More photos of Fleet the planing version of Flint

The first example of Fleet, the planing hull version of Flint is getting much closer to launch day. In fact she has already been in the water to allow the marking of the waterline in preparation for the painting of the boot top - empirical data gathering!

Painting has gone ahead at a great rate, using the skills of people who normally apply coatings to aeroplanes and helicopters.

First real opportunity to view the hullform in the flesh.

 The hull shape is similar to the designs of the late William H. Hand, said to have been the inventor of the vee-bottomed motorboat. What made the William Hand designs significant was the way they would handle well at lower speeds when throttled back. Weston Farmer said of them, "They were steerable throughout their entire range of speed in following seas. The full planing boat is a dog in this department. Unless they are banging along full bore, you cannot steer them. And full bore in some seaways with this type of boat, demands Polident for the helmsmans teeth and metal brassiers for the ladies." ("From My Old Boat Shop" International Marine 1979.) Now, I think planing hull design has come some way since Weston Farmer formed his opinion, and there are some very fine designs around for full planing hulls, but the fact remains that for moderate planing and semi-planing speeds, a long, narrow Hand-style hull can be superb.

Getting ready for a trip down to the boat ramp for waterline marking. Gunwales are masked, as they will be finished bright using Deks Olje #1

First splash. Chines dont even touch the water when light. I hope that with a single oarsman on the forward thwart, the boat will be reasonably pleasant to row, even though she is a planing hull. Trim will be everything with passengers aboard.

25 litres of water in the aft well to represent the outboard and fuel, plus two people. The fellow on the helmsmans thwart is quite light, but the trim is very close to that predicted on the plans.

After the floatation tests, marks were made to allow masking-off for the boot-top.

Note the chinagraph pencil marks at the base of the stem.

Boot top masked ready for topside painting

Here you can visualise the fine, sharp lines up forard - she should give a smooth ride at moderate speed in a chop.

Almost ready for the water - just the oiling of the gunwales and breakwater/coaming to go. Test motor will most likely be a 6HP 4-stroke, but that is to be confirmed.

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Fleet Videos of performance with Two Different Motors

As some of you already know, Fleet is a planing-hull derivative of my very successful Flint design. For some background you can look at this post and at this post.

Fleet awaiting more trial runs

Fleet was designed from the outset to perform well in the very speed/length ratio spectrum in which normal planing hulls are at their worst. By that I mean the so-called "semi-displacement" or "semi-planing" range - widely thought to be in the S/L ratio range of 1.5 to 2.5.

Speed/Length ratio is basically the speed of a boat (expressed in knots), divided by the square root of the waterline-length (expressed in feet) of the boat. So let us take Fleet as an example: -

• LWL (length on the waterline) equals 14 feet
• Assume S/L ratio of 2.5
• Speed divided by 2.5 equals 3.74 (i.e. square root of 14 ft LWL)
• Therefore, Speed in knots equals 2.5 times 3.74
• Speed equals 9.35 knots (10.8 mph, or 17.3kph)

Now those speeds sound modest, but for a small boat like Fleet it represents a very satisfying speed indeed. More importantly, because this hull has been proportioned to operate within this S/L ratio, the boat trims well, instead of pointing her bow in the air like the standard planing hulls, which chew fuel at a high rate just to pull a large wake.

So far Ive been able to carry out several test runs in Fleet using both a 9.8hp Tohatsu two-stroke and a 2hp Honda four-stroke. The 9.8hp Tohatsu is based on the powerhead from the 6hp and 8hp models, so is suitable for this light-weight boat. My next test will be using a 4hp motor, which I think is about the optimum size from an efficiency perspective. In my part of Australia, 4hp (2.9kW) is the largest motor allowed without boat registration.

Here are two Youtube clips - firstly using the 2hp Honda, with which I achieved a consistent 7.9 knots measured by GPS with my weight aboard, and 7.1 knots with my wife joining me (she only weighs 60kg/132lbs. The 9.8 Tohatsu gave 15.5 knots (17.8 mph or 28.6 kph) with two heavy men aboard plus gear.

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Fleet a Planing Hull Version of Flint

Back in about 2003 I was asked to design a rowing/small outboard boat for operations in a short, steep chop, with the emphasis on lack of pounding. The resulting boat, named Flint, has been very successful and popular. She is very easy to build - if you follow the assembly sequence - and a distictive feature of her hull is the fine, hollow sections in the forward part of the boat. What is amazing is that this shape can be produced from a single developed plywood panel. I have tried to achieve this sort of shape in the past using conventional projection of developable panels, but the geometry required to produce a hollow shape has always defeated me. The arrival of computer programs which have the ability to do the mathematics saved me from myself!

