Recent postings on the “Dark Side” theme reminded me of a idea I’d like to bounce off of you, as a loyal SCA reader: What might you think of my camp-cruising motorboat vision—a small boat with modest outboard that draws raves at the launch ramp, and allows some of us to gracefully transition from sail to power…without shame or embarrassment (?)
These boats take me back to my childhood in Riviera Beach, Florida. We had coconut palms growing in the yard and lived a mile from the Atlantic. My Dad had a couple that he fished in the Gulf Stream just a mile offshore of Singer Island and Plam Beach. I always enjoyed going out with him Sailfish and King Mackerel were often the target of these fishing trips.
I love the idea of restoring a classic plastic boat into a low power cruiser. Something around 20ft, basic accommodations, and no need to ever get up on a plane. A 9.9 hp outboard is more than enough for sailboats in that range. It would be nice to keep the HP under 15.
Easy to trailer, easy to launch and with a modern reliable outboard it should be easy to run.
I've always thought that sailboats in the 16 to 22 ft. class would make OK motor boats. I owned a Com-Pac Sun Cat that I considered removing the mast and maybe beefing up the outboard bracket or going to a transom mounted outboard. It may have made a decent low power boat. I remember a company in NC that was doing something similar in converting Sun Cats to low horse power boats.
Patrick - Yes, catboat hulls in the 15’-20’ range are great candidates for conversion to camp-cruising motorboats—just add a traditional pilothouse and continue with the boat’s existing kicker motor (or diesel inboard, if it’s one of the larger cats). While there are a lot of other trailerable sailboat hulls that would also be suitable for conversion, what I like about catboats is that most have almost-plumb bows. Some of the sailboats with sharply-raked bows don’t look quite right as powerboats, at least if you’re trying to go for a “classic little motorboat” appearance. So, to me, an 18’ Herreshoff America, or equivalent, would be the ideal subject for conversion. - Marty
Marty, I remember reading about an old timer up on one of the Islands off of Massachusetts who was a commercial fisherman who had an inboard cat boat that he worked out of during the fishing season and put the mast back in to do some sailing the other part of the year. So the idea is not a new one, for sure. Pat
I bought a GlenL-17 sailboat in 1984 (can it be that long ago? How time flies!) from a lady in Craig, Alaska who used it for commercial hand trolling. I believe she left the mast off also. It came with a 10 horse Honda, which was super dependable but heavier than the little boat was designed for. I swapped it out for a 2 horse Yamaha which was all it really needed.
I remember them, too. It's the Sailboat Company, and they're still around, and here's a link that shows what they've been up to recently...http://www.sailboatrichlands.com/projects.shtml. Scroll down and there are some photos of their sailboat conversions, but I couldn't find the pages of conversion info that they used to have.
I love these old boats and the great restoration job. It would be great to see another article about the process. I've been thinking about getting an older cuddy cabin 20ish foot long boat to fix up someday. Electric power is my preference as I'd just be doing day trips or maybe an overnighter. Not ready right now as I still loving sailing but maybe in 10-15 years.
Curtis - Okay, then, I’ll put together a follow-up column with restoration tips for vintage outboard cruisers like these. Glad you enjoyed the story! - Marty
Yes, I like the idea. I'm 73 and losing patience with the wind. Sometimes there's no wind and sometimes its hurricane force. I've been thinking of a small cruiser with engine but I am interested in something with a pilothouse. Something that looks more like a classic lobster boat. I also like the idea of a small diesel engine as apposed to a monster hanging on the transom. I been looking for quite some time for something to restore but, so far, all the boats that I like are on the east coast.
I once drew a concept sketch for a powerboat designed to yravel at semi-displacemt to low planing speeds. It was thought up for a fellow who liked to follow the Great Laker Iron boats into the Rouge River. It had to be able to motor at very low speed with excellent control, as well as go fast enough to get somewhere in a reasonable amount of time. It also had to be able to handle rough weather that happens time to time on Lake St. Clair.
Bob - Do you still have access to the concept sketch? If so, or if you can recreate it, please email a copy to me at shallowdraftmarty@gmail.com and we might be able to share it with readers.
Holy Studebaker and Edsel! This is fantastic on many levels.
