Re: [bolger] Re: Sneakeasy's original?
Thanks, I'm glad you mentioned the Kennet on the a page(selway-fisher.com)
as I had not
realized that the site had been recently updated. Wish PCB would build a
site like this. Clyde
as I had not
realized that the site had been recently updated. Wish PCB would build a
site like this. Clyde
On Fri, 18 Aug 2000, Lincoln Ross wrote:
> It's on the website, too. Thanks
>
> --- Inbolger@egroups.com, "Clyde S. Wisner" <clydewis@c...> wrote:
> > I guess what I'm thinking of, is in their full catalog. A 20 or 22
> ft slipper
> > launch (kennet slipper launch) snip
>
>
>
>
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - no cursing
> - stay on topic
> - use punctuation
> - add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts
> - add some content: send "thanks!" and "ditto!" posts off-list.
>
>
It's on the website, too. Thanks
--- Inbolger@egroups.com, "Clyde S. Wisner" <clydewis@c...> wrote:
> I guess what I'm thinking of, is in their full catalog. A 20 or 22
ft slipper
> launch (kennet slipper launch) snip
In a message dated 08/17/2000 12:<BR31:<BR39 PM
Eastern Daylight,rbutterfield@...writes:>
here is a possibility.
I have an Ariens lawn tractor with a 16 hp Kohler industrial (cast iron)
engine...maybe it is 14 hp??? I have thought a number of times about using it
to power a little shantyboat or sternwheeler.
It has hydraulic drive with fwd and rev, with infinitely variable speed each
direction. Therefore, the engine and the drive can be separated for balance,
convenience, etc.
The tractor needs too much body work for me to repair it, but the engine is
top notch, so I was thinking of selling the engine for an industrial
use...cement mixers, generators etc, use them. Used value is about $600. If
anyone wants this engine and all the hydraulics for that price, plus
shipping, let me know. It is electric start, horizontal shaft.
Cheers/Step
Eastern Daylight,rbutterfield@...writes:>
> Now if someone could just figure out an inexpensive and reliable way toget
> forward/neutral/reverse onto one of these engines, we'd have it made. ItOK,
> has to be possible, because they do that with belts on riding mowers that
> you can buy for under $1000.
here is a possibility.
I have an Ariens lawn tractor with a 16 hp Kohler industrial (cast iron)
engine...maybe it is 14 hp??? I have thought a number of times about using it
to power a little shantyboat or sternwheeler.
It has hydraulic drive with fwd and rev, with infinitely variable speed each
direction. Therefore, the engine and the drive can be separated for balance,
convenience, etc.
The tractor needs too much body work for me to repair it, but the engine is
top notch, so I was thinking of selling the engine for an industrial
use...cement mixers, generators etc, use them. Used value is about $600. If
anyone wants this engine and all the hydraulics for that price, plus
shipping, let me know. It is electric start, horizontal shaft.
Cheers/Step
Regarding putting an inboard into a Sneakeasy, it would definitely be
possible. The turtleback could be run all the way across, instead of
having the slot for the outboard, which would give some additional
flotation as well as a mounting point for the rudder and shaft support. If
an air-cooled engine were used for power, this could be put where the front
of the slop well is located in the current version. To illustrate this,
I've thrown together a quick sketch on the files page comparing the inboard
& outboard locations.
http://www.egroups.com/files/bolger/Sneakin.jpg
Now if someone could just figure out an inexpensive and reliable way to get
forward/neutral/reverse onto one of these engines, we'd have it made. It
has to be possible, because they do that with belts on riding mowers that
you can buy for under $1000.
If you wanted more power, a similar Idaho would allow more room in the
cockpit to use a small automotive engine instead, such as a 1600
Subaru.. A vee-drive would allow the same engine to be placed farther
rearward, to live in the slop well space without intruding on the present
cockpit.
BTW If someone is looking for a small, inexpensive diesel, Northern Tool &
Equipment has a couple of little air-cooled diesels , 4.6 hp for $1000, 6.7
hp for $1300.
