Been quiet here lately so thought I'd share my spare time project.
Funny how human nature works... I've trailered sailed all over but have never toured the canals right here in my own area. There's the Rideau Canal, Trent Canal and others... Rather than somewhat cramped motoring in my Suncat, thought Id make a standing headroom lil cruiser with inside helm for rain or windy days with private head and a small dinette. Although only 19ft, it will actually all work! The Mariner has a nice underbody and will be easily driven with a 5hp. With the Mariners low freeboard, the trick is to creat headroom and not make it look too silly. I think it's turning out about as good as possible.
Had over 50 hours in just stripping parts, cutting cabin, centreboard and cockpit out, then glassing in the centreboard hole. (And scraping old peeling bottom paint) It's been fun and I tackle it when there is time and I feel motivated. Much like a renovation on a home, Lots of time spent ripping, then you turn a corner and things start shaping up. Well... after all those hours it's finally turning the corner.
While certainly not for everyone, it should be s great lil
Cruiser to do the canals here as well as a few north channel cruises.
Great old guys boat. Easily trailered, super inexpensive to run with a slippery displacement hull and a 5hp and only about 13-1400lbs finished.
I know..... I'm nuts..., 😁
Corner turned last week...
It's high for a low freeboard boat but looks better than expected..
She's gonna look shippy. :) Did you put any ballast in her, or do you plan to...?
Yep.
There were 2 slabs of lead glassed in on either side of the centreboard trunk. Guessing 100-125lbs each and they will be going back in only laying flat.
The house is actually quite light, only 1/4 in ply that will have a 6oz glass skin for weather protection. The roof is very lightly framed with 1X2, pine and not made to walk on. You would motor a Mariner all day board up so this shouldn't be too much different in the end....
Time will tell.
Love the underbody shape and think it will be a super cruiser at 5.5 knots.
They lay fore/aft but vertical as built. I'll have them fore/aft but laying flat.
Amazingly heavy for their size!!
Pic is before I got brutal with the saws-all
That's a neat looking little project. 19 ft "trawler" is a cool concept. The CDory's are awesome looking little boats, and I'm betting this will be a rival.
Thanks John
It's been a fun project so far.
Won't plain like s Cdory but will be super frugal with s 5hp.
Hope all is well in your world!
Take care
Roof on yesterday
One interesting thing I have noticed every time I travel on one of my 'slow, small' boats in conjunction with large, luxury boats: mostly we go the same distance every day.
For example, bringing the A30 down from the Chessie at 4.5 kts, I was usually up and moving at dawn or soon thereafter. Long about 8:30-10, 'the parade' would start to catch and pass me for an hour or two. By early/midafternoon I only saw stragglers or 'new' boats. Late in the afternoon into early evening and I'd be at the spot where most of the fast runners were tied up for the night, and I'd usually go on making miles until right at sunset.
I'm sure it confused some of them somewhat to notice that they had to keep passing the same small slow sailboat every morning for several days in a row... :D
You'll have a blast in that thing. You should Loop it. ;D
I'm sure you did confuse a few 😁
Yep... you can put miles on just by being steady.
I'm thinking/hoping the project turns out good for its intended use.
Will be an awesome shallow water boat!
Easy to find anchorages and a 15-17lb anchor will be lots!
If it turns out decent, fun little boats attract folks and I'm sure "social" time at locks will be easy.
I can't remember who but one of the Swedish sailboat designers made the observation that the most efficient displacing motorboat hull shapes are small sailboats with the keel removed.
I imagine you've thunked about this, but - maybe you should go to a 9.9hp? A 5hp will push it but to get 5.5 kts as a cruise speed you'll be running at 3/4 to full throttle all the time with a 5hp, whereas with a 9.9 you'll be at half-throttle, running quieter, cooler, smoother and easier on the engine, *with* a little in yer back pocket if you need to force your way upwind.
If it's a Tohamercissan, get the 6hp instead of the 5, it's the exact same motor, weight and all, but with a different venturi in the carb so that it develops full potential hp, isn't artificially restricted... 62#'s IIRC. Reliable little motor.
Same thing with the 8 and 9.9 models, they weigh only 84#'s.
Yamaha doesn't have a 9 (they jump from a 6 to their 15), and the Suzuki - which is a nice engine, I had a 2.5 and it was great - shows that their 9 weighs a whopping 120#'s (woah!).
Or find a nice older 2 stroke Johnson 15hp, only 72#'s - and plane that sucker if ya need to. ;D
OMG, Step away from the computer for a bit and Frank's at it again. :o Lookin good!
I sold the CDory because I wasn't getting out in it enough, now down to the Typhoon and Ariel, though the Ariel still just sits on the trailer. Speaking of trailers I had to build a new one under the Cape Dory, should post that process somewhere I guess. Glad to see you are still at it Frank.
Tim, It's s sickness... 😂
Good to hear from ya!
How's life?
Are you getting out on the Typhoon much?
Pictures!!
