Glen-L.com

Hey all,

I have been lurking for a while. As my sig. states, I am not going to be building a boat in the next year, probably not the next 3 years - really. At one of those transition stages in life, and planning ahead. In about 5 to 7 years, I will start working on a boat - for right now, a daughter headed to college (ka-CHING) will pre-empt a build.

That said, I am a research hog, and am really trying to chart a course. I hate to say this on a Glen-L board, but I am not sure which designer I am going to use, let alone a design. However, I like the Hankinson Barracuda drawings. I am not having much luck finding real pictures, especially recent ones. That is the primary reason for this post, besides introducing myself.

Hear are my goals in a boat:
Purpose:

1. Fishing (Intercoastal, Near Off-Shore)
2. Activity (Family boating, Ski, transport to remote isles)

Fit/Finish:

• Utility (Safe, Uncluttered, Easy to maintain, clean)
• Prefer SOME shelter even if just a covered console.
• Seating removeable / convertable
• Storage - convertable - able to handle Fishing gear and swap for skis, etc when needed. Picture modular rod - racks that can be also Ski racks.
• Might even want Console cover to be removeable for towing and ICW bridge use
• More rugged than pretty. IE no bright-sides, fancy decking, chrome anchors, etc

Power:

• Outboard (single to start with, nice to have hull with Dual option)
• =< 100hp to start (target top end 40-45mph)
• Want to be able to beach occasionally if necessary so no Inboard or Stern Drive

Size:

• Minimum 18' 6"
• Maximum 22'
• Would like to be able to fit in some cubby holes near / under bridges in ICW if possible
• Must be trailerable, yet beamy enough for fishing

Ok... More about me... I have a ton of interests, 2 kids, side-business, full-time job, and to be honest, might have a hard time focussing a Ton of time on a build. So I will need to be able to cut corners on the build... This is just an objective observation of my personality. Considering this, I am open to frame kits / hull kits, etc. The main reason for building myself is to save money, as well as to have a custom boat - even if it isn't the fanciest. I would consider S&G, but I haven't really seen any designs that would meet my criteria in S&G. Here is a tongue - in - cheek comment... I have found a design (by another designer) that looks really good, and it is offered in a very reasonable boat - kit configuration that includes all marine ply, mahogany pre-cut frames, etc.

I am open for plan suggestions, as well as all opinions. While I haven't seen anything here that formally discourages discussing non-Glen-L plans, I appreciate this venue and dont want to step on toes. If it would be ok, I can post the name / designer / link that I really like, in order to get opinions on good Glen-L / Hankinson designs that are comparable.

Ok... I am done with my first Book on this board. Sorry it was so wordy, hopefully someone can give me more ideas, or advice. I hope there is someone that has more pictures of a Barracuda that I can look at! That one gets my attention.

_________________
I will build someday... For now, I am learning and preparing...

Check out the CS-20, there are some great pictures of the build process in the customer photo section. It is a little smaller than the Barracuda, but I think it would serve your purpose, and it it S&G

Thanks for the suggestion on the Console Skiff. I have looked at that, and it is a nice boat. I wouldn't really worry about taking that on the lake, or on the ICW, but I think I would rule it out for any near-shore / off-shore. I could be more specific I guess, in saying that I love the outer banks here in NC and could definitely see myself taking it there. If a calm sea were in the mix, I would like to have something that could take me out a few miles. I will concede that some seem to be using it off-shore (seems those guys have extended it a bit which doesn't seem to be recommended), I am just not so sure that I would feel comfortable off-shore in that boat.

I am not sure - but maybe it is the hull depth (36") that looks a bit concerning to me even though it has a respectable 8'4" beam ... I do like the 20' Glen-L Vee Gull (45" depth / 8'0" beam), and the Kokanee/Makinaw (55"depth/8'2" beam). The LaPaz and Barracuda are very similar to each other, it seems, and I really like them as well. They are a little big, but since I have a few years til I start building, and every time I look at plans, I seem to want something bigger... so who knows.

Any verdict yet, as to whether posting a designer / design from a non-GlenL is appropriate? or if there is another board as friendly as this one to post on where it would be?

_________________
I will build someday... For now, I am learning and preparing...