LAYOUT BOAT DRAFT TWO: The FT Grande.

Paul W

Well-known member
Here it is, the floating turd Grande. Draft two, comments and concerns welcome! I may add 4" to the stern and 2" to the bow to get it to 11' length.

layoutblueprint_zps84581149.jpeg

 
Paul~

Looks good! I am wondering, though, about the width of the well and cockpit - especially the latter. I would go 32" across shoulders and 18 across feet. At the upper end, your elbows can rest on the "shelves": either side. That will save on lots of buoyancy.

Will you be putting the traditional skirt around the cockpit?

BTW: When you get to the 'glassing stage (a week or so from now????), 4-ounce cloth in epoxy will be sufficient - with doubling over the chines and other edges subject to wear.

All the best,

SJS
 
I don't know anything about buoyancy calculations, etc., but I have spent hundreds of hours in an MLB classic for the last 14 or so years. A practical point: it looks like the cockpit opening might be a little small, if I am viewing the drawing correctly. Are you going to build in a "channel" above where your legs will be to rest your gun, similar to what some of the Bankes boats have? On my classic, the cockpit is open down to about my knees, so the barrel of the gun easily rests on the coaming, with the stock laying on my chest. Also, the larger opening allows for easier access to the "downwind" cleat in case you need to reset that anchor or want to pick up that anchor while in the boat.

Mike
 
Really good observation. Since Paul is building the boat from scratch maybe someone has a good idea to safely accommodate the gun in a easily accessible position.
 
I don't know anything about buoyancy calculations, etc., but I have spent hundreds of hours in an MLB classic for the last 14 or so years. A practical point: it looks like the cockpit opening might be a little small, if I am viewing the drawing correctly. Are you going to build in a "channel" above where your legs will be to rest your gun, similar to what some of the Bankes boats have? On my classic, the cockpit is open down to about my knees, so the barrel of the gun easily rests on the coaming, with the stock laying on my chest. Also, the larger opening allows for easier access to the "downwind" cleat in case you need to reset that anchor or want to pick up that anchor while in the boat.

Mike

An interesting point, I figured a smaller openin would be safer, 40" is probably down to my waist or so, perhaps I will enlarge te openings length a bit.

I am definitely building in a draining gun channel to hold my gun steady.
 
Paul~

Looks good! I am wondering, though, about the width of the well and cockpit - especially the latter. I would go 32" across shoulders and 18 across feet. At the upper end, your elbows can rest on the "shelves": either side. That will save on lots of buoyancy.

Will you be putting the traditional skirt around the cockpit?

BTW: When you get to the 'glassing stage (a week or so from now????), 4-ounce cloth in epoxy will be sufficient - with doubling over the chines and other edges subject to wear.

All the best,

SJS


I have a lot of tape and 6oz cloth left from the bluebill I built, I will be using that because of the availability.


Your width of the well question is a good one. I'm not sure what would be best, but my calculation for bouyancy is that it would lift 233lbs as is, leaving roughly 100lbs resting on the "body" of the boat to pull the edges of the boat down into the water.


It appears there are lots of different opinions! But I can only build one boat a year you know!
 
I think you are getting there. I have to find my notes of the conversation I had with Mr. Kalash but for a two man he told me he added 24 inces to the centerline of his one man boat. Just an FYI if you stretch one in the future. I have an original stern piece for the box on the one man if you need it. I can take some measurements off my boat if you need them.
I would go with an oval cockpit combing . It's not difficult to fab up.
 
I

Your width of the well question is a good one. I'm not sure what would be best, but my calculation for bouyancy is that it would lift 233lbs as is, leaving roughly 100lbs resting on the "body" of the boat to pull the edges of the boat down into the water.


It appears there are lots of different opinions! But I can only build one boat a year you know!

Don't forget you need to add the weight of the boat and float it too.
 
