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“I thought I’d toss out my drawing of the little houseboat/shanty that I’m thinking of building for my winter project. Otter is based upon the Sand-Dab and Ugly Duck designs.
I believe that I can build such a boat for arround $300.00 if I don’t fiberglass the hull.
Main points are:
1. The hull beam is 5-feet and hull length is 12-feet.
2. To save weigh at the top of boat the windows will be plastic sheeting. The side windows may be made to roll up.
3. The top is based on Bolger’s bird watcher design. There will be a 3-foot opening the complete length of the 8-foot cabin, with a removable waterproof fabric cover.
4. There will be a 14-inch RV type opening vent in the forward area of the cabin, with a 8-inch opening deck plate in the sailboat three-piece hatch.
5. The sides of the hull will be made of 12-feet lengths of 2″ by 12″ boards with an extra 2″ by 4″ board added to the top of the 2 X 12′s. These 2 x 4′s will be glued with wood biscuits inserted between the two boards.
6. The bottem of the hull, as well as the bow and stern decking will be 3/8 or 3/4-inch plywood. All seams will be covered with epoxy and fiberglass tape.
7. The two 2 x 4′s attached to the hull sides will provide a 5 1/2-inch walkway so that a person can walk from the stern to the bow…without too much danger! Grab-rails will run the length of the cabin top on each side.
8. Motor will be a four-stroke 2 HP or 3 1/2 HP. Most likely a 2 HP Honda if I can find one cheap enough!
Does anyone have any suggestions or comments? Now, be nice…cause my feeling are easily hurt! 
