Looking good. Yeah, replace all the plywood, it won't last long. Good to hear the concerns over the hull strength after your deck lowering don't seem like an issue. The access issue is one I've been struggling with. I even toyed with the idea of a mid level platform on the trailer tongue and steps that flip down from it. Awkward, bulky, and ugly lol. The best I've managed yet is a ship's ladder, not ideal. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Lot of firsts for me going on. A lot innovation. Never seen this idea before a camper boat that can stay in an RV park. Never seen such a cool 3D sketchup with photos like that. Very cool. 2 ideas for the boat I'll just tell you. Not sure if or how to implement. Have steering from the front with motor from the front so the craft is pulled not pushed. And/or have a second level in the back for steering over half height space covered sleeping/ storage - above open so back half boat is half again higher than front half.
Watched the video again and noticed several things to think about. Where are your mooring points? How are you going to tie the boat to a dock unless you plan to never do that. Mooring points need to be attached to strong points in the hull that can take the stresses and torque a hull working against a mooring generates. Same for an anchor point. More after deck, in my opinion plus a rear exit to gain access to service the motor when it is not on the trailer. Plus, since you are planning for no side deck that gives access fore and aft a walk through seems necessary.
For the front windshield for when you're driving you can make a system so it folds up when you're parked and either slides onto the roof. Or you can have that fold-up and anchor into the front deck for the supports for your hammocks.
You could also used pontoons on the side that store on the roof to make a walkway around the outside and also to make it more stable on the Open Water. The pontoons can also have electric motors for a little more control on the water also docking and loading on the trailer. What I'm talking about is side to side front Motors that can help you turn. And also side to side movement for loading on the trailer. It will also help with Docking. I don't know how deep trying to go into this build. But I thought I'd share my ideas with you. Build it don't buy it.
Looks fantastic! Why not add a 2nd level over the bedroom, and drop the bedroom down to 3/4 height? This will give you a top platform with high visibility for the "pilot house", more room, and ease of access to a top level deck above the sitting area. Also, you may want to elevate the sitting area - Put some storage underneath, for liquids. Also, push one wall (port side, always) in about 24" so you have a walkway around the boat. Makes accessing things far easier.
OK, I like the way you are stiffening up the shear. The box tubing should be plenty strong. In previous video I did not see the bottom configuration. Looks fine. Just get rid of all the old ply... it is junk,... and will be a problem in the near future. Use it from templates if you can but start fresh. I've helped re-plank more than one old boat. New wood is far stronger. Remember "marine ply". Boat looks great with the red boot stripe gone!! Keep in mind that the "eyebrow" on the front can affect the boats performance on the water too, in a wind.
If the bow is too heavy, the boat will be difficult to steer. Move your main cabin (incl occupants) backwards and position the berths in the front. The roof of the sleeping cabin can then be lowered so that you can construct a windshield in the main cabin. This gives you all around view from the main cabin and you can get to your engine without having to go through the sleeping cab.
My thoughts: Maybe put a control console and captains chair on one side of the bow, and use the remaining space on the bow for an enclosed shower cubicle (with toilet) on the other side. Then the main part of the boat could be a much larger space, without the dividing walls. You could then also (depending how you set it up) have a wall at the stern that could open up to create an indoor/outdoor space towards the back - which could be great for fishing/lounging when the weather is good, or you could close it up if/when the weather turns. Just some thoughts - I’m no engineer, but I love your videos. I’m keen to see where you go with this project!
Flip the boat off the trailer and it will be easier to clean. Use old tires to flip the boat. You have a truck and a couple of ropes and you can flip it. Land on tires. Work on the bottom. Steer from the bow. Leave bow room to fish and board. Buy a screen door at home depot or two. ACX plywood uses the same glue as marine. Seal it with a layer of cloth and epoxy and paint or varnish. Paint is cheaper. Use good boat paint. Foam the inside for insulation. Easy to apply and is strong and light. Compound the bottom. You can actually strip the paint, polish the bottom and coat it and it will last five years. Polished like an Airstream.
Just don't put to much weight up forward , the better balanced vessel will prove to be an easier boat to manoeuvre . A vessel that is bow heavy will have too be balanced out meaning a hell of a lot more ballast thus adding to the gross weight. In studying the makeup of this houseboat your best bet is to have the living quarters amidship/ centre of the boat, a lot of the handling and safety characteristics is predetermined by the amount of ballast needed be it forward or aft. It's one thing to have a boat look good sitting on the trailer but another more serious factor is when it's in the middle of a large body of water be it a lake or the ocean and the weather has quickly turned foul. Getting too shore or not will be determined by the seaworthiness of your vessel and the choices you have made. Good luck and Godspeed !!
