marshboat model--feedback welcome

Rick Kyte

Rick Kyte

Well-known member
Getting ready for another boat project, but more modest this time. Looking at building a pair of marsh boats that my son and I can take into the newly created restricted zones on the Upper Miss refuge. (restricted to elec motor, pole, or oars). Shallow, sheltered waters.

Here are some photos of the model I built last night: 5:1 ratio

Basic dimensions:

46" wide X 10' long X 15" high (transom and coaming height) 12" deck height
cockpit: 24" X 60"

Construction:

Stitch & glue with 5mm luan or baltic birch, outer hull covered with 4oz cloth and epoxy, deck and inside epoxy only.

View attachment P3040034.JPG

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View attachment P3040036.JPG

I'd appreciate any suggestions for changes/modifications you guys could offer.

Does this look feasible? Using the above materials can I keep the weight down to about 60 lbs?

Rick

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Rick,

What is your main mode of propulsion going to be? Electric motor or oars? Me gut feeling is that it won't pole very well due to the transom. It should be very stable though once you get to where you want to go.
 
I'm thinking kayak paddle or oars as primary propulsion, pole occasionally, elec motor once in a while. for some areas I would pull it behind a bigger boat until close to the hunting spot.

Why would the transom keep it from poling effectively?

Rick
 
Rick, theres a sticky at the Refuge in the boats, blinds and gadgets section that has plans (free) for almost the exact boat that your model represents along with many pics and testimonials of its seaworthiness. Might be worth it to take a look.
 
Why would the transom keep it from poling effectively?
Click to expand...


Rick,

I agree with what Pete said. The transom being squared off will create drag. Pointed on both ends will give smoother water flow.
 
For man-power, the transom can be any shape, as long as it doesn't sit deep in the water. You have a planing hull. the keel is level back to the stern. It should raise up and above or to the water line for best performance under oars or poling.

For the size of boat why not build one of these? Although they are planing hulls also. The cost of plans is small compared to construction of any boat. The joy of designing your own boat may be offset by unexpected surprises during building and use. Not trying to throw a wet towel on your project, just speaking from experience.

Devlin Broadbill
http://duckboats.net.nmsrv.com/specs/images/broadbillcomp.jpg
 
Sounds like Devlin Mallard would fit your needs, its a displacement hull, which should do better under oars and a trolling motor wouldnt get over hull speed anyway. No need to reinvent the wheel when you can order plans.
 
Maybe a stupid thought but if your going for light weight have you given any thought to a canvas deck?
Maybe use some bowed spreaders like the tonneau(sp?) covers on a truck? A hook and some bungie cord
through eyelets to keep tension?

I havent fully formed this thought, and already see some issues..

But I'll throw it out here any way.
 
Thanks for responses. This is really helping me to think through what I'm trying to achieve and how to achieve it.

Denny--I looked around on the Refuge form and think I found the boat you are talking about. The hybrid. Transom shape for that one is about the same, except rounded, and the decks are curved. Which may add strength to the deck--I'll have to think about that. Hybrid is also just 8', which seems too short to me. I'm thinking that 10' is as short as I want to go to maintain stability and have room for a dog and decoys.

Dave--I'm trying to build something about the shape of your Carsten's canvasback, except shorter and lighter. I realize the squared off transom may create some drag, but how noticeable will that be? The simple fact is, it's a lot easier to build a flat bottom, square transom than to add rocker and point both ends. But I'll go back to the drawing board and see what I can do.

Andy, Carl--Both the mallard and broadbill are great boats, but they are heavy and complex. They won't give me the shallow water use and portability that I want. And I won't need the secondary stabilty that a boat like the broadbill is designed for. Probably the closest design to what I'm looking for is the Kara Hummer, but the internal framing makes that boat heavy.

Geoff--Interesting suggestion. I don't think the stitchnglue method provides enough strength to the hull without the reinforcement of a solid deck, but I like that idea as a possibility for some project down the road. I'll file that one away.
 
Going back to the drawing board is what I was going to suggest, an actual drawing board. Draw out side and overhead views. Much easier to make changes to, than a model. Forget computer programs. For me, they take longer and add no real benefit.

If you decide not to build, a Marsh Rat or Four Rivers might fit your bill. Right size and shape.
 
Andy,

I agree completely about the computer programs. The learning curve is just too steep for an occasional user like me to make it worthwhile.

