Diesel Cruiser 'Badger'
Hello to all,
First time writing to this group. My letter is in response to the
discussion a few weeks ago about Bolger's 'Badger', the 19 foot
diesel cruiser presented in Boat Journal - April/May '91.
I haven't started construction, but she's already consumed many hours
of study and scheming over plans purchased from Phil Bolger & Friends
in 1996. When I ordered the plans, PCB wrote first to caution me he
no longer supported the bow shape (cutwater bow preferable for rough
water), and felt the high flush deck would make her tiddly to move
around on. Warnings aside, I felt the design had promise and fit
with what I had in mind.
I always admired aft wheelhouse trawlers, draggers, and sardine
carriers (I grew up on the New Brunswick side of the Bay of Fundy
where they were common). The carriers often hauled freight to Deer
and Grand Manan Islands in the off-season, and I could see Badger as
my own miniature freighter.
I've uploaded a few renderings of my modified Badger (BadgerMod).
With the help of Gregg Carlson's Chine Hull Designer program, I was
able to model the hull to the size I wanted, paying close attention
to CB and trim. I worked out the empty hull weight and CG, factored
in equipment weights/arms, and calculated trim angle with various
loading scenarios.
Her length is 14'10" (expanded sides fit within two 8' PW sheets
joined by a 3" scarf). Beam is just shy of 6'. I calculate the
empty weight at around 870 lbs, and 1525 lbs with battery, engine (10
HP Honda), fuel, equipment, ground tackle, added weight of flood water
in the motor well, and the 200 lbs of lead PCB suggested on seeing
renderings of the modified hull.
Essentially it's a two place craft. I had a version of Tom
McNaughton's 18 foot PW tug on Ontario's Rideau Canal (well mounted
10 HP Honda), and see this version of Badger being comfortable in
similar protected waters. She maintains most of PCB's original
layout from the pilothouse forward.
With the diesel gone, I moved the cabin sides inboard about six
inches, allowing (with the help of solid hand rails) exterior passage
around the wheelhouse. The original design forced all fore-aft
movement through the cockpit. The fully enclosed head is maintained.
I gave the little boat a raised sheer forward, enough to cover a
notch in the forward deck that allows sitting headroom for one below.
An opening port on the aft or forward face of the notch would allow
fresh air and light through. I'd maintain the deck hatch for loading
and as an emergency exit. Figures in the renderings are 6'4" in
height.
Inside entry from the pilothouse to the berths is as per PCB. A
battery and storage box on either end of the cockpit sole provide
steps in/out, replacing the original step on the inboard motor cover.
The Honda is mounted on a suitably strengthened aft cockpit
bulkhead, and the motor well area sealed from the pilothouse. Vented
tank areas would be fashioned on either side of the motor.
The process has been great fun. I have a Cape Island or Novi-style
fishing skiff that I'd have to dispose of to start the project. Not
quite ready to part with the old girl yet.
Thanks again to Gregg Carlson for sharing his expertise and software,
and to those who contribute to the group. Hope the .jpg's are of
interest.
Regards,
Stephen MacMurray
Halifax, Nova Scotia
CANADA
First time writing to this group. My letter is in response to the
discussion a few weeks ago about Bolger's 'Badger', the 19 foot
diesel cruiser presented in Boat Journal - April/May '91.
I haven't started construction, but she's already consumed many hours
of study and scheming over plans purchased from Phil Bolger & Friends
in 1996. When I ordered the plans, PCB wrote first to caution me he
no longer supported the bow shape (cutwater bow preferable for rough
water), and felt the high flush deck would make her tiddly to move
around on. Warnings aside, I felt the design had promise and fit
with what I had in mind.
I always admired aft wheelhouse trawlers, draggers, and sardine
carriers (I grew up on the New Brunswick side of the Bay of Fundy
where they were common). The carriers often hauled freight to Deer
and Grand Manan Islands in the off-season, and I could see Badger as
my own miniature freighter.
I've uploaded a few renderings of my modified Badger (BadgerMod).
With the help of Gregg Carlson's Chine Hull Designer program, I was
able to model the hull to the size I wanted, paying close attention
to CB and trim. I worked out the empty hull weight and CG, factored
in equipment weights/arms, and calculated trim angle with various
loading scenarios.
Her length is 14'10" (expanded sides fit within two 8' PW sheets
joined by a 3" scarf). Beam is just shy of 6'. I calculate the
empty weight at around 870 lbs, and 1525 lbs with battery, engine (10
HP Honda), fuel, equipment, ground tackle, added weight of flood water
in the motor well, and the 200 lbs of lead PCB suggested on seeing
renderings of the modified hull.
Essentially it's a two place craft. I had a version of Tom
McNaughton's 18 foot PW tug on Ontario's Rideau Canal (well mounted
10 HP Honda), and see this version of Badger being comfortable in
similar protected waters. She maintains most of PCB's original
layout from the pilothouse forward.
With the diesel gone, I moved the cabin sides inboard about six
inches, allowing (with the help of solid hand rails) exterior passage
around the wheelhouse. The original design forced all fore-aft
movement through the cockpit. The fully enclosed head is maintained.
I gave the little boat a raised sheer forward, enough to cover a
notch in the forward deck that allows sitting headroom for one below.
An opening port on the aft or forward face of the notch would allow
fresh air and light through. I'd maintain the deck hatch for loading
and as an emergency exit. Figures in the renderings are 6'4" in
height.
Inside entry from the pilothouse to the berths is as per PCB. A
battery and storage box on either end of the cockpit sole provide
steps in/out, replacing the original step on the inboard motor cover.
The Honda is mounted on a suitably strengthened aft cockpit
bulkhead, and the motor well area sealed from the pilothouse. Vented
tank areas would be fashioned on either side of the motor.
The process has been great fun. I have a Cape Island or Novi-style
fishing skiff that I'd have to dispose of to start the project. Not
quite ready to part with the old girl yet.
Thanks again to Gregg Carlson for sharing his expertise and software,
and to those who contribute to the group. Hope the .jpg's are of
interest.
Regards,
Stephen MacMurray
Halifax, Nova Scotia
CANADA