Regards,
RonB
possible. The turtleback could be run all the way across, instead of
having the slot for the outboard, which would give some additional
flotation as well as a mounting point for the rudder and shaft support. If
an air-cooled engine were used for power, this could be put where the front
of the slop well is located in the current version. To illustrate this,
I've thrown together a quick sketch on the files page comparing the inboard
& outboard locations.
http://www.egroups.com/files/bolger/Sneakin.jpg
Now if someone could just figure out an inexpensive and reliable way to get
forward/neutral/reverse onto one of these engines, we'd have it made. It
has to be possible, because they do that with belts on riding mowers that
you can buy for under $1000.
If you wanted more power, a similar Idaho would allow more room in the
cockpit to use a small automotive engine instead, such as a 1600
Subaru.. A vee-drive would allow the same engine to be placed farther
rearward, to live in the slop well space without intruding on the present
cockpit.
BTW If someone is looking for a small, inexpensive diesel, Northern Tool &
Equipment has a couple of little air-cooled diesels , 4.6 hp for $1000, 6.7
hp for $1300.
Regards,
RonB
I guess what I'm thinking of, is in their full catalog. A 20 or 22 ft slipper
launch (kennet slipper launch) designed for a 20hp Yanmar diesel. "V bottom
forward which flattens out as it runs aft". Email Paul Fisher, perhaps he can
attach something back in an email. Clyde PS, I bought one of the catalogs and I
really enjoy it.
wmrpage@...wrote:
launch (kennet slipper launch) designed for a 20hp Yanmar diesel. "V bottom
forward which flattens out as it runs aft". Email Paul Fisher, perhaps he can
attach something back in an email. Clyde PS, I bought one of the catalogs and I
really enjoy it.
wmrpage@...wrote:
> In a message dated 8/15/00 6:43:45 AM Central Daylight Time,
>clydewis@...writes:
>
> << Take a look at Selway-Fisher.com, Clyde >>
>
> Hi, Clyde: Could you be a bit more specific? I took a quick look at the
> Selway-Fisher site, but didn't happen across anything that remotely resembled
> "Sneakeasy", "Baby Bootlegger" or a '20's Fay & Bowen.
>
> Bill in MN
>
>
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - no cursing
> - stay on topic
> - use punctuation
> - add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts
> - add some content: send "thanks!" and "ditto!" posts off-list.
In a message dated 8/15/00 6:54:04 PM Central Daylight Time,
fbales@...writes:
<< Isn't there such a thing as a small inboard that could be used to get
similar performance? I may be naïve, but it seems to me the challenge of
such a modification is why people want to build boats in the first place-so
they can build exactly what they want. >>
I think your idea is not unreasonable. In an inboard version, those flashy
"beaver tails" or whatever, extending past the transom could be replaced by
simply running the hull proper aft the same location. That and the
elimination of the outboard motor, its well and clearance for tilting, would
leave ample room to move live loads aft. Still any inboard powerplant would
have to be relatively light and of modest power. Perhaps there are suitable
powerplants used for sailboat auxilaries with the requisite plumbing,
transmission and thrust bearings, but stuck here in mid-continent I'd be very
lucky to stumble across one. Perhaps the mechanically adept could adapt an
industrial-grade Honda, Wisconsin, Tecumseh or whatever, engine of suitable
power, but it would require ingenuity. These engines are (I think)
universally air-cooled, and probably have pretty respectable power-to-weight
ratios, and the extravagant turtle deck on "Sneakeasy" would provide room for
all kinds of ductwork, baffling, etc. that might be necessary to produce a
quiet installation, but it would require some substantial engineering. For my
postulated uses, "Sneakeasy", for all its charm, seems unavoidably
ergonomically challenged compared to the slowly fading 1954 Century Viking
currently performing my intended purposes, hence my nominal commision with
Jeff Gilbert. (I wonder if this will prejudice his "amateur" standing for his
projected competition!:)
Ciao for Niao,
Bill in MN
fbales@...writes:
<< Isn't there such a thing as a small inboard that could be used to get
