2-4 Berth for a Tall Person ?

dnme

Hi all,
I have been looking at a few boats in the category of day cabin cruiser. This sort of vessel just as a quick example - http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/1818922

But I am finding that all the boats I am looking at simply don't fit me. I am 6'6" tall and struggle to sit in any of the cabins without my head being pressed to the roof.

1. Is there a particular make / model that might be good for tall people....or
2. Is it feasible to alter an existing fibre glass cabin and raise it (or it's roof) by say 8-12" ?

Any advice or comment greatly appreciated.

fergal.b

Hi look for something with a deep v hull it might give you a bit more room. I am 6'4" and have the same problem. I had a bayliner 2655 and that had just over 6' headroom in the cabin but you will be going up in price.
I don't think it would be worth your while lifting the cabin up and it may not look right.

DOTHEDOG

nice boat for that price..take it

dnme

The likes of the bayliner 2655 is way out of my price league. I'm looking at spending maybe 2-3k on an old fibre glass boat and doing it up myself. My biggest problem seems to be my height so I'm just asking for any practical advice or solutions within my price range.

I reckon it should be possible to raise a cabin roof in the same way as they do on camper van conversions ? I would be well willing to employ a professional company for this bit perhaps. Anyone any thoughts?

fergal.b

The one in your post would be very hard to work with as the cabin is part of the superstructure, could you lower the seats inside or try something like this it would be a lot easier to raise or build a whole new cabin to fit your needs.
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/1936994

dnme

fergal.b wrote: »

The one in your post would be very hard to work with as the cabin is part of the superstructure, could you lower the seats inside or try something like this it would be a lot easier to raise or build a whole new cabin to fit your needs.
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/1936994

Fergal, I just spoke to this seller, very nice fella. He says that the boat was transported on a poor trailer ans it took some damage to the hull. There are 3 holes biggest one being 3 inches long. I have asked him to send me on some more photos which he will next week.

Would this be repairable?

fergal.b

Yes, should be no problem to fix, would be good to see photos of where the holes are.
You should get a good deal from him.

dnme

Do you reckon that cab might be raisable? from roof or from sides?

fergal.b

You could cut along each pillar raise it up fill the gap and just put bigger perspex windows in, if it was up to me I would build a new cabin something like this, not a lot of work and would look great.:)

dnme

fergal.b wrote: »

You could cut along each pillar raise it up fill the gap and just put bigger perspex windows in, if it was up to me I would build a new cabin something like this, not a lot of work and would look great.:)

Fergal, when you say "cut along the pillars", can you clarify? Pillars run up or down so you'd cut up or down them no? Cutting along something would be on the flat cutting horizontally yes? Just wanna make sure I get what you're saying. Also any idea the make and model of that boat you pictured? Where did you find it? Many thanks.

fergal.b

A bit like this except you will be adding a few inches instead of taking away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3CxXjb1dBE

The boat in the photo is a home made one called a Sea knight by http://www.glen-l.com/ I get my plans from them. This was my last build

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd6vkPjEy4U&feature=player_embedded

And this is the one I am building at the moment.
http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx179/fergalbutler/crackerbox/

dnme

Folks,

What do you reckon of this ? It seems to have a taller than average cabin, it's also a longer than average cabin. I have been in touch with owner and they have sent me a few more photos. It might make a great restore project, do you reckon?

fergal.b

Mmmmm not sure what I make of it,the cab looks a bit like a sliver bullet caravan, it's different and I like different so I guess it gets my vote

dnme

Fergal

As you can see, one of the front windows is missing. Is it much a job to have a new window made? I think they are perspex.

fergal.b

It should be no problem I made mine out of 6mm plexiglass you might need 3-4mm to get the bend it's still very strong at that. Make a copy out of cardboard then mark it out on the plexiglass and cut with a jigsaw you might have to adjust the speed so it won't melt and stick to the blade.

dnme

Some of your work is beautiful. WRT the perspex window, what about getting the bend into it? Those windows on the old boat I posted are not flat.

fergal.b

The 3-4mm will bend no problem, if you need a sharp bend you will have to use heat, sometimes I use boiling water or a paint remover gun.

dnme

Well folks, just been down to the midlands to look at her and did a deal, a great deal - http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/boats/1919358

I will be collecting it in a few weeks. Where do I start? I am brand new to this. Is there any good online guides to stripping fibre glass? Is it just pure elbow grease and sand paper?

fergal.b

Congrats on your new buy:D Start by stripping every thing off it and all the windows out, if you want to save a bit of hard work get it soda blasted not "sand blasted" soda will not harm the fiberglass.
When you go to pick it up bring a jack and a grease gun check all the wheel bearings and grease them up, if you can try and get a spare wheel as the tyre's may have cracks in them from sitting in the one spot. Also don't forget your light board and put your reg on it the cops are getting very tough on trailers.
If you don't think its up to the trip get a transport company to move it for you.
Best of luck with her.

dnme

Fergal,

Soda blasting eh? who does that?

fergal.b

Not sure what part of the country your in but there are a few around.
http://www.sodablast.ie/our-service/sand-blasting
http://www.soda-blast.eu/n.ireland/

dnme

fergal.b wrote: »

Not sure what part of the country your in but there are a few around.
http://www.sodablast.ie/our-service/sand-blasting
http://www.soda-blast.eu/n.ireland/

I'm in Sligo, I've just been googling this as your post was the first I'd ever heard of it. It looks like it might be out of my league cost wise.

fergal.b

I have one of these and just buy the soda from the cash & carry I only use it for small jobs like engines.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/1506041

Here is a rough price list, I would think you could get the outside of the boat done for €500.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/1531363

If not it's good old paint scraper and sandpaper and put €500 in your pocket at the end of the day.

I would start with 220 grit or if it is very bad 100. fill any scratches and dings then do the boat again with 320 then paint the first coat or two and lightly sand with 320 when it's smoothed move to 400 and paint again the last coat wet sand with 800 then 1500 or 2000 after that use rubbing compound and a buffer.
By now you will have no fingerprints so you can go out and rob a bank to help pay for the rest of the job.:D

dnme

fergal.b wrote: »

I have one of these and just buy the soda from the cash & carry I only use it for small jobs like engines.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/1506041

Fergal, what would I do without ya. Do you think this machine would be upto the job? Would it do a similar or near enough quality job to that of a professional service? If so, I would happily buy this, use it for the boat and re-sell it. Very cost effective.

Is there much to using it? Would a handyman get used to it fairly quickly and get a technique going?

How is it powered? - is it electric air pump?

What do you think?

fergal.b

You just plug it in fill it up and away you go, I think you can hire them out from a plant and tool shop to. From the photo It's looks like someone has done a bit of scraping on it, so wait till you get it and see if the paint comes off easy if so you will have it done in a day. Save every penny you can, you know the old story "a boat is a hole in the water that you pour money into" well that's true

dnme

Ah ya know what, I have a spring in me step even chatting about all this stuff. I am gonna take the year to do her up and hopefully put her in the water next year. I'm really looking forward to getting at her. What a fantastic summer project.

I was thinking of putting her in the water for a very quick test before I start work. Just to see how she sits, how she's balanced and whether some ballast might be useful or some stabilisation. She has a universal hull with stabiliser keels at both sides of the bottom. So yea, I'd like to just sit her in water for 10 mins and see how she responds to my weight etc.

fergal.b

Your like a child on christmas morning and it's only 3am:D