Well, I've been looking at boat plans and I'm thinking I want to build another one. I already got the go-ahead from my dad as long as I buy all the materials. Woohoo! He even offered to pitch in if I needed the help. He is a good guy to have on your team!

So I'm looking at the plans. I think I'm going with a walk around/Center Console set up. Just because it's the most room. A center console is more room but a walk around offers a private place to get changed or take a nap if you have to. 18-20 feet would be easiest to trailer. Basically I'm looking for the biggest boat with a beam of 8 feet max. You can't trailer a boat with a beam larger than 8' on a highway. You can trailer a boat with a beam of 8'6" on local roads. Not knowing where I'm going to wind up living, makes an 8' beam better.

This thing is gonna be the best! Building a boat is no easy task so this one is going to last me, well, forever. All the necessary electronics. VHF Radio, GPS, Fishfinder and I'm even considering a Radar system incase I ever decided to take it offshore or any night boating. Would be great if I can link them all together. I'm not at that stage yet of course.

I'm thinking of exactly what I want out of a boat. I think I'm gonna try and get one of those "Aerobeds" for the cabin.

Just wanted you guys to know, I'm leaving the ranks of "Surfcaster" to "Boatmaster".

Maybe if some of you guys want to come down we can go out. Fish the WICC tournament or something or go out trolling around. Ya know. We'll see...

Patrick,
Sounds great, but I hope your enthusiasm lasts though the project. You may be surfcasting for more than just the foreseeable future. It took us (my brother and me) over four years to rebuild and repower a Beals Island 36. It had been a working fishing boat with a dry stack, and was hogged something awful. The boat had seen the bottom too. As she dried, she had more openings than a Manhattan post office. Just be sure of what you are taking on, in terms of both time and expense. Easier to build new than rebuild, but just do your homework, talk to others who have built, and see a project that is already underway and track it. Get an idea of how close to budget it runs. No doubt we are pleased as hell with our 1957 classic, but there were moments when we, and our families, questioned ourselves, hence the boat's name.... FIREWOOD

I've built a few simpler boats before, nothing like this though. It shouldn't be too hard. The only problem I keep running into is I can't find plans I like.

-I need boat plans for a 18-24 foot walk around.

-Room enough for two people to sleep in.

-Must be plans for an outboard motor

-Must have an 8 foot beam or at the very largest, 8'6"

-Must have underfoot areas for batteries, fuel and a baitwell.

-Underfoot stowage for emergency items would be a plus but not a necessity.

-Seating for 3 and possibly my dog.

-Able to afix a T-top to it.

This sounds like one serious project! Going to cost some big bucks and take major time to accomplish.

What happened to the yak turned rowboat you built?

I thought I read last year you bought a Shamrock?

Hey Patrick - I'm certainly not going to fault a young fella for having a little ambition.No I'll just ask a question and offer a little advice.
-The question is, have you found some serious gainful employment ?
-The advice is to carefully budget this project, both time and money - and then double it.Then don't start it until you have at least half the cash in hand.A 20' boat from scratch will cost you some serious coin, and the last thing you want is this hulk sitting in the garage or under a tarp in your yard for years while you save.
- In my opinion, you would be better off buying a shell of an old hull and building on that - but to each his own.
_So, ballpark - whadya figure this will cost?

I was watching Discovery Wings last night before the Sopranos (my favorite channel followed by my favorite show :) ) The topic is a multi-part series on building your own aircraft as there a some ways to get into a new "experimental aircraft" for reasonable (cough, choke, gag) dollars. So I went online to price out and a 49% assembled, 2 seat RV-8A would only run me about 50 Large with a couple thousand hours to complete (and then all I'd need to do is insure it, maintain and certifiy it and get my pilot's license)...

Uh Patrick, a boat is an hell of an undertaking too. Wouldn't you want to start off with a decent hull and build from there? How much dinero are you talking about? And no, I won't get into the employment aspect there...

I thought you couldn't even afford a fly rod?

Hi Patrick,

Yes, I also post here :) Nice to see you on your new venture. Please keep in mind when you're seeking for venture capitalists, I can line up some for you. Remeber, I'm your number one fan!

I'm tempted, I really am :), but nope not this time around either.

[img="http://www.rgsiroisco.com/fisherman.gif"]
Tight lines.

