Re: [bolger] New, and Questions....

The Tennessee is pretty sweet, but it's a bit narrow for my needs. Susanne suggested something from the Champlain family, and those look mighty good to me. Just about as wide of a beam as I can trailer without a permit, even the shortest maintains a nearly 3:1 length to beam ratio, so they should all slip thru the water without sucking down the gas....and they're gorgeous. They can be made to have that great classic motor yacht look. So, those are hovering right at the top of my list so far.

I'm still considering other things, tho. Like the AS family. Does anybody here have any experience with those? I saw something online where someone decided to use an AS29 as his Loop boat. How are they as far as complexity of build and comfort of being in?

Thanks!
Chris

The Tennessee is also a nice, simple design, popular in Australia and the basis for this roomier version.http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2475.0


On Oct 4, 2016 1:33 AM, "ren_junkie@...[bolger]" <bolger@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Hi. I'm new to boat building, and got interested in Phil Bolger's designs thru the Triloboats site. I got the Boats With an Open Mind book, and was impressed.

My question is about choosing a design. I have a dream of of doing the Great Loop. For those unfamiliar with it, it's a loop following the Atlantic ICW, Chesapeake Bay, the New Jersey coast, Hudson River, Great Lakes, Illinois, Missisippi, Ohio Rivers, Tenn-Tom Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico. Something like 6000 miles. Plus, depending on the draft of the boat it opens up 12,000-24,000 miles of navigable inland rivers. I lived (and hope to again) just off the tidal James River, and I have relatives and friends strewn throughout or just off of the Loop. I figure it's also a good way to see if I like the liveaboard life. Not really looking for something fast, just stable and safe.

Other than being safe on the less protected waters, I need to be able to stand up in it, so it needs an interior height of 6'6" at least, and have a stand up shower. I'll be running singlehanded pretty much all the time. Ideally, it'll be one of his simpler to build designs. I'd like to keep it trailerable. The length...whatever it has to be. The main thing is to be comfortable -- particularly at anchor -- for a tall man who likes being able to stand up, especially when he showers. And when he climbs out of bed. I did enough time in sleepers I couldn't stand up in when I drove truck. ; ). The shallower draft I can get away with the better; it opens up more river and shoreline to me.

So, what Bolger designs are there, if any,  that would fit the bill?  From my limited exposure to his designs, I'm thinking the Barge Houseboat (58 in Open Mind) looks pretty good, especially since it was designed for San Fransisco Bay. I think I'd try it with an outboard as opposed to dragging or pushing it with another boat. But I like the aesthetics, and it seems relatively simple.

How adjustable are these designs? I mean on the interior arrangements. Maybe make a ceiling a little taller, or make a bigger shower (I prefer dry baths as opposed to wet baths)?

Thanks!
Chris

Hi. I'm new to boat building, and got interested in Phil Bolger's designs thru the Triloboats site. I got the Boats With an Open Mind book, and was impressed.

My question is about choosing a design. I have a dream of of doing the Great Loop. For those unfamiliar with it, it's a loop following the Atlantic ICW, Chesapeake Bay, the New Jersey coast, Hudson River, Great Lakes, Illinois, Missisippi, Ohio Rivers, Tenn-Tom Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico. Something like 6000 miles. Plus, depending on the draft of the boat it opens up 12,000-24,000 miles of navigable inland rivers. I lived (and hope to again) just off the tidal James River, and I have relatives and friends strewn throughout or just off of the Loop. I figure it's also a good way to see if I like the liveaboard life. Not really looking for something fast, just stable and safe.

Other than being safe on the less protected waters, I need to be able to stand up in it, so it needs an interior height of 6'6" at least, and have a stand up shower. I'll be running singlehanded pretty much all the time. Ideally, it'll be one of his simpler to build designs. I'd like to keep it trailerable. The length...whatever it has to be. The main thing is to be comfortable -- particularly at anchor -- for a tall man who likes being able to stand up, especially when he showers. And when he climbs out of bed. I did enough time in sleepers I couldn't stand up in when I drove truck. ; ). The shallower draft I can get away with the better; it opens up more river and shoreline to me.

So, what Bolger designs are there, if any,  that would fit the bill?  From my limited exposure to his designs, I'm thinking the Barge Houseboat (58 in Open Mind) looks pretty good, especially since it was designed for San Fransisco Bay. I think I'd try it with an outboard as opposed to dragging or pushing it with another boat. But I like the aesthetics, and it seems relatively simple.

How adjustable are these designs? I mean on the interior arrangements. Maybe make a ceiling a little taller, or make a bigger shower (I prefer dry baths as opposed to wet baths)?

Thanks!
Chris