similar performance? I may be naïve, but it seems to me the challenge of
such a modification is why people want to build boats in the first place-so
they can build exactly what they want. >>
I think your idea is not unreasonable. In an inboard version, those flashy
"beaver tails" or whatever, extending past the transom could be replaced by
simply running the hull proper aft the same location. That and the
elimination of the outboard motor, its well and clearance for tilting, would
leave ample room to move live loads aft. Still any inboard powerplant would
have to be relatively light and of modest power. Perhaps there are suitable
powerplants used for sailboat auxilaries with the requisite plumbing,
transmission and thrust bearings, but stuck here in mid-continent I'd be very
lucky to stumble across one. Perhaps the mechanically adept could adapt an
industrial-grade Honda, Wisconsin, Tecumseh or whatever, engine of suitable
power, but it would require ingenuity. These engines are (I think)
universally air-cooled, and probably have pretty respectable power-to-weight
ratios, and the extravagant turtle deck on "Sneakeasy" would provide room for
all kinds of ductwork, baffling, etc. that might be necessary to produce a
quiet installation, but it would require some substantial engineering. For my
postulated uses, "Sneakeasy", for all its charm, seems unavoidably
ergonomically challenged compared to the slowly fading 1954 Century Viking
currently performing my intended purposes, hence my nominal commision with
Jeff Gilbert. (I wonder if this will prejudice his "amateur" standing for his
projected competition!:)
Ciao for Niao,
Bill in MN
In a message dated 8/15/00 10:32:00 PM Central Daylight Time,
lincolnr@...writes:
<< was thinking about. Haven't had
time to chase all the suggestions. Really wondering what "Viper"
looks
like and which book. >>
"Viper" is in "30-Odd Boats". It was the then revolutionary Albert Hickman
design of 1910 - photos of the original are in the text - it was more
"Bolgeresque" than Bolger, if that is possible! Definitely not what many
people would think an "elegant" boat by any stretch - but with its flat
bottom, flattish buttocks and rearward-placed inboard engine, it showed the
way for most of the planing boats to follow. Bolger drew plans for plywood
construction and a 15 hp. Yanmar diesel version. There would be no reason
that it couldn't be given a flashy turtle deck forward like "Sneakeasy", but
engine placement and other features leave little room for accomodations. The
original was a really gnarly looking job, to judge by the pictures.
Dimensions are 20' 2" X 3' 8", with low freeboard and no seating details
shown.
Bill in MN
lincolnr@...writes:
<< was thinking about. Haven't had
time to chase all the suggestions. Really wondering what "Viper"
looks
like and which book. >>
"Viper" is in "30-Odd Boats". It was the then revolutionary Albert Hickman
design of 1910 - photos of the original are in the text - it was more
"Bolgeresque" than Bolger, if that is possible! Definitely not what many
people would think an "elegant" boat by any stretch - but with its flat
bottom, flattish buttocks and rearward-placed inboard engine, it showed the
way for most of the planing boats to follow. Bolger drew plans for plywood
construction and a 15 hp. Yanmar diesel version. There would be no reason
that it couldn't be given a flashy turtle deck forward like "Sneakeasy", but
engine placement and other features leave little room for accomodations. The
original was a really gnarly looking job, to judge by the pictures.
Dimensions are 20' 2" X 3' 8", with low freeboard and no seating details
shown.
Bill in MN
Chuck-I like the Sneakeasy because it looks like fun. I think it would be a
head turner on the water (not that I'm interested in showing off, well,
maybe a little). The other two are the Windsprint and the Advanced
Sharpies-I like the AS39 (someday I'm going to retire and live on a boat for
a while-which explains why I love this boat). I'm thinking of the
Windsprint as my first Boatbuilding project. --Frank
-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck Leinweber [mailto:chuck@...]
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2000 1:40 AM
To:bolger@egroups.com
Subject: Re: [bolger] Re: Sneakeasy's original?
What are the other two?
Chuck
Bolger rules!!!
