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Hi all, please help! I`m not new to boating, but BRAND NEW to building boats...especially timber. I`m looking forwardd to building my first boat from a glen-l design to be used for fast cruising and ski-ing. My plan is to build something light and fast with plenty of power. My view is that an inboard would be better for my use, but an outboard would be a simpler build..Am I right? I`d like to keep the length under 16` but with ample power (120hp outboard or turbo`ed 4 or 6 inboard...approx 150hp). Can anyone recommend a SIMPLE design which will SAFELY handle this? Thanks

Prior to my Malahini, I've only built one other boat and it was a kayak. As a matter of fact, I only built 1/2 the Malahini. So my experience will be different than others.

I think most of the outboard designs are plywood. I don't know if that makes it easier, but I think it does make the build quicker. I love the inboards. They look and sound great but I decided to go outboard just because I had several years of outboard ownership already. It seemed like an easier build and an outboard is basically a self contained unit that is easy to maintain. I am not a wrencher and I don't know much about working on engines other than changing fluids. I have always taken my 4-stroke outboard to a dealer for most maintenance and winterizing. My ETEC makes the winterizing a breeze and I can do it right in my driveway in about 5-minutes.

My outboard building experience:
1. Installing fuel tank and running fuel lines from front to back of boat - EASY
2. Installing control box - EASY
3. Running control cables and wiring harness - EASY
4. Installing battery and making electrical connections for power accessories and outboard engine - EASY
5. Installing steering/helm - EASY. I had to do some engineering in the motorwell to make my steering cable fit but once I decided on the method, that too was easy.
6. Hanging 320lb outboard on transom all by myself with a shop crane - EASY

I also wanted the power to go fast and be able to tow skis or big tubes. I over powered my boat and after some pointers and coaching from forum members (oyster in particular), I was able to add what I believe to be significant strength to my transom to handle the weight and power.

Inboards: All the additional plumbing, wiring and the drilling of the shaft hole seems like tedious and scary stuff to me. Now that I have my boat finished and I know what everything is and where it goes, I could remove and replace my engine with a new one in one hour. So in summary: My humble and one boat built experience says an outboard is a simpler build.

One thing I learned a few years ago that does seem to hold true is cost. If you want 300 HP, then inboards seem to be the way to go. A new 300 HP outboard will cost you around $20k. I'm pretty sure you can get an inboard for considerably less.

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2011 MALAHINI - KICKED IN THE HEAD

I wake up with a 16ft woody every morning
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=534DBtp1Cnc
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/2011malahini/

I am always cautious about steering anyone towards any particular build. This is really a personal decision and while I might share my viewpoint, the most important thing is that you build what you want to own and operate in the end.

I would guess that building a near same-sized inboard to my 16' Malahini, assuming the same level of detail, would take me 3 to 4 years vs. my 2 year timeline for my outboard. Taking more time is NOT a bad thing, as there is plenty of fun in the building. And my time estimate is based on me not knowing engines and having to learn or depend on outside help.

Outboard motors are quicker to setup and I would suggest a better fit for someone who is not mechanically inclined. However inboards give you the opportunity to tinker and ramp up the ponies... and lets face it... inboards sound the best

In addition to inboard vs outboard.. there are different kinds of hull construction also. Plywood sheet hulls (faster to build but simpler curves) and cold-moulded lumber hulls (slower to build & more complex curves). Some of those cold-moulded hulls seem (to me) to be better suited for more difficult water conditions (bigger chop) than the hard-chined plywood hulls.

For me, I was brand new, 2 years ago... and based on some advice here (water skiing/fishing/family of 4) chose to build the Malahini. I don't regret it, and after sanding my arms off today on my 2nd last sanding job for this boat... I hope to splash her early spring.

