20ft Texas Barrel

[garrech]

For what it's worth, our direct-drive ski boat has two in different locations:
One through the transom for when it's on the boat ramp
One through the hull just forward of the motor for when it's on a boat lift (level) or possibly in case someone were to spill some oil or other fluid and wanted the shortest way out

[psychobilly]

My motor has a 1/4” hose coming from the oil pan drain. The hose is just long enough to stick through my drain hole which is just in front of the motor.

[Hercdrvr]

Ok, good ideas to think about, thanks.

No production news to report, still planking. Diagonal cold mold isn’t hard but there are about 300 strips to apply. Looks like 27 sheets of plywood and 3 gallons of Poxy-grip are going to be the numbers for a 20 ft Barrel-back.
Matt B

[Hercdrvr]

Having logged some time in a single screw straight inboard I’m thinking about a bow thruster for the Barrelback. I give up all original period correct authenticity points but gain cool points docking in a crosswind.

Found a pic on the web of a similar wood hull useing a bow thruster. Neel’s Gentry is impressive with his stern thrusters. So, whatta y’all think, Ya or Na?
Matt B

[neel thompson]

Matt..... I guess you know my feelings.... I will definitely be putting a bow thruster on my PB 22. I think the stern thruster makes the boat more maneuverable than a bow thruster, but they look funny unless you can hide them under a swim platform. The one you have pictured is the smallest one I could find and appears to be affordable. I say "go for it". Neel

[Jimbob]

Matt,
Here are my thoughts:
After you become familiar with your boat, docking shouldn't be a problem, especially with a 20ft boat. Get yourself some large fenders, and put them on before you dock. I have docked in river current, cross winds, & ramp areas with other boats moving about and creating current. You will learn to control your boat with small adjustments so that docking is smooth. Practice, practice, practice. I have only seen thrusters on very large cruisers where it would seem like a necessity to me. (I would not want to bring one of those big boats to a dock without thrusters.)
Concerns that I would have:
Possible leaks where the unit goes through the hull.
Another variable when docking. i.e. throttle, steering, forward & reverse, and controlling the thruster.
One more thing to go wrong.
Added weight.
Jim

[283]

I don’t know if you need one but if you want one you’re going to always wish you had one.

And if it keeps you from bumping into someone else’s boat it has probably paid for itself.


I vote go for it

[283]

Matt..... I guess you know my feelings.... I will definitely be putting a bow thruster on my PB 22. I think the stern thruster makes the boat more maneuverable than a bow thruster, but they look funny unless you can hide them under a swim platform. The one you have pictured is the smallest one I could find and appears to be affordable. I say "go for it". Neel

These are pretty good looking

https://www.hollandmarineparts.nl/force ... ochure.pdf

Though the list prices aren’t cheap

[Hercdrvr]

Jim sniffed me out, I know I don’t need a bow thruster but like Neel’s beer slider conveyer to the forward cockpit on his Gentry, sometimes a fellow has to make that construction journey. Maybe we start a happy hour precision docking demonstration at The Gathering.

The thruster will probably get stuck on and I’ll be twirling in a circle until the motor burns out.

I have next 4 days off and weather is supposed to be in the epoxy curing sweet spot so I might finish the last layer of the hull.

Matt B

[jamundsen]

im planning on putting one under the swim platform. i have already damaged the boat several times docking in confined places.

[Hercdrvr]

I finished all the plywood planking except the transom. Any reason I can’t use a couple full sheets of 3mm plywood to cover the camber boards? It’s a simple curve, no complex twisting or anything. The camber boards are all identical except for the length.
Matt B

[PeterG]

If'n you think you can get the layers of ply bonded with epoxy, I don't see a reason you can't. It would save on sanding!

[Hercdrvr]

Anybody else?
Matt B

[hoodman]

Shoot, why not one layer of 6mm for that matter? One downside is you'll lose your shelves.

[billy c]

Single piece works fine
Here is a link to mine
http://home.metrocast.net/~bcheckerberr ... ng.html#13