Thank you for pointing this out. I really hope to have it planned out well enough to not have to add ballast. I think a bare deck sea trial is in order to see how she sits in the water without any structure just the gas propulsion system. I do think i will move everything rearward and maybe create a rear cockpit instead of having the bow fore deck.
Hi JYDOG: Just a couple of design proven concepts. 1. Tumblehome; slope house walls back 5-10 degrees ( will also give hip room to keep your center of gravity inboard standing on gunnel). 2. use fabric for fore deck awning on hoop frame; drop down when traveling on trailer. 3. Run aft double berth across boat to gain 2' of usable aft deck or main salon space ( will also keep you from rolling on each other from passing wake). I would also consider a key hole 2'x3' of cushion/mattress removable to create seating area aft when required. 4. maximum curve of house roof/deck 1" in the 3' from the center ( safer to stand or put deck chair on). Like the square tube concept for sheer/gunwale. E-mail me so I have your address on my new computer; lost my previous addresses. Will add more comments later in reply's. the old guy Bert
Thanks Bert, I'm thinking about moving everything aft. No deck up front or minimal deck in the front and a large cockpit aft with awning. The only reason I was considering a 12" drop in 4' center for the roof is to keep the side profile low so the wind would not blow it around much. Keeping the headroom in the center of the boat and reducing in the galley and the dinette. I cant stick much weight up on top so I am not considering a deck just solar on the roof. I'll send you my email again.
Hi JYDOG: www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00W52ANDA/ref=pe_755080_277938430_em_1p_0_tiYou might want to look at this set of flexible solar panels for the roof of the Electric Power Boat Camper. I tried to find a link on Amazon.com in the US but the were not listed. Nor were they listed with the distributor in the US. As they are designed to work best with a 24-48 volt system you could look for a drive motor and controller in that range. By the time you need then they may be or a similar system set will be available in the US at a better price. the old guy Bert.
I see the JDOG Titanic is on schedule, along with a Riki Tiki Kool Retro Flashback. Curious, does anyone else remember exactly where they were when that 1st MTV Video was played? :)
I think I am going to re-engineer the whole thing an move most of the open access to the rear. Maybe make a platform over the engine like you are saying in the process too.
Very cool project. I've been following your channel and then yesterday I saw you on boatdesign.net Did you check if the boat hull will support the weight and the center of gravity will be low enough to not be top heavy? I'm kind of dreaming of building a big boat to live on and be able to travel the world. Oh an solar powered lol. Well one can dream :D
Cool, lots of good info on boatdesign.net. This boat is better for coastal waterways and maybe the loop I wouldn't consider being able to travel the world with it. I don't think I will have a problem with it being top heavy. I am going to keep all of the weight low in the hull. They where just telling me to be careful how tall it is because it will be harder to control in strong winds. I've got about 1730lbs to work with plus you can subtract the deck furniture and railing i removed so that should give me more cushion.
Hey I just found out about your videos here on this build and I have a great idea that would have saved you loads of time. just buy a copy of Roy's plans and build the actual boat.
Don't laugh at me, BUT when you said to make it a hybrid, you could have the outboard on the back BUT also maybe you could install underneath a jet drive unit from a jet ski whatever and power it with an electric motor of some description !! Also that slopping cover you want to put on the front, what if from it's slopping position when driving all you have to do is just canter lever it backwards into a cover over the front deck part where those chairs are !! I hope you get what I mean !! Seeya Rob..................with the jet drive unit you could tilt the outboard leg out of the water which will then allow you to manuvre go shallow places that others will have trouble following !! You know SHTF wink, wink !!
Not at all, I like the idea of having an electric jet drive. The only problem is a jet drive is very inefficient for propulsion when compared with just a prop drive. I got what you mean about the front cover too. Make it tilt up and down to cover the porch. I'll have to start calling it my "Bugout Boat" ha ha.
Hey, do you have a email addy linked somewhere here? Leaving Key West for the Maiden voyage north for my box truck soon and thought I'd reach out...sticks in my head that you're northern FL somewhere...