Proof that the hollow sections come from a single panel of plywood

The very first Flint, built by Eddie Guy

In recent times I have been approached by a number of people who have wanted to build a planing version of Flint. The hull of the original rowing/sailing/small outboard version is of the displacement type, although her fine sections and high length-to-breadth ratio mean that she can be pushed faster than her theoetical displacement speed which is 5 knots. On launching day we got her to 6.1 knots with two adults and two teenagers onboard, using a 2hp Yamaha at part throttle. Steve Dorrington got his to a speed of 6.2 knots under the urge of British Seagull 40-plus - certainly an achievement!

Steve Dorrington measuring his 6.2 Seagull-knots using a GPS. Note how Steve has to sit on the midships thwart in order to retain proper trim. In the case of the planing version, a helms-person should be able to sit aft and operate the outboard without a tiller extension.

Bruce Erney, on the east coast of the USA modified his Flint to take a 6hp motor and got her up to 17 knots, I think, but he needed to put trim tabs on to overcome the tendency of the displacement hull to point her bow at the sky. I was concerned about the exercise, but Bruce had many successful trips while fishing in the big waters.

Bruce Erneys trim-tabs

One of Bruces many fishing trips in his modified Flint

Ive made a number of attempts at drawing a planing version of Flint and things were brought to a head this week when a friend/customer for whom I have great respect, asked me for a semi-disposable planing power boat which he and a friend could build over a weekend or two, to be powered by a 5hp outboard. He looked at few drawings I had on hand, and chose a preliminary sketch of a planing version of Flint, which I drew as a discussion piece for Rick Hayhoe a number of months ago.

Lines Drawing of the original Flint

Lines drawing of the planing version, now called Fleet

In the above drawings you can see the substantial changes made to the shape of the hull aft of the midsection. I have retained the fine, hollow forward sections, although Ive increased the rake of the stem very slightly in order to reduce the severity of the bending and twisting of the plywood panels. With good-quality ply the hull is easy to assemble, but some people still insist on using poor-quality sheets in order to save a dollar, and end up encountering problems - hence the alteration.

My aim with this design is to retain the extemely light and simple style of hull as seen with the original Flint, and to have her run efficiently with nothing larger than a 4hp motor. This is important in my part of the world because we can operate with up to, and including, 4hp without needing to register the boat. The customer wants to use a 5hp, and specifically asked for a water-shedding foredeck and side decks under which he can store fishing gear. He intends taking her into the open Pacific off the Queensland coast here in Australia, and so adequate emergency floatation is essential. His boat will have built-in buoyancy under the sternsheets (aft seating which extends aft in a horseshoe arrangement),  under the midships thwart, and under the large foredeck. We have not finalised details of the arrangement, but here is a very preliminary sketch with the decks and seating shown in blue.

Here is a very sketchy drawing showing one idea of an internal layout. The final version is a fair way off yet, I think. The decks have very pronounced camber to aid in water shedding (those odd looking bits at the bottom are just working drawings to establish the height of the inner edges of the side decks at each station). Note how the cambered foredeck makes the sheer look much flatter than in the undecked original - this is an optical illusion. 

This little article should give some indication of just how much the character of a boat must be changed when the mode of operation is altered. However, a completely open version with a very small motor may retain the spartan feel of the original, while still performing in the semi-planing and planing modes. When the plans are complete and the boat tested, Ill post more details. For those who want to read more about the original Flint follow this link and this link.

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Fleet Some Initial Test Reports

Since my last post about Fleet, she has been used frequently and hard. Here is part of the text from some stuff Ive posted on the Woodenboat Forum in response to questioning: -

This rig is light-weight - even with the relatively heavy 6hp 4-stroke

Firstly the missing dimensions: - LOA 15/4572mm; breadth 4 0-9/16"/1233mm; draft as drawn 4-3/4"/120mm; displacement 543-1/2 lbs/247kg. Hull is stitch-and-glue from 1/4"/6mm plywood panels, sheathed in 6oz/200gsm glass.

