What boat to build?

[AvocadoRunner]

I am very interested in building a boat. I want something that is:
- maybe about 20'
- reasonably fast
- room for at least 4 people and provisions (assuming sleeping on beaches)
- fairly cheap to build (maybe <4000 AUD but not sure yet)
- the ability to land on beaches (can a little 20' monohull easily pull a dinghy?)

I am interested in day sailing, coastal exploration and trips less than a week. I intend to largely sleep on beaches. I have been thinking about a Seaclipper 20 but am still unsure.

Thanks
Miles

[Jman]

Check this out:
http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/b...uiser-kit.html

You can just order the plans, to save shipping. Some if the builds are really nice looking! Plenty of blogs out there detailing the process.

We built one of their Passage Maker take apart dinghies, which came out great.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[HopCar]

I've had my eye on this one to do just what you're describing.


Boat plan details, Cat Ketch 17 (CK17), Day Sailers

It's designed as a beach cruiser. At 17 feet I think it's too small for four people but I think 20 feet is too small for four people. It's fiberglass over plywood so it should be inexpensive and pretty easy to build. The plans sell for $90 USD.

No need for a dinghy, it's designed to be beached. I'd like to make a single handed trip from Miami around the tip of Florida to Marco Island in a boat like this.

Here is how the designer described her.

"An able camping cruiser with good performance and easier to build than any other boat of her type.

Faced with many requests for onboard camping features for our Caravelle 16, we decided, instead of modifying the Caravelle, to design a new boat with a clear priority given to simplicity.
We choose a typical well proven sharpie style hull with an unstayed cat ketch rig: simplicity of building and simplicity of sailing.
The separated cockpits and ample storage are ideal for extended camping expeditions. This boat would be the ideal tool to explore the Florida Keys or any other remote place."

[Delancey]

I recommend you consider a Tiki 21 for so many reasons.......

[StuM]

Wharram Tiki 21 ?

Tiki 21 Study Plan | James Wharram Designs

Edit: Delancey beat me to it

[AvocadoRunner]

Thanks guys! I am now very interested in both the Wharram T21 and the Pocketship.

[Scot McPherson]

I don't think a 20ft sailboat is suitable for the number of people and supplies you mention.

IMO You'll push the boat WAY below it's lines unless it's a heavy displacement boat, it's not going to be a safe ride.

If size is a true limiting factor then go with a heavy displacement boat so it can hold everything safely and stay reasonable on it's lines. Look at some of the George buehler designs.

The 18ft Mary Read is a open day sailor, you could stretch it out to 20 or 21 ft without any I'll effects.

Or a boat designed almost exactly what you are looking for is the 25ft Little Big Man, - trailerable heavy displacement boat which has a short cabin, and enough inside bunking for 2 people and a cockpit for another two in sleeping bags. It has a galley, but you could convert the galley into another bunk instead, but it might be nice to have a galley if the weather goes sour and you just want some warmth and hot food. It also has a toilet. Going ashore to take care of your business is fine in rural coast line, but if you have to go quick for whatever reason, then a head is necessary.
Anyway just some thoughts for you.

http://georgebuehler.com

[boatman61]

Its gotta be the Tiki 21... simple stich and glue build, 10 inch draft, tons of storage in the hulls.. can pitch a dome tent on the deck for overnight stops.. and I've sailed with up to 6 on board.
Fair enough she did not do the 11-13kts she was capable of but still managed a respectable 7-8kts of great fun..
One of these has circumnavigated so they're strong sea boats..
Some shots of my 'Kali' from the '90's'....

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Its gotta be the Tiki 21... simple stich and glue build, 10 inch draft, tons of storage in the hulls.. can pitch a dome tent on the deck for overnight stops.. and I've sailed with up to 6 on board.
Fair enough she did not do the 11-13kts she was capable of but still managed a respectable 7-8kts of great fun..
One of these has circumnavigated so they're strong sea boats..
Some shots of my 'Kali' from the '90's'....

NICE !!!

And I was just beginning to worry about you... Well... Strongly wonder anyway...

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Scot McPherson

I don't think a 20ft sailboat is suitable for the number of people and supplies you mention.

IMO You'll push the boat WAY below it's lines unless it's a heavy displacement boat, it's not going to be a safe ride.

The Tiki 21 has an official 1000lb (460kg) loading capacity. That should do for 4 people and provisions.

[Scot McPherson]

Uh, not if it were 4 of me or of broken sailor. I weigh 240, and when I am thin (er at least not fat) I weigh 215-225. That's not leaving much for a weeks provisions and gear.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Scot McPherson

Uh, not if it were 4 of me or of broken sailor. I weigh 240, and when I am thin (er at least not fat) I weigh 215-225. That's not leaving much for a weeks provisions and gear.

Recommended standard weights for adult males/females for small aircraft loading in Aus is 86/71 Kg. (used to be 77kg for all). 115kg per person including provisions is not unreasonable.

When it comes to small boats and obesity, all bets are off.

[Scot McPherson]

How about bets for people whose arms are thicker and denser than your legs?

Iow, popeye arms

[shorebird]

I always wondered.... when you beach a 20 foot boat, and sleep on the beach, do you wait for the tide to come back in later to re-float it, or do you plan your tides for a departure the next day? Here in BC, we have tides in the 15 foot range, and beaching a boat that size could mean a long wait before re-floating it.

[Scot McPherson]

Well not everyone has tides like that. A lot of it has to do with the land structure. On the east end of the Long Island sound, the tide is between 2-4 ft, at
The west end (the end of the bathtub so to speak, the tide is 6-7ft)