Glen-L.com

My original plan was to build the Delta Q, but the bottom line is I want more width and the specs recommend against increasing the beam. Length can be increased by 10%, but not beam.

Problem! I want more width but still want trailerable. In Qld, Australia, I can tow, with a permit, up to 2.9 meters (9'6" for my far northern friends.) The Delta King can be shortened by 10% but does anyone know if the beam can also be reduced by the necessary 2'6".

Or, another alternative is to build the Jubilee and reduce its beam by 8".

Does anyone know if either of these modifications are possible and how difficult/easy it would be?

Just as a final parting word; I want to say thanks to all who make this forum what it is. From Glen-L themselves to the people who use it, this is what and how a forum should be. I've been on some forums that should be 'R' rated (and no longer use them for that reason; foul language impresses no one); but this forum is great.

_________________
God bless all who sail here

I personally would feel much safer with reducing the Jubilee. The change is not as radical as reducing the Delta King. Without being a Naval Architect and knowing what the effect of the change would be I would rather be safe than sorry and not be too radical.

There have been builds that have increased or decreased dimension proportionally across the frames. I believe it can be done but remember you will be changing the plans and the results may be different from Mr. Witt designed.

Good Luck

and Yes, I know about road widths. I needed to move something myself that exceeded 10'2". Had to get special permits, etc

_________________
Dave

My Riviera build - the Midnight Cry Project

Video of Midnight in Action
Blog

Few things in the world measure up to the thrill and satisfaction of boating in a boat that you built.

Thanks, Dave. I agree with the point about radical change and, yes, I too would feel safer changing the Jubilee rather than the King. Problem here is not only permits for wider loads, but also heavy haulage vehicles, escorts and far greater costs once we go over the 9'6'' mark. And to make it worse, I want to move it a few times a year, between a couple of great fresh water dams and one awesome salt water natural wonder. Must be trailerable.

I'm really concerned about changing Mr Witt's plans, but there seems nothing between the 8' and 10'2".

_________________
God bless all who sail here

Hi, I am building the Delta-Q and have the hull finished per the plans and inverted, now working on the inside. Your thoughts about increasing the length and width are identical to mine and I am going to do it. What I am doing is not changing the hull but increasing the cabin width to 99", the oveall width will be 8'6" when the rub rails are added. The front deck is too short for me and I will change only the floor, extending it forward 18". With the bow 96" wide and the cabin 99" wide I will have a nice gentle curve in the front. I will add a 1 1/2" thick stiffener underneath the entire floor overhang. These are simple and uncomplicated changes that should have little effect on hull performance. I also plan on a change in rear to increase door height and cabin volume but is somewhat more complicated.

Thanks for the reply jcallends. Have you any photos of what you are doing? Love to see them.

The width is my real problem, and I'd really like to take advantage of the 9'6" road rule over here. Ultimately, my wife and I are talking of retireing to live on the boat, so we need it to be as large as we can go. Another change I'm considering is a rearrangment of the two rear berths. Move the door from centre to one side and join the berths to make one double; the issue of getting back into the centre aisle is resolved by the increased 10% length. This can then become a private bedroom.

Your planned width increase would cause you to loose the fold down "walkarounds", would it not? Not sure how I feel about them anyway.

_________________
God bless all who sail here

Will send some pics when I get Windows 7 figured out on my new laptop. Have transferred most but am now denied access even though I am the admistrator and the only user. Recently posted pictures of the roll-over under "trailers". I had never intended to add the walks.

Don't you just love computers; the true epitomy of a love/hate relationship. They sure help to keep me humble. Looking forward to the pics.

_________________
God bless all who sail here

Just saw the pics posted in 'Plan A'. Very impressed, plan a holiday out to Oz at around the time I flip mine will ya.

I'm guessing the plans you bought for the Delta Q are as good as all the others I hear about, but tell me, do they give any cabin layout alternatives? Are you building the cabin as per the plans or considering doing something different?

My thoughts now are a little unsettled. I want more than 8', minimum 9', but don't feel confident (first build) on modifying plans straight off the bat. Maybe build this one as per the plans and then have the confidence to build a narrowed Jubilee later. But at 59, not too much later .

