Part 6: Building Our Trailerable Dreamboat

Mockups Are Crude, But Vital When Building From a Fanciful Doodle

Quick Look Back: We’re following the design and build of a traditional-looking, fuel-efficient 20-foot outboard cabin cruiser, conceived by an aging couple (that’s us) who are graduating from open sailboat cockpits to the slow, relaxed comforts of a small boat they can trailer to favorite destinations—and new places to explore. Previous installments in this Shallow Draft series can be found on November 13, December 17, January 18, February 11 and March 9.

Somebody smarter than me might plunge directly into construction of cabin and pilothouse for a 20-foot outboard cruiser, operating only from a simple sketch. But if the nominated builder really was smarter than me, they wouldn’t be doing this in the first place: They’d build from actual plans, or by purchasing a kit. Or maybe settle for some production boat. Or, if REALLY smart, just forget the whole thing.