Tahoe 23/24 for Riva Florida clone?

spokaloo · **Posted:** Thu Aug 25, 2011 11:54 am

Well, I might as well jump into this thing and ask a question or three. I've introduced myself in the past, and have been building a variety of boats in the past, but am looking at something that's going to be our LONG TERM boat, as we have a new human on the way.

The boat needs to meet a few criteria (per SWMBO):

MUST HAVE:

Swim step
Place to lay down and sleep comfortably (I'm 6'3", so it's gotta be almost 7' long) that has good ventilation, so no cabins.
Comfortable seating for 4 adults

Preferences:

As fuel economical as possible, no need for huge speeds.
Decent carrying capacity, as we sometimes will have 8 or more aboard for short periods.
Stable at rest, no V's over 15 degrees

So this brings me to what I think might work. The Tahoe has the look she likes, as she's Italian and likes stuff that has that style. I like that it is cold molded, looks to go together in a relatively uncomplicated way, and should be durable. The large cockpit seems to have the flexibility for 4+ adults like I'd prefer. The sleeping part is where it gets interesting...

I'm interested to know what the dimension is for the engine compartment depth. Looks like crate motors in this range are all about 22" tall. In a perfect world, there's a way to build it with a 5.7L V-8 and have enough depth to put a 6" deep sun deck aft over the engine, accepting extra firm 4" padding and having just the slightest coaming. Yes, I'm aware that the Aquarama is 28 feet long, and a massive boat. It's just the concept I'm trying to mimic. I figure everyone has seen an Aquarama, no photo needed.

Plan B if the depth is wrong is to build her as a utility, and do like the Florida design is set up, with a sloped end on the sundeck that runs up the engine cover in a tight fit, but leaves the aft areas open below to be opened as a bench seating area.

What's key is that dimension of engine compartment depth. I know the big blocks are a tight fit, hoping I have a little wiggle room with an MPFI small block.

E

spokaloo · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:05 am

Still having high hopes someone can answer the engine compartment depth question. Looks like I've got some potential buyers for Tailgunner, which will fund a new car for the wife and the wood for the strongback, frames, and longitudinals...

E

upspirate · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:20 am

Neat Idea and concept....not too many of us can answer our questions, as not too many have built the Tahoe on here.

Maybe PM Butch Barto and ask him as he has built a stretched Tahoe 23

memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=3237

Bill Edmundson · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:22 am

The Tahoe is not a deep boat. Your right on the problem area, the engine compartment. Built at 24'-6" a BBC will just barely fit.

Bill

spokaloo · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:40 am

Shoot, looks like 22 inches of vertical height carries over to the BBC, so they are the same. I have spent many hours looking intently at Tahoe photos trying to get that just-right angle to see how much clearance there is on a hard deck, then trying to draw in where the Florida modification (utility style engine box incorporated as part of the sun deck) would align.

Entirely possible that I'm stuck buying plans just to do a little measuring.

Monte Carlo looks deeper, but that barrel transition from a painted hullside to a mahogany deck would be much more challenging. Not to mention that thing is a MONSTER.

E

jamundsen · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 3:18 pm

There will be one at G5 if you want to come look at it. Not finished tho.

spokaloo · **Posted:** Sat Aug 27, 2011 11:02 pm

John, do you have the measurement of the engine compartment? Just need to know how much room there is from the deck beams to the top of your engine.

E

jamundsen · **Posted:** Sun Aug 28, 2011 5:11 am

I have 1 1/2 inches from the highest part of the engine to the top of the deck beam. The air cleaner is the issue. If you used a fuel injected engine you will have more clearance. Also if you used a down angle trans you could sit the engine lower. I have a generation 4 BBC. 454

gluedandscrewed · **Joined:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 3:58 pm **Posts:** 272

i have the same combo as John but mine sits at a shallower angle,,, gives me 4 1/2 inches from the top of the carb to the underside of the deck

upspirate · **Posted:** Sun Aug 28, 2011 6:11 am

Are these measurements including the flame arrestor?

Maybe stupid question, maybe not.

gluedandscrewed · **Joined:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 3:58 pm **Posts:** 272

no,,,mine is from top of the carb itself,,,,thats with a high rise intake manifold

jamundsen · **Posted:** Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:00 am

Mine is from the top of the flame arrester. And I worry that the airflow may not be enough. I bought the low profile one from Gayle. I may need to modify it to allow more air and still be a flame arrester.

spokaloo · **Posted:** Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:02 am

I think I need about 6" to make this work, otherwise I'm going to have to find another design to build altogether.

4 1/2" is only going to give a 1/2" rim after the foam goes on, and that's with a cambered deck pad, not a flat one.

This is becoming a bit challenging!

E

jamundsen · **Posted:** Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:06 am

I'm going over to the hangar in a few minutes. I'll measure how much distance you could have after the engine. If you put a down angle or had a lower angle you could put the engine farther forward than mine and have additional room. The engine area allows quite a bit of tolerance.

spokaloo · **Posted:** Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:15 am

Huh, I hit reply and sent one, but it seems to be missing already.

Have a look at the Florida photos above, and let me know your opinion if you think it'd be possible in the back of your boat John.

Thanks a ton!

E

Glen-L.com

Tahoe 23/24 for Riva Florida clone?

Who is online