- no cursing
- stay on topic
- use punctuation
- add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts
- add some content: send "thanks!" and "ditto!" posts off-list.
head turner on the water (not that I'm interested in showing off, well,
maybe a little). The other two are the Windsprint and the Advanced
Sharpies-I like the AS39 (someday I'm going to retire and live on a boat for
a while-which explains why I love this boat). I'm thinking of the
Windsprint as my first Boatbuilding project. --Frank
-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck Leinweber [mailto:chuck@...]
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2000 1:40 AM
To:bolger@egroups.com
Subject: Re: [bolger] Re: Sneakeasy's original?
>I have been fascinated with all of his designs, but I haveFrank:
> fallen in love with three (so far), and one of those is the Sneakeasy.
> Cheers!
>
> Frank
What are the other two?
Chuck
Bolger rules!!!
- no cursing
- stay on topic
- use punctuation
- add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts
- add some content: send "thanks!" and "ditto!" posts off-list.
>I have been fascinated with all of his designs, but I haveFrank:
> fallen in love with three (so far), and one of those is the Sneakeasy.
> Cheers!
>
> Frank
What are the other two?
Chuck
My acquaintance likes Sneakeasy, but he wants something a little
fancier. He was thinking a little about an inboard conversion, though.
Many thanks for all the responses on this topic. I had forgotten the
Snow Leopard. The launch I found on the Selway Fisher page was
apparently pretty close to what he was thinking about. Haven't had
time to chase all the suggestions. Really wondering what "Viper"
looks
like and which book. I only have BwaOM and, I think, "Small Boats". I
should know what title is since I've read it several times but I
don't.
fancier. He was thinking a little about an inboard conversion, though.
Many thanks for all the responses on this topic. I had forgotten the
Snow Leopard. The launch I found on the Selway Fisher page was
apparently pretty close to what he was thinking about. Haven't had
time to chase all the suggestions. Really wondering what "Viper"
looks
like and which book. I only have BwaOM and, I think, "Small Boats". I
should know what title is since I've read it several times but I
don't.
--- Inbolger@egroups.com, "Frank Bales" <fbales@a...> wrote:
>snipbut was wondering why no one
suggested
> an inboard modification for the Sneakeasy. snip
I am a bit surprised by everyone's response to this posting. I don't
pretend to know 1/10 as much as any of you about boat building and design
(both Bolger and boatdesign groups), but was wondering why no one suggested
an inboard modification for the Sneakeasy. Mr. Payson says at his site that
the Sneakeasy can get 30-32 mph with a 25 hp outboard, "no exaggeration."
Isn't there such a thing as a small inboard that could be used to get
similar performance? I may be naïve, but it seems to me the challenge of
such a modification is why people want to build boats in the first place-so
they can build exactly what they want.
I only mention this because the person likes the Sneakeasy, and such a
modification would seem to make sense.
I only recently discovered Mr. Bolger's designs. I'd heard his name before,
and had probably seen his designs in Woodenboat, but I had never realized
how wonderful his designs are. I guess part of what prompted me to write
this email was a feeling of not wanting to send someone away from one of Mr.
Bolger's designs. Maybe because I've so recently discovered him I'm feeling
a little fanatical about his designs like the newly converted to some
religious sect. I have been fascinated with all of his designs, but I have
fallen in love with three (so far), and one of those is the Sneakeasy.
Cheers!
Frank
-----Original Message-----
From:freedem@...[mailto:freedem@...]
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2000 11:37 AM
To:bolger@egroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Re: Sneakeasy's original?
---There is a bolger design I belive is called the snow lepard. it
wasn't built but Mr Payson built a model that was photographed and
used in 30 odd boaths
thanyou
jef
Inbolger@egroups.com, "Lincoln Ross" <lincolnr@m...> wrote:
- no cursing
- stay on topic
- use punctuation
- add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts
- add some content: send "thanks!" and "ditto!" posts off-list.
pretend to know 1/10 as much as any of you about boat building and design
(both Bolger and boatdesign groups), but was wondering why no one suggested
an inboard modification for the Sneakeasy. Mr. Payson says at his site that
the Sneakeasy can get 30-32 mph with a 25 hp outboard, "no exaggeration."
