Old lads toy boat

[Frank]

I trailer sail with a group of fellow older lads. Quite the eclectic bunch with a wide variety of craft from sail to power, store bought to home made.
Last few years has seen more transitioning to home built "box boats" for our protected water adventures.
I read a quote once that said:
"Perfection is achieved not when you can ad no more, but when you can take no more away"
I love sketching plans and after several reductions, this is the smallest I figure you can go to give relative luxury for 2 people.
-covered stern, easy to screen in. Solar panel on roof
-aft private head with porta pottie
-hanging locker, shelf above
-aft galley with 12v cooler, butane camp stove, sink
-2 settees, back rests... 2 separate bunks
-table fills in and back rests used to make a 6ft x 6ft double if needed
-8hp would be lots
14ft overall x 6ft beam
Standing headroom in center 2ft for/aft

There ya have it.
Standing liveability on 14ft

[s/v Faith]

Looks super livable Frank... knowing you, I expect to see pictures of it built and floating by Friday. :)

  I'll wait to see CaptK's addition of a junk rig and a center board.

[Frank]

Hi Craig.
I've got 2 other projects ahead of it but do want to build it.
Kurt is MIA
"Is there a women to blame" or his own darn fault?
I'm attaching a picture from a recent cruise I missed with the small boat gang.
Pic is 2 home built box boats. Ole lads having fun! Kids again. Several others too..
I'm joining them Friday with my Oday Mariner-trawler conversion up in the North Channel, Lake Huron.
Was just doing some upgrades in the shop... adding more shelves etc.
I'll attach a couple of it too.
Send me a PM what you're up to and where ya are.
Take care Craig

[Frank]

Out with 4 other "small boat seniors" for a week poking around the north channel
Simple fun.
Even went through a swamp...
Can't do that with bigger boats
It's raining today so my "mini trawler" conversion seems like relative luxury.
Inside looking out and standing up.... Such decadence compared to a small cuddy :)

[Frank]

Fun on 19ft and less

[Frank]

My Oday Mariner 19 conversion.
Relative luxury

[wolverine]

Looks like fun!  I like your conversion, very nice looking and practical

[Norman]

With that configuration, even this old guy could enjoy being out and about.  :)

Refresh my memory, do you have any external hull features that discourage rolling?  A couple of decades ago, I was on a Catalina 22 with the poptop made permanently up, with windows and attractive woodwork.  We were going to go out on the lake, but the wind was up just a little, 1 foot waves, and he decided she would roll too much for pleasure, as he had completely removed the centerboard and glassed the hull smooth.

Small lakes and rivers should be less of an issue.

[Frank]

Norman, these boats "as designed" had a centerboard that fully retracted into the hull with about 160lbs of lead glassed to the sides.
They motored well as built.
To compensate after removing the board and lead, I added wheel weights and concrete to the Center section of the floor for stability.
It feels as stable but like any sailboat without the steadiness of canvass up, she does roll in a beam sea.
Definitely a protected waters boat but that is my intended use.
Fun!

[Frank]

Wasn't too fancy, but worked

[Frank]

Just back from another small boat get together.
It is so nice to be with a group of fellow Boat nuts.

[wolverine]

Beautiful pictures!

[CapnK]

Yer boats really cool, Frank!

The new idea - pfft to a junk and centerboard - put some FOILS on that baby, and mount a kite mast on the bow! Think of it: 14' and 30+ kts - weeee!!!

;D

[Frank]

Quite the idea Capt !
At my age I doubt my blood pressure would stay low enough at that speed to survive...
Thinking I'll keep it at 4.5 knots and just putt along 🤣