What's the deal with americans and always hiding the bathroom in the deepest, darkest and most center side of the building?....I was in the US a few years ago, and (though I am sure they have those) I did not see one single house with a bathroom with an exterior window, it's like americans are afraid some one will peep through that window?!....I mean, the amount of humidity and mold living in the darkest and dampest room in the house, to top that, it is the place that you really want to keep clean, after all it is where you perform your hygiene rituals in a daily basis, and as dangerous as black mold is, you'd think "THAT'S" where you want to have your most important window, I am so glad I am not an american and my bathroom has a window facing south and as huge as 5x5...I am not afraid some one will see my, I have a blinds to pull down when I am in the bathroom, if they want to peep!.... oh well!!!
Most bathrooms are centralized because they also serve as a storm shelter when there is not a dedicated space for that! Most all second baths are on an outside wall with a window! Also, we have very good exhaust fans to remove moisture from showering! P.S. I once spent 45 minutes in my cast iron tub, with my cats, as a tornado went by about 50 feet from the house! We are still here!
Make sure you have amenities for a usable plane of not dumping your sewage waste in the water. I'm sick of not being able to swim, bcse of human waste from free loading boaties camping in estuaries. Third world living sucks swimming in a sewer.
This video is 3 years old. I would like to see how it turned out. I really like the direction your were going with your design plan.
Take a look at the “Narrowboat” style used on the UK canal system.
wow the hull cleaned up great
Looking good. Yeah, replace all the plywood, it won't last long. Good to hear the concerns over the hull strength after your deck lowering don't seem like an issue. The access issue is one I've been struggling with. I even toyed with the idea of a mid level platform on the trailer tongue and steps that flip down from it. Awkward, bulky, and ugly lol. The best I've managed yet is a ship's ladder, not ideal. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Lot of firsts for me going on. A lot innovation. Never seen this idea before a camper boat that can stay in an RV park. Never seen such a cool 3D sketchup with photos like that. Very cool. 2 ideas for the boat I'll just tell you. Not sure if or how to implement. Have steering from the front with motor from the front so the craft is pulled not pushed. And/or have a second level in the back for steering over half height space covered sleeping/ storage - above open so back half boat is half again higher than front half.
Watched the video again and noticed several things to think about. Where are your mooring points? How are you going to tie the boat to a dock unless you plan to never do that. Mooring points need to be attached to strong points in the hull that can take the stresses and torque a hull working against a mooring generates. Same for an anchor point.
More after deck, in my opinion plus a rear exit to gain access to service the motor when it is not on the trailer. Plus, since you are planning for no side deck that gives access fore and aft a walk through seems necessary.
For the front windshield for when you're driving you can make a system so it folds up when you're parked and either slides onto the roof. Or you can have that fold-up and anchor into the front deck for the supports for your hammocks.
You could also used pontoons on the side that store on the roof to make a walkway around the outside and also to make it more stable on the Open Water. The pontoons can also have electric motors for a little more control on the water also docking and loading on the trailer. What I'm talking about is side to side front Motors that can help you turn. And also side to side movement for loading on the trailer. It will also help with Docking. I don't know how deep trying to go into this build. But I thought I'd share my ideas with you. Build it don't buy it.
Looks fantastic!
Why not add a 2nd level over the bedroom, and drop the bedroom down to 3/4 height? This will give you a top platform with high visibility for the "pilot house", more room, and ease of access to a top level deck above the sitting area. Also, you may want to elevate the sitting area - Put some storage underneath, for liquids.
Also, push one wall (port side, always) in about 24" so you have a walkway around the boat. Makes accessing things far easier.
OK, I like the way you are stiffening up the shear. The box tubing should be plenty strong. In previous video I did not see the bottom configuration. Looks fine. Just get rid of all the old ply... it is junk,... and will be a problem in the near future. Use it from templates if you can but start fresh. I've helped re-plank more than one old boat. New wood is far stronger. Remember "marine ply". Boat looks great with the red boot stripe gone!! Keep in mind that the "eyebrow" on the front can affect the boats performance on the water too, in a wind.
Looking at the river shanty boats a ramp seems good, I was thinking an old Uhaul ramp that slides back in the frame. Lawson di Ransom Canyon
have you considered using a used small camper set upon or inside the open portion of the boat? that way you do not have to reinvent the wheel.
Do not forget that you should always be able to get to the outboard easily if it breaks down in open water. A rear deck is the most obvious.