Testing so far has been with one, two, and three adults (and various combinations of children) using a 6hp Suzuki 4-stroke outboard which weighs 57lbs/26kg - the motor is brand-new and therefore tight, and no propeller development has been attempted. In relatively rough beach conditions (an open ocean exposed surf beach on the Australian east coast) with two large men aboard weighing 385lbs/175kg plus motor, and sundry equipment including water, the GPS-measured speed varied between 10 knots and 12 knots depending on trim and point-of-sail so to speak. The boat has been taken out through dumping surf, and back in again to the same beach, running straight up the beach at wave speed- this has been done repeatedly after fishing trips in the early hours of the morning.

On the day of the initial launching the boat was able to plane with three men aboard, although nobody had a GPS so the speed was not recorded. Now the speed may technically have been in the semi-displacement range, but the boat felt as though she was planing, and operated very nicely.

She has also been tried using a 2.5hp Suzuki 4-stroke and ran in a pleasant and surprisingly fast semi-displacement mode (two men and one man aboard). So far we havent been able to record GPS speeds with the 2.5hp motor. As far as Im concerned, the ultimate motor is a 4hp, because it is the largest motor we can use in this State without registration.

Limited rowing has been attempted, but results so far are encouraging. Here is a quote out of an email (unsolicited) from a very experienced tester: - Hi Ross, yes I went East in Wills lightweight boat, your "Fleet" (called "San Pedro" ) this am.
Bit of a dump of waves on the beach at Moffat, but patience was rewarded by a nice clear push off the beach and a responsive (she shot away) row by the "old man" took us out quickly as the first couple of pulls on the motor failed to fire.Quite a good ground swell, but lovely conditions on the surface with very light winds.

We motored around trialling the "new 6hp" for quite a while, and on two way runs found about a steady average 10 knots. (two up, (170kg plus say 15kg of gear). We did go to 12 with some wave assist. The waves go faster than the boat of course, which I believe adds to its safety as the fine entry would induce broaching at speed, a vice to be avoided in a light outfit.

Minor adjustments to trim (passenger facing forward and not back) lifted the speed by 10%.

A much nicer feel under way than a "tinny", of that there is no doubt.I must say Ross, I was impressed beyond expectations as she really moved considering the load and was soft riding and quiet. I guess one of the benefits of the low power is that you cant get airborne, but you sure cover a lot of ground at 10 Knots. The boat with its glass skin and inhales and gunwales, seemed very strong and inspired confidence. I reckon she would be a fairly wet of course if choppy and the wind is off to the quarter. She will benefit from some attention to that aspect. (I know you already have the solution in mind.)
As a bonus on four short drifts away from Brays reef, we kept four very respectable fish. (One squire and three sweeties, the biggest being over 1.5 Kg.)Our return to the beach was fun with the good swell still running. We again just picked the time and Will. followed a good wave (with a gap behind it) and went smoothly (at 10 knots) up onto the beach. We jumped out and started pulling, one on each side and she went up the sand like she was on grease. (This is noteworthy as even a light "tinny" binds to the wet sand and is a cow to move up a sloping beach)Will put the dolly wheels under her and we ( actually Will and friend Tim) walked her back up the ramp and then the path to the unit.
Total time to the house from leaving Brays reef was 15 minutes exactly. Some sort of record for off the beach I reckon.The boat is a winner Ross, and such an easy build, with practical, useful, outcomes. My guess on motors is 6 hp (maybe 2 stroke) for outside, and 2 to 4 for calm work would easily get hull speed with a load. The big hatches that Will put in are fantastic, and we had all sorts of stuff in them. I wouldnt have it any other way. All he needs now is a leeboard, tiller and a fan or crab claw sail, and the picture would be complete. (wink wink)Thought youd like a report from an old seasoned observer of small powered beach boats.Good luck and kind regards John

I also had this to say on the forum: -

The owner has just been on the phone to me to say that he has been taking out a lot of experienced boat-fishermen up where he lives in Caloundra (north of Brisbane, Australia) and he says that they are overwhelmingly impressed with the boat in the tough beach conditions they get up there - serious surf! What Will said was that these guys have forgotten what it is like to go beach fishing with a light and (hopefully) capable boat like Fleet (San Pedro) because they have spent years using tinnies and glass boats with big motors, and have forgotten the joys of light wooden boats.

On the day that the Tuna you see in the boat were caught, Will picked up a friend by backing down to the shore in substantial surf using the little 2.5hp motor and keeping the bow to the waves. They then went out through the surf to the point where he had seen the fish, and both got a hook-up. He said that even though they were relatively small fish as Tuna go, the pair still pulled the boat through the water enough to make a noticable wake. He said that characteristic makes her a "soft" fishing boat. Im no fisherman, but he says it is a very good feature. He bled and gilled the fish on the way back in, and bailed the blood before the beach.