Won't be near done by the time I head west next week but it's "looking like a boat" now and fun to put a few hours into several times a week. Some things go good... others are a PITA. Fun tho... Got the little head walls in today. One wall was one cut... the other about 20 🙄😅
Before leaving to head west..
Banner around windshield overhang on
Interior ports side:
Aft galley started. Seat box's made for dinette
Starboard:
Aft head, pantry will have 3 shelves, helm
It's been a cold, wet and late spring up here. No heat in the shop so only the last couple of weeks have been ok to get back at it. Was that "damp cold" that us over 60 folk hate.
Just putting in spare time, but have a step installed, upper cabinet in the galley, a drawer, a head door, windows cut, slider tracks built, the companionway hatch built and several trim pieces attached.
Learning lots....
Holy Smoke Frank! I thought I was being productive with my little project, good job!
Just poking along as time allows Tim.
Lots of property projects and building a new storage shed too.
Calling it "geriatric builders" as my helper is my 73 yr old brother in law.
Got the windows fitted and fastened, sliding side window tracks made. Will remove to epoxy and paint cabin before final install.
Companionway drop boards are now made and decided to cut plywood to ad to foredeck to make bow look higher. Will glass them over before final install.
This has been a "no plan, create as ya go" type project. More fun that way..
Once the interior is paint ready, I intend to spray it. Will be so fast and easy.
Nice to see some stain on a few pieces. That means a corner has been turned...
Such a neat project, she's lookin' good Frank! 8)
Corner turned
Getting tons of misc done, then windows and hatch's off to prep for paint.
Way way more hours than anticipated..... but that's normal
Paint begins
Put a few things back on...
Counter top to come yet
7 gallon water below sink, hand pump to be installed
Butane stove on counter coming
Super insulated cooler below
Outdoor carpet in
LOTS left to do and paint sure shows where more filling and sanding needed!
Getting a bit excited as it's finally taking shape
Wow, Frank, That is cool!
I've been doing some dreaming about Canal-Far'in ever since spending part of a few days on a Nordica 16 on the Hudson River near the top of Manhattan on some freak warm days in late Dec/early Jan 16 years ago. I thought about how much fun it would be to keep going up the River to Lake Champlain, and then maybe back down and West on the Erie Canal System, or up to the Saint Lawrence.
I think your boat would be great for staying warm/dry/cool/shaded, and roomy with standing headroom.
I had an extra old Mariner 19 hull/deck/cockpit that I thought that I might find a rig for and return to sailing service, but never did...maybe because I had another that was complete and sail-able. I did launch it on the nearby river reservoir and motor around with Dad and the Sea Dog a few times [see photo]. That might have been a good boat for trawler conversion, although I probably would have been skeptical of the idea, until now and seeing what you've done with your's.
They're a good Hull Jim
Slippery and easily driven. Heck a 6hp is more than enough.
An 8hp twin about perfect...
Cool you have a hull n deck!
Have fun!
Got an energy burst yesterday.....
After 60, ya take advantage of them 😄
2nd coat on hull
Windows and ports in
She is looking sharp!
What do you figure your transatlantic trip time will be? I'm guessing a Nova Scotia -> Ireland route? ;D
Frank, you never cease to make me. Nice job!
Quote from: CapnK on August 28, 2020, 09:09:06 AM
What do you figure your transatlantic trip time will be? I'm guessing a Nova Scotia -> Ireland route? ;D
Well Capt K, this little ship is for the Ottawa River here at home 😄
I live very close to the Rideau and Trent canals as well, but never travelled them.
Hopefully this lil boat will take me.
No trans Atlantic's, but high adventure none the less 😄
Quote from: Frank on August 23, 2020, 10:20:46 PM
They're a good Hull Jim
Slippery and easily driven. Heck a 6hp is more than enough.
An 8hp twin about perfect...
Cool you have a hull n deck!
Have fun!
I sold that hull and deck years ago, Frank, and sold the sailable Mariner (used the same 3.5 hp outboard that I shared with my Typhoon), too, to get a slightly smaller fixed keel sailboat that I should not have sold. But a few years ago, I saw another Mariner for sale cheap on Cape Cod, with no trailer. I had a trailer and drove down to get it and tow it back with the car. Was the first time I had been out on Cape Cod. Got to view the Cape Cod Canal going over the bridge out and back. Have still not yet been through that canal by boat. Anyway, now I am trying to sell the Mariner and trailer, with not much luck. With the current buyers market, many bigger and better boats can be found for less than I used to think mine was worth. Maybe I should link this thread and market it as a potential trawler...?
I think that you should measure up what you have done by winging it with your good eye, and start selling "Mariner Trawler Conversion Drawings"...with step by step instructions and a materials list...?
You DO make it look easy. :) Sometimes I wonder whether you have a whole crew of workers, like Santa's Elves, that have to scurry and hide when you take the photos and then come back out and get back to work...
Thanks for sharing, Frank. She's looking great and hopefully the process and your "geriatric adventures" have been fun too. Can't wait to see her in the water.