True, and the controls would be simple if I stuck with a tiller.
If the bow is too heavy, the boat will be difficult to steer. Move your main cabin (incl occupants) backwards and position the berths in the front. The roof of the sleeping cabin can then be lowered so that you can construct a windshield in the main cabin. This gives you all around view from the main cabin and you can get to your engine without having to go through the sleeping cab.
My thoughts: Maybe put a control console and captains chair on one side of the bow, and use the remaining space on the bow for an enclosed shower cubicle (with toilet) on the other side. Then the main part of the boat could be a much larger space, without the dividing walls. You could then also (depending how you set it up) have a wall at the stern that could open up to create an indoor/outdoor space towards the back - which could be great for fishing/lounging when the weather is good, or you could close it up if/when the weather turns.
Just some thoughts - I’m no engineer, but I love your videos. I’m keen to see where you go with this project!
I think you are right about the dividing walls, makes it too confining. I like the idea about the rear opening wall at the stearn.
For driving from back look at long boats UK. Very nice show!!!
Try Easy Off oven cleaner. It works on bathtubs so should work.
Flip the boat off the trailer and it will be easier to clean. Use old tires to flip the boat. You have a truck and a couple of ropes and you can flip it. Land on tires. Work on the bottom. Steer from the bow. Leave bow room to fish and board. Buy a screen door at home depot or two. ACX plywood uses the same glue as marine. Seal it with a layer of cloth and epoxy and paint or varnish. Paint is cheaper. Use good boat paint. Foam the inside for insulation. Easy to apply and is strong and light. Compound the bottom. You can actually strip the paint, polish the bottom and coat it and it will last five years. Polished like an Airstream.
I don't remember the name of the cleaner but check with a boat dealer because they have cleaners specifically for boat bottoms
Just don't put to much weight up forward , the better balanced vessel will prove to be an easier boat to manoeuvre . A vessel that is bow heavy will have too be balanced out meaning a hell of a lot more ballast thus adding to the gross weight. In studying the makeup of this houseboat your best bet is to have the living quarters amidship/ centre of the boat, a lot of the handling and safety characteristics is predetermined by the amount of ballast needed be it forward or aft. It's one thing to have a boat look good sitting on the trailer but another more serious factor is when it's in the middle of a large body of water be it a lake or the ocean and the weather has quickly turned foul. Getting too shore or not will be determined by the seaworthiness of your vessel and the choices you have made. Good luck and Godspeed !!
Thank you for pointing this out. I really hope to have it planned out well enough to not have to add ballast. I think a bare deck sea trial is in order to see how she sits in the water without any structure just the gas propulsion system. I do think i will move everything rearward and maybe create a rear cockpit instead of having the bow fore deck.
Hi, I am 6 years late to the party but I love your project how can I see the finished boat?
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SMOKING MARIJUANA? YOU HAVE A VERY CREATIVE MIND!. MOUNT A SCAMP 16 CAMPER
Hi JYDOG: Just a couple of design proven concepts. 1. Tumblehome; slope house walls back 5-10 degrees ( will also give hip room to keep your center of gravity inboard standing on gunnel). 2. use fabric for fore deck awning on hoop frame; drop down when traveling on trailer. 3. Run aft double berth across boat to gain 2' of usable aft deck or main salon space ( will also keep you from rolling on each other from passing wake). I would also consider a key hole 2'x3' of cushion/mattress removable to create seating area aft when required. 4. maximum curve of house roof/deck 1" in the 3' from the center ( safer to stand or put deck chair on). Like the square tube concept for sheer/gunwale. E-mail me so I have your address on my new computer; lost my previous addresses. Will add more comments later in reply's. the old guy Bert
Thanks Bert, I'm thinking about moving everything aft. No deck up front or minimal deck in the front and a large cockpit aft with awning. The only reason I was considering a 12" drop in 4' center for the roof is to keep the side profile low so the wind would not blow it around much. Keeping the headroom in the center of the boat and reducing in the galley and the dinette. I cant stick much weight up on top so I am not considering a deck just solar on the roof. I'll send you my email again.
Hi JYDOG: www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00W52ANDA/ref=pe_755080_277938430_em_1p_0_tiYou might want to look at this set of flexible solar panels for the roof of the Electric Power Boat Camper. I tried to find a link on Amazon.com in the US but the were not listed. Nor were they listed with the distributor in the US. As they are designed to work best with a 24-48 volt system you could look for a drive motor and controller in that range. By the time you need then they may be or a similar system set will be available in the US at a better price. the old guy Bert.