Isn't there such a thing as a small inboard that could be used to get
similar performance? I may be naïve, but it seems to me the challenge of
such a modification is why people want to build boats in the first place-so
they can build exactly what they want.
I only mention this because the person likes the Sneakeasy, and such a
modification would seem to make sense.
I only recently discovered Mr. Bolger's designs. I'd heard his name before,
and had probably seen his designs in Woodenboat, but I had never realized
how wonderful his designs are. I guess part of what prompted me to write
this email was a feeling of not wanting to send someone away from one of Mr.
Bolger's designs. Maybe because I've so recently discovered him I'm feeling
a little fanatical about his designs like the newly converted to some
religious sect. I have been fascinated with all of his designs, but I have
fallen in love with three (so far), and one of those is the Sneakeasy.
Cheers!
Frank
-----Original Message-----
From:freedem@...[mailto:freedem@...]
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2000 11:37 AM
To:bolger@egroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Re: Sneakeasy's original?
---There is a bolger design I belive is called the snow lepard. it
wasn't built but Mr Payson built a model that was photographed and
used in 30 odd boaths
thanyou
jef
Inbolger@egroups.com, "Lincoln Ross" <lincolnr@m...> wrote:
> That name sounds familiar. It may be the name that he mentioned tome
> which I can't remember.Bolger rules!!!
> --- Inbolger@egroups.com, StepHydro@a... wrote:
> > Sounds as if your friend needs a drawing of an old Faye & Bowen
> launch, like
> > Redman (is it?) on Tahoe.
> >
> > Cheers/S
- no cursing
- stay on topic
- use punctuation
- add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts
- add some content: send "thanks!" and "ditto!" posts off-list.
In a message dated 8/15/00 6:43:45 AM Central Daylight Time,
clydewis@...writes:
<< Take a look at Selway-Fisher.com, Clyde >>
Hi, Clyde: Could you be a bit more specific? I took a quick look at the
Selway-Fisher site, but didn't happen across anything that remotely resembled
"Sneakeasy", "Baby Bootlegger" or a '20's Fay & Bowen.
Bill in MN
clydewis@...writes:
<< Take a look at Selway-Fisher.com, Clyde >>
Hi, Clyde: Could you be a bit more specific? I took a quick look at the
Selway-Fisher site, but didn't happen across anything that remotely resembled
"Sneakeasy", "Baby Bootlegger" or a '20's Fay & Bowen.
Bill in MN
---There is a bolger design I belive is called the snow lepard. it
wasn't built but Mr Payson built a model that was photographed and
used in 30 odd boaths
thanyou
jef
Inbolger@egroups.com, "Lincoln Ross" <lincolnr@m...> wrote:
wasn't built but Mr Payson built a model that was photographed and
used in 30 odd boaths
thanyou
jef
Inbolger@egroups.com, "Lincoln Ross" <lincolnr@m...> wrote:
> That name sounds familiar. It may be the name that he mentioned tome
> which I can't remember.
> --- Inbolger@egroups.com, StepHydro@a... wrote:
> > Sounds as if your friend needs a drawing of an old Faye & Bowen
> launch, like
> > Redman (is it?) on Tahoe.
> >
> > Cheers/S
Take a look at Selway-Fisher.com, Clyde
Lincoln Ross wrote:
Lincoln Ross wrote:
> I have an acquaintance who is an old boat nut who has restored a
> couple of old Chris Craft runabouts. He is now thinking of building
> something from scratch. He likes the Sneakeasy, but wants inboard
> power, and I think he wants more traditional construction and
> possibly
> a more rounded cross section. Anyone know of a plan like this? Even a
> lines drawing would probably be helpful. I keep trying to get him to
> contact Bolger, but I think he feels that he has to be totally
> committed first.
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - no cursing
> - stay on topic
> - use punctuation
> - add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts
> - add some content: send "thanks!" and "ditto!" posts off-list.