A significant point is that his friend is a real estate agent, and had put out his signs before coming down to meet the boat at 7.30. They completed the whole fishing and cleaning operation and were at home just after nine. The real estate agent went home, showered and got to his first "open house" before the advertised time of ten oclock! The point of that long story is that if they had been using a large boat with 300hp of outboard, that fishing trip would not have taken place. Small and wooden is beautiful!

Ill report more when we get GPS data when using the 2.5hp, and if we can get one, a 4hp.

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Update on Low powered planing hull Fleet

Since my last posting about Fleet, the planing version of my row/sail boat, Flint the owner/builder has been burning the midnight oil to get her finished. Here are a few photos to show progress, with a performance report to come in about three days time. The painting is proceeding rapidly, being done in an aircraft component spray booth!

Hull sanded, chines rounded-over, and 200gsm/6oz glass cloth being draped

Glass/epoxy sheathing. Given the work that was done on the bottom panel (see previous post) the cloth has been doubled in the forward sections of the bottom of the hull.

Glassing completed, and hull surface sanded. 12mm/1/2" gunwales have been added.

Spaced inwales being dry-fitted

The spaced inwales are of quite generous section on this particular boat, as the owner/builder will be using her in surf and unprotected waters on the Australian east coast for serious fishing. There are a number of other ways the topsides could be terminated, including side decks or simple laminated gunwales on the external surface only.

Being moved from the building location to the paint booth. The first opportunity to see her from a distance.

View of the interior showing some of the generous emergency buoyancy compartments. The large rectangular hatchs are non-standard, and are being used by this owner (who is a very experienced oceanic fisherman) for fishing equipment

First view of her profile

Coaming/breakwater and toe-rails added

In the paint shop - will be completed in about another 24 hours.

As I mention previously, I believe that there is a genuine need for small powerboats which have been optimised for operation under the urge of very small outboards. I nervously await the performance report from the first outing, which will be within the next three days. This example with be pushed by a 5hp Mercury, and has been built a little heavier than initially planned due to the rugged duties expected of her. A very light version, built in a manner similar to Flint, should go well with 2-1/2 to 4hp.

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Pacific Northwest Fishing Fleet

Many of the worlds oceans were colonized by European explorers as long as five centuries ago but the rugged, storm infested shores of the northeastern Pacific remained the domain of mostly land-based indigenous people until the introduction of the internal combustion engine.

Most of the harbors on the Oregon coast, on the northwestern seaboard of the US, are so inundated with on-shore weather that a fishing fleet requires real horsepower to reach fishing grounds. The older fleet of boats were of course made of wood and today seem quaint alongside the massive ships that dominate the industry.

Just two and three decades ago, family owned fishing vessels were the norm, but have been fast replaced by the huge steel behemoths that have redefined fishing as a factory endeavor. The tragic story of a dying way of life is told in the local papers as one after another of these old workhorses are put out to pasture or sink at their moorings.

The two closest harbors to my home are in Newport and Depoe Bay, Oregon. Neither of these ports were accessible by ships until breakwaters were built and the entrances dredged. In just three generations, we have witnessed the rise and fall of the fishing industry in this area due to inept management and greed, which makes many of us nostalgic for the days of the family fishing tradition and the hand built boats which made an honest life possible in this inhospitable climate.

























photos by Jim Haron

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Fleet launched

Fleet has had her launching day, and so far the performance report has been very satisfactory. Launching was said to have been as hectic as such occasions usually end up being, and the owner/builder thinks that at least thirty people had a go in the boat.

The engine used was a brand-new-out-of-the-box Suzuki 6hp four-stroke, and it was able to get the boat onto what felt like a plane with three heavy adults aboard. As there was no GPS available, accurate speeds were not recorded. As hoped, the ride was very smooth in a chop and through boat wakes, but there was no opportunity to get out into the ocean waves outside. What I find very satisfying is that the boat trimmed nicely when throttled back somewhat and remained dry throughout the tested speed range.

Tight turns at speed were stable and predictable.

Due to the business of the day, organised photography was not carried out, but here are a few snap shots. We plan to carry out more serious testing with 2.5hp, 4hp, 6hp, 9.8hp and oars.

A good view of the general proportions

Trim at rest with two adult men aboard

Running with the weight of two adults, under the urge of a new (and therefore tight) 6hp four-stroke Suzuki

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