I

Your width of the well question is a good one. I'm not sure what would be best, but my calculation for bouyancy is that it would lift 233lbs as is, leaving roughly 100lbs resting on the "body" of the boat to pull the edges of the boat down into the water.


It appears there are lots of different opinions! But I can only build one boat a year you know!

Don't forget you need to add the weight of the boat and float it too.

This calculation assumes that the boat weighs 130 pounds
 
Someplace along the line I've become confused. (Not unusual).
I had thought the original goal was to float a 300 lbs hunter?

The "well" will lift about 365 lbs, minus 130 for the weight of the boat, 230lbs of lift remains from only the well. Leaving about 100lbs to keep the edges of the main hull down in the water. This well is quite about bigger than the ones on smaller commercial layouts, or the standard busick layout designed for an average size hunter.
 
I see where I went wrong, your figures were for the payload of the "space shuttle". :-)

something you might want to check with a quick mockup.
you might be fine but being a tall man, make sure you can slide down into the cockpit easily with your planned cockpit length of 40"

you don't want to start your entry with your butt hanging too far off the stern or end up trying to bend your knees backwords. Especially if your going to wear waders.
 
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Here it is, the floating turd Grande. Draft two, comments and concerns welcome! I may add 4" to the stern and 2" to the bow to get it to 11' length.

layoutblueprint_zps84581149.jpeg

Paul, I know nothing about layout boats or their design. I do know about rolling a sit in Kayak in 40 degree water and I'll tell you I wouldn't want to be trying to get out of a boat in that situation dressed like we do and wearing waders with only a 40" opening. But then I have a 40" waist. Just a thought.
 
Paul-

I like the looks of the second draft. I also understand why you want the cockpit designed the way you do. What about doing something like Steve S has done on one of his prior builds, where there is a cockpit cover that matches the color of the boat and is on shock cording. This way, when you sit up the cover gives to your waist, it can be disconnected if needed to open the cockpit further as others have suggested. It will still protect from water entry and perhaps provide for some additional warmth or as a wind barrier.

A couple of other guys have done this on their sneak boxes too.

I don't have the photos on hand, because (shhh) I am typing from my work computer.

Chad A
 
I see where I went wrong, your figures were for the payload of the "space shuttle". :-)

something you might want to check with a quick mockup.
you might be fine but being a tall man, make sure you can slide down into the cockpit easily with your planned cockpit length of 40"

you don't want to start your entry with your butt hanging too far off the stern or end up trying to bend your knees backwords. Especially if your going to wear waders.

On Steve's "white wing" the lap canvas is a good idea, perhaps a longer (50-60") and a lap canvas Is in order. Another good idea.
 
That's a good idea (bigger opening and lap canvas), even though you'll probably find that the canvas isn't even necessary. You will definitely want to be able to move around a little, turn around, and get on your knees if necessary (to transfer, adjust anchors or lines, shoot a cripple, pee). The bigger cockpit will be especially convenient when you are transferring shooters in choppy water. It isn't always graceful.

Mike
 
That's a good idea (bigger opening and lap canvas), even though you'll probably find that the canvas isn't even necessary. You will definitely want to be able to move around a little, turn around, and get on your knees if necessary (to transfer, adjust anchors or lines, shoot a cripple, pee). The bigger cockpit will be especially convenient when you are transferring shooters in choppy water. It isn't always graceful.

Mike
I look forward to belly flopping into the boat onto a large pile of divers. It was only a matter of time when they legalized layout hunting in mn before I built one...
 
Wasn't the WhiteCap basically a layout type deck on a normal hull? I was thinking it was HUGE... not a 1 1/2 man layout....


I do not see that having any issues getting in and out of... We a have been in very snotty stuff on Michigan and never been close to getting in the drink. I think the "canvas cover" sounds like a death trap.. just something to trip over. No offense to those more overweight than I am... 40x40 opening??? that is a freaking swimming pool!!!! think about it... that is almost as large as sheet of plywood is wide!!!!!
 
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