does anyone else think it would be cool to turn a sailboat into a motor yaht? i want to do this because i would like to get a boat i can posibly sleep/live on but need to get under small bridges. what do you think yes/no?--cool/not cool?
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keel issues
Two points.
1. Small bridges might indicate shallow water and you will have a keel to contend with.
2. On the other hand a keelboat under power tends to give you more stability than an equivalent size powerboat.
Also you can always go back to sailing, but you can't with a power boat
Two points.
1. Small bridges might indicate shallow water and you will have a keel to contend with.
2. On the other hand a keelboat under power tends to give you more stability than an equivalent size powerboat.
Also you can always go back to sailing, but you can't with a power boat
I believe author Bruce Van Sant did something like that to one of his boats. Check this link: http://thornlesspath.com/finding/finding.htm
I saw a picture...
of a Compac 16 that had it's mast removed and a small windowed "dog-house" built over the companionway and aft sides of the cabin bulkhead. Made a neat little "harbor launch". Don't see why a bigger sailboat with shoal draft and an inboard engine couldn't be done up the same way.
Take a look at the Island Packet motor yacht and you'll see sailboat lines at least back to beyond mid-ship.
of a Compac 16 that had it's mast removed and a small windowed "dog-house" built over the companionway and aft sides of the cabin bulkhead. Made a neat little "harbor launch". Don't see why a bigger sailboat with shoal draft and an inboard engine couldn't be done up the same way.
Take a look at the Island Packet motor yacht and you'll see sailboat lines at least back to beyond mid-ship.
Been there done that.
We go demasted on our Starwind 223 on a trip on the Chesapeakea few years ago and we tied the pieces broken mast to the side deck and continued our trip. We felt like we had the slowest powerboat. The idea is not original as Europeans have designed boats were the mast is cantileavered and can be easily unstep so that the can cruise the inland canals and rivers. A shallow draft full keel or centerboard boat is desirable.
We go demasted on our Starwind 223 on a trip on the Chesapeakea few years ago and we tied the pieces broken mast to the side deck and continued our trip. We felt like we had the slowest powerboat. The idea is not original as Europeans have designed boats were the mast is cantileavered and can be easily unstep so that the can cruise the inland canals and rivers. A shallow draft full keel or centerboard boat is desirable.
Speed isn't the issue, BUT
the mast UP on a sailboat is PART of the calculations for stability. The MOTION of a sailboat without a mast is quite different, less comfortable and quite "snappy," meaning in a seaway the motion is UNcomfortable. I recommend doing some more research before you go this route, like reading some books on sailboat stability. The other thing to consider is that foot for foot, most (I say, most) motor vessels have far more interior space than sailboats. Draft, of course, is an issue based on WHERE you intend to sail. And, motoryachts do "set sail" when they leave the dock.:dance:
the mast UP on a sailboat is PART of the calculations for stability. The MOTION of a sailboat without a mast is quite different, less comfortable and quite "snappy," meaning in a seaway the motion is UNcomfortable. I recommend doing some more research before you go this route, like reading some books on sailboat stability. The other thing to consider is that foot for foot, most (I say, most) motor vessels have far more interior space than sailboats. Draft, of course, is an issue based on WHERE you intend to sail. And, motoryachts do "set sail" when they leave the dock.:dance:
And keep in mind that you will still be limited to hull speed; its still a displacement hull. -Paul
All trawlers are also displacement hulls, Paul...in fact, most true MYs are either displacement or semi-displacement (which often, but not always, just means a seriously under-powered unstable planing hull
) and so also limited to hull speed.There are always a good selection of very nice older trawlers in the 28-35' range on the market...it's a buyers market now...and power boats actually cost less to maintain than comparable size sailboats.
turn truck...
Actually, this thread is similar to the one started by "Mario" on cutting off the keel of a sailboat. I have my doubts...
yes, I think it's a super cool thing to do. As for myself, I need a trailer to pull behind my car. I'm planning to buy a new pickup truck, cut off the front half, weld a tongue on it, and use it as a trailer. That's real smart, right?
Actually, this thread is similar to the one started by "Mario" on cutting off the keel of a sailboat. I have my doubts...
I'm planning to buy a new pickup truck, cut off the front half, weld a tongue on it, and use it as a trailer. That's real smart, right?
What do you think junk yards do with all the backs of totaled pickup trucks ,people build nice trailers like that all the time
What do you think junk yards do with all the backs of totaled pickup trucks ,people build nice trailers like that all the time
New truck
yes, I'm aware of that. It's why I said buy a "new" pickup truck. My point was that if you want a power boat, why buy a sail boat and convert it? Why not buy a power boat? I think this person is putting people on.
I'm planning to buy a new pickup truck, cut off the front half, weld a tongue on it, and use it as a trailer. That's real smart, right?
What do you think junk yards do with all the backs of totaled pickup trucks ,people build nice trailers like that all the time
yes, I'm aware of that. It's why I said buy a "new" pickup truck. My point was that if you want a power boat, why buy a sail boat and convert it? Why not buy a power boat? I think this person is putting people on.
Re: New truck
John, I think you are being narrow minded and displaying a lack of creativity. An axe can be used to cut a rope by swinging the axe or by laying the rope over the blade and striking with a heavy stick. There are many ways to skin a cat but most people don't like to hear the details.
John, I think you are being narrow minded and displaying a lack of creativity. An axe can be used to cut a rope by swinging the axe or by laying the rope over the blade and striking with a heavy stick. There are many ways to skin a cat but most people don't like to hear the details.
All depends what a Person wants. There are many sailboat hull designs that are more seaworthy, even on Bays, than many power boats and a lot less money. I have seen Small sailboats with the mast and rigging removed and they made darn nice low speed cruisers that would handle rough weather, at a fraction of the cost of a comparable sized motor boat built for rough water.
Don't pay attention to the NaSayers... go for it.
Don't pay attention to the NaSayers... go for it.
During hurricane Ivan 5 years ago on the Alabama & Florida Gulf Coast, there were a lot of older sailboats that were primarily de-masted by the storm. Because of the cost to repair vs. boat value ratio, many of there boats were "totalled" by the insurance companies and sold as salvage at very low costs. Many folks took advantage of this deal and made motor launches/floating condos and can still be seen tooling about the bays. It all depends on what you want out of a boat. If it meets your needs and makes good financial sense, do it! Modifications to the hull and keel should, however, be based on sound engineering. The nay-sayers can do what they want with THEIR boats and you can do as you please with yours. BrianW
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using a sailboat as a motor boat
I agree with John
If you want a motor boat why not buy one instead of buying a sailboat and converting it to a motor boat, Unless you already have an unsalable sail boat to start with
I agree with John
If you want a motor boat why not buy one instead of buying a sailboat and converting it to a motor boat, Unless you already have an unsalable sail boat to start with
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