You know, when you hear boats, you hear that "caching" noise. It doesn't have to be that way. The plans for boats typically run around 85 bucks. You can get other kits with the framing done preadvanced, but what fun is that? The supply lists aren't too unreasonable. The part I think is best is you can build it as you can afford it. If I was to buy a boat like this used or new, I would probably have to put down 8 grand for a used one or 8 grand as a down payment on a new one. Even if this boat costs me 8 grand, which I'm sure it will, probably more with all the hook ups, it will be worth it. As I told the people at Glen-L, I put my heart and soul into every boat I build and this one will last me the rest of my life.

The rowboat I had didn't work out. I have it, and it floats, it just won't hold up to all the things I need a boat to do. I never bought a Shamrock boat. I WISH! Shamrocks are awesome. This is the problem with Soundfishing.com's message board. Someone else with the studly name Patrick can post there. There is no registration so 30 people could use the same name. Same deal goes for the "Kayak in the race" post. I never made that post. If I did, I would admit it. Neither the Kayak in the Race or the "I got a new Shamrock boat" post weren't mine.

I don't have much of a social life. All I have is work, fishing and family obligations. Fishing can wait, not too many family obligations...

I would need to read into that last comment that you, uhm, have a job? Is that the response you wanted?

8 grand, with oar locks maybe. You gonna put power on it? (still cost a couple grand for sails and rigging...)

So Patrick, in all seriousness, are you going to come up to one of these meets??

I don't know if I can. My parents said they don't want me leaving the general area all too much. I live in their house, I'm under their rules. My mom has ummm looked into my online life as far as these fishing boards and she doesn't care for some of the stuff I have said and she definitely doesn't like the way I have been treated. She even went on the sites and searched for my user names. So I doubt she wants me to go up there.

Patrick,

Plans are probably the cheapest part. I can't imagine building that boat you describe above from the keel up is going to be less than a good $10k, not including motor and at least some basic electronics. As they say, the rigging costs more than the hull! ;)

Also factor in dockage or towing (you'll need to get the driver's license and car now too), insurance, fuel, safety equipment etc etc.

Considering too that you have no experience operating a power boat (larger than maybe a row boat), don't you think buying a used craft you can refurbish is a better way to get started in your nautical career?

Who said I don't have any experience driving a boat? I've driven tons of boats. There isn't too much to it. Throttle goes up, boat goes forward. Throttle goes back, boat goes backwards. As long as you don't take turns too sharply and pay attention, everything is easy and fine. My opinion is rowboats are much harder to operate. Because of the slow speed, you have to take into consideration every gust of wind, every little current. Even your steering needs tending to. It's not like turning the tiller and going. It's "If I want to go port, how many times do I paddle port and how many starboard?"

I was thinking about a used boat but let's face it, you can be suckered pretty easily. You can never tell what damage is inside the hull. That's the problem.

As far as the hull, nothing to it. All it is made of is plywood really. There are other pieces for the frame but not too much to it. Epoxy isn't too expensive. The most expensive parts is going to be the t-top which goes for about 2 grand. I don't have too much experience welding so I'm better off just ordering one premade. The motor is also going to be expensive. I can probably get an older model that's been rebuilt for considerably less money. The electronics are going to be expensive. I can probably get a package deal if I tell a company like Garmin I want to use their set up exclusively.

Then there comes the matter of the tools. Most the stuff we own already. My dad is one of those DIY kind of guys so we have a bunch of tools. All you really need is a jigsaw, beltsander, palm sanders, a drill, pliers, diagnol cutters and a rasp. There are other tools out there that work better but you can get by with just those. Technically, you could do all of the work by hand if you had the guns for it but I don't. You guys have no clue how easy this is. All it takes is dedication.

As I journey through this process, I'm going to be keeping a daily log with photos. If there is enough interest, maybe John will post it. Once you see how great this is, all of you will want to do it.

Just an update.

I cannot find plans for a walk around boat that has an outboard engine. The best thing I can find is a center console so I think I'm gonna go with that. I won't be able to sleep on it but who needs sleep when the stripers are around? The plans say it's an 18 foot CC but it can be lengthened to 19 like one fella did. I think 18 is fine for the sound, even calmer days on the ocean. I know some guys who go out on 12-16 footers and they have no problems.

I'm gonna post a picture here of this boat, remember this guy lengthened it to 19 feet. My boats gonna be a foot shorter. It has a nearly 8 foot beam.

