybe you can get in the water while the weather is
still nice.
You might consider June Bug, as I think it's supposed to be pretty
stable, though without the stability issue I would suggest starting even
smaller. Teal is pretty stable for it's size and width, if you want to
row. Paddling boats will be less stable, I think. Now you're talking
Yellow Leaf. Or one of Michalak's designs.
Be very careful just how you build, and how you set things up, unless
you want to really mess up your back like I did when I ignored the pain
(tho I was well on the way to having a big problem already). Take breaks
and walk around.
If you really want to use that lawnmower motor in a boat, then on your
second project I think you should make an inboard Sneakeasy. 12hp on a
four stroke ought to make it go pretty well (it goes fine with 15hp 2
stroke). A wonderful boat for sheltered water, and very stable too. Not
that heavy either, if you're trailering it.I wonder how quiet one could
make a 12hp aircooled motor given a heavy, insulated housing (with some
kind of cooling fan) and a big muffler. I know it's 26 feet long, but it
really does go ok with small horsepower, and I bet it's no heavier than
a lot of boats 2/3 as long or even less.
Good luck!
actually need to troll, consider oars. No heavy battery to pick up, and
a lot less $. Comparable performance. No need to charge before boating.
That's assuming your back can handle it (mine can, and it's pretty
flaky). I've found paddling to actually help my back, tho your results
may vary. THere's a wonderful essay on rowing in Bolger's book, Small
Boats. Somewhere Michalak has a good essay on why rowing is useful but I
only found his essays for the converted. One of these two said that many
fishermen using outboards to go fishing nearby are like people using
airplanes to go to the supermarket a few blocks away. Or something like
that.
If you end up with 12V motor on a paddling or rowing boat, use a long
cable to get the battery weight out of the stern.
Consider starting with something small, quick and easy. Lowers the
pressure on you, and maybe you can get in the water while the weather is
still nice.
You might consider June Bug, as I think it's supposed to be pretty
stable, though without the stability issue I would suggest starting even
smaller. Teal is pretty stable for it's size and width, if you want to
row. Paddling boats will be less stable, I think. Now you're talking
Yellow Leaf. Or one of Michalak's designs.
Be very careful just how you build, and how you set things up, unless
you want to really mess up your back like I did when I ignored the pain
(tho I was well on the way to having a big problem already). Take breaks
and walk around.
If you really want to use that lawnmower motor in a boat, then on your
second project I think you should make an inboard Sneakeasy. 12hp on a
four stroke ought to make it go pretty well (it goes fine with 15hp 2
stroke). A wonderful boat for sheltered water, and very stable too. Not
that heavy either, if you're trailering it.I wonder how quiet one could
make a 12hp aircooled motor given a heavy, insulated housing (with some
kind of cooling fan) and a big muffler. I know it's 26 feet long, but it
really does go ok with small horsepower, and I bet it's no heavier than
a lot of boats 2/3 as long or even less.
Good luck!
>Russ Davis wrote:
>snip
>
>My main design criteria can be summed up in a few words: Easy,
>cheap, lightweight, stable, and safe. Due to low back problems I'm a
>bit unsteady on my feet, so stability is important. (What's the
>opposite of "tender" ... "tough"?)
>
>The boat will be pulled on a small trailer, or maybe cartopped. The
>primary use will be fishing in Northern California lakes and rivers.
>
>Power will be either electric or small gas inboard. This is the area
>where I need the most input. I'll describe my two competing ideas,
>then ask for ideas, advice, references, etc..
>
>1) 12 volt electric motor, either an off-the-shelf trolling motor or
>a homemade job. Here's the kicker: I'm thinking of using a spare
>5.5HP lawnmower motor and a car alternator to build an onboard
>generator/charger. snip
>
>2) 12HP gas B&S riding lawnmower motor. I think this could be used
>for an inboard, straight shaft setup. The idea of a 12 or 14 foot
>snip
>
Hey Russ,
Join the Michalak Yahoogroup and look at Jim Michalak's designs,
viewable on Duckworks athttp://tinyurl.com/lb8a
I bet you'll find a design that meets your criteria....