A few tips from what I've learn't:

Whatever boat you choose you will love, cause you built it!
Don't undersize... from what I can see a 14' boat takes as much effort as a 16' boat, assuming same level of trim.
Buy clamps... you never have enough.
No part of the build is that difficult that even a no-skill hack like me can't make something nice.
Don't skimp on the lumber or plywood quality.

As far as my suggestion to you... I love them all... so pick what catches your eye and your imagination then buy the plans and start looking for the right lumber.

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Ian (aka Iggy)
My Malahini Build

There are a variety of inboards you can choose from, you dont have to build a cold-mold inboard.
There is SkiKing, Crackerbox, MissMist, Audeen, and other inboards that are ply construction. Building the hull itself is about the same wether inboard or outboard, either hull is about the same.
Yes, the outboard is simple to just hang on the transom and go. But that is not to say that a inboard driveline is particularly difficult. Intimidating perhaps, but not difficult. The parts of a inboard are not moving parts anyway. The strut, shaft log, rudder port, are all fixed non-moving parts. Yeah, your gonna scratch your head a lot, but that is what chair & cooler is for. I did it, you can do it too.
Build what you want. If you want to hear that V-8 rumble though, there is only 1 way to get it.

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God Bless our Troops; especially our Snipers

Hi Waterboy.

As stated, choice of boat design is highly personal. I will commemt on engine though.

Outboard, you build a beefy transom and bolt on a power pack. Hook up some power, gas and controls and away you go. Cooling is inbuilt, no transmission, no shaft alignment, no shaft seal, no rudder, and no balance point to worry about. Engine has a problem, take it off and take it to the shop. Fit a new one is easy as well. A MASSIVE amount of technology and money goes into making outboards powerful efficient, quiet and reliable as a mass produced package.

Inboard has all the disadvantges mentioned above, but they are easier to service if you are that way inclined (outboards tend to be high-tech), have more grunt for their price and sound WAY cooler (V8 in particular).

If you want to build a wooden boat, slap on a motor and go boating, I'd suggest outboard will get you there quicker. But if you enjoy "working" a boat rather than just operating it then I'd go inboard. Not saying inboards can't be reliable, but you are dealing with a bunch of slapped together components that you buy separately and hook up, depending entirely on your skill.

As I said, it is personal preference and I prefer inboards...... Velvet drive rules!!!!

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By the time I have built a boat, I'll be ready to build a boat....

On the other hand you could also build an I/O or a jet drive and still get that V8 sound. Engines are around $6,000 or so and a Berkely jet most likely about the same. You just need to cut the transom to fit the drive system. I/O's or jets tend to be a little faster than a fixed prop inboard. Here again it's a matter of personal preferrance. The only differences in the hull are the necessary transom strength and the need for stringers for the inboard mounted engine.

In my opinion you are probably correct in stating that outboards are simpler but honestly I don't feel that should be a huge consideration. After all, if simple is the most important point then just buying a factory boat would be the best solution. Most of us build boats for the personal satisfaction and to get what we want. And it sounds to me like you would like an inboard but have reservations about the process. I am sure if you give into that, you can build and O/B powered boat you will love. BUT in the back of your mind you will have that nagging thought that it should have been an inboard. This will be even more pronounced because by the time you have the project completed you will realize you could have done the I/B and it really wouldn't have been that much more of a challenge. What seems intimidating now will become just another problem you will learn to solve. That is what boat building is all about - developing skills and solving problems.

There are great boat designs in either I/B or O/B. Decide which type you think you would enjoy the most and go for it!

And remember you are not alone. This board provides a wealth of knowledge from people that have traveled the same road and they are happy to share their experience. All you have to do is ask.

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So Many Rivers,
So Little Time....

The reason I choose outboard was for ease of maintenance.
Now before the inboard owners yell at me, let me explain. I'm not referring to easier maintenance on the motor itself, I'm talking about easier access for maintenance.
My previous jet boat could essentially be considered an inboard, and maintenance on it frequently drove me nuts. Constantly contorting my body in odd positions, reaching into hidden crevasses and working 'blind', and of course the occasional dropping a nut or washer into there... those were always a blast to find.

