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Motor Launches
Motor launches have undergone a big revival in the last few years. Plenty of people like to tinker with the petrol engines that suit the smaller designs, and they need a boat to put it in. Here is a range of craft to fit the different motors.
The bigger boats take a diesel, an economic way to cruise. The 8m design, with its outboard in a well, is another means of getting around on a smaller budget.
Realistically you are looking at up to a years work on a part time basis before the smaller craft are ready to launch, and another year at least for the bigger designs. But it's very satisfying to put the time in and thoroughly know both the structure and the mechanics of the craft.
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4.26m Putt Putt Launch
The 4.26m launch is a popular design. It is able to be built in either strip plank or lapstrake construction, and is a practical size for one person to handle. A 3-4hp petrol engine is ideal. Beam is 1.55m and the estimated weight to go on a trailer, is about 200kgs. The Yellowtail Skiff is a close sister, with a rig and centreboard as well as the engine. Plans include lines, construction and... The 4.26m launch is a popular design. It is able to be built in either strip pl... -
Woodie. A 3.36metre plywood planing dinghy.
As the revival in wooden boat building continues to gather strength, this design sets out to grab a share of the metal boat market, challenging the mass market controlled by the aluminium "tinnie". Designed for amateur construction in plwood, a standard layout and structure is drawn and many people would find that it suits, with a few detail changes or additions, easily done in ply... As the revival in wooden boat building continues to gather strength, this desig... -
4.50m Single Chine Planing Dinghy
Designed as a bigger version of the Woodie, this is another simple craft which can be customized to suit individual requirements during and after construction. The plywood construction is based around 6mm marine grade plywood for planking, thwarts and foredeck. Multiple layers can be laminated together to increase the transom thickness. 200gsm fabric is recommended to reinforce the... Designed as a bigger version of the Woodie, this is another simple craft which ... -
4.50metre Plywood Motor Launch
Designed around the small petrol engines still available, this is a good sized craft for day trips or overnight camping expeditions in and around sheltered waterways. It is also a convenient size to build, trail and launch or retrieve. Four people can fit comfortably and it would make an ideal fishing boat for two. Construction features marine grade plywood planking, 10mm thick, with... Designed around the small petrol engines still available, this is a good sized ... -
16 foot (4.86m) Canoe Stern Launch
The elegant 16 foot canoe stern launch slips along nicely. The shape suits strip plank construction, but it could be done in lapstrake as well. 10mm cedar and 300 gsm fabric are recommended for the planking. The 4-5hp petrol engines are ideal for this boat. At 4.86m by 1.15m wide she is big enough to carry 4 people comfortably. A raised deck option is also included. Plans include lines,... The elegant 16 foot canoe stern launch slips along nicely. The shape suits stri... -
Cinema 5.5m Launch
Cinema is a classic style of launch, with a cuddy cabin or raised deck and wheelhouse, 5.5m long and 2.15m wide. Quite big enough for day trips and even weekend camping trips, she takes a 5-8hp engine. 15mm WR Cedar and 400gsm reinforcements with sawn floors and some laminated frames are the basis of the strip plank structure, while another option is 12mm thick ply glued lapstrake. Plans cover... Cinema is a classic style of launch, with a cuddy cabin or raised deck and whee... -
6M Launch
The 6m launch does much more than Cinema for only a 1/2m extra length, and a beam of 2.4m. She fits in a V-berth forward, a bench is possible on one side, and with the longer cabin enclosing more of the cockpit, it becomes a good weekender. This design, displacing 1000 kgs, is big enough to accommodate the small 9-12hp diesels. Plans include lines, construction and arrangement, details, and... The 6m launch does much more than Cinema for only a 1/2m extra length, and a be... -
6M Outboard Launch
The 6 metre outboard launch shares the same layout and styling as the 6m launch but is designed around a 15 to 20hp 4 stroke outboard motor. The construction method is different too, using a single chine hull form that can be done in plywood, featuring a cold-moulded bottom and lapstrake or sheet ply topsides. Strip plank is also an option, and the dimensions are similar to the inboard hull,... The 6 metre outboard launch shares the same layout and styling as the 6m launch...