My Boat; building a 40 foot shanty boat / houseboat. 6 ton + to cruise the Murray River in South Australia.
I have the floats (plywood pontoons) built, and currently working on setting them up level and plumb, to fit deck beams and floor.
We are located about six miles from Mannum, in South Australia.
The town is regarded as a center for holiday houseboats.
There are approx.300 holiday hire boats based here, and a small support base for the design, building and maintenance of these craft.
The vast majority of these boats are outboard powered steel (or more recently alloy) pontoon boats.
My build is plywood on frame, so it`s not all that common, but there are a few smaller private boats built similarly.
The design of this boat is a result of some consultation with some local builders and owners of similar craft that have given good service in the past.
Now normally would always seek out a good suitable stock plan before starting a build , particularly of this size but after looking a long time , even on the internet , there appeared to be preciously little on offer.
The closest I found was an aging design by Glen L (US) called the “Mark Twain”.
This design came close to requirements, but the layout and payload (displacement) was a little less than I was looking for.
The other boat of interest was the Botel 40
This design is by someone calling themselves Key West Boat Works, but after several emails and attempts to contact them to order plans I have yet to even get a reply.
I have since moved on.
So, it seems a long winded answer but I thought I would explain how this design came about.
Much more construction detail below.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Progress update posted on May 24, 2014
Hi again , I thought I had better correct a mistake in my last post re : pontoon framing :
Bulkheads are at 1200 mm ( 4 ft ) centres , not 900 mm as stated. Deck beams are therefore spaced at 2ft centres .
Sorry for the mistake , memory is fading ...:)
Jan 03, 2018
Pontoons by: Harry
Hi everyone.
Mike , I could no longer log in , the site does not recognize my email address.
Life on the river is good. I`m not online much anymore these days .
As for people wanting to know about the pontoons :
All framing is seasoned Australian hardwood.The frames are (2) laminations of 90 x 19 mm ( 4 x 3/4 inch ) epoxy glued together to finish at 4 x 1 1/2 inches. All stringers are (2) laminations 45 x 19 mm ( 2 x 3/4 inch ). to finish at 2 x 1 1/2 inches. Keel strip is 90 x 45 .. ( approx 4 x 2 inch ) old seasoned Australian Jarrah hardwood.
The bulkheads are 900 mm ( just under 36 inches ) wide , and 1000 mm ( 39 + inches ) high.
They are spaced at 900 ( 36 inch ) centres. Plywood is 9 mm premium marine grade Meranti. Hulls are Epoxy / glass sheathed outside.
Deck beams are 150 x 50 mm ( 6x2 inches ) at 450 mm ( 18 inch ) centres.)
The pontoons are not built to any plans as I could not find any suitable at the time.They are plenty strong.
Hope this is helpful .Good luck
Jan 03, 2018
Frame sizes of ponttond by: Dave
Hi, I’ve had the same delemma.
A plan to suit our needs is not available.
What size framing in the hull do you have.
Would love to know as I’m starting to build in the next few weeks.
Your looks a nice, well thought out design.
Cheers davo
Oct 09, 2017
pontoons by: Anonymous
How wide---how high, are the pontoons?
I AM TRYING TO BUILD THESE.
A specification sheet would be so helpful..
There are 3 of us building separate boats here in Florida. Thanks, Bill...
Mar 28, 2017
Hi Which plan use to built it your pantoons ? by: Anonymous
The straps to suspend the waste water tanks for the Shantyboat are now complete.
As this is a fresh water boat , and I could not get galv. flat bar without a lengthy wait, I used 2x 1/8 Inch ( 50 x 3.5 mm ) mild steel.
The 1/8 inch thick flat bar was easy to cold form around a simple wooden former , and any minor kinks were lightly tapped out using a ball - pein hammer.
Three coats of Kill Rust primer and two top coats of oil based gloss paint complete the finish.
Making the numerous small items for the Shantyboat takes up quite some time.
Apr 22, 2015
Colder weather is coming.... by: Harry
Hi Mike ,
Those little drawers are more work than the bigger items , and as the weather is getting colder here and we head into winter , things are slowing down again.
Glue and paint is taking longer to dry ....still , what can you do ...just keep going the best you can I guess .
Thank you for stopping by , I appreciate the comments.
Apr 22, 2015
Lockers by: Mike
Wow, love those lockers Harry.
Mar 31, 2015
Looking Great by: Propeller Depot
Checking in to see how you are doing on the project. Looking good!
http://www.propellerdepot.com/
Mar 31, 2015
The Shantyboat is getting beds .... by: Harry
I have started framing in the built in beds.
These are pictures of the bed base / mattress support for the forward cabin.
Mar 22, 2015
Bathroom door is hung on its hinges. by: Harry
The Shantyboat bathroom door is hung on its hinges.
Mar 16, 2015
Bored? by: Mike
Not in the least bored Harry, you are doing such a superb job
Mar 16, 2015
Hi Mike. by: Harry
Hi Mike.
Thank you for the comment.
Thought you would be bored with this build by n0w LOL.
Mar 16, 2015
John Guest plumbing : So simple it`s ridiculous. by: Harry
The Shantyboat is getting plumbing.
These John Guest push on fittings make connecting the plumbing a snap.Lighter, faster, and cheaper than copper.
