Questions About Making a 12ft Wood Skiff

I have been looking for a small skiff but I can't seem to find something to fit the idea I have in my mind. I would like something light enough to be able to scoot with my 5hp merc. My jon boat goes 14mph with the 5hp and I know I can get more out of it, but that's fast enough for what I'm looking for. I want a small little skiff to get real skinny. I have my bigger skiff with the 40hp for the bigger stuff but I would really love a small canoe-like skiff. Something that looks sort of like a miniature flats stalker 18, or gladesmen like skiff. Something that I can put a small poling platform, and push pole. suggestions on materials and whatnot. I have read where people use door skins for the outside. I will use the stitch and glue method. I would guess that I would use biaxial tape on all the joints, then cover the whole thing in 1708 biaxial cloth. Any ideas, and advice would be great. I searched for plans on Bateau.com but there's nothing like what I have in mind.

Thanks,
-Eric




I'm thinking maybe something like this.

 

I haven't been able to find one. I have been looking. I would b e looking for one that needs work, so I expect to not pay much for it. Most of the ones on craigslist are all 800, 700, etc.

 

Just off the top of my head, I'd say the hull would be about 12 feet to the motor mount, and then the sponsons would be about a foot making it 13 feet overall.
I think it would plane easier than a 13 gheenoe. Which wasn't very easy to plane with my 5hp merc. A buddy of mine used to have one and we fished out of it a lot. It's not exactly what I'm looking for. Don't get me wrong, it's a good starting point, but it's not what I have in mind.

 

I just drew up a half ass drawing on photoshop. something like this, but with the front bottom rounded off.



I'm no engineer, so I have no clue if these desired dimensions would even work. lol

 

I'll figure out exact dimensions once I tweak with some models. I would hope to be able to do some sponsons. I would like the hull to be 4ft wide. I figure if the sponsons are a foot wide, the motor would have about 2 feet to turn without any interference, but I'll have to measure it out to be sure.

 

I have a 12 foot jon boat and like the functionality of it. I have my slightly larger skiff with a 40hp. I've always wanted to build something, and I thought that something like that would be cool. I would think to maybe sell my jon boat and 5 hp and buy a 10hp or something for this if it ever comes to be a reality. I've spoken to a few friends about helping me and they're up for it. Although one was talking about the sponsons being irrelevant, so I was thinking about it. Like I said I'm no engineer. I've always heard that they help the boat float skinnier, and assist in planing easier. The fairing of the hull shouldn't be a problem. I am a custom auto painter, with plenty of friends that do body work. I also have plenty of body work tools like hand file, line sander, Dura Block kit, detailing d/a, etc.  I would like the rounded chine, but I don't know about the extra work involved for the rounded chine. I want something decked out so I can fish out of. I have thought about decking out a Gheenoe but I can't find one for a good price. And I'm not about to spend $500-$900 on a Gheenoe to tear apart. If only we would come across them for really cheap or free like before.  

I was originally looking for a Gheenoe before I bought my jon boat, and that's when I bought the jon boat off forum member "snooknreds2" I want something I can hook up nicely.