Peggie Hall wrote: Off topic but important: as you build out this boat, I hope y'all have gotten and are following ABYC, NFPA, UL Marine and USCG standards and regs for all the systems on your boat, especially electrical and fuel. They're all safety standards and exist for VERY good reasons.

Hi, Peggie! Being a Southern Lady, I'm all for standards. In fact, I insist upon them. But enough about napkins in laps. Is there a single best one-stop-shopping publication to make sure we know what these ABYC, NFPA, UL, USCG standards are, and a checklist to make sure we aren't missing anything crucial?

I have a well-illustrated book about boat electrical work, but fat as it is, seems long on theory and not so much on how to design a whole system. Not that I've managed to stay awake through much of it, yet. Probably not much market for build-your-own-houseboat-from-scratch. But it does emphasize the basics sufficiently that we won't be tempted to cheap out on wiring. Plumbing, I think (hope) we can manage with owner's manuals and customer service 800 numbers.

We'll be extra-careful also with the planned propane installation- tanks outside, all lines carefully soldered and inspected, RV or marine on-demand water heater vented outside, stove in well-ventilated area, etc.

Of course, the USCG standards on nav-lights are clear enough and I have that publication. Also straightforward, I hope, are the fuel tanks and lines for the two high-thrust 65hp 4-stroke outboards we expect to use. We have a local expert who'll sell them and help install them, as well as the planned pneumatic control system.

I take comfort in the fact that the boatbuilder-in-charge is gently mocked for being overly-meticulous. Thanks to long-ago summers with grandpa, he also is fairly comfortable with land-lubber plumbing and electrical work. Now if he'd only remember he's 'retired', quit repairing people, and get back to work on the dang boat....

We're a long way from being finished, but hope to install motors this summer, whether or not the interior woodwork's done or the fancy head and galley are in.

Anyway, thanks a million for the concern. I'll be most delighted to pass along all advice, and welcome all encouragement, suggestions and warnings, both general and especially, specific.

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Amelia
Edenton, NC

You can find all the standards on my web site at http://newboatbuilders.com It's free. Any questions ask here or use the contact me on my web site.

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Ike
"Don't tell me I can't. Tell me how I can!"
New Boat Builders Home Page
My Boating Safety Blog
My Boat Building News Blog

Amelia,

When are you guys going to update your web site with more pictures of the boat?

I have been a devoted follower but there have been no updates for some time.

Do you have a name for the boat yet?

Have you guys experienced any hull leakage now that it’s been in the water for some time?

 

Capt. Mark

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Mark
1979 Crest
Brookville Lake, IN

What website?

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1985 Gibson 44
Twin 270 Crusaders
Defeated Creek Marina
Cumberland River TN

Hi, guys-
re: the website updating... yeah, we're going to get to that. I wish there were more to see, but the retiree who decided to sop up some of that spare time building a houseboat has yielded to popular demand, and is spending more than half-time NOT being retired. Furthermore, much of that work-time is being spent too far from home to get any work done after office hours. Even so, progress inches along. The latest project has involved building very slightly curved cross-wise roof supports, and fastening plywood on top for the top deck. The yachty neighbors are smiling tolerantly at my OCD poster-child's 'attention to detail, and making hopeful remarks about it being 'almost finished'. Alas, as anybody who ever built a house knows, even though the walls are up and the roof's almost on, we're probably not even halfway there yet. But having spent part of yesterday learning the ropes on a real-world houseboat miles away on beautiful Pensacola Bay, I'm newly energized. Maybe I'll find a way to help that won't drive Himself nuts.

No official name yet. Many unofficial names. The neighbors call it 'the Ark' in hopes it portends an end to our Southeastern drought.

What website? Check my profile. It's listed- I think. As previously noted, it's a little out of date, but unfortunately, not nearly enough.

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Amelia
Edenton, NC

Oh, yeah- about the leakage. Very, very little, despite the occasional rough weather. One or two small damp areas in a couple of the hull sections, which will be easily tended to with some 5200, but the only real water in the bilge comes in through the hatches when it rains. It seems to be holding up encouragingly well.

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Amelia
Edenton, NC

Amelia, Ikes site is great, he has all that stuff covered and if not, he'll lead you to it. You and your man just need a night or two back out on the BT boat in pensacola to get charged up and get that boat finished. Good luck.

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Riverliver

 

“No official name yet. Many unofficial names. The neighbors call it 'the Ark' in hopes it portends an end to our Southeastern drought.”

 

At least you have an acceptable name for your craft Amelia. Unfortunately our boat is know around the marina as the “SS  P.O.S.”.  

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Mark
1979 Crest
Brookville Lake, IN

I'm guessing that SS P.O.S. stands for "Pride of Savannah" Right? :-)