Boat Plans Australia | Next Boat

Boat Plans Australia

Should there always be a "next boat"?  Creating another boat design is always rewarding: changing a mental vision into something that is real; something you can see and touch.  The work of creating and building is a pleasurable challenge, but how many boats can one person use?  I only have space for one full-size boat.  To completely equip a new boat is far from cheap.  And there is no guarantee that the new boat will be better, only that it will be different.

With that in mind, I started on a new design.  The guiding idea was to create something with more curvature to be more visually interesting but maintain an uncomplicated build sequence.  A forward sloping bow profile with more lateral flare provides a more modern look and will also be easier to plank.  The raised foredeck of my previous build added complication to the build and would not blend well with the flared bow; thus, it was deleted.  The vertical stern on the previous build was helpful in providing internal volume for flotation foam, but it was esthetically bland.  The new hull would have a forward sloping stern.  The topsides avoid any slab-sided sense by continuously transitioning from significant flare forward to significant tumble-home aft.  In fact, tumble-home has been reduced to be more in harmony with the added beam forward.  Added beam means more usable cockpit space.

The result, if built full-size, would be a hull 18 1/2 feet long by 6 feet 3inches wide with a 12 1/2 degree deadrise for about the aft 1/2 length of the hull.  Of course, the hull surface is fully developable which simplifies construction and provides exact dimensions.

If you cant build the full-size boat, a model helps to visualize what has been designed and also really clarifies construction details.  Thus, I built a model at 1/6.25 scale (alternately expressed as 0.16 scale) which gives a model about three feet long.  I had enough scraps from previous projects to provide all the parts.  At this point I regret not spending more time creating a rigid strongback building form.  Some of the frames shifted as parts were bonded together resulting in a slight distortion in the model, but it still is accurate enough to serve its purpose.  And I was able to visualize

a much better strongback design to be used if the hull were ever built full size.  For now, the next boat is a dream.  Owner designed, home-built wooden boats are hard to sell.  I need more time to enjoy the boat I completed last spring, and a new boat would take about two years, spare time.  Anyone looking for a design to build?

                  

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Boat Plans Stitch And Glue | G Loomis NRX 12’ 6wt Switch Rod

Boat Plans Stitch And Glue

Product Reviewed: G.Loomis NRX 12’ 6wt Switch Rod

G.LOOMIS ROD AND MY CUSTOM HARDY REEL

IN THEIR WORDS: An extreme performance, 12-foot Switch rod that, thanks to a highly technical nano-silica resin system, is incredibly light and unbelievably strong. It features a fast action to create tight, aerodynamic loops for long, accurate casts. You will experience positive line control throughout the swing with excellent mending qualities

Rated for both Skagit and Scandi-style lines, its the serious fly rodders dream rod. Whether your fishing skaters on a floating tip or intruders on a sink tip, this rod will handle just about anything you ask of it. Available in matte-black with aggressive, bright blue wraps or the more subtle forest green finish with matching wraps.

MY TAKE: I don’t mean to brag, I don’t mean to boast, but I like hot butter on my breakfast toast…(rap verse from like the late 70’s)…The G.Loomis NRX Switch rod is just like that…Hot butter on your breakfast toast! When I got my hands on the 12’ 6wt NRX Switch Rod, I couldn’t wait to take it out for a swing. This rod is on the long end of what’s considered a switch rod and the short end of what’s considered a spey rod. I’m not a real techie guy, that’s for sure. I get lost in translation. I just like to use what works, and all I can say is this is a super light rod, weighing only 6.6 ounces in a 12 rod that packs a punch! I ask you, is there anything on earth that’s 12’ long and only weighs 6.6 ounces other than a top of the line switch rod? That’s 1.8 ounces per foot of rod. I’m just trying to put it into perspective. The 12’ 6wt NRX Switch rod is super light in my hand and a joy to cast, especially when lined up with a 360gr Scandi head.