1. I love that so many of us are around the same age, and are facing a similar challenge with our small boats, and are tempted by small power boats to stay out in the wilderness. We also lament that young people are not building boats. Still, I love that SCA is open to exploring this 'dark side.'
2. I love the boats that are posted here... super inspiring.
3. I love hearing about Marty's life... I would love to hear more from Josh, Mariano, and anyone else helping keep SCA 'afloat.' I think you all have had super interesting lives.
I'll post some pics of some design builds I'm dreaming of from my phone. Mike
Mike - Love your enthusiasm for the subject—so, Holy Studebaker, indeed! (To me, some of those 1950-ish Studebaker coupes were just fantastic.) And, yes, we’ve had wonderfully interesting lives and while I can’t believe I’m already 80, I have to say that I’ve never been in a happier place—in part because we’re all having fun with the digital SCA…thankful for the appreciation of readers like you. If you email the design-build pics directly to Josh, or to me at shallowdraftmarty@gmail.com, I’m sure we’ll want to share them with others. - Marty
I’m there already. Currently cruising the Maine coast on my Sisu 22 with a Portage Pram dinghy. The PP fits in front of the outboard, hull up, gunnel to gunnel on the Sisu.
The good: the boat is incredibly seaworthy for a boat of this size. I do outside passages at 14 knots, 5 knots when I’m meandering through the bays & islands. The berth and cabin space are very comfortable.
The bad: you are cooking and living on the open back deck. At 70 years old, the constant bending & stooping gets hard on the back. Need to find anchorages with space from other boats & houses so we don’t become the entertainment for others.
Dan - I just love the Sisu 22 design, having drooled over one spotted recently at Oak Harbor Marina, not far from our home port. (Don’t imagine many have made their way to the Puget Sound area.) We’d love to hear more about your cruising adventure, too, if you’re up for sending a story at some point. (And congrats on building a Portage Pram…a terrific design.) - Marty
Dan, thanks for the comments on your boat and your adventure. And sure I hope you'll tell us more. What other boats did you look at before you bought the Sisu?
Jerry - I also looked at C-Dorys & Rosboroughs when considering boats. However, we wanted a multi-use boat rather than a dedicated cruiser. I enjoy fishing and day cruising with friends. It’s good to have a fairly simple boat without a lot of systems to maintain. At 70 years old, I’m thinking about what platform will extend in my years on the water. My trailer sailor sailboat is becoming a lot of work for my beat up body. Our Sisu powerboat checks all the boxes (with compromises). We’re leaving for another coastal Maine cruise this week. I’ll take some photos of our set-up.
Thanks, Dan. Looking forward to it. And I totally agree with your strategy. I really like the C-Dory for their seaworthiness, and I've been eyeballing Ranger 21s recently...maybe someday. I'd be OK with an inboard diesel, although I'm very happy with good old outboards.
Great article with boats from my childhood, all aerodynamic and art deco. I'm happiest at displacement speed, but part of the joy comes from knowing I'm not making much of a wake. The idea of a re-purposed small sailboat appeals to me because of the efficient hull shape for low speed and low thrust. The catboat, with its "1/3 as wide as it is long" accommodations seems ideal, and would probably be more comfortable in a seaway. Sadly, there don't seem to be many catboats moldering away with fir trees growing in them, but that's probably further evidence that this original design was a winner to start with. Marty, this is great topic, and your photos of your work are inspirational. Thanks!
Many thanks, Michael. And yes, old sailboat hulls are certainly more slippery at modest speeds than a square-sterned 1950s cruiser…but the other harebrained idea I can’t get out of my head is the idea of custom-building a graceful, maybe even double-ended strip-planked hull extension onto one of the old Bell Boy or Skagit cruisers…giving it a deeper cockpit, outboard well aft and far more streamlined hull shape. (I know, I know—a crazy-complex project with questionable payoff, but I can picture a pretty boat as final product.)
Adding on is not a crazy idea, Marty. I've seen articles on adding "sugar scoop" transoms to sailboats, and extensions to power cruisers, and I've been thinking about building some kind of boarding platform for my MacGregor 19 for awhile now...Adding length and more buoyancy to support the big outboard is kind of appealing.
Great article, Marty. I've got a '60 Cutter glassic that has become my frankenboat cruiser. It's not original, and it's not pretty, but it's seaworthy, I've got shade, and I can fit twin 6-hp Evinrudes on the transom, just for fun.