Mar 09, 2015
Cleanliness is next to Godliness by: Mike
If "cleanliness is next to godliness" then washing in your bathroom must be next to being in heaven.
Feb 18, 2015
Stern construction by: Hans Karbe
Hello,
very good project! I learned a lot for my next project.
My houseboat "Brixholm" has a similar stern.
My experience is, that a flat stern at a boat that is no glider reduces speed and take a lot of fuel.
It is better to have a conical stern.
I construct 2 pieces and will put it on my stern in spring.
You can see my houseboat in "youtube" and my name.
Photos of the conical stern I have, but I can´t send it on this place.
Feb 07, 2015
Thank you by: Harry
Thank you for the kind words wilddingo.
Happy to see you enjoying the posts of my humble build.
While I have tried to take some care ,I can assure you that I am certainly not professional boat builder.
Feb 07, 2015
Fantastic! by: wilddingo45
You are clearly no amateur.
The care and skill of this build shows in every detail.
Thanks for sharing it all.
Feb 06, 2015
Foam flotation. by: Harry
Hi again Darryl,
Regarding foam flotation :
On hulls this large I would not do it.
Here are my reasons :
To fill these size hulls would add a considerable amount of weight. Foam weighs more than one would think.I robs you of payload. Pontoons are already somewhat weight sensitive.
Cost would be considerable.(large volume to be filled.)
Lastly, and I think most importantly :
Any water entering the hulls for whatever reason, be it damage / leakage or condensation, would be trapped under the foam , and the water would remain there, potentially causing rot.
Inspection would be near impossible, and repairs would be much more difficult.
So, in short I sincerely believe water tight bulkheads are recommended, but no foam.
Clean , empty plastic canisters / bottles are a possibility, but I don`t believe necessary.
Best of luck should you go ahead Darryl, and be warned , it`s a lot of work :-)
Feb 06, 2015
Water tight bulkheads. by: Harry
Hi Darryl.
I think it would be wise to incorporate water tight bulkheads into your design.
Most of my bulkheads have circular cut - outs. Some of these will be sealed watertight by fixing in place over sized circular blank off plates cut from marine ply. There will be eight separate sealed compartments in the two hulls.
I also have eight access hatches placed in the floor inside the cabin, and a further four on deck outside. The hatches will allow the hulls to be vented enough to provide a dry interior if any condensation forms inside.
I hope this all makes sense Darryl, thank you for the questions, and your interest.
Feb 06, 2015
HOUSEBOAT by: DARRYL
HI I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT BUILDING A PLY PONTOON HOUSEBOAT SIMILAR IN SIZE TO YOURS.
BUT WAS GOING TO MAKE EACH BULKHEAD WATERTIGHT AND FILL WITH FOAM AS I SAW ONE ON UTUBE SINK.
DO U THINK THIS IS NEEDED
THANKS DAZ
Feb 01, 2015
Hi Paddy by: Anonymous
Hi Paddy
I accounted for the weight of the pine framing (2x2) and then added some 20 % extra displacement in the floats by making them 150 mm ( six inches ) wider.
It`s difficult to come out on weight , and almost impossible to end up " light."
Going " really light " using exotic materials was beyond my budget.
Thanks for your interest, it`s appreciated.
Feb 01, 2015
this is terrific!, by: Paddy
Just ran across this.
This is really a great thing your doing by sharing the build with those of us who dream to do this.
I have only one question, did you consider using metal studs on non weight bearing areas?
So much lighter than pine or spuce.. just wondering.... all the best!!
Jan 10, 2015
Thank you Andy by: Harry
Thank you for the kind comments Andy.
Re the hull shape : Precisely my thoughts Andy.
I always thought it was a waste of money dragging a stern wake behind a boat that will travel at a rather sedate pace.That`s what speed boats are for................ :)
The inspiration for the cabin came from the San Francisco cable cars , even Melbourne trams.
I have always liked the look of those and this is an attempt to get a somewhat similar look.
I think there is a resemblance , even if rather loosely.
We wanted lots of light too and dislike that " floating Esky " look often seen.
Thanks again Andy , your comments are appreciated.
Jan 10, 2015
Lovely craft! by: Andy Wilson
G'day Harry! Congratulations on a fine addition to the waterfront scenery!
Two things make your craft stand out from the awful floating boxes seen elsewhere....the first is the lovely sweep of the bottom curve down from the bow and back up to the stern.
This will pay off endlessly in fuel economy and reduced wake.
The other is the vintage feel of the upperworks and the attention to period detail.
I guess this is a nod to the existing historic vessels around Echuca....or maybe just because it looks so damn good and will never tire of giving pleasure to the occupants.
Cheers! Andy and46y@yahoo.com.au
Dec 29, 2014
Cabin lining and insulation is almost completed. by: Harry
Cabin lining and insulation is almost completed.
I am also making the ceiling panels , lining board bonded to 3 inch ( 75 mm ) foam.
Dec 28, 2014
Message for Clive Webb by: Mike
Hello Clive,
This is Mike (DIY Wood Boat) I have a private message for you from Trish and Harry.
I am perfectly aware that the majority of Wooden Boat aficionados are sensible folk. However, I need to point out that I am an amateur wooden boat enthusiast simply writing in order to try to help other amateur wooden boat enthusiasts. And while I take every care to ensure that the information in DIY Wood Boat.com is correct, anyone acting on the information on this website does so at their own risk.
Alec Jones
