Have you checked out Phil Bolger's designs? They span the spectrum from
quick and easy to very attractive with some non-conventional ones too.

The fellows at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger/ will be happy to advise
you.

Roger (building PCB's 20' lapstrake Chebacco at the moment)

http://home.earthlink.net/~derbyrm

wrote in message
oups.com...
I am now looking to build a power boat in the 16-18' range. It should
be reasonably easy for someone who has built 3 smaller boats to build
in a reasonable length of time. What I would like is a boat suitable
for rivers, lakes and near coast putzing around with my family. I
would like the ability to go about 4 miles from shore to an island in
the Gulf of Mexico safely and also explore shallower areas. I will tow
it with a Toyota Highlander 6 cylinder so it cannot be too heavy. I am
considering the GlenL Wee Hunk Pacific Dory unless somebody can suggest
anything better.