08/20/2007 09:39:26 PM
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SevenSlider
Member
Posts: 37
Joined: 04/24/2006
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If I buy/build a wide body houseboat will this limit me to Lake Only Use? I would like to take it on the Great Loop, but I'm concerned about Locks with a Widebody... Seeing as how I am a Land Locked Lake Houseboater, these questions are a mystery..
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1972 Stardust
53x12 OMC V-8
Edited: 08/20/2007 at 09:40:15 PM by SevenSlider
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08/20/2007 10:02:50 PM
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OLD HOUSEBOATER
Super moderator
Posts: 1520
Joined: 10/18/2002
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A Lake Type houseboat is not suitable for offshore service.
Widebodys are no problem in locks.
Some are underpowered, you need at least 9 MPH CRUISE capability to safely cruise some rivers without problems.
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OLD HOUSEBOATER
Edited: 08/20/2007 at 10:10:01 PM by OLD HOUSEBOATER
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08/21/2007 07:18:34 AM
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BananaTom
Admiral
Posts: 968
Joined: 12/05/2006
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I believe a Houseboat is not suitable for the Great Loop. I have been following The Judges friends that are loopers. They have been at for three years, just arrived in Chicago. You need a trawler or like vessel for that one. You can read their daily journal at www.justusboating.com and get a good idea of what is invloved with that kind of trip.
I too have the dream of "Doin the Loop."
But a half Loop would also be fun, down the Tenn Tom to Florida and back up. No off shore crossings, and mostly calm waters. You can always stop at the Pirates new place in Pickensville, on the way.
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Banana Tom
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08/21/2007 09:30:08 AM
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Dave
Moderator
Posts: 182
Joined: 10/18/2002
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Tom,
What is the beam on your boats?
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08/21/2007 12:13:50 PM
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BananaTom
Admiral
Posts: 968
Joined: 12/05/2006
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Dave,
The Gibson is 14 the HM is 12
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Banana Tom
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08/21/2007 04:00:38 PM
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SevenSlider
Member
Posts: 37
Joined: 04/24/2006
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There's a good article of a Gibson houseboat (50x16 with V-Drives ) doing the great loop in Issue 15 of http://www.houseboatingadventuresmagazine.com/
My dream of "Doin the loop" will definately be in a houseboat!!
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1972 Stardust 53x12 OMC V-8
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08/21/2007 04:09:28 PM
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Dave
Moderator
Posts: 182
Joined: 10/18/2002
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Tom,
What differences do you find in their ride, tracking, taking chop etc.?
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08/21/2007 04:28:41 PM
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BananaTom
Admiral
Posts: 968
Joined: 12/05/2006
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Wow, what a great story. I would have never thought a Gibson would work for the Great Loop. After reading that, I have a new dream. Loopin in the Gibson.
The article did not refer to the engines, just the v drives. I wonder if he had diesels or gas within.
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Banana Tom
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08/21/2007 04:37:22 PM
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BananaTom
Admiral
Posts: 968
Joined: 12/05/2006
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Dave,
I find that both are comfortable and not much diiference overall in performace. The HM has more protection from splashing waves in white caps. The HM has outdrives and the Gibson has vee drives. I like the V. I can really spin it on a dime.
The other day I came out of the marina, in the Gibson, a boat was at the fuel dock, the name was FULL CIRCLE. So, I placed one engine in reverse, one in forward, raised the RPMs to 1800 and those 350 crusaders are real deep.
The people at the full dock looked at me like I was crazy. Once I had come about, I spoke on the PA speaker, and said "That my friend is a Full Circle". They then got it and all started clapping and cheering.
The Gibson has larger engines, so it really moves, almost too fast.
They both track just fine with hands off steering - dual engines on both. The Gibson rocks a little less since it is wider. I would like to know the HM in the 14' beam.
However, I must say, I like the Gibsons, I'll have to think awhile to determine if it is mental or do I have an actual reason. I fell in love with the Gibson over at Dock Holiday's place some years ago. He is the one who talked me into providing services in Pensacola.
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Banana Tom
Edited: 08/21/2007 at 04:53:38 PM by BananaTom
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08/21/2007 05:16:52 PM
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Dave
Moderator
Posts: 182
Joined: 10/18/2002
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I preferred my Gibson's over my HM's also. Among other things, I found they tracked much better and took the chop much smoother. I didn't care for the "coastal package" on the HM, I don't think it helped in serious water which neither boat belongs in. The small splash it might help with wasn't really a problem for the Gibson.
I think a 1989 or newer HM Super Barracuda, single engine no flybridge, flush deck makes an ideal rental boat.
Edited: 08/21/2007 at 05:21:55 PM by Dave
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08/22/2007 06:46:48 AM
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BananaTom
Admiral
Posts: 968
Joined: 12/05/2006
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We have both boats next to each other in the marina, we allow tours for interested persons, some customers like the HM over the Gibson and some like Gibson over the HM.
I always ask why, and they say, I like the ways it looks. Or some other reason. So I guess it is really what appeals to the individual.