Rick
Russ Davis wrote:
Join the Michalak Yahoogroup and look at Jim Michalak's designs,
viewable on Duckworks athttp://tinyurl.com/lb8a
I bet you'll find a design that meets your criteria....
Rick
Russ Davis wrote:
> Hi, all. I've been on this list for a few weeks, but I've been
> interested in boatbuilding and Bolger's designs for ... well, it's
> kind of depressing to think about how long! Anyway, I've finally
> reached a stage in life where I have the skills, tools, workspace,
> and a specific application in mind. Time to get busy!
>
> My main design criteria can be summed up in a few words: Easy,
> cheap, lightweight, stable, and safe. Due to low back problems I'm a
> bit unsteady on my feet, so stability is important. (What's the
> opposite of "tender" ... "tough"?)
>
> The boat will be pulled on a small trailer, or maybe cartopped. The
> primary use will be fishing in Northern California lakes and rivers.
>
> Power will be either electric or small gas inboard. This is the area
> where I need the most input. I'll describe my two competing ideas,
> then ask for ideas, advice, references, etc..
>
> 1) 12 volt electric motor, either an off-the-shelf trolling motor or
> a homemade job. Here's the kicker: I'm thinking of using a spare
> 5.5HP lawnmower motor and a car alternator to build an onboard
> generator/charger. I figure I can run a couple of hours on battery
> power, then start up the generator and quick-charge the battery. I
> could probably run the charger and motor together for long upstream
> trips.
>
> 2) 12HP gas B&S riding lawnmower motor. I think this could be used
> for an inboard, straight shaft setup. The idea of a 12 or 14 foot
> stern drive seems kind of cool. Being air cooled, it would be
> relatively environmentally correct, and would allow me access to area
> waters where 2-stokes are outlawed. Maybe a sound-reducing enclosure
> with an electric fan for ventilation/cooling?
>
> Any & all input will be greatly appreciated. If this is too far off-
> topic, please let me know.
>
> TIA,
> - Russ Davis
> Rocklin, CA USA
>
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Russ Davis" <red_avis@y...> wrote:
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan
> (Still don't know what the opposite of "tender" is.)Stiff is the term you seek............
>
>Russ,
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan
>--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Bruce Hallman" <brucehallman@y...Thanks, Bruce. The Work Skiff is one I had thought about. If
> wrote:
> Or, maybe the smaller 15 foot 'Work Skiff'.
there's an easier-looking design, I don't know what it is! Might be
a bit heavy... Come to think of it, though, heavy and untippy go
together nicely. (Still don't know what the opposite of "tender" is.)
> Sincerement,Escuso mio, Pierre, but we are espeaking the espanish here in El
> Pierre,"le petite mouton gris" Lenihan
Norte de Cali.
Sinceramento,
- Russ "El Cheapo" Davis
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Bruce Hallman" <brucehallman@y...>
wrote:
toolz! Toute suite! Who needz zee nasty outboard ven vee have zee
perfect ideas here! Si,she even has zee,how you say,"steering wheel"
non?! Bah! It eez zee work of genius,dis crazy man from
California.Why not he come too for zee messyabout? Maybe he eez too
much afraid of zee crazy drinking Canadian beer?She eez so good dis
beer she almost drink all by herself,c'est si facile:-)
Sincerement,
Pierre,"le petite mouton gris" Lenihan
wrote:
> Or, maybe you need a TIMS module.Queek monsieur Le Mouton Noir,get out zee lawn-mower and zee boite of
> With a riding lawnmower power plant...hmmmm.
toolz! Toute suite! Who needz zee nasty outboard ven vee have zee
perfect ideas here! Si,she even has zee,how you say,"steering wheel"
non?! Bah! It eez zee work of genius,dis crazy man from
California.Why not he come too for zee messyabout? Maybe he eez too
much afraid of zee crazy drinking Canadian beer?She eez so good dis
beer she almost drink all by herself,c'est si facile:-)
Sincerement,
Pierre,"le petite mouton gris" Lenihan
--- "Russ Davis" <red_avis@y...> wrote:
Them thar are some whacky home brew ideas!
<grin>
You will feel at home around here!
My suggestion, (if you have a trailer) is the
18 foot simple, stable and tough 'Clam Skiff'.
