And yes, Birdwatcher is great. I bought the plans for IMB; if I ever finish this one, that’s next. It is just short enough to not have to be registered in my state, and you can camp in it easily. And I think the sit inside with windows thing is neat. Safer to bring nieces and nephews along.
Actually the cartopper was used as a guest cabin towed behind a larger boat also, but one person only.
Here is a video of someone sailing the IMB https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XGVhZzj3JlE
Judging by the book, he did his rowing version in like 4 days lol. I started 16 months ago, just haven’t worked on it much. Hull is ready to glass, sailing stuff needs to be built, got the lead sitting there ready to weight centerboard and everything. Life just got in the way.
I probably have only worked on it for about 20-30 hours total, and that was with a whole lot to learn. Had to attempt the stem bevel 3 times before I gave in and bought an old bandsaw used for $200 to make it easier. I’ve just never done anything like this, so when I go out there now, I just read the book and get a bit intimidated by what is left.
Fiberglass and resin or epoxy on plywood can last very well and is easy to repair if you go for “work boat finish”.
I have every book I can find on this. Phil Bolger, Dynamite Payson, Jim Michelak, all easy and good designs.
The Birdwatcher style would lend itself well to solar panels, or Michelak’s IMB (International Marine Beacher, from a magazine competition).
I have a half-built “Cartopper” in my shed. I need to go work on it more. Sometimes it’s more fun to read about than do.
This is the ticket. I got an enormous case in trade with a hoarder buddy, used mobo/cpu on ebay, new cheapo PSU, etc
Still just have 3 drives in but space for like 10 of them once I install the 2x cd bay hdd holder that fits a few more drives.
You can save a lot if you redo your own drain field. There are bottomless trench options that make it easier. When my BIL was having issues, we did it all by hand in a weekend with rock and perforated pipe, and it was enormous. Looked like WW1 back there.
It’s legal to make repairs yourself in my state, but once the grass grows back, who is gonna know anyways?
We improved his by 90ing up to cleanouts just below the surface. Put some scrap metal by each one so you can find it again. Then you can jet out the system downstream without hoping your line jets into the correct tee.