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Banana Tom
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08/28/2007 10:13:48 PM
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enginetamer
Member
Posts: 87
Joined: 02/14/2007
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Hey Tom, are you saying the Tenn Tom, in lieu of Miss River, or are you saying Tenn Tom in lieu of Erie Canal? Or some other loops? What's your opinion about a loop up the Erie, across the lake, down the Miss, and across the Eastern Seaboard via ICW? Is that done regularly in houseboats? Paul
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lookin' for adventure and the next wild engine!
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08/28/2007 10:16:18 PM
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enginetamer
Member
Posts: 87
Joined: 02/14/2007
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Hey, Seven/ How does one build a houseboat?/ Paul
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lookin' for adventure and the next wild engine!
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08/30/2007 03:25:34 AM
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SevenSlider
Member
Posts: 37
Joined: 04/24/2006
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Hi Paul/ Future plans include finding a houseboat with a solid Hull and good engines and then rebuilding the superstructure to my tastes. There is a good site which I will be using when some of these questions come up: http://boatdesign.net/
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1972 Stardust 53x12 OMC V-8
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08/30/2007 12:03:18 PM
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TheJudge
Admiral
Posts: 282
Joined: 05/01/2006
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Wow, I am going to have to give it to those folks who did the loop in a 50' Gibson. But even though I would love to try, I will not be taking my Gibson on the loop. .I have said before that one can do the loop on a jet ski or a houseboat or a jonboat if you have the luxury of always waiting for a perfect weather picture. Right now my friends on www.justusboating.com are stuck on the Illinois River dodging debris from the floods with locks closed so they cannot move. They had 70+ mph winds last week when those storms roared through. I love my little Gibson but I would not trust her in that.
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The Judge Rules
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09/09/2007 03:30:35 PM
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ted655
Admiral
Posts: 424
Joined: 02/09/2007
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I don't think width is as big an issue as is equipment & design
of systems. Power must be adequite & dependable as pointed
out. Locks, (with the exception of old 52 on the Ohio), are a
piece of cake IF you know a couple of tricks..
We just brought our Gibson from Indiana to Louisiana. (1,000 mi. ).
The difference between a lake queen & a river runner is BIG!
(as I found out). One quick shakedown cruise & I started
changing things in preperation for the big trip. I'm VERY glad I
did, it made the difference.
As for "Looping", I too question if a houseboat hull is right for
Great Lakes or ocean travel. IF... done, I would advise triple
redundent power & pump systems. (seperate from each other).
Careful hatch, window & door modifications, insurance & a
good life raft.
Have a bad day on the lake & you get towef in, have a bad day
on big watwes alone and the results for the unprepared are usually
VERY bad.
It isn't size, its equipment, experience & preperation
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12/02/2007 06:45:11 PM
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Amelia
Admiral
Posts: 522
Joined: 02/03/2007
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This is exactly the sort of discussion I really look forward to reading. Even though we're at least a year away from launching the Work in Progress, and probably at least a year after that of noodling around here fairly close by getting the hang of things, The Loop is my fantasy. It makes no sense, but the dream won't go away.
In any case, I hope some of you experienced voyagers will post details of what modifications you found necessary, and what you wished you'd known before you got a day away from home. It would be good to unmake some mistakes before it's too costly or embarrassing, not to mention life-threatening.
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Amelia
Edenton, NC
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12/02/2007 07:47:21 PM
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Pirate
Admin - super moderator group
Posts: 1346
Joined: 10/08/2002
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A Gibson is not suitable for the loop unless the weather window is right. 5 ft seas and you know you are in it. seven ft you are in trouble 10 ft yell mayday. I had a custom 50 Gibson with a double thick hull, it would do 5 ft seas but it is a Houseboat and it was not designed for the great lakes where 12 fters are common. I am not saying you cannot do it but there is no way it will handle it like a trawler or a cruiser. A 50 Gibson handles as well as any boat afloat, but it does not have the freeboard for heavy seas. Galvaston Bay would give it more than it wants.
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The pirate
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12/02/2007 08:10:38 PM
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ted655
Admiral
Posts: 424
Joined: 02/09/2007
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Doubts were constant gremlins on Miss MB, Amelia. It took days to dispel them. It being an old boat, we doubted nearly everything. The guage readings, the tank capacitys, the reliability of the equipment, we were nerves Nellies.
One thing I want is duplicate gauges IN the engine compartment. Another is more spare parts. Pumps, lots of pumps. Our navigation was so important to us, I dedicated a separate bank of batterys/inverter just to the nav equipment. We had crank/solar radios, flashlights. Plenty of batteries for flashlights, etc.. The list is extensive, based on "what if this fails or that is lost"
Then there was the skiff we towed, 55 gal. drums, 5 gal. fuel cans, 3 large tool box type storage up top, that carried water, charcol, rope & ships tools.
In the end, it turned out our doubts were mostly unfounded. Fail to plan is a plan to fail they say. Before I started out on a "Loop", I'd have purposely put both us & the boat thru trails that really tested everything. I used to fly with my stepfather, but had to quit. My check list was way longer than his. He is a great pilot but I'm always thinking "what if" 
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