Or, maybe the smaller 15 foot 'Work Skiff'.
Plans are available cheap from:
http://www.instantboats.com/
Or, maybe you need a TIMS module.
With a riding lawnmower power plant...hmmmm.
> a homemade job. Here's the kicker:Whew!
> I'm thinking of using a spare
> 5.5HP lawnmower motor and a car
> alternator to build an onboard
> generator/charger. 12HP gas
> B&S riding lawnmower motor.
> ...I think this could be used for an
> inboard, straight shaft setup.
> The idea of a 12 or 14 foot
> stern drive seems kind of cool.
> Being air cooled,...
Them thar are some whacky home brew ideas!
<grin>
You will feel at home around here!
My suggestion, (if you have a trailer) is the
18 foot simple, stable and tough 'Clam Skiff'.
Or, maybe the smaller 15 foot 'Work Skiff'.
Plans are available cheap from:
http://www.instantboats.com/
Or, maybe you need a TIMS module.
With a riding lawnmower power plant...hmmmm.
Hi, all. I've been on this list for a few weeks, but I've been
interested in boatbuilding and Bolger's designs for ... well, it's
kind of depressing to think about how long! Anyway, I've finally
reached a stage in life where I have the skills, tools, workspace,
and a specific application in mind. Time to get busy!
My main design criteria can be summed up in a few words: Easy,
cheap, lightweight, stable, and safe. Due to low back problems I'm a
bit unsteady on my feet, so stability is important. (What's the
opposite of "tender" ... "tough"?)
The boat will be pulled on a small trailer, or maybe cartopped. The
primary use will be fishing in Northern California lakes and rivers.
Power will be either electric or small gas inboard. This is the area
where I need the most input. I'll describe my two competing ideas,
then ask for ideas, advice, references, etc..
1) 12 volt electric motor, either an off-the-shelf trolling motor or
a homemade job. Here's the kicker: I'm thinking of using a spare
5.5HP lawnmower motor and a car alternator to build an onboard
generator/charger. I figure I can run a couple of hours on battery
power, then start up the generator and quick-charge the battery. I
could probably run the charger and motor together for long upstream
trips.
2) 12HP gas B&S riding lawnmower motor. I think this could be used
for an inboard, straight shaft setup. The idea of a 12 or 14 foot
stern drive seems kind of cool. Being air cooled, it would be
relatively environmentally correct, and would allow me access to area
waters where 2-stokes are outlawed. Maybe a sound-reducing enclosure
with an electric fan for ventilation/cooling?
Any & all input will be greatly appreciated. If this is too far off-
topic, please let me know.
TIA,
- Russ Davis
Rocklin, CA USA
interested in boatbuilding and Bolger's designs for ... well, it's
kind of depressing to think about how long! Anyway, I've finally
reached a stage in life where I have the skills, tools, workspace,
and a specific application in mind. Time to get busy!
My main design criteria can be summed up in a few words: Easy,
cheap, lightweight, stable, and safe. Due to low back problems I'm a
bit unsteady on my feet, so stability is important. (What's the
opposite of "tender" ... "tough"?)
The boat will be pulled on a small trailer, or maybe cartopped. The
primary use will be fishing in Northern California lakes and rivers.
Power will be either electric or small gas inboard. This is the area
where I need the most input. I'll describe my two competing ideas,
then ask for ideas, advice, references, etc..
1) 12 volt electric motor, either an off-the-shelf trolling motor or
a homemade job. Here's the kicker: I'm thinking of using a spare
5.5HP lawnmower motor and a car alternator to build an onboard
generator/charger. I figure I can run a couple of hours on battery
power, then start up the generator and quick-charge the battery. I
could probably run the charger and motor together for long upstream
trips.
2) 12HP gas B&S riding lawnmower motor. I think this could be used
for an inboard, straight shaft setup. The idea of a 12 or 14 foot
stern drive seems kind of cool. Being air cooled, it would be
relatively environmentally correct, and would allow me access to area
waters where 2-stokes are outlawed. Maybe a sound-reducing enclosure
with an electric fan for ventilation/cooling?
Any & all input will be greatly appreciated. If this is too far off-
topic, please let me know.
TIA,
- Russ Davis
Rocklin, CA USA