And I've thought about buying a boat, but since we need two, I hoping to keep the cost down enough to build two for about the price of buying something like the 4 rivers.

Besides, I'm hoping my youngest boy is old enough now (13) to do the lion's share of the work on one of the boats, after all he'll be hunting in it. He helped with the last two builds, but wasn't old enough to do much.

Four years ago:
View attachment P8090083.jpg

He's grown 2' since then.
Rick

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I do all of my poling standing up and putting the pole on on side or the other with my feet being the fulcrum. So it would depend on how far you are astern if you do it that way. If you pole from the stern you will need a wide and high one.

Boat looks very doable at a reasonable cost.
Best,
Harry
 
What about something like this?

http://www.butlerprojects.com/boats/montanaguideboat/index.htm

File0103-s.jpg

File0096.jpg

 
My only question is whether or not it will be done in time for the Midwest DBHF gathering in August. Better get moving.

The plans did remind of the hybrid boat on the fuge. I agree with you, that boat looks to be too small.

Mark W
 
Rick, really think about the Devlin Poleboat. I love mine! Also check my FS posting of my Canyak. You could buy that one from me, build a Poleboat and have shell money left over. If you would like to try it out I could probably be talked into a road trip when the ice is gone ;(. After several tries the poleboat is just what I've been looking for.They kinda look tipy but even with a dog or two in the boat I have yet to float my hat. Pole, Paddle or even with the bracket I added- a 4hp outboard.
 
Denny--I looked around on the Refuge form and think I found the boat you are talking about. The hybrid. Transom shape for that one is about the same, except rounded, and the decks are curved. Which may add strength to the deck--I'll have to think about that. Hybrid is also just 8', which seems too short to me. I'm thinking that 10' is as short as I want to go to maintain stability and have room for a dog and decoys.
Click to expand...
Rick, what most people miss about the Hybrid is that is was "designed" to meet some very limited criteria and those are completely lost in the monster thread. 1 - fit into the back of a standard long truck bed with a canopy and be locked up. 2 - carry one man into shallow water where he can retreive his own ducks. 3 - be as light as possible while still able to support the weight of the designer, 270 pounds. If you are looking for anything other than these three things then a hybrid is not for you. That said the concept of the hybrid can be easily expanded into most any length of boat by just butt jointing or scarfing to make longer plywood sheets and adding some support knees under the side decks. The arch of the deck allows for more room under the deck for feet and gear while giving the appearance of a low to the water profile. You will want to use a thicker piece of plywood for the floor to resist the bending load or put some sort of supporting keels on it.
 
Denny--I looked around on the Refuge form and think I found the boat you are talking about. The hybrid. Transom shape for that one is about the same, except rounded, and the decks are curved. Which may add strength to the deck--I'll have to think about that. Hybrid is also just 8', which seems too short to me. I'm thinking that 10' is as short as I want to go to maintain stability and have room for a dog and decoys.
Click to expand...
Rick, what most people miss about the Hybrid is that is was "designed" to meet some very limited criteria and those are completely lost in the monster thread. 1 - fit into the back of a standard long truck bed with a canopy and be locked up. 2 - carry one man into shallow water where he can retreive his own ducks. 3 - be as light as possible while still able to support the weight of the designer, 270 pounds. If you are looking for anything other than these three things then a hybrid is not for you. That said the concept of the hybrid can be easily expanded into most any length of boat by just butt jointing or scarfing to make longer plywood sheets and adding some support knees under the side decks. The arch of the deck allows for more room under the deck for feet and gear while giving the appearance of a low to the water profile. You will want to use a thicker piece of plywood for the floor to resist the bending load or put some sort of supporting keels on it.
Click to expand...


The original hybred was 8 feet in length but if you take the time to scroll thru the whole thread (its quite long) you will see pictures of those who have extended the boat up to 12 feet long doing as you have described. A couple of them have pods on the transom to support a small gas engine also. Several builders of the boat have used the stitch and glue method favored here. I enjoy reading the thread and watching the ingenuity of those making changes to the original design.
 
Rick,

Sounds like you need to slam a couple KARAs together. Fits what you want from what I can tell, they are on the heavy side, but unless you have a lot of time on your hands you aren't going to build two of anything that will end up well under 100 pounds.

T
 
Dave,

What do you mean "work party?" I'll have it almost done by then. All I'll need help with is the sanding. I'll even supply the sandpaper.

Rick
 
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