Lincoln:
This page has a lot of links to plans for fast motor boats:
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/boatindex/fast-power-boats.htm
There are about 150 different boats there - that should get you started.
Chuck
This page has a lot of links to plans for fast motor boats:
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/boatindex/fast-power-boats.htm
There are about 150 different boats there - that should get you started.
Chuck
> I have an acquaintance who is an old boat nut who has restored a
> couple of old Chris Craft runabouts. He is now thinking of building
> something from scratch. He likes the Sneakeasy, but wants inboard
> power, and I think he wants more traditional construction and
> possibly
> a more rounded cross section. Anyone know of a plan like this? Even a
> lines drawing would probably be helpful. I keep trying to get him to
> contact Bolger, but I think he feels that he has to be totally
> committed first.
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - no cursing
> - stay on topic
> - use punctuation
> - add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts
> - add some content: send "thanks!" and "ditto!" posts off-list.
>
>
That name sounds familiar. It may be the name that he mentioned to me
which I can't remember.
which I can't remember.
--- Inbolger@egroups.com, StepHydro@a... wrote:
> Sounds as if your friend needs a drawing of an old Faye & Bowen
launch, like
> Redman (is it?) on Tahoe.
>
> Cheers/Step
Sounds as if your friend needs a drawing of an old Faye & Bowen launch, like
Redman (is it?) on Tahoe.
Cheers/Step
Redman (is it?) on Tahoe.
Cheers/Step
--- Inbolger@egroups.com, wmrpage@a... wrote:
snip Perhaps like
your
boat from, I think, the 20's, but these only go for $40 or $50k
nowadays.
actually.
Much interesting data in your post which I do not repeat here. Thanks.
> In a message dated 8/14/00 6:13:27 PM Central Daylight Time,these
> lincolnr@m... writes:
>
> << He likes the Sneakeasy, but wants inboard
> power, >>
>
> I've commissioned Jeff Gilbert to do a cartoon of something along
> lines, on a scale suggested by Weston Farmer, snipQuite the project. Will be interested to see what you get.
snip Perhaps like
your
> friend, I was reluctant to seek the services of the Maestro on whatmay be a
> basically impractical idea, unlikely to be realized, even ifpractical, in
> the foreseeable future, snipActually, my friend wants something very close to an existing real
boat from, I think, the 20's, but these only go for $40 or $50k
nowadays.
> I've worked a little on old Chris-Crafts, etc., and except for alapstrake
> Century Viking, none of them could be described as"round-bottomed".
> Chris-Craft Sea Skiffs might be similar to the Century, but I'minclined to
> doubt it. snipI think he now wants to go to an earlier era than his Chris Crafts,
actually.
Much interesting data in your post which I do not repeat here. Thanks.
In a message dated 8/14/00 6:13:27 PM Central Daylight Time,
lincolnr@...writes:
<< He likes the Sneakeasy, but wants inboard
power, >>
I've commissioned Jeff Gilbert to do a cartoon of something along these
lines, on a scale suggested by Weston Farmer, with the notion of making a
floation model out of door skins and towing it around at the end of fishing
pole at various speeds, "thrust angles" and scaled loads. "Sneakeasy" was a
large part of the inspiration for this notion, but also inboard boats of the
20's which had their substantial inboard motors forward, which would give
great sound insulation capabilities and leave an useful interior unobstructed
by a great, big motor box, which is the bane of inboards. I have some
serious doubts about the feasibility of this concept - I have a lot of
half-baked notions about buttock angles, shaft angles, and weight
distribution that give me pause. It will be interesting to see what Jeff
comes up with. Jeff has been a regular contributor to these pages and has
posted at least one design study elsewhere on the Web, so I suspect he would
not be unwilling to share if there is some interest. Perhaps like your
friend, I was reluctant to seek the services of the Maestro on what may be a
basically impractical idea, unlikely to be realized, even if practical, in
the foreseeable future, if ever, so I jumped at the chance to have Jeff do
some drawings for a nominal fee. (I chalk it up on the "education" category
on the asset column - Jeff's, mine and anyone else's education who is
interested.)