I had a blast fishing this rod recently on the Deschutes River. It still amazes me how you can take a 12’ 6wt Spey/Switch rod as light as this and throw eighty to hundred foot cast with relative ease. Years ago I REFUSED to get into the spey scene because I had no desire in using a 14’ 9wt rod that literally felt like holding a telephone pole, to catch 6 to 15 pound steelhead! Thankfully for our pleasure, rods have become a bit shorter and a lot lighter and so, I could no longer resist. I had to dive head first right in. I always loved the beauty of the casting style but hated the beast of swinging a telephone pole. Since putting my first spey rod into my grubby rebellious hands, I have not turned back. Matter of fact, I don’t even own a single handed rod anymore when it comes to fly fishing for steelhead.

THE NRX ROD LOGO CLOSE-UP

This is an awesome rod to dedicate as your Scandi rod, although it can throw the appropriate sink tips. A perfect “universal” line for this rod would be the Rio Scandi Short Versitip #6. This is an ideal line that does a great job when using a floating system and or light sinking tips. I personally love this line for that reason. The line does have its limitations though in my opinion (maybe the limitations are mine). Keep in mind this is a 6wt rod, and I can easily fish the Versitip system with this rod and slightly weighted flies. If you want to throw Big Nasty you might want to grab a different rod. I really like throwing a 6wt switch rod when Scandi style fishing; I like the lightness, the finesse, and the ease of casting it.

Rio Scandi Short VersiTip Shooting Head

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: I’ve been a loooong time G.Loomis fan! My entire guiding career you wouldn’t have found another rod in any of my boats. Since retiring from guiding and working at the Gorge Fly Shop, I have had the privilege and pleasure of fishing a lot of the top of the line spey and switch rods from all the major players. And I can say without hesitation these ultra-light 12’ 6wt switch rods deserve to be included in such great company. I wouldn’t hesitate to designate this rod as my go to Scandi rod for sure. There’s nothing better than using a light two handed rod to throw a floating Scandi head and a dry or sub surface wet fly for steelhead. This rod can easily handle steelhead from 6 to 12 pounds without getting nervous or taking too long to land your prize. As long as the conditions and size of the fish you’re targeting match the size of this rod, you’ll have in your hands one of the finest rods the fly fishing industry could offer. If you’re looking for a medium stiff, fast tapered, fast action rod wrapped up all nice and neat in a super light package then this is your rod! I highly recommend that you try the G.Loomis NRX 12’ 6wt Switch rod.

LINE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE NRX 12’ 6wt Switch Rod:
If you cant find what your looking for call the shop (541.386.6977), ask for John.

• Airflo Skagit Switch 390 – 410 grains (For sink tip applications)
• Airflo Skagit Compact Int 390 grains (For dredging & avoiding pesky, conflicting surface currents)
• Airflo Scandi Compact 360 grains (For floating line applications)
• Airflo Rage Compact 360 grains (For floating line applications in windy conditions)
• Rio Skagit Max Short 400 - 425 grains (For sink tip applications)
• Rio Skagit i-Flight 400 grains (For dredging and avoiding pesky, conflicting surface currents)
• Rio Scandi Short 330 - 360 grains (For floating line applications)
• Rio Short Head Spey 5/6 (For more traditional casting in floating applications)
• Rio Scandi Short Versitip #6 (For both floating and sink tip applications)

NORTHWEST STEELHEAD CAUGHT ON NRX SWITCH ROD

See you out on the river and if you recognize me say hello!

The GFS Team
John Garrett

541.386.6977

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

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Boat Plans For A Chesapeake Deadrise | Grand Tetons National Park boating

