Greetings all. I have a few questions which I hope this community can help me with. I have the opportunity to acquire a Morgan/Starrett Jenks 45 hull.
It has no mast, rigging, or other sail equipment. Engine status is unknown. The interior is in workable/repairable conditions, and it currently floats, with no leaks.
I assume it will need everything else. So, since I was looking at tolerable, poor condition trawlers in the first place, I thought I might ask some questions here regarding a sail hull conversion. I'm very new a figuring out these types of things, which is why I am asking questions, and have not yet said YES to taking the hull.
Based on the owners numbers, and what I could find published about the original boat, its a 28,000 lb hull, 12,000 lb ballast, with a LWL 31.42 feet.
My goals: Explore ICW passages, cross to Bahamas, build enough range to reach Caymans (700 nm). Blue water crossing may not be possible, I understand that.
What is the best option for putting an outboard on the hull for moving it to a marina for haul out and modification? Because the transom is so far above the waterline, I can't quite see in my mind the best way to achieve this.
The calculations I did give me a hull speed of about 7.5 kts. Does that seem appropriate? The current owner suggested a 50+ Horsepower engine be fitted. That seems excessive, but it is heavy, so perhaps not? Of course the dream would be hybrid diesel electric generator, and electric thrusters. But that seems a bit expensive at the moment. Its got a prop, shaft, and rudder already, just need to choose a suitable powerplant. It is my current thinking that an electric system with diesel genny could produce more range - exchanging sail power for solar electric generation. Its not as efficient, but its better than nothing. I fear there would be less room to carry 500 gal of fuel. I could be wrong.
Roll - I can only find a single video of this type of craft sailing. And I can find no videos of anyone talking about trawlerizing a larger boat such as a 45. Plenty of 12 foot and similar small sailboats, just attach an outboard and go! I read that without the mast, the boat will probably roll uncomfortably. I also read that reducing the size of the keel can help with this. Reducing the draft would be a benefit for my goals (6 feet currently to bottom of keel), but it may not help stabilization. Alternately adding a short mast could also help calm the roll, and be something to hang flags, cameras, radar from, definitely not opposed.
Finally, its an aft cockpit design, so adding a pilot house seems relatively straightforward? Build walls and roof area over the existing cockpit. What I would really love to do is cut a giant hole in the back, create an aft cabin, down to the waterline, change to a reverse transom with steps, and add a dive platform that would support the weight of two divers. Another dream.
Love to hear thought about this. If there is a more appropriate place on the internet to ask these questions, please advise.
It has no mast, rigging, or other sail equipment. Engine status is unknown. The interior is in workable/repairable conditions, and it currently floats, with no leaks.
I assume it will need everything else. So, since I was looking at tolerable, poor condition trawlers in the first place, I thought I might ask some questions here regarding a sail hull conversion. I'm very new a figuring out these types of things, which is why I am asking questions, and have not yet said YES to taking the hull.
Based on the owners numbers, and what I could find published about the original boat, its a 28,000 lb hull, 12,000 lb ballast, with a LWL 31.42 feet.
My goals: Explore ICW passages, cross to Bahamas, build enough range to reach Caymans (700 nm). Blue water crossing may not be possible, I understand that.
What is the best option for putting an outboard on the hull for moving it to a marina for haul out and modification? Because the transom is so far above the waterline, I can't quite see in my mind the best way to achieve this.
The calculations I did give me a hull speed of about 7.5 kts. Does that seem appropriate? The current owner suggested a 50+ Horsepower engine be fitted. That seems excessive, but it is heavy, so perhaps not? Of course the dream would be hybrid diesel electric generator, and electric thrusters. But that seems a bit expensive at the moment. Its got a prop, shaft, and rudder already, just need to choose a suitable powerplant. It is my current thinking that an electric system with diesel genny could produce more range - exchanging sail power for solar electric generation. Its not as efficient, but its better than nothing. I fear there would be less room to carry 500 gal of fuel. I could be wrong.
Roll - I can only find a single video of this type of craft sailing. And I can find no videos of anyone talking about trawlerizing a larger boat such as a 45. Plenty of 12 foot and similar small sailboats, just attach an outboard and go! I read that without the mast, the boat will probably roll uncomfortably. I also read that reducing the size of the keel can help with this. Reducing the draft would be a benefit for my goals (6 feet currently to bottom of keel), but it may not help stabilization. Alternately adding a short mast could also help calm the roll, and be something to hang flags, cameras, radar from, definitely not opposed.
Finally, its an aft cockpit design, so adding a pilot house seems relatively straightforward? Build walls and roof area over the existing cockpit. What I would really love to do is cut a giant hole in the back, create an aft cabin, down to the waterline, change to a reverse transom with steps, and add a dive platform that would support the weight of two divers. Another dream.
Love to hear thought about this. If there is a more appropriate place on the internet to ask these questions, please advise.