The boy has skills
You may need to just sand it off then buff it out. BUT try some spary oven cleaner. Get at Dollar Tree ??
I see the JDOG Titanic is on schedule, along with a Riki Tiki Kool Retro Flashback. Curious, does anyone else remember exactly where they were when that 1st MTV Video was played? :)
Yep, playing Atari defender at my friends house.
I saw it when I took a break from digging my bomb shelter to have a snack...Memory tapes.
Put a flat roof so you can make a party deck up top.
I guess no sailboat? (Saw it in an earlier video).
why not have a raised deck in the rear but also extend it to the rear edge of the motor
I think I am going to re-engineer the whole thing an move most of the open access to the rear. Maybe make a platform over the engine like you are saying in the process too.
Very cool project. I've been following your channel and then yesterday I saw you on boatdesign.net
Did you check if the boat hull will support the weight and the center of gravity will be low enough to not be top heavy?
I'm kind of dreaming of building a big boat to live on and be able to travel the world. Oh an solar powered lol. Well one can dream :D
Cool, lots of good info on boatdesign.net. This boat is better for coastal waterways and maybe the loop I wouldn't consider being able to travel the world with it. I don't think I will have a problem with it being top heavy. I am going to keep all of the weight low in the hull. They where just telling me to be careful how tall it is because it will be harder to control in strong winds. I've got about 1730lbs to work with plus you can subtract the deck furniture and railing i removed so that should give me more cushion.
Yeah a lot of good info but so much to read lol.
Hey I just found out about your videos here on this build and I have a great idea that would have saved you loads of time. just buy a copy of Roy's plans and build the actual boat.
Look up Bret Becky on RUclips they made a house boat , you mite get some ideals from there boat .
Don't laugh at me, BUT when you said to make it a hybrid, you could have the outboard on the back BUT also maybe you could install underneath a jet drive unit from a jet ski whatever and power it with an electric motor of some description !! Also that slopping cover you want to put on the front, what if from it's slopping position when driving all you have to do is just canter lever it backwards into a cover over the front deck part where those chairs are !! I hope you get what I mean !! Seeya Rob..................with the jet drive unit you could tilt the outboard leg out of the water which will then allow you to manuvre go shallow places that others will have trouble following !! You know SHTF wink, wink !!
Not at all, I like the idea of having an electric jet drive. The only problem is a jet drive is very inefficient for propulsion when compared with just a prop drive. I got what you mean about the front cover too. Make it tilt up and down to cover the porch. I'll have to start calling it my "Bugout Boat" ha ha.
Hey, do you have a email addy linked somewhere here? Leaving Key West for the Maiden voyage north for my box truck soon and thought I'd reach out...sticks in my head that you're northern FL somewhere...
a video from awhile ago: ruclips.net/video/2xDIA2UsPeI/видео.html
Clean your bottom? Grab a drill with scrubber disk. No half way.
What's the deal with americans and always hiding the bathroom in the deepest, darkest and most center side of the building?....I was in the US a few years ago, and (though I am sure they have those) I did not see one single house with a bathroom with an exterior window, it's like americans are afraid some one will peep through that window?!....I mean, the amount of humidity and mold living in the darkest and dampest room in the house, to top that, it is the place that you really want to keep clean, after all it is where you perform your hygiene rituals in a daily basis, and as dangerous as black mold is, you'd think "THAT'S" where you want to have your most important window, I am so glad I am not an american and my bathroom has a window facing south and as huge as 5x5...I am not afraid some one will see my, I have a blinds to pull down when I am in the bathroom, if they want to peep!.... oh well!!!
Most bathrooms are centralized because they also serve as a storm shelter when there is not a dedicated space for that! Most all second baths are on an outside wall with a window! Also, we have very good exhaust fans to remove moisture from showering! P.S. I once spent 45 minutes in my cast iron tub, with my cats, as a tornado went by about 50 feet from the house! We are still here!
weight is your enemy to much in 1 area will be a disaster
Make sure you have amenities for a usable plane of not dumping your sewage waste in the water. I'm sick of not being able to swim, bcse of human waste from free loading boaties camping in estuaries. Third world living sucks swimming in a sewer.
Couldn't agree more. I will plan accordingly.