"jim.isbell" wrote in message
...
On Nov 27, 11:03 am, "Delburt D" wrote:
Hi all,

We just completed a brand new, not restored, 17 foot African mahogany
barrelback runabout. The really cool thing about this boat is that is
has
twin 85 peak HP ELECTRIC MOTORS, Yes I said electric.


A year ago after I finished my strip planked 13' canoe using teak,
mahogany and red cedar I hatched the idea of doing a 16' barrel back
and using a 40 hp (36 volt) electric motor using the same hull
building skills. I have the plans drawn but its on hold. I still
plan on it, but my wife is trying to talk me out of it. It shouldn't
be but about 3 times the work as the canoe and strip planking is not
really work anyway. But the Cedar would be my choice because it is as
beautiful as the mahogany AND its lighter. No, I am NOT saying yours
is not Beautiful, it IS, Its awesomely beautiful. But I will go for
the lighter weight so I can carry more batteries.


Just for the record I think you will find this design to be VERY time
consuming. Granted we had to develop our design as we went but we still have
over 1800 hours in the prototype. Cedar should work very well for your
boat. We chose the Mahogany after several months of market research. It is
more durable but still the lightest of all the Mahoganies. I also have been
a professional craftsman for over twenty five years so I do have a little
bit of experiance in this realm. You will definitely need some helping
hands especially when you tackle the side planking maybe you could get you
wife involved in that respect and she might enjoy it!!

Good Luck! "May the barnacle gods be kind to your bottom"

Tom