Also, this thursday, I'm going to get my learners permit to drive a car. I don't like the things but the bike is making the tush hurt and my lower back constantly gets pulled. If the bluefin don't drag me under and kill me, the car will. Then I figure I can get the driving license in a month. I've driven before and it doesn't seem too hard. I just need the road hours and confidence.

John, I don't have a job persay, but it is right around the corner I tell ya. Application is filled out, my hair is cut, I'm all nicely shaved. I just need to find a decent shirt. I refuse to go into any job wearing a t-shirt. Show up, take care of business. I'm a night owl as you can see by my posting times, stores pay better if you work at night. Here, night shift at a supermarket, 9 or 10 bucks an hour is nice for the work.

I figure I can work my shift, come home, do some work on the boat and still get some nice hours of Zzzzs in. My mom works during the day so I can probably snag the car for an hour after work and make some casts.

It's all coming together nicely for me. That's my style. I sit back, take a look at my life, see what I want. Then I piece it together accordingly.

Anyways, enough talk, here's the boat. Built by Bob Aronson from Vista, CA. Lengthened to 19'. I probably wouldn't have those bow rails because I'm looking for a sleeker look with the ability to lip a big old bass whereever she tires out.

Patrick (05-22-2001 01:10):
Who said I don't have any experience driving a boat? I've driven tons of boats. There isn't too much to it. Throttle goes up, boat goes forward. Throttle goes back, boat goes backwards.

Yea, ok.

That reminds me of a guy I once met who said quote "There's nothing to investing. Just tell me what stocks I should buy and sell."

(Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water......)

Patrick (05-22-2001 04:11):
Also, this thursday, I'm going to get my learners permit to drive a car. I don't like the things but the bike is making the tush hurt and my lower back constantly gets pulled. If the bluefin don't drag me under and kill me, the car will. Then I figure I can get the driving license in a month. I've driven before and it doesn't seem too hard. I just need the road hours and confidence.

If anyone ever wondered why our insurance rates are so high...

There is a little more to boating and driving than that. If you really think that is all there is to it, I'll put up a page on this site where you can schedule where you are driving anything with more power than a ten speed - that we we can all stay clear :P

Seriously (I use this word far too often with you), get a job at a full service marina near you. You can apply your wealth of knowledge form your aqua-enviro-maintanence-school, learn a lot about marine repair and salvage and have a dock to fish off (big bass like docks). You'll have the inside track on any wayward hulls that come along as well as having first dibs on some of the underground market of surplus and pre-owned boating stuff (engines, electronics, hardware, porta-pottis) and so on...

BTW - What happened to:

Becoming a Lawyer?
Shore fishing for Big-Eye?

Why stop there? For about $50K, you can get yourself a home-built aircraft. There isn't much to flying, you push the throttle forward, the plane goes up. You cut the throttle, the plane descends. To steer all you need to do is turn the little wheel or move the stick in the direction you want to go. Most home-builts don't stall all that easy, and if it does, when you let go of the controls in terror, they usually recover. Provided, of course, there's enough altitude for it to do so before the ground comes up to meet ya.

Just think of the possibilities---flying over the beach scouting for holes and structure, locating schools of bait, you could even hire yourself out to the tuna guys and spot for them. Bad weather? Poof on that---just builds character.

Mike, you're right. I'm sure Patrick has played with MS Flight Simulator, flown paper airplanes and been to an airport so that's good enough experinece. :)

(couldn't resist)

BTW Patrick, you do realize that if you do get a driver's license your public will expect you to actually go and fish all those places and use all those techniques that you've been giving advise for over the last 2 years. No more excuses.

HA HA... Fun fun fun.

First, the lawyer and bluefin thing. No support for the bluefin thing. No one wanted to be on the team. The plan was suicidal enough with 5 people, I'm not about to do it alone.

Now becoming a lawyer. I'm still interested in that. The only thing is, it takes money. I know you said you didn't want me mentioning this, but here we go. I think it will let you into my point of view a little better. Because of my disorder, I haven't had much of a social life for the past 6 years. That's part of middle school and all of highschool. During those times, even though I was rather popular, I didn't go out once. Not once. Now that I'm on medication, I feel like this huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I have my freedom and I like it. I realize I can never have those 6 years back. I'm just enjoying life right now. 6 years doesn't seem like much to you. But that's 1/3 of my life.

Now you guys about the boat driving. Of course there's more to it than what I said. We aren't talking about sailing a 75 foot yacht with twin cats in it. It's a simple 19 foot boat. It's really not too hard. Just pay attention and you'll be fine.