Boat Plans For A Chesapeake Deadrise

This summer we have been traveling, towing our boat to new locations.  We started at Holter Reservoir, near Helena, Montana, then on to McDonald Lake in Glacier National Park, and, from there, onward to Lake Coeur dAlene, Idaho.  With the concern about invasive aquatic species, the boat has been inspected numerous times as we traveled from lake to lake.  In Wyoming, Montana, and Glacier N.P. the inspections were free.  In Idaho we were charged for a state sticker but received no inspection.  Then we traveled to Grand Tetons National Park.  There we first had a park entry fee, then a boat inspection, then an aquatic invasive species sticker $30 payment, a boat entry fee payment ($40 seasons pass only), then a $35 per day slip fee.  We then discovered that another boat was already tied up in our assigned slip.  It was almost sundown before we were able to launch and tie up in our assigned slip.  We were wondering if all the cost and hassle was worth it.  But, as we motored out onto the lake next morning, all our concerns faded.  The Grand Tetons have to be one of the most scenic mountain ranges on earth.  Steep, jagged peaks still with visible snow fields in mid-summer.  The mountains end right at the lakes edge; the shores are covered in undisturbed dense forest.  As we went out onto the main lake, I recorded a reverse compass bearing of the entrance to the cove where our dock was so that we could find our way back to it.  Jackson Lake is about 15 miles long by 7 miles wide with over a dozen islands and located at a high altitude of about 6800.  From a distance, the shoreline blends into continuous forest.

We spent the next three days exploring the lake (as well as hiking).  The water is clear, cold, and deep (almost 450 feet).  Few other boats were encountered.  We went water skiing briefly (no wet suit).  The Tetons, especially Mt. Moran, kept attracting us like moths-to-a-candle with its high, rugged prominence and partially snow (glacier?) clad slopes.  The peaks were so picture-perfect they seemed like something computer-generated out of a movie.  The weather was cool and calm which meant very few waves.
We met my brother and his wife at the lake.  They have a 27 Sea Ray cruiser, twin engine, 430 hp, so we cruised the lake together, stopping in quiet coves for lunch.  I had mounted a 13" pitch propeller on my boat which provided extremely quick acceleration and a top speed of 33-34 mph.  We had a full tank of gas (18 gallons) because we spent hours exploring away from any harbor.  My brother, Jay, commented that he had never skied behind a boat which pulled him out of the water so quickly (and he has been skiing for 50+ years).  I could have easily mounted a 15" pitch prop which would have provided more speed.  My wife, Dawn, also enjoyed the boat handling, such as making high-speed circles, banking into the turns and creating a large wake.  It rained several times, mainly at night, but our full canvas enclosure kept the boat interior completely dry.

At this point, I am completely satisfied with my boats performance.  The secret to success in this case is the strong but light-weight construction of the boat.  Modern wood/epoxy/glass construction provides a water-tight, monocoque, composite structure which is significantly lighter than normal fiberglass.  I should add that the boat tows on its trailer so easily that you can almost forget that it is there.  We towed on the highway at 80 mph or better when allowed.  Our SUV still got decent fuel efficiency, 16-18 mpg.  One thing needs to be addressed: I originally wanted to paint the topsides but was encouraged to finish it clear to show the wood grain.  Now the "clear" finish is becoming slightly opaque and uneven in color.  Before next boating season, I hope to sand and paint the topsides.  A black color, to match the deck edge, would be the most obvious choice, but I would prefer a lighter color to not absorb so much sunlight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=X1m7WiJS7S8
 

 

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Boat Plans Wooden | Modified next boat design

Boat Plans Wooden

After re-considering the boat lines plan I posted a few months ago, I decided it could be improved.  The aft portion seemed too dominant, so I added more taper to the deck & topsides, and gave the transom more of a forward slant.  That aft section is now proportionally smaller.  My goal in developable designs has been always to show that a design that can be sheathed in plywood doesnt have to look "boxy", and I think that has been achieved.  Of course, a developable design can also be sheathed by almost any other technique or material.  There are no sharp curves which would require extra thin sheathing materials; 6mm ply will bend to

any of these curves.

An outboard engine of 60-90 hp should give 30-40 mph at the altitude here (6000) and somewhat faster speeds near sea level.  I have wondered about installing an inboard engine, revising the cockpit, and increasing the deadrise to 14 degrees (due to an anticipated greater displacement).  An inboard would have that authentic runabout aura; the deep rumbling exhaust; the weight and power to knife through waves, but I cant forget the many advantages of an outboard.

We will be busy this summer on some significant boating trips: the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, Glacier National Park in Montana, and Coeur dAlene, Idaho.  Our current boat is well-suited for the trip.  The ample freeboard and raised foredeck provide weather protection.  A newer boat is only a dream for now; however, I hope to build a scaled model this winter.

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