Most modern sailboats are not designed for fishing. You will probably find
them not very comfortable or convenient. Back in the days when small
sailboats were used for coastal fishing they were heavier and more stable
with a interior layout for fishing. I'd search the Interent and books at
the public library for descriptions of these fishing boats before deciding
which plans avaiable now are most suitable. Today you could build a
lighter, faster sailboat with a good interior layout for fishing. When
people used to fish along the shore from rowboats and sailboats they
depended a lot on the tide to carry them out and back. Sailboats are slow
and weak compared to even small outboard motors.

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William R. Watt wrote:
Most modern sailboats are not designed for fishing. You will probably
find
them not very comfortable or convenient. Back in the days when small
sailboats were used for coastal fishing they were heavier and more
stable
with a interior layout for fishing. I'd search the Interent and books
at
the public library for descriptions of these fishing boats before
deciding
which plans avaiable now are most suitable.

This is the main reason why I want to build a boat from scratch, So I can
outfit it for fishing from the ground up. I spent a few months looking at
used sailboats and while I saw a lot of great deals, I also saw a lot of
tearing out and rebuilding to suit my needs.

I've got a pretty good idea of what I need as far as layout. I don't need
a lot of room, I just need certain things a certain way. Live bait well,
rod racks and perhaps even two small outriggers. The speed of a sailing
boat is nearly perfect for trolling. We've done some fishing from my
friend's catamaran, the kind with a trampoline. I think it's called a hobi
cat. We've had execllent luck trolling while under sail getting to the
artifical reefs around the area.

Today you could build a
lighter, faster sailboat with a good interior layout for fishing. When
people used to fish along the shore from rowboats and sailboats they
depended a lot on the tide to carry them out and back. Sailboats are
slow
and weak compared to even small outboard motors.

The reason I want a sailboat instead of a small motorbot is because I
can't afford fuel. One day out in a motor cruiser can cost as much as $300
in fuel. This mixed with the fact that I'm not very good at fixing
engines... I decided a small custombuild sailboat is where I need to be.

I've nearly decided on the "The Vacationer" from the stevenson projects
website. Of all the boats I looked at, this one seems like the one I can
build everything myself, this includes keel, mast, and even the sails.

It's a cutback from my sleeps 4 requirement, but I decided that if I build
a towable, two can sleep in the van and two in the truck and if we're
going camping, everyones gonna sleep on the beach anyway.

It's also a cutback from my bluewater requirement, but I believe that with
attention to important areas while building, it'll be fine for fairweather
fishing near the coast. There are instructions to make it unsinkable.

Some people have said they're a little topheavy, I'm planning on the
weight of the batteries for the eletric motor will act as ballast. It's
got a 75lb thrust MinnKota which has a 24v system, two big deep cycle
batteries. And a third to run the bottom finder, radio, gps, and lights.

I looked at some very nice boats from some of the links people posted.
Thanks for the links, I visited them all. There were several boats from
the old magazine websties which looked intriguing but none had as many
on-line projects to fall back on when I'm having trouble. Of all the
projects I looked at, the weekender is the most built boat, and the most
documented boat on the internet. Next in line is the Voyager 23. But a 2
and a half year build time is daunting. I hope to be fishing by summertime.

I really appreciate everyones advice. It's not too late to change my mind.
If you're selling boat plans (or better yet giving them away), let me have
a look at what you have to offer. I'm semi-retired, I sell flower seeds on
the internet, so money (entire project cost) is also a major concern.

You've all been so helpful.

Enjoy!
Cruise

On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 15:21:41 -0600,
(MrCruise) wrote:

Didereaux wrote:
Try Stevenson Projects, been in business a long time, and literally
hundreds of their boats can be found everywhere. Very nice looking and

easy construction. My personal favorite is their 'Weekender'.

http://www.stevproj.com/


Wow, thats an excellent looking project boat! Thanks for the link.
Certainly simpler than any of the other boats I've looked at. I like their
approach to sails and rigging. You could certainly replace most rigging at
walmart.

Just for the record, none of the Stevensons Projects boats are
suitable for blue water. They are flat bottomed boats, and none, not
even the Vacationer, have anywhere close to the interior "sitting head
room" that you would get on some of the other sailboats. I built and
still love my Weekender, but these boats are unballasted large
dinghys, not blue water sailers! And especially not if you plan to
spend a few nights a year sleeping on them. They are great fun for
day sailing, though.

Whatever you choose, finding a good on-line community of folks who
have built the boat is a very good thing.
- - -
http://www.messing-about.com
Resources for the Boat Builder, Renovator and Small Boat Skipper

On Sat, 18 Dec 2004 16:04:05 -0600,
(MrCruise) wrote:

I've nearly decided on the "The Vacationer" from the stevenson projects
website. Of all the boats I looked at, this one seems like the one I can
build everything myself, this includes keel, mast, and even the sails.


There are several people who have built the Vacationer at my web site,
http://www.messing-about.com and a few who have added ballast. It
helps the boat tremendously, especially if added up in the forepeak.
There's also a few people who have taken the Pocket Cruiser and
stretched it to 124%, and it ends up being a very roomy boat. For the
amount of materials used, the PC is a more roomy boat (plumb bow, wide
transom and the cat rig means the mast is far forward for more room in
the cabin).

The Stevenson Projects boats are fun boats, and simple to build. You
can "camp out" in the cabin of the Vacationer OK, so with your
modified "sleeps 4" requirement, you can do OK with it.

Just remember that on any sail boat of this size, getting out to that
reef 7 miles away is going to take you over an hour at full speed
under sail (good wind, all that). Unlike a Hobie Cat, the Vacationer
will never exceed its hull speed of about 6 - 7 knots (well, it can,
but you will be "surfing down the face" and you don't want to go
there). Several of the builders have used electric outboards, and
they are OK if you are not trying to fight a current. They will push
the boat at about 3 - 4 knots, so if there's no wind, figure 2+ hours
out to the reef and back. If the gulf stream where you live is
stronger than that, you won't make headway against it. But a small 2
- 3hp gas outboard will push the Vacationer at hull speed and do
well.

The guys "down under" who sail these really push them to their limits,
dipping the rails in the water more on one sail than I do in a year of
sailing.
- - -
http://www.messing-about.com
Resources for the Boat Builder, Renovator and Small Boat Skipper