Can it be done?

Anything that can do what you describe will look suspiciously canoe-like and be stoopid simple with no decks/platforms in order to conserve weight and keep the COG low.  A riveted 14' x 36 jon boat would suffice, but the hull speed will be lower than other options and it would be more awkward to lift to the rack.

In your case, here is one good option...



This the Cajun Skiff from Gator Boat Co.  Here is the link: http://www.gatorboats.com/Pirogue-Boat-Plans.htm.

However, if you are really feeling adventurous, consider this...



That is a CAD diagram of a Skin on Frame pirogue from Kudzu Craft.  Due necessities of the build technique, this hull does not have a flat bottom.  I've put a lot of recent thought in to this and I am very confident I could make a flat-back version that could handle a 2-3 HP outboard.  The designer is a very cool guy, but he will not recommend a motor on it at all.  You'd have to figure out the conversion on your own.  SOF hulls are tougher than popular opinion would lead you to believe and merit consideration if you are thinking of car topping a boat.  Here is the link http://www.kudzucraft.com/designs/crawfish-tandem/.

And another...



This is the Bateau Honker.  It weighs 110# per the spec sheet, so it might be touch heavy to lift, but it is definitely car top-able: http://www.bateau.com/proddetail.php?prod=HK15#.UXNbqsrp-O4.

Yet another...

.

This is the Bayou Skiff from Uncle John's Store:http://unclejohns.com/bysk14/Default.htm

How about a production boat?



Ron Chapman makes good hulls in my experience: http://www.pirogue.com/mudbug.htm.

All of these options will be cozy with two people, but it could be done so long as you packed light, aren't fat, paid attention to where your pole was and had decent balance.

Good luck.  I'll be looking out for your build.

Nate

 

There are many options that might work for you, and car topping something when you have 2 people makes it much easier.

If you are only going to have a 3hp motor then you want to find something that will move very efficiently with little power. A canoe/gheenoe type hull is the first thing that comes to mind, but not for everyone. Getting on plane is pretty much not going to happen, but you can still move well through the water with a displacement hull.

The FL12 or FL14 would be a decent option and will move great with that motor, but with a flat bottom it won't pole as nicely as some of the commercial hulls. It would do better than a jon boat and be quieter. It is fairly lightweight, simple to build and customize and would be easy to car top.
http://www.bateau.com/studyplans/FL14_study.htm?prod=FL14

 

Certainly it can be done.

My two concerns are not for the build itself but are 1) the roof rack. Not many vehicles have roof racks meant for any other purpose than cosmetic. 2) getting it on the vehicle. Two people could do it but one would be tough and anything that long is going to be ackward to handle.

In order to keep the weight down you will need to build it sparse and that will play into the longevity. However with regular maintenance it would last a long time.

Anytide built one out of wood and screws and painted it with a can of returned house paint two years ago and still going strong (no glass or epoxy - just wood and paint). He pushes his with a 2.5hp. He does use a trailer though.

 

Easy to build a skin over frame hull.
Weight will be minimal, basically a squaretail kayak.

 

Skin over frame construction has always fascinated me.
Complex curves without all the fairing, using fiberglass cloth and a staple gun.

This project is one I keep looking at and thinking about trying... :-?

http://www.capefalconkayak.com/adirondackguideboat.html

 

Brett has too much time on his hands...

 

True, true...since giving up using hooks,
I no longer have to waste all that extra time
reeling fish in and turnin' 'em loose.
Amazing how much daylight that saves each day
that can be better spent burning ammo and thinkin' about boats...

 

I have built a Jim Michalak design to do about what you want. http://jimsboats.com/ The model I built was "The Rogue" which I increased by 15%. Using epoxy and 5 mm meranti ply the weight was less than most 12' aluminum boats. A 2 hp to 3.5 hp engine would move it easily with 2 people on board. I never had any trouble with it except one day in the NMZ when the wind came up and we had to row into it for about 3 miles. Got wet, but still felt safe.

Best regards,
Frank_S

 

I am pretty sure you just described the pelican ambush.

 

Probably.   The La Flaca is a glass over wood boat.  It will be difficult to make it light enough to carry and load in your truck. 

Are you wanting to build it yourself? 

 

Ok.  There is a wooden solo skiff build in the bragging section you could read up on for ideas.   There is also one titled swamp canoe that is glass over wood. 

The ultimate would be to build one like forum member Little did with his one off skiff.  Its also posted in the bragging section.  Its a glass over PVC foam core boat.  You could probably make a lighter 13' version of it.

If you want to build a Fiberglass marsh hen, then you could build a plug like I have been doing in my Fowl River 16 in the braging section, make a mold, then lay a fiberglass boat. I have about $6,000 in my entire project for a 16' boat. BTW, there are a million ways to make a plug, I used cabinet grade plywood and sheetrock mud. Just what I was familiar with.

 

Here is an idea you might consider
I found this zodiac boat. I'll bet you could convert this to a polling skiff by adding some type of platform or even a plat form for construction from Northern tool.

 

It seems like this is what you described.


http://spearflatsskiffs.com/?p=236#more-236