When you looked at the plans, did you decide to increase the cabin area because it was too hard to increase the beam, or would it be easy to add 12" to the beam? I know Glen-L do not recommend increasing the beam, but is this just legal protection or would it be really unadvisable? I guess all normal questions for a new boat builder, but I sure would like to either widen Delta Q or narrow Jubilee.

_________________
God bless all who sail here

Hi, Don't let that number get in your way, mine is 78, the only thing in your future is a finished boat. My feeling is more space is always better in the living area. As far as the layout I did not plan any changes but if I see an improvment as I build I will make it. I have redone several things already after I saw the original outcome. This of course is time consuming but you have to make yourself happy. Presently installing the 2 gas tanks, 24 g apiece Mueller tanks, picked up at salvage yard 40 miles from here. A real bargain at $50 each brand new. After that its the sewage holding tank that goes on the floor under the shower/toilet area. Also putting styrofoam flotation between the keel and battens and chines and shear as I go. My build is the slow speed version with the shallow transom. Still have work to do on the trailer but nothing major. Weather here will soon slow me down as our indian summer is about over, I am building outside with no cover. Am always interested in thoughts of other builders that I can incorporate in my build, keep in touch.

Gram-afloat,



We don't make many suggestions based on legal protection, so you know. Changing the beam has the potential to change the entire performance of the design. It's not a safety issue as much as it is a design change that may not result in a good hull as designed. Ken Hankinson wrote a really good article about changing a design here:
http://www.glen-l.com/changing-plans/

I hope that helps!

_________________
Gayle Brantuk
Vice President
Glen-L Marine
Visit our Blog & Create Your Own!

Thanks for your reply Gayle, it helps a lot. Please don't think I was being critical, in this day of litigation companies MUST protect themselves and as a complete novice at this, I simply didn't know. I will check out the article you pointed out and learn. Again, thanks.

Okay, having read the article by Ken Hankinson, I have a far greater understanding of why beam should NOT be changed and certainly will not be doing so. Anyone who stumbles across this thread and is considering changing a design, read this article first. Very informative and good advise from the experts. Just the understanding of displacement turned on a light of caution.

_________________
God bless all who sail here

No offense taken! It did make me think about the legal protection though. Since we don't build the boats and you guys do, there isn't much liability on our part, however... glad the article helped!

_________________
Gayle Brantuk
Vice President
Glen-L Marine
Visit our Blog & Create Your Own!

originally i was going to reduce the beam on the jubilee but found out for a small amount i could get the permits to trailer the boat on the roads here so i am going with the plans as drawn with changes with the cabin area. most of the with on the jubilee is above water line the bottom itself is much more than 6 foot wide.

_________________
Don't be afraid to attempt anything. You might surprise your self in the attempt.
http://www.facebook.com/Home.Made.Boat.Building
Modified Jubilee-"Wild Flower" 40' house boat
14' Mr John-Wild Flower 2
32' Supper Huck- Wild flower 3

Rod H

Unfortunatly, here in Queensland , Australia, that maximum width is 9'6", after that it is heavy haulage and required to be moved by large transporters and escorts. Still, all in all, I'm pretty settled now on just doing the Delta Q as per the plans. May change the cabin around and will go the extra 10% in length; I'll decide all that when I study the plans. I saw somewhere on this forum that you are not considered to be building a boat untill a photo is uploaded; even if it is only of the plans on the bench. So, guess I'd better order those plans this payday.

_________________
God bless all who sail here

yes I had at one point started my build but have had to put it on hold for awhile. just checked on a new shop this evening. I considered the delta q my self and with the 10% you should be able to get close to the Jubilee in leinght. i think one of the main reason to go with jubillee I like the looks of the framing better than in the delta q but it is a proven plans and is fine in itself.

_________________
Don't be afraid to attempt anything. You might surprise your self in the attempt.
http://www.facebook.com/Home.Made.Boat.Building
Modified Jubilee-"Wild Flower" 40' house boat
14' Mr John-Wild Flower 2
32' Supper Huck- Wild flower 3

Rod H