Glen-L.com

Hello..

My username pretty much sums me up. Name is Don, and I live in Japan.

I've been a Glen-L dreamer for a few years, but have never purchased any plans. My assumption was that the local government would not allow a home-built boat on their waters, but I have recently found out they will.. so here I am.

I'm a mechanic by trade, but started out as a satellite communications repairman.. tackle some welding/foundry/machining tasks at my home shop when I'm off, and the children aren't screaming in my ear.

Also a decent spearfisherman what the bug hits me, although I haven't gotten wet in a year or so.



Anyways.. glad to be here, and want to learn more about boating

Welcome Don, I am in the process of building a squirt to start out with, (skill set?) and I havent been able to contribute here much yet, but I'm sure as you can see from this forum, there are alot of skilled and knowledgable folk on here and I'm sure you will find they will help all they can. - Scott T

I to started just like you and the forum is a great help. Hang in there and what boat are you planning to build?

_________________
Bob
When ever you face trials of any kind consider it with great Joy.

I ws considering either the "Kingfisher" or "La Paz" models. I like the looks of both, but I may purchase plans for something smaller.. say 12ft or below to begin with. Japanese boating laws state anything under 3.3 meters (slightly under 11 feet) and under 2hp engine requires no registration or license. I'm a big guy.. 6' and 275lbs... so the smaller boat will probably just be a "test and sell" to move up to a bigger model, or wash my hands of the whole thing.


A good excuse to break out my TIG welder, and do some easy CNC projects though.


Any suggestings as to my larger boat choices, and running them in the ocean? I notice many of the pics on the website are of river or lake areas.

What do you want to do with them is the big question.
https://www.boatdesigns.com/Power-Cruis ... tments/11/
they have plans for larger boats here.

_________________
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

Sorry.. I meant with the two larger boats I mentioned. Kingfisher or La Paz.. any issues with ocean use? I don't expect to be more than 2km off shore.

Don't know what the local conditions are there,so 2 km really depends on conditions.

I've had 4 people in a 10' inflatable 8 miles offshore in good weather, and been in a 38' a quarter mile offshore when I shouldn't have in bad weather.

You need to gauge the build by YOUR local weather& sea conditions, and operate prudently according to the current conditions.

I just looked at both those designs, and I feel depending on conditions, either would work for what you described.

They both have a nice deeper V bottom to them which is a better choice for rougher water than a lot of the lake & river boats on here.

The La Paz would be better for offshore in my opinion, and not that much more work.

I think you have a good idea though to get your feet wet on a smaller project first if you have some doubts....maybe a 11'Utility

https://www.boatdesigns.com/products.asp?dept=371

This has higher sides and more room for your size, can re-space the frames closer together by an inch or two each to get you under the size limit, and is very similar to the techniques and methods you would use to build those larger ones.Plus it would be a great little inshore boat

hope this helps some.

Warren

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

Funny you should mention the Utility model. I was just considering that last night.

I would like a completely open boat though. Would it be possible to adapt this design without a "Foredeck"? (If I am using the terminology correctly)

I'm going out on a limb here as I'm not a navel architect.

I believe it can and would do it if that's what I wanted.

I would modify the top inside edge of the frame to accept about a 2"x 1/2" vertical carling that would go from the transom around fastening to the frames and then to the breasthook at the bow.then I would make a narrow side deck to cover this out to the shear maybe 3 or 4" wide.

This would stiffen up and keep the hull from any twist.

However, if you look at the build photos,the hull area up front that's covered by the foredeck has a lot of vee and is not really usable to stand in anyway, and would be a good place for storage of anchor,lines, & other small stuff

http://www.hevanet.com/kg7pv/Utility/utility.html

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

Sounds like a good deal. I think I will give it a try.

Purchasing the proper quality wood over here may be difficult. Are there any tricks of the trade to treat more common types of lumber to last longer on boat applications? Chemical treatments, thinned epoxy resin, or something of the like?

Thanks for all the help!