Conference vicki::boats

>     1. What kinds of engines do they typically use?
    	Diesel
      
>    2. What kind of maintenance work do they require?
    
    	Diesel engine maintenance and be sure the bilge pump is *always*
    	operative.  Most old lobster boats are wood and all the ones I've
        been aboard have seawater in the bilge all the time.
    
>    3. What kind of fuel do they use?
       Diesel
    
>    4. How fuel-efficient are they?
    	You can go a long ways on a gal. of diesel vs. gasoline but at a
        much slower rate of speed.  
    
>    5. What kind of range do they typically have? (Looking at 60-mile
     jaunts four to six times each year, but mostly 10- to 20-mile jaunts.)
    
	You'd have to investigate the boats fuel capacity in order to
    accurately calculate its range.    
    
    > The lobsterboat we buy will be used to ferry 6 divers plus gear.
    We're looking at a price range of about $5,000 to $10,000, so it will
    be a used boat. 
    
    	I spotted a rather plain looking boat with DownEast lines outta
        Gloucester Ma. whilst chasing the Coast Guard sailing ship Eagle
       this past summer.  I approached the captain about the manufacturer's
      name.  It was a Sisu.  Nice looking lobster style hull, plain but
    functional.  It's has a soft chine so she tends to roll a little bit
    but definitely a good dive boat...lots of deck space w/ a decent size
    cabin.  This guy powered his with a deisel (can't think of the brand
    name just now) and said the Sisu can be built to any stage you desire.
    He purchased his somewhat unfinished (no deck etc.) and did alot of
    work himself.  He indicated his cost of $12,600 NEW out of pocket for the
    hull and engine.  The manufacturer is in New Hampshire....can't recall
    the town.  Perhaps some other noters are familar w/ Sisu.
    
    /MArk

    Most "real" lobsterboats (not the ones they race) are pure displacement
    hull designs, so they won't go faster than their hull speed no matter
    how big the engine.  Top speed on a small lobsterboat could be as low
    as 7-9 knots, but fuel economy will be very good if the engine is
    appropriately sized and the range is potentially long if the fuel tank 
    is decent size.   Some lobsterboats even have ballasted keels for
    stability in *real* heavy seas (these guys have to work in all
    weather!).  Not an issue for performance as the length determines
    the speed, but can make hauling expensive and trailering out of the
    question.  
    

re .1:

I think many working lobster boats have gasoline engines. Lobstering
won't make you rich, and lobstermen often if not usually can't afford a
much more expensive diesel engine. 

    I believe you will find a mix of diesel and gasoline powered lobster or
    'downeast' styled boats. If your price range really is $5-10K, then you
    probably are looking at gasoline power($12K for un unfinished Sisu with
    a diesel sounds very low to me). Most of the type of boats you are
    interested in are semi-displacement hulls with soft chines. They have a
    high bow and slope nicely to a low stern/transom. In short, they look
    like a boat is supposed to look(in case you missed it, I am not a big
    fan of 'Euro-style' water craft), and they are very seaworthy.
    
    I would suggest you get a copy of The Maine Coastal News, Maine Boats
    and Harbors, or The National Fisherman. All of these have classifieds
    for lobster and 'downeast' style boats. This is a good time to look and
    be sure to include a survey in your plans. I have owned 2 'downeast'
    boats, both built in Maine, and I would be happy to try to answer any
    questions you might have.
    
    Fred Smith
    DTN: 234-4793
    Outside: 508-351-4793
    

    Sisu is in Dover N.H. and they'll build a boat up to the point you
    want. I don't know about pricing but 12K sounds low. There are a number
    of people that build the DownEast hull design. Sisu is a good one. You
    would want their 30 foot model at least. Most of the lobster boats I
    kown in Maine are diesel powered. 
    I agree with Fred Smith, they're a nice boat. Expect to rock a bit more
    due to the rounded hull design. I used to dive off one as a kid and it
    was great. Lots of room and easy to get in and out of.
    Jim

    I think all of Sisu's molds were bought by Portsmouth Boat Co.
    in Seabrook NH.
    
    Steve

    I grew up on the Coast of Maine.  Most of the lobster boats I have seen
    over the years are gas powered.... often just an old 6 cyl auto engine
    with marine manifolds added.  The newer boats (fiberglass hulls) have
    diesel as other noters said IF the operator can afford it. Diesel is
    a relative but desirable luxury.
    
    Fuel consuption.... horrible, especially with gas and a displacement
    hull.   Good dive boat though, but as others have said not exactly
    trailerable nor is it economical (fuel wise) to run... unless you
    have a diesel.
    
    Diesels 'like' to be run alot.  If the boat sits at a mooring alot you
    would be more likely to have trouble with a diesel than a gas engine.
    
    Usually diesel lobster boats are operated by the guys with more money
    and who are out 'all the time'.  The gas boats are the poor mans
    version and less likely be quite as endlessly run. 
    
    Remember the lobster boat is to the lobster man as the tractor is to a
    farmer. So much depends on the individuals financial resources,
    commitment to the job and skill and luck at lobstering.
    
    I lobstered for a few years in the Portland area when I was much
    younger.  I ran gas... all I could afford.
    
    Jeff

    Thanks a lot for all the responses.
    