I've worked a little on old Chris-Crafts, etc., and except for a lapstrake
Century Viking, none of them could be described as "round-bottomed".
Chris-Craft Sea Skiffs might be similar to the Century, but I'm inclined to
doubt it. Most Chris-Craft runabouts had shallow "V" bottoms - flatter "V"'s
aft than forward, but definitely hard chined and basically flat-planed
surfaces - not "developable" for sheet plywood construction, perhaps, but not
"rounded" by any stretch of the imagination. I'm not sure just what "more
conventional" construction means either. In the late 40's and early 50's,
Chris-Craft's and others' bottoms were double-planked with a layer of canvas
between the two layers of planking - the notion was that the canvas would
swell quickly when the dry boat was first put in the water (after trailering
or winter storage), minimizing initial leakage. This probably worked pretty
well when the boats were new, but the canvas eventually rotted and ceased to
perform any useful function. Anyway, this was probably "state-of-the-art" at
the time, and something quite different than traditional carvel-planked
construction. With modern materials the shapes ot these old boats' bottoms
can be cold-molded over the existing frames and stringers with pretty large
sheets of ply, resulting in a far stronger, tighter, bottom. My father and I
once did this on a Garwood, with good results, and I think that this is
common practice on restoration jobs these days.
Ciao for Niao,
Bill in MN
lincolnr@...writes:
<< He likes the Sneakeasy, but wants inboard
power, >>
I've commissioned Jeff Gilbert to do a cartoon of something along these
lines, on a scale suggested by Weston Farmer, with the notion of making a
floation model out of door skins and towing it around at the end of fishing
pole at various speeds, "thrust angles" and scaled loads. "Sneakeasy" was a
large part of the inspiration for this notion, but also inboard boats of the
20's which had their substantial inboard motors forward, which would give
great sound insulation capabilities and leave an useful interior unobstructed
by a great, big motor box, which is the bane of inboards. I have some
serious doubts about the feasibility of this concept - I have a lot of
half-baked notions about buttock angles, shaft angles, and weight
distribution that give me pause. It will be interesting to see what Jeff
comes up with. Jeff has been a regular contributor to these pages and has
posted at least one design study elsewhere on the Web, so I suspect he would
not be unwilling to share if there is some interest. Perhaps like your
friend, I was reluctant to seek the services of the Maestro on what may be a
basically impractical idea, unlikely to be realized, even if practical, in
the foreseeable future, if ever, so I jumped at the chance to have Jeff do
some drawings for a nominal fee. (I chalk it up on the "education" category
on the asset column - Jeff's, mine and anyone else's education who is
interested.)
I've worked a little on old Chris-Crafts, etc., and except for a lapstrake
Century Viking, none of them could be described as "round-bottomed".
Chris-Craft Sea Skiffs might be similar to the Century, but I'm inclined to
doubt it. Most Chris-Craft runabouts had shallow "V" bottoms - flatter "V"'s
aft than forward, but definitely hard chined and basically flat-planed
surfaces - not "developable" for sheet plywood construction, perhaps, but not
"rounded" by any stretch of the imagination. I'm not sure just what "more
conventional" construction means either. In the late 40's and early 50's,
Chris-Craft's and others' bottoms were double-planked with a layer of canvas
between the two layers of planking - the notion was that the canvas would
swell quickly when the dry boat was first put in the water (after trailering
or winter storage), minimizing initial leakage. This probably worked pretty
well when the boats were new, but the canvas eventually rotted and ceased to
perform any useful function. Anyway, this was probably "state-of-the-art" at
the time, and something quite different than traditional carvel-planked
construction. With modern materials the shapes ot these old boats' bottoms
can be cold-molded over the existing frames and stringers with pretty large
sheets of ply, resulting in a far stronger, tighter, bottom. My father and I
once did this on a Garwood, with good results, and I think that this is
common practice on restoration jobs these days.
Ciao for Niao,
Bill in MN