Glen-L.com

I'm narrowing down my plan selection. I noticed while reviewing the information for the Coastal Cruiser 25 and Hercules, the power requirements for the two similar boats seem to be quite different. It looks as both hulls are semi-displacement. However the Hercules has a power requirement of 10-35 hp where the Coastal Cruiser is 45-160 hp. Why such a large difference in two seemingly similar boats?

Clay

First of all, welcome to the forum, and best wishes for your project!

After a quick look at both designs, the Hercules is designed as a pure slow speed only, economy cruiser, 7-10 knots. Planking is double-diagonal, cold molded design.

The Coastal Cruiser can be outfitted with the 150-160 HP I/O system to achieve speeds in the 18-20 mph range, of course that would mean dramatically higher fuel consumption. Planking is sheet plywood throughout, which may be simpler for a first time builder.

Not to complicate your selection process, but take a look at Ray Macke's True Grit, SeaQuinn, for another possibility.

http://www.egyptian.net/~raymacke/TG/TG01.html

Once again, best wishes and good luck!

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Noah was a first-time boatbuilder

Thanks for the response Brian. The True Grit link you supplied will make interested reading I'm sure.

So, this brings up another question. If the hulls are basically of the same form. Can the Coastal Cruiser be powered with a lower powered motor and operate in more of the dispacement range for better fuel efficiency?

Clay

yes it can, it will give better fuel efficiency than the same hull with bigger power & speed. since it is a semidisplacement hull, it wont quite match the efficiency of a true displacement hull but it will be close.

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God Bless our Troops; especially our Snipers

Take a look at the link below. My 27' True Grit is set up to operated at displacement speeds and is powered by a 60 HP O/B. Listed on the page are the preliminary performance I am yielding. The True Grit and Coastal Cruiser share the same hull with only the superstructure being different. Being semi-displacement the hull can be pushed to planing speeds but as mentioned above the fuel and HP required to get it there make it a less than ideal cruiser.

http://www.egyptian.net/~raymacke/TG/Impress.html

If your interested here is a link to the main page of the building log.

http://www.egyptian.net/~raymacke/TG/TG01.html

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So Many Rivers,
So Little Time....

Adding a little bit of experience...you can get pretty fed up with a 10kt boat ride.
My 22' Cedar boat had a 25 Hp Gray Marine. Nice miserly little engine. But...going against a 12 Kt tide was a wrong thing to do. More than once I had to slew sideways till I got out of the Surface tidal movement and into the quiet water to go forward.

The other part that bothered me was some long trips. From Seattle out to Neah Bay was 30 hours. Way too long.
Later on in life I got a couple of Hot Dogs with 30 Mph speeds. Much better. The only difference was the Fuel usage.

If it was me, I'd go with the bigger boat and bigger Donkeys in the Harness

thudpucker

Going slow can be a trying - IF you don't have the right equipment. But when you are in a boat with nearly all the comforts of home, who cares how long it takes to get anywhere. Sit back, prop you feet up, read a book, listen to music, surf the web, turn on the TV if you must and just enjoy the shoreline passing by and the sound of the waves rolling off the bow while gently rocking the hull. With the right boat going slow is a little bit of heaven.

But hey, I actually have found the ultimate solution - Be fortunate enough to have TWO boats. Then indeed you can have the best of both worlds!

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So Many Rivers,
So Little Time....

Last I heard it was Five boats!

I'd use that big boat for a camper. I had the 16' with the 25 Hp following along behind.
So I'd go up to Sequi or out to Neah Bay at 10 Kts.
Did all my fishing out of the 16' skiff.

I guess I'm still thinking like I hadn't retired....

Okay, so the intended use of the craft is to cruise the American Great Loop. I'm not worried as much about speed as I am efficiency and comfortable living area. The size is limited due to my building area. As my plan stands now, I'm going to build my hull and as much of the deck an interior in my garage (3 car) then move to another location to complete the superstructure. I only have a 7' high garage door. With that said, should I be considering other designs? I do like the layout of the Coastal Cruiser with separate living and sleeping quarters. But, I had not considered all the steps as Raymacke stated on his website where he discusses why he chose the True Grit. Now, I don't think it would be much of an issue but, in later years, it may be more so. Any thoughts or suggestions will be appreciated.

Clay

IN my personal and opinionated opinion I would personally look into a cruiser with a small inboard diesel engine instead of an outboard.. While the installation is much easier for the outboard, slow turning and long trips is still the most efficent way to go. There are some exceptions in my opinion and that is if you plan on trailer sailing your boat for short and diverse trips like Ray does. Launching and retrieving can be an issue with the additional draft thats normally needed. Thats a big factor and a huge plus in favor of an outboard. Just make sure you go new and go four stroke. The HT outboard engines is a must too, IMO. So think about your waters and primitive ramps. Its also helpfull if you put your general location in your profile so that others with simular situations and experience can assist you better.

You always have the option of going with a "father and son" outboard set-up. Rig with enough power to "boogie when you have to" and install a second outboard that is capable of making your hull speed (which is about 6.5 kts on a 25 footer).

Yes, you have the cost of the second motor but there are definate benefits.

When you need to move, escape weather, have an emergency, you can get in/back fast.

When you just feel like cruising you fire up a 15 or 20 horse and run it most of the day on the equivalent of a 6 gallon portable tank.

Even boaters that were cursed at birth and have the worst luck going rarely see both engines fail simultaneously and a paddle for a 25 footer would have to be awful big

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Graham

Yes, Plywood is "real" wood

A "professional" is someone who gets paid for their work - it doesn't necessarily mean they are good at it

Oyster, I like the idea of an inboard diesel because I feel they are more reliable and economical to run. However there are a few reasons that I'm leaning toward the outboard, especially in the Costal Cruiser. First, I like the idea of no below waterline thruhull fitting. I know there have been decades and decades of this kind of set up, but, in my mind, that is one less failure point to worry about. Second, I'm not familiar with V-drives and their reliability. And lastly, the cost. From looking on the internet, the cost of an inboard diesel setup is significantly more than on outboard.

Well I responded to what I thought you were asking. For sure I totally understand where you are coming from. I am not afraid to purchase a used diesel as much as I am purchasing a used outboard motor. Diesels are just too basic and simple. Compression and cooling is the very first things that I look at unless the engine has had a large amount of saltwater time on them. with the freshwater cooling system, which I am a fan of, numerous associated issues are involved and can be more costly than buying new is some cases.

One other advantage of an inboard is a water heater with coils that can be heated from the diesel.....nice to anchor somewhere and have a quick hot shower!

That is if you are thinking of a pressure fresh water system....nice for cruising if you can fill your tanks

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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

Hi there,
I am currently building a Hercules 24 and the engine I have purchased is a marinized Mitsubishi 4-cylinder, 39 hp, diesel with a 2.5:1 Twin Disc transmission. If you decide to go for the Hercules please keep in touch.
Good luck with your project.
Graham

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I am presently constructing a Glen-L HERCULES, hull basically complete.Am going to fiberglass and paint bottom and then turn over. Sides to be planked with10mm yellow cedar edged bead and cove . Engine is Mitsubihi 4-cyl. 39 crankshaft hp.