Mike, let's not be a wise guy here although that was rather funny. :)

Jaiem, insurance rates are high because people don't drive right. Kids these days don't have respect for anything, least not automobiles. I'm being raised by 2 great drivers that have probably only gotten 1 ticket in the nearly 40 years they have been driving. You know, when people pick up a gun, they say, "Hey I have a gun. It shoots bullets and kills things." but when they get into the car they say to themselves, "I'm in a car, it drives me from point a to point b." They totally neglect the fact that they driving a deadly weapon. Because I view a car differently than most people, I think that makes me a better driver.

With the gas prices the way they are, I doubt I'll be up there any time soon. Plus, wait until I have my own vehicle. I just can't take off in one of my parent's cars for a weekend.

What confuses me, is why anyone would waste 20+ posts debating this issue? Clearly your not gainfully employed and the odds of you finishing this so called project are probably close to the odds that you will catch the next world record striper this season. This thread is almost as absurd as the tuna thread.

I wasn't going to be pulled into any of this, but man talk about pointless dribble.

[img="http://www.rgsiroisco.com/fisherman.gif"]
Tight lines and get a life.

hehehe :D

--- on a side note, Patrick - you are EXPECTED to show for one of our little shindigs up here. Lack of an appearance is not allowed. When you present this to your mom, tell her that you will fish with me and that you will not be thrown into the Ditch with a swift moving current, not allowed to surfcast to tuna (albies and bonito not included), and no harm or foul will come to you. I'll pick you up at the Providence Amtrak station if you need to public transit your way up (I'm serious here) - expect to fish with eels and we'll see how you react to BIG FISH. Poop or get off the post... pot - I meant pot...

23 now almost a keeper.....

I couldn't resist

Never mind.

I swear, I'll meet you guys one day. Then you'll see I'm just as crazy in real life as I am on here. I might even trailer the boat up there if it is done by that time and we'll go cruising for babes. You know how chicks dig boats. A few things at a time.

Patrick - now you're talkin !
You're right, chicks dig lawyers with boats.Might I recommend a Lincoln Navigator as a tow vehicle, after all you will need to entertain clients. You get going now, you might be ready for the fall run.
Oh yeah, might want to reconsider the Cuddy...you know, the chicks !

That's what I was thinking ;D. I emailed the fellas at Glen-L and they recommended a boat which I'm thinking about. Fishing boats are great but they lack a lot when you want to entertain.

So here is the other boat I'm thinking about.

I don't want quite so many windows on the cabin and I wouldn't have that canvas on the stern. This boat is 23 feet with a beam of 8'0". Able to be used in offshore conditions. Holds up to 45 gallons of gasoline and 10 gallons of water. It sleeps two. Pretty sweet boat. Will hold a motor that weighs up to 800 lbs. Considering motors weigh less and less these days, a 250 hp motor only weighs 450 lbs or so. Of course I would have to go with a used older model so it will weigh a little more.

Here is the boat.

Can't.....resist......saying......

Cabin cruiser, 23 foot, 45 gallons fuel, single 250 hp, no experience on a boat, no experience in bluewater and going offshore?

Heaven, protect the brave and the foolish!

Never said I was going offshore. I said it was ABLE too. I still don't get where you say I have no experience on a boat.

Patrick (05-23-2001 17:02):
Never said I was going offshore. I said it was ABLE too. I still don't get where you say I have no experience on a boat.

You don't own a boat. You never said your family owns a boat. You never mentioned a relative or friend who has a boat that you've spent a lot of time on. And I'm refering to power craft larger than a row boat.

So then please enlighten us about your experiences piloting a boat such that it's no big deal for you.

Thanks.

John,

I'll better your offer. I'll pick up Patrick and drive him up there :) Same thing no harm nor foul, just bring the eels and ---well, I'd like to reserve the right to supply the hooks :) in case he brings a pack of 12/0 (LOL)

joe
i made the same offer . no request has been made yet by patrick yet . it would be easier for you since you have to drive right by his exit anyway I have to head south for a few miles on 95. bring a hook on a long pole , you wont even have to slow down just hook him and off ya go to the canal lol . im only kidding patrick .come on smile blood you know its funny ,

Patrick,

My friend, the ditch is calling you :) I promise not to even mention hooks, rollers, rod-building, kayaks, eels, boat building, on shore tune fishing on the way up :) Darn, I'll be driving with my mouth shut all the way :D