    Right now it's looking like next year before we can acquire either a
    freshwater or a saltwater boat. By the time we are ready, we hope to
    have IRS tax-exempt status as well as the
    you-can-claim-a-tax-credit-for-giving-us-capital-equipment status that
    will make half of our goals possible.
    
    Again, thanks.
    
    John H-C

    Years ago, the engine of choice was the Chevy straight six.  There were
    only about a zillion made since the mid thirties, and I think they're
    still in production for pickup trucks.  They could be had at junk yards
    for $100 bucks, and swapped out of the boat in less than a day.  In the
    50's and 60's, I doubt anyeone bothered to replace the manifolds - it
    would be cheaper to swap the engine.  I think they planned on only a
    year for the engine before the salt water had eaten it up.
    
    Carl

    Yeah, alot of them didn't have marine manifolds... just a straight
    stack right up through the roof of the pilot house.  The engine often 
    sat in the cabin in open air so heat would not be an issue in a
    confined area.  The 'classier' boats would use a heat exchanger with
    closed loop fresh water cooling.  The salt water cooling pipes to the
    heat exchanger would be a couple of straight sections of copper pipe
    run next to the keel.
    
    Jeff

    I know a little about lobster boats, I had one a few years ago.
    Usually they have 6 cylinder engins (Gray Marine gas). 130-150 hp.
    Mine had twin 60 gal. midship tanks Port and Starboard. At crusing
    (15 mph) I would get 10-12 gal. per hour consumption.
    they are very sea worthy and all have displacement hulls(great for
    foul weather(I buried my hull many times from P town to boston).
    The only draw back on these boats is most are wooden hulls and require
    alot of maintence. Also most are fresh water cooled with salt water
    manifold cooling systems.
    Some newer boats are Fiberglass and expensive.
    My recomendations are, if you are interested in buying one SHOP AROUND.
    
                                                         

    I am interested in learning more about Trawler/Lobsterboat/Displacement
    or semi-displacement hull styles.  Since no such topic exists within
    the Boats conference, I thought it would be a good idea to start one
    up!
    
    I am looking for a 22-26' Inboard or Outboard (but not I/O) powered
    Lobsterboat style boat.  My power preference was chosen to maximize
    cockpit availability.  I realize that some Inboard power aplications
    have motor boxes in the cockpit, but most leave space between the
    transom and the box.
    
    I would appreciate any information people care to give to this Topic.
    
    Best regards,
    
    Duncan

    
    
    	I currently have a 27 foot lobster boat built on a modified V
    planning hull with a 5.7L Mercuriser Bravo II drive with a 62"
    Jackshaft.  The motor box is in the middle of the cockpit like a
    inboard.  I choose this configuration because I wanted the advantages
    of the I/O (better maneuverability, ability to go in shallower water,
    trailerabilty, and topend efficiency) with the positioning of the
    inboard so I would have a open cockpit.  My top speed is around 40 mph
    depending on load.  The modified V hull on my lobster boat is very
    sharp in the front and is approx 10% in the rear.  The shallow V in
    the rear makes the very stable in water at rest.
    
    	Let me know what you questions are and I will try and answer them.
    
    	George  (JOY III)
    

    Hi,
    
    Thanks for your reply.  I forgot about the Jackshaft option - and it is
    a good one.  
    
    Who manufacture's your boat?  What is the beam?  Is it wood or glass?  
    If the beam is greater than 8'6", are their other model's available 
    with a jackshaft and an 8'6" beam?  What are the motor options 
    for your boat.  What is your fuel consumption like (optimum cruise)?
    What type of Cabin does your boat have?
    
    Thanks in advance for the info!
    
    Best regards,
    
    Duncan    

    
    
    	The boat is Manufactured by SeaCoast Boat Builders.  The boat is
    Glass with divincell (sp) coring in the transom, deck, and cabin.  The
    beam on my boat is 8'6".  They offer a 18, 19, 22, and 27' hull with
    just about any configuration you want (Lobster style, sport fish,
    center console).  They offer anything that you want because each boat
    is built to your specifications even to the point where you design and
    lay out your own cabin and then spec out the engine and all equipment.
    
    	I can't tell you exact spec's for my boat yet because they are
    just finishing it now and it will not hit the water until april 15. 
    Some of the other boats that they have built close to my design gets
    approx 2 mpg at cruise.  I will be able to tell you more in April.
    
    The address is listed under keyword Eastern
    
    		George  (JOY III)
    
    			 

    Hi George,
    
    I wasn't able to find a keyword called EASTERN.  Is the address listed
    anywhere else?
    
    Can you give me an idea what the price tag on JOY III was?  (It sounds
    like an ideal boat for my purposes).
    
    Duncan                            

    
    
    
    	The note for the address and phone is 1096.2
    
    	The Eastern 27 Lobster Style starts at 35k with 5.0L Mercursier
    I/O.  You can start adding options from that point and get one 
    fairly equiped for another 2k (rod holders, bow rails, full canvas
    etc.).  Your best bet is to talk to them because the price cqn vary
    depending on what you want.
    
    	George  (Joy III)
    

    And make sure you ask them how much to tighten up the rod bolts in the
    engine before the shakedown cruise. :-)  Right, George?