[/quote]
But a few years ago, I saw another Mariner for sale cheap on Cape Cod, with no trailer. I had a trailer and drove down to get it and tow it back with the car. Was the first time I had been out on Cape Cod. Got to view the Cape Cod Canal going over the bridge out and back. Have still not yet been through that canal by boat. Anyway, now I am trying to sell the Mariner and trailer, with not much luck. With the current buyers market, many bigger and better boats can be found for less than I used to think mine was worth. Maybe I should link this thread and market it as a potential trawler...?
I think that you should measure up what you have done by winging it with your good eye, and start selling "Mariner Trawler Conversion Drawings"...with step by step instructions and a materials list...?
You DO make it look easy. :) Sometimes I wonder whether you have a whole crew of workers, like Santa's Elves, that have to scurry and hide when you take the photos and then come back out and get back to work...
[/quote]
Pretty hard to make plans, this was more of a "hope for the best build".
No,plans at all.
Front window height was dictated by desired headroom inside. Once there, that determined the aft wall heights on either side of the companionway.
The Center ceiling section is all standing headroom, the side roof sections drop 6inchs lower. This helps make it look less boxy and top heavy. Everything else was simply "what seemed right" ....
I did 75% of the work myself. My 75yr old brother in law (not a carpenter or boater) helped tail the tablesaw or hold things as needed when he visited. A great help and awesome company.
Learned lots!
You know... the "if I ever did this again I would.......??" Type thing...
I happen to have a derelict 24ft shark hull......hmmmmmm 😄
This is my brother in law Blake. He's got over 10yrs on me and still has hair colour! I'm nearly white now!
He's been good company and a great hand when he dropped by!
So is she ready to go? Looks like it from here! Looking forward to some video of her underway. :D
Close Capt K
Just cushions which I've got the foam for and then rigging.
Need to get inside throttle and steering figured out to the outboard
That will be a next spring job....
Yep... all the big jobs are done.
Misty rain all day here do started cushions in the shop.
I saw this in a magazine years ago.... like 25+
This is my 4th time doing them and it really is tooooooo easy.
No, they are not reversible, but many factory cushions are'nt as well...
I bought a 4inch topper at Walmart for $119 Canadian
It will have enough foam for the V berth, helm and dinette seats as well as the back rests.
Bought 4 meters (about 4.5 yards) of heavy material at "fabricland" for $4/m
I had old 3/16 plywood kicking around. Taped together if need be
Take your measurements
Cut your foam
Cut your plywood 3/4" LESS all the way around
Lay out your material on the table. Cut so there is plenty to come up and "wrap" the edges to staple to the plywood
Start in the Center of one side pulling up tightly as you staple. Use stainless steel staples
Work out to edges
Now, start at Center of opposite side pulling tightly and staple.
Repeat to remaining side or sides. Wrap corners (trim as needed)
Trim off excess material
Too easy
Literal WTF on those cushions
Why have i not seen this before im mean seriously...LOL :D
Told ya they were easy! 😄😄
When I saw it in a sailing mag back then I thought the same.....
Cushions are so expensive to get made. These sure aren't
PS... colour choice is because I drink red wine
Had an extra hour or so today so did the seats,
Back rest tomorrow...
Made the back rests today
Carpet down
That's it for this year
Off to storage when the rain lets up
Next spring is inside helm: steering and engine controls
Private head on 19ft
Beeeaauutiful!
QuotePS... colour choice is because I drink red wine
:p
Oh yeah I like that cushion shortcut...
It would be hard for me to get so close to being done and then having to wait a few long, cold months before first use... I'd have to go to the Bahamas in the meanwhile, or something like that. ;D
Hauled her out of the shop and put "under roof" for winter storage.
Just the inside helm next year. Steering and engine controls and launch!
I'll use this boat lots here at home!
Shop is looking empty.... cleaned up and ready for car, truck, motorcycle and riding mower to fill it for winter storage while I'm floating around out west.
Appreciate you photographing and sharing the process of the mini trawler conversion. Looking at your photos, am experiencing some shop and boat shed envy. I would be thrilled to have a building like that and place to work on boats and vehicles inside during the long winters--or anytime really--and know that it didn't matter if it rained.
Have a good winter out West. Hope the Bahamas, and other places, will be back to something a lot closer to normal next winter.
That is pretty friggin cool Frank.
What a great idea. You're definitely a craftsman!
She's a beauty! I can see lots of fun being had therein/thereon. :D
Is she ballasted at all?
Ooops
Missed that Capt K
Yep, lead wheel weights from my friends garage covered in concrete.
Right about 220 lbs
Hard to make a really low freeboard boat look half decent with standing headroom, but it turned out pretty good.
The raised “bow boards†and cabin top angles help with the lines too
It really does look good, you've done very well!
She needs some bow pudding - like this - whadya think...? :)
How-to: https://www.duckworksmagazine.com/12/howto/fenders/index.html
Kinda has a Hitler vibe 👎
😳😄😂
Aww man... yeah. Unfortunate that one was the only example I could find which the boat was pointed the same direction as yours. There are other, different, less despotic shapes. :)