DE23 for VT Jeff

[VT_Jeff]

Long time no post, hope all are well.

I'm progressing on my latest build, Tammie Norrie by Iain Oughtred, could possibly splash by September, we'll see. Have been busy on other projects as well, currently converting the FS14 to Hydro steering since the cable system was giving me issues: the boat is a little small for even the smallest available cable to avoid tight bends, at least in my configuration.

Anyway, thinking about my next build and have all but decided on a DE23. Took a hard look at the Tolmans and while I like them, the JM build method really appeals to me. I know it, and it will allow me to do a lot of the work in the basement over the winter and then assemble in the garage in the spring.

My thought is to keep it extremely basic(unlike my FS!!!), keep it light, power with a 90hp, maybe add a live-well at the bow to provide some configurable ballast when needed based on some of the things I've read about the design.

This would replace my 29' sailboat as my "man-cave" and allow Elaine and I to trailer to different areas, strap some SUP's on the roof(of the boat, that is) and explore, camp, fish, etc. All stuff we do now, just a little refined. Always refining!

Would love to hear from anyone who has built one or one like it(Novi 23) and get more feedback. I've not ordered plans yet as I'm not quite through reading the plans for my current build, though I'm getting close!

Happy building and boating

Jeff

PS - have photo uploads changed?

[jonlitts]

Exciting! Love the DE23 ad will follow along!

[Fuzz]

The birth of the Tolmans is 80 miles down the road from me so I have seen a ton of them. They are good solid boats but I think you will be much happier with a DE build. The build method is much different than what you are used to and that alone is enough reason to go with a DE. I will say both JM and Rene had problems with guys putting way to much power on them and trying to turn them into something they were not meant to be.

[VT_Jeff]

The birth of the Tolmans is 80 miles down the road from me so I have seen a ton of them. They are good solid boats but I think you will be much happier with a DE build. The build method is much different than what you are used to and that alone is enough reason to go with a DE. I will say both JM and Rene had problems with guys putting way to much power on them and trying to turn them into something they were not meant to be.

Appreciate it Fuzz. I read some older posts by you saying about the same, while researching the Tolmans. Apparently there were some cracked-stringer issues early on, from what I've gathered.

I also took a hard look at some of the Devlin designs. I've had Devlins book on my nightstand for 20 years probably! His are very nice but like the Tolmans, the build-process is not nearly as forgiving as JM's. His boats(in this size range) tend to be heavier and more complex, longer build times. I do like how on many of his designs he raises the freeboard forward of the cabin, opening up cabin space and creating more deck space.

One nice thing(really nice!) about the Tolmans/Devlins is that they use more wood and quite a bit less glass/epoxy. Wetting out 27 gallons(per the plans, but we all know how that goes) of epoxy is daunting, I'll admit. I have a handful of friends signed up to help with the hull wetout and if it goes to plan, we'll knock it out in a one or two long, wet-on-wet or wet-on-green sessions. Wetting out the inside will be a much slower process that I'll most likely be doing alone and will probably entail some scuffing. My knees, back and wrists are aching just thinking about it.

I do like the inverted windscreen that is typical of the Tolmans, that may be something I play with a little bit, along with re-enforcing the roof some. JM implied in a post I saw that he considered it adequte for a pretty light load as designed, I may see what I can do to beef it up to take 2 full-sized SUPS.

[cape man]

What ever you decide I'm sure the two of you will make it awesome!

[VT_Jeff]

What ever you decide I'm sure the two of you will make it awesome!

Appreciate the confidence Craig! If we get it down your way we'll take you and the missus for a cruise, feed some more hawks!

[cape man]

After hurricane Milton one of the bright spots was seeing the hawks the day after.

[TomTom]

Why not the DE25 - probably very similar build times, not much more weight and materials and probably no harder to trailer/ manoeuvre but you get quite a bit more space? And I will guess will ride a little better.

[VT_Jeff]

Why not the DE25 - probably very similar build times, not much more weight and materials and probably no harder to trailer/ manoeuvre but you get quite a bit more space? And I will guess will ride a little better.

Interesting thought. My basement and garage are both 24 feet deep so building the 23 will be a fair bit simpler than the 25 would be, but you got me thinking. I suspect that technically I could fit the 25 panels in the basement and could technically fit the assembled 25 hull in the garage. It may introduce more hassle than it's worth, but I'll give it some more though, appreciate the idea.

[TomTom]

You are talking to a guy who added a couple of feet to a C19 - and for me it was chalk and cheese - not only having the little bit of extra room - 2 feet goes a long way, but also I feel like the boat is better for the added length.

It is rare to meet someone who says “I wish I had made my boat 2 feet shorter”!

If you can use a tent or similar to extend the garage, by the time you weigh up all the effort to build a boat, the extra 2 feet suddenly seems worth it to me.