Now maybe you can build an inboard for easy access, with a big open engine compartment, I don't know.
But the idea of being able to plop a chair down in front of my motor and have access to the entire motor, drivetrain, everything. That just seems glorious to me, and my back is really looking forward to it.

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Jeff

My Celerity build.

"Now maybe you can build an inboard for easy access, with a big open engine compartment, I don't know."
Yes you can and, yes we do.

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God Bless our Troops; especially our Snipers

I have to agree with you concerning the ease of maintenance. Not the I/Bs have to be hard but by nature O/Bs are just easier. Last weekend I did the 200 hour interval procedures on both my Honda outboards - oil change, adjust valves, re-tension timing belt, spark plugs, fuel filters, carb sync, etc. With the boats sitting on the trailer I can set the tools on the swim platforms and stand there and do it all with everything handy and with no fuss. Other then the lower unit oil you don't have to bend over for anything much less try to "feel your way" to the needed bolts or parts.

Not sure where you are located but if in an area that requires winterizing in my opinion O/Bs win - no contest. In fact, I usually don't do anything to my Cabin Skiff. Even in the winter it usually doesn't go more than 30 days without running so what's the point. I have owned several I/Os and once winterized they were done until spring or I had to do it all over. With the O/B when we catch a decent day in the middle of winter I can still drag her out and make a short run. Helps combat the winter blues.

Personally, I am partial outboards but like they say - Different strokes for different folks....................

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So Many Rivers,
So Little Time....

My advice is build what you want. I was once trying to decide between Hogan golf clubs vs Spalding copies. They looked alike. The spaldings were 25% less. A friend told me get the Hogans, after the pain of paying wears off it's over. But, if you go the other way, every time you stand over the Spaldings you're going to think " I wish I'd got the Hogans!".

He was right. I got the Hogans.

Bill

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Mini -Tug, KH Tahoe 19 & Bartender 24 - There can be no miracle recoveries without first screwing up.
Tahoe 19 Build

I am partial to inboards, as some may tell. Inboards dont even have lower unit oil, there is no lower unit to get a leaky seal nor need oil change. I cannot even drop a wrench overboard, since I am INSIDE the boat.
As far as winterizing, it doesnt get much easier. Stick a hose in a bucket of antifreeze and let the engine suck it up, your done!!

I understand Bill's reference to the better golf clubs. My engine is my own garage overhaul and assembly. I wish I had laid out the money for a factory 'new' engine.

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God Bless our Troops; especially our Snipers

Thankyou to all who replied and offered thier perspective.You have all helped and given me more to consider. seems like I may have opened or re-opened a can of worms though...oops!

I agree with Bill. Build what you want. It's your time and money, at the end of the day you should have something you want not something you thought would be easy.

I am working on a Riveria as my first build. Pretty complex for a firt time but it is what I wanted.

Just cause I built an outboard does not mean I don't love Inboards. My challenge was building space and the extra 4 or 5' of space I needed to build a simular-sized inboard vs. my Malahini outboard.

If I had more space, and more time, and a bit more mechanical aptitude... I would have loved to take on a Gentry or Rivera. I love the hull design, the look, the sound, the wow-factor... and inboards deliver on those in spades.

That said, I absolutely love my Malahini, from a build and size perspective. She looks classic, and I have more than enough space for my wife & 2 kids+1 for seating area.

I don't think its a can of worms.... I don't see an 'inboard vs outboard' attitude on this forum other than in jest from time to time. Most of us just love boats, home-built from a pile of boards, that we created with our own 2 hands. Power supply and hull-design aside... we share a strong passion with each other and I would gladly help an inboard owner in whatever way I could the same as I would an outboard owner.

Whatever you decide, you will love it.

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Ian (aka Iggy)
My Malahini Build