Lisa B. Good
A Trailable Shantyboat
design by Paul Browne

“Lisa B. Good” is the result of a cooperative design effort by the Yahoo Shantyboat Discussion Group. The design turned out to be an “economy sized” Shantyboat, about the minimum size that offers stand-up headroom, decent deck space, and long-weekend accommodations for a couple. Construction appears to be particularly straightforward, should be a quick build. There are only two curves on the boat, the bottom of the hull, and the crown in the cabin roof. The wood is all construction grade lumber and plywood. Use is made of epoxy and glass, but just enough to ensure long life without rot or excessive maintenance.

“Lisa B. Good” has great lower decks. They’re covered to keep the rain and sun off. The forward deck is wide enough to allow crew to pass in front of you while you’re sitting in a deck chair. The aft deck accepts deck chairs comfortably. The upper deck is strong enough to allow a 200 pounder to walk up there, but it’s not for continuous use. Freeboard is not excessive, but the bulwarks, freeing ports, and sealed decks will help in a hard chance. Nevertheless, she’s clearly a boat for sheltered waters.

The cabin is small but adequate, 9’ X 7-6”. To take full advantage of the view through the windows, folding deck chairs are suggested instead of built-in furniture. It’s a more flexible arrangement. When evening comes, there’s room to set up a full-sized double bed, 4’-6” X 6’-6”. The bed splits and stows against a wall when not in use. The galley is a simple counter and cabinets. The fridge should be an icebox set out on the aