OD 18

[Daddy]

I would like to build the OD 18 but with the motor in a well. Doable?

[Fuzz]

Be interesting to see what JM says.

[jacquesmm]

Why?

I am not joking or teasing you. If I know why, I may propose better solutions than to cut through the bottom.
I suspect nets are involved.

[Daddy]

Basically I like the look and feel there are some advantages in having the motor in a well. (I built Nina). I like Spira's l8 footer but prefer your softer chines.

[topwater]

I was thinking of the same thing only something like a traditional banks dory . Use it for a canal cruiser
with low HP.

[jacquesmm]

To put the outboard in a well requires to cut the bottom and that will reduce performance unless the boat is designed for that set up.
It will also require to build a transom inside the hull, same thickness as the original transom but you can reduce the thickness of the false transom.
Since you have the plans for the Nina, use them for the size of the cut and the specs. If this is not your first built, you can do it.

Watch out for planing dories with hard chines. They will chine trip. Those boats are dangerous but builders don't know and since they look easier to build, people buy the plans. They would never pass the USCG speed test.

[Daddy]

Thanks, Jacques. I am not concerned about being able to do it, just wanted to be sure I would not compromise performance too much. What would you recommend as minimum hp? I had a 25 in Nina and was quite happy with it.

[jacquesmm]

As designed, the OD18 with 3 persons on board, get on plan with a 25 but barely and only at WOT. 30 HP for 2 persons, 50 for 3. It think Cracker Larry had a 75. I tested the prototype with all those engines and for the way I use a boat, a 50 would be enough.

Now, your cut in the bottom will take a good chunk of that performance away.
I would say 50 minimum, 75 preferred. That is the penalty for the hole in the bottom.

It's not the same type of hull than the Nina. The OD18 is on plane or not. At displacement speeds, a 15 is more than enough.

[Daddy]

Got it. All in all, not a good IDEA.
.

[TomW1]

Daddy I have Cracker Larry's OD18 and my wife and I with gear have a full load of about 700lbs. Probably more than more people as we are both large.people. Max speed is about 33 mph. His motor is a 70 HP 2 stroke Yamaha that is now 9 years old. It still runs like it was new. The new 70 HP 4 stoke would be equivalent to it. I feel the OD18 is an excellent boat able to do both off shore and shallow fishing.

Tom