Re: Mackinac boat
When you use the word "commute" it conveys the idea of a
regular event -- perhaps daily. I can sympathize with the idea,
given the fare of around $14 round trip. If you are working on the
Island, this can take a big chunk of your wages. However, you
have to factor in the cost of your boat , motor, registration, fuel,
etc.
Do you have a place to leave the boat while you do whatever it is
you do on the Island that is safe from from the thousands of daily
visitors and also okay with the gendarmes?
To be able to haul it clear of the water so you don't find it
swamped by shore waves over the transom when you get ready
for the return trip, it needs to be light. An aluminum skiff such as
the Indian gillnetters in that area use might work.
My Bolger suggestion would be the Clam Skiff.
PRO:
18' x 5'3"
1" thick bottom with 1 1/2" shoe to take dragging over rough
shore.
Takes 6hp to 40hp
simple construction
bow is out of the water to aid in beaching.
ample room
CON:
heavy
flat bottom would pound in the choppy waters of the straits
Vince
regular event -- perhaps daily. I can sympathize with the idea,
given the fare of around $14 round trip. If you are working on the
Island, this can take a big chunk of your wages. However, you
have to factor in the cost of your boat , motor, registration, fuel,
etc.
Do you have a place to leave the boat while you do whatever it is
you do on the Island that is safe from from the thousands of daily
visitors and also okay with the gendarmes?
To be able to haul it clear of the water so you don't find it
swamped by shore waves over the transom when you get ready
for the return trip, it needs to be light. An aluminum skiff such as
the Indian gillnetters in that area use might work.
My Bolger suggestion would be the Clam Skiff.
PRO:
18' x 5'3"
1" thick bottom with 1 1/2" shoe to take dragging over rough
shore.
Takes 6hp to 40hp
simple construction
bow is out of the water to aid in beaching.
ample room
CON:
heavy
flat bottom would pound in the choppy waters of the straits
Vince
Bolger has designed a fleet of boats that would meet the specs as far
as you have defined them. I think you might be much more specifc
about what you prefer, in particular about rough-water (or all-
weather) capability, shelter for the passengers, and service speed.
If the distance is more than a mile or two, you are going to want
power, I think, and that will be cheaper and quicker to build than a
combination boat. My Uncle used an Old Town skiff for a commuter to
an island in Maine. I suppose the service speed was in the high
single digits, and you would not want anything much slower. That was
a sort big semi-dory, and that type has reasonable rough water
capability, but you would stay ashore in real storm. My first thought
of a Bolger boat in that vein was Sharpshooter, a 23' version,
because I had seen a picture of one recently. I don't think you need
a boat that big, though. Bolger has designed smaller, like FishHawk.
Check on the capacity.
Diablo Grande might serve. It would be faster and, up to a point,
better in waves than the flat-bottomed boats. The Diablo's are very
light boats, though, and at some point the waves get too big. You can
get good advice on this list about that. And, they are an easy build.
A real rough-water boat would be a big heavier with a lot more power,
and therefore much more expensive. And harder to build. Shivaree
(PCB's own boat) and the larger Fisherman's launch are more that
type. Of course, a true all-weather boat would require deck and
cabin, and be even more of a project.
Peter
as you have defined them. I think you might be much more specifc
about what you prefer, in particular about rough-water (or all-
weather) capability, shelter for the passengers, and service speed.
If the distance is more than a mile or two, you are going to want
power, I think, and that will be cheaper and quicker to build than a
combination boat. My Uncle used an Old Town skiff for a commuter to
an island in Maine. I suppose the service speed was in the high
single digits, and you would not want anything much slower. That was
a sort big semi-dory, and that type has reasonable rough water
capability, but you would stay ashore in real storm. My first thought
of a Bolger boat in that vein was Sharpshooter, a 23' version,
because I had seen a picture of one recently. I don't think you need
a boat that big, though. Bolger has designed smaller, like FishHawk.
Check on the capacity.
Diablo Grande might serve. It would be faster and, up to a point,
better in waves than the flat-bottomed boats. The Diablo's are very
light boats, though, and at some point the waves get too big. You can
get good advice on this list about that. And, they are an easy build.
A real rough-water boat would be a big heavier with a lot more power,
and therefore much more expensive. And harder to build. Shivaree
(PCB's own boat) and the larger Fisherman's launch are more that
type. Of course, a true all-weather boat would require deck and
cabin, and be even more of a project.
Peter
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "uncleralph123" <UncleRalph@a...>
wrote:
option.
wrote:
>a
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "gary" <bsg3@c...> wrote:
> >
> > I am interested as a soon to be first time boat builder to build
> > transport trailerable boat that could be used to commute betweenthe
> > U.P. of Michigan across the Straits of Mackinac to MackinacIsland.
> > It has to be beachable on the island yet big enough for 3-4adults
> > with a good supply of groceries and misc. gear.I was thinking of power but would be open to sail with a power
> > I am looking for any input as to what Bolger designs would be
> > suitable.
> > Thanks
>
> Sail or power?
option.
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "gary" <bsg3@c...> wrote:
>Sail or power?
> I am interested as a soon to be first time boat builder to build a
> transport trailerable boat that could be used to commute between the
> U.P. of Michigan across the Straits of Mackinac to Mackinac Island.
> It has to be beachable on the island yet big enough for 3-4 adults
> with a good supply of groceries and misc. gear.
> I am looking for any input as to what Bolger designs would be
> suitable.
> Thanks
I am interested as a soon to be first time boat builder to build a
transport trailerable boat that could be used to commute between the
U.P. of Michigan across the Straits of Mackinac to Mackinac Island.
It has to be beachable on the island yet big enough for 3-4 adults
with a good supply of groceries and misc. gear.
I am looking for any input as to what Bolger designs would be
suitable.
Thanks
transport trailerable boat that could be used to commute between the
U.P. of Michigan across the Straits of Mackinac to Mackinac Island.
It has to be beachable on the island yet big enough for 3-4 adults
with a good supply of groceries and misc. gear.
I am looking for any input as to what Bolger designs would be
suitable.
Thanks