You read my mind. Would love to find one of those beauties, throw a high thrust Yamaha on it, just enough to get up on plane. Just moved so finally have a shop, about time to go looking. Couple of really nice lakes nearby.
Oh Boy Marty, at 77 I remember those f/glass and aluminum mini cruisers well and drooled over them as a kid. We sold our Potter 15 in 2018 or it would also be a good candidate just as Stanley Smith provided in his original design options. I am fortunate to still be able to race crew in club races, but our own fleet is reduced to two sea kayaks, a PWS Sea Otter and a Pygmy Coho in west Michigan no less. We mostly paddle rivers and small lakes. Your idea of a simple power cruiser is great!
About 10 years ago, a buddy & I launched his restored (not as nice as yours!) 18’ Dorsett (1961?) with a new 18 hp/ 4 stroke Nissan/ tiller control at Buffalo, NY...in the Erie Canal...130 miles East to Albany...down the Hudson River/ past Westpoint Military Academy to New York City 150 miles down stream...hot lap around the Statue of Liberty, a quick water front tour of NY City, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan...and back...mostly free tie ups, a few marinas....all of it cruising on the “Slow Bell” about 10 knots....(with 2 guys, weight forward on step...she could make 21 mph)...didn’t do that often!!....Great fun...2 Old Guys/ 1 Old Boat!!
Rusty - Yes, crazy ideas are mainly attractive to do-it-yourselfers. Restoration can be shockingly affordable when you don’t charge yourself an hourly rate…but unless the old boat only needs a buff-out and 2-3 other items to function and look okay, you might not want to turn it over to a professional restoration shop. I’ll write a separate column (maybe more than one installment—it’s a big subject) on how to fully restore your vintage fiberglass boat…including these stylish cabin cruisers. Some readers will be horrified by the prospect, while others will say, “Jeez, that doesn’t sound bad” as they head for the garage or start prowling Craigslist for bargains. (But finally, while I’d be proud to own a C-Dory, I fully restored a lot of customers’ vintage outboard cruisers for less than the cost a decent used C-Dory 22.) - Marty
These boats take me back to my childhood in Riviera Beach, Florida. We had coconut palms growing in the yard and lived a mile from the Atlantic. My Dad had a couple that he fished in the Gulf Stream just a mile offshore of Singer Island and Plam Beach. I always enjoyed going out with him Sailfish and King Mackerel were often the target of these fishing trips.
I love the idea of restoring a classic plastic boat into a low power cruiser. Something around 20ft, basic accommodations, and no need to ever get up on a plane. A 9.9 hp outboard is more than enough for sailboats in that range. It would be nice to keep the HP under 15.
Easy to trailer, easy to launch and with a modern reliable outboard it should be easy to run.
I've always thought that sailboats in the 16 to 22 ft. class would make OK motor boats. I owned a Com-Pac Sun Cat that I considered removing the mast and maybe beefing up the outboard bracket or going to a transom mounted outboard. It may have made a decent low power boat. I remember a company in NC that was doing something similar in converting Sun Cats to low horse power boats.
Patrick - Yes, catboat hulls in the 15’-20’ range are great candidates for conversion to camp-cruising motorboats—just add a traditional pilothouse and continue with the boat’s existing kicker motor (or diesel inboard, if it’s one of the larger cats). While there are a lot of other trailerable sailboat hulls that would also be suitable for conversion, what I like about catboats is that most have almost-plumb bows. Some of the sailboats with sharply-raked bows don’t look quite right as powerboats, at least if you’re trying to go for a “classic little motorboat” appearance. So, to me, an 18’ Herreshoff America, or equivalent, would be the ideal subject for conversion. - Marty
Marty, I remember reading about an old timer up on one of the Islands off of Massachusetts who was a commercial fisherman who had an inboard cat boat that he worked out of during the fishing season and put the mast back in to do some sailing the other part of the year. So the idea is not a new one, for sure. Pat
I bought a GlenL-17 sailboat in 1984 (can it be that long ago? How time flies!) from a lady in Craig, Alaska who used it for commercial hand trolling. I believe she left the mast off also. It came with a 10 horse Honda, which was super dependable but heavier than the little boat was designed for. I swapped it out for a 2 horse Yamaha which was all it really needed.
