Hull extension

We'll have to see how the extension works out, of course, but wouldn't it be a great space providing solution to be able to make an extension section to house a generator, extra batteries, a shore powered battery charger, and an inverter, etc? The weight would of course be a problem as would the placement of all the electrical equipment so near the water, but finding spaces to house all that extra equipment is kind of a challenge in a boat like the C-Dory, and complicated by the fact that it winds up here and there around the boat which makes linking it together efficiently, very difficult.

If the gas tanks could be moved forward somewhat as saddle tanks, however, and with the extra buoyancy of the extension, the electrical package could occupy the stern of the boat vacated by the tanks (?) Perhaps with the saddle tanks, you wouldn't even need the extension?

Still, you wouldn't want the weight shifting to throw the balance of the boat off, significantly.

More to ponder!.........Joe.
 
Dan, Good point. Went back and looked at the pics of Haileighs Comet again. Their bracket was made by someone here in the NW. It does have a slight rise fore to aft but not near as pronounced as the armstrong and others. It is something to consider. Will have to await Beer Thirtys' sea trials to see how his works out. I'm not really looking for some of the reported advantages of a bracket ie increased top end. At 35+ now my 18 is quite fast enough. I'm just looking for more room and the ability to get my kicker off of the bracket it's on now. I did some measurements and my 60 will tilt all the way up with an 18" extension so I sure don't need the length of an armstrong. Well I guess if it comes down to it I can drag out the core-cell and west system and build it myself.
Norm
 
Dan, Another good point. I have seen a couple of manufacturers of 18 ft aluminum boats put brackets on. One was a conventional armstrong type and the other was more of a hull extension. I think I agree that the hull extension probably makes more sense on mine. Was just out in the driveway doing some measuring. Need to figure out how wide I need the transom to be to accomidate the single plus kicker. Bill any dimensions you have on yours would be greatly appreciated. Also any of the layout photos you mentioned. Just got off the the with a friend that is building a one off 50' cat. He has been buying his corecell and other materials by the pallet. He told me to work up dimensions and he would hook me up with the foam for the cost he has been paying. ( a whole lot less than retail) The more I think about it the more I want to build it myself so that I get just what I'm looking for.
Norm
 
Bill,

Wow! Checked your photo album yesterday and this topic today. Your project is proceeding nicely. I enjoyed the additional pictures. You sure have stirred up some interest. I don't think your modifications will detract from the profile of the 22. I also like the additional dry storage.

Don
 
Hey all,
First off thanks for all of the feedback and thoughts, so many great ideas. I'll bet there are a lot more imaginations being tweaked out there than post so I'll bet that by the time this project is completed we'll have collectively perfected this idea.
Norm, my plans were drawn up on a napkin in crayon and were meant to project the idea as opposed to actual dimensions. The short story is, we imagined it together and built it as it needed to be. I don't have the boat with me, so I can't give you actual dimensions but maybe in a couple of days I can get down there and do that for you. I'll see if I can burn a copy of the pics for you too.
My thoughts on the bracket verses the hull extension go along the lines of what an individual personally needs. The bracket I think will give you more of a performance improvement, whereas the hull extension should give you added weight capacity. Both provide much needed room.
Dan, maybe the reason we don't see any smaller boats with brackets is because there are a lot more benefits to going from a 16 or 18 to a 22? Enclosed cabin, dinette, cook top etc. The difference between the 22 and 25 for example, is very small for my needs. I just need that little bit more deck space. But I would still follow up on your suggestion to check it out with someone that knows more about it than I.
Dan you also got me to thinking about how to fix this idea if indeed there is a problem with following seas and maybe that link that Bluecrab John hooked us up to provided the answer. It showed a bracket on a Boston Whaler that formed around the trim tabs. That would provide less surface area for following seas to "grab" if I lose some of the bobbing effect that C Dorys have.
SeaWolf Joe, I can hear the creative gears turning in your head from here. Think out loud for us my friend, folks listen. The saddle tanks won't really work for me because of other mods I've done and believe me, I looked long and hard at RedFox's. I would highly recommend looking at the Fox's tanks though if you're thinking of saddle tanks, they're a beautiful thing.

All for now,
Bill
 
Bill,

I am pretty sure I am going to do something similar to my boat. It will not be this year. I don’t want to miss that much of boating season, so as soon as the weather gets really bad this coming winter, I will start on it.

I think I will do most of the structural work with my brothers help and hire a fiberglass person to finish it. I will send you a PM next week and maybe you can send me whatever information you have that can be of some help for me.

I have done some preliminary line drawings in my Boat Projects Album (last picture in the album). The first two drawings are of the 16' Cruiser and the last two are of it with the 19" extension.

Thank you for the inspiration and the offer for the info.
 
Dave,
I'd be glad to pass on anything I've learned. With a full extension like you plan, you will likely use a different method of construction than I did but I talked with the guy that's doing my boat about another boat he has in there. He's doing a full extension on that one and I was able to see the inner workings that I'd be happy to pass on.
Here's to ya, :beer :beer :beer :beer
 
Hey all,
Just got the Beerthirty back today from the fiberglasser and thought I'd post some pics. I've got to re-mount the engines and rig for helm control of the kicker, build a hatch cover from cutting board mat'l for the new fishwell, plumb for draining the fishwell overboard and add the second axle but I've got her home! Maybe two weeks till sea trials if everything goes well.

Bill
 
Bill – great looking extension. :thup :thup You did a real professional looking job. I hope it exceeds all your expectations when you get it in the water. I will be anxiously awaiting the results.
I am still in the design phase of my extension. I have every thing figured out except how to make the top mold for my extension.
 
All of this talk of transom modifications coupled with the pictures got me itchin' to do something radical of my own to the SeaDNA transom. Work has begun in earnest and I'm spending all my time on it. I'll post some pictures when it's done (in about a week or so).
 
Wow , your the Man , this look awsome ! Well you where right , might not trade this beautifull 2005 C-Dory of mine ,yet for a CC , this is some fishing machine you got there. Can hardly wait for your sea trial, I will be talking about you this weekend , my first haly fishing durby this year .



Gary SEARAM
 
Just plain beautiful. It looks like it was designed to be there in the first place. Nicely painted. Good luck with your sea trial.
Rick :thup :thup :beer :beer
 
A thought for all you hull extender project planners:

Billy's boat looks great, but I'm still wondering about the height of that motor on the extension in big water.

You might consider raising the new transom height to 25 inches from 20 to keep the motor up a little higher from the sloshing. You wanted an excuse to buy a new motor, right? (A few motors are made in 30" length shafts, but not in this hp range, as I remember.)

Joe.
 
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