I remember them, too. It's the Sailboat Company, and they're still around, and here's a link that shows what they've been up to recently...http://www.sailboatrichlands.com/projects.shtml. Scroll down and there are some photos of their sailboat conversions, but I couldn't find the pages of conversion info that they used to have.
I love these old boats and the great restoration job. It would be great to see another article about the process. I've been thinking about getting an older cuddy cabin 20ish foot long boat to fix up someday. Electric power is my preference as I'd just be doing day trips or maybe an overnighter. Not ready right now as I still loving sailing but maybe in 10-15 years.
Curtis - Okay, then, I’ll put together a follow-up column with restoration tips for vintage outboard cruisers like these. Glad you enjoyed the story! - Marty
Yes, I like the idea. I'm 73 and losing patience with the wind. Sometimes there's no wind and sometimes its hurricane force. I've been thinking of a small cruiser with engine but I am interested in something with a pilothouse. Something that looks more like a classic lobster boat. I also like the idea of a small diesel engine as apposed to a monster hanging on the transom. I been looking for quite some time for something to restore but, so far, all the boats that I like are on the east coast.
I think this is a great idea.
I once drew a concept sketch for a powerboat designed to yravel at semi-displacemt to low planing speeds. It was thought up for a fellow who liked to follow the Great Laker Iron boats into the Rouge River. It had to be able to motor at very low speed with excellent control, as well as go fast enough to get somewhere in a reasonable amount of time. It also had to be able to handle rough weather that happens time to time on Lake St. Clair.
Bob - Do you still have access to the concept sketch? If so, or if you can recreate it, please email a copy to me at shallowdraftmarty@gmail.com and we might be able to share it with readers.
Holy Studebaker and Edsel! This is fantastic on many levels.
1. I love that so many of us are around the same age, and are facing a similar challenge with our small boats, and are tempted by small power boats to stay out in the wilderness. We also lament that young people are not building boats. Still, I love that SCA is open to exploring this 'dark side.'
2. I love the boats that are posted here... super inspiring.
3. I love hearing about Marty's life... I would love to hear more from Josh, Mariano, and anyone else helping keep SCA 'afloat.' I think you all have had super interesting lives.
I'll post some pics of some design builds I'm dreaming of from my phone. Mike
Mike - Love your enthusiasm for the subject—so, Holy Studebaker, indeed! (To me, some of those 1950-ish Studebaker coupes were just fantastic.) And, yes, we’ve had wonderfully interesting lives and while I can’t believe I’m already 80, I have to say that I’ve never been in a happier place—in part because we’re all having fun with the digital SCA…thankful for the appreciation of readers like you. If you email the design-build pics directly to Josh, or to me at shallowdraftmarty@gmail.com, I’m sure we’ll want to share them with others. - Marty
I’m there already. Currently cruising the Maine coast on my Sisu 22 with a Portage Pram dinghy. The PP fits in front of the outboard, hull up, gunnel to gunnel on the Sisu.
https://www.soundingsonline.com/boats/sisu-22
300 NM on the trip so far.
The good: the boat is incredibly seaworthy for a boat of this size. I do outside passages at 14 knots, 5 knots when I’m meandering through the bays & islands. The berth and cabin space are very comfortable.
The bad: you are cooking and living on the open back deck. At 70 years old, the constant bending & stooping gets hard on the back. Need to find anchorages with space from other boats & houses so we don’t become the entertainment for others.
Dan - I just love the Sisu 22 design, having drooled over one spotted recently at Oak Harbor Marina, not far from our home port. (Don’t imagine many have made their way to the Puget Sound area.) We’d love to hear more about your cruising adventure, too, if you’re up for sending a story at some point. (And congrats on building a Portage Pram…a terrific design.) - Marty
Dan, thanks for the comments on your boat and your adventure. And sure I hope you'll tell us more. What other boats did you look at before you bought the Sisu?
Jerry - I also looked at C-Dorys & Rosboroughs when considering boats. However, we wanted a multi-use boat rather than a dedicated cruiser. I enjoy fishing and day cruising with friends. It’s good to have a fairly simple boat without a lot of systems to maintain. At 70 years old, I’m thinking about what platform will extend in my years on the water. My trailer sailor sailboat is becoming a lot of work for my beat up body. Our Sisu powerboat checks all the boxes (with compromises). We’re leaving for another coastal Maine cruise this week. I’ll take some photos of our set-up.
Thanks, Dan. Looking forward to it. And I totally agree with your strategy. I really like the C-Dory for their seaworthiness, and I've been eyeballing Ranger 21s recently...maybe someday. I'd be OK with an inboard diesel, although I'm very happy with good old outboards.
Brings back memories from a long time ago. I'd forgotten how beautiful those old boats could be. Excellent article.
Thanks for the kind words, Stephen…. Marty
Great article with boats from my childhood, all aerodynamic and art deco. I'm happiest at displacement speed, but part of the joy comes from knowing I'm not making much of a wake. The idea of a re-purposed small sailboat appeals to me because of the efficient hull shape for low speed and low thrust. The catboat, with its "1/3 as wide as it is long" accommodations seems ideal, and would probably be more comfortable in a seaway. Sadly, there don't seem to be many catboats moldering away with fir trees growing in them, but that's probably further evidence that this original design was a winner to start with. Marty, this is great topic, and your photos of your work are inspirational. Thanks!
Many thanks, Michael. And yes, old sailboat hulls are certainly more slippery at modest speeds than a square-sterned 1950s cruiser…but the other harebrained idea I can’t get out of my head is the idea of custom-building a graceful, maybe even double-ended strip-planked hull extension onto one of the old Bell Boy or Skagit cruisers…giving it a deeper cockpit, outboard well aft and far more streamlined hull shape. (I know, I know—a crazy-complex project with questionable payoff, but I can picture a pretty boat as final product.)
Adding on is not a crazy idea, Marty. I've seen articles on adding "sugar scoop" transoms to sailboats, and extensions to power cruisers, and I've been thinking about building some kind of boarding platform for my MacGregor 19 for awhile now...Adding length and more buoyancy to support the big outboard is kind of appealing.
Great article, Marty. I've got a '60 Cutter glassic that has become my frankenboat cruiser. It's not original, and it's not pretty, but it's seaworthy, I've got shade, and I can fit twin 6-hp Evinrudes on the transom, just for fun.
You read my mind. Would love to find one of those beauties, throw a high thrust Yamaha on it, just enough to get up on plane. Just moved so finally have a shop, about time to go looking. Couple of really nice lakes nearby.
Oh Boy Marty, at 77 I remember those f/glass and aluminum mini cruisers well and drooled over them as a kid. We sold our Potter 15 in 2018 or it would also be a good candidate just as Stanley Smith provided in his original design options. I am fortunate to still be able to race crew in club races, but our own fleet is reduced to two sea kayaks, a PWS Sea Otter and a Pygmy Coho in west Michigan no less. We mostly paddle rivers and small lakes. Your idea of a simple power cruiser is great!
About 10 years ago, a buddy & I launched his restored (not as nice as yours!) 18’ Dorsett (1961?) with a new 18 hp/ 4 stroke Nissan/ tiller control at Buffalo, NY...in the Erie Canal...130 miles East to Albany...down the Hudson River/ past Westpoint Military Academy to New York City 150 miles down stream...hot lap around the Statue of Liberty, a quick water front tour of NY City, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan...and back...mostly free tie ups, a few marinas....all of it cruising on the “Slow Bell” about 10 knots....(with 2 guys, weight forward on step...she could make 21 mph)...didn’t do that often!!....Great fun...2 Old Guys/ 1 Old Boat!!
Rusty - Yes, crazy ideas are mainly attractive to do-it-yourselfers. Restoration can be shockingly affordable when you don’t charge yourself an hourly rate…but unless the old boat only needs a buff-out and 2-3 other items to function and look okay, you might not want to turn it over to a professional restoration shop. I’ll write a separate column (maybe more than one installment—it’s a big subject) on how to fully restore your vintage fiberglass boat…including these stylish cabin cruisers. Some readers will be horrified by the prospect, while others will say, “Jeez, that doesn’t sound bad” as they head for the garage or start prowling Craigslist for bargains. (But finally, while I’d be proud to own a C-Dory, I fully restored a lot of customers’ vintage outboard cruisers for less than the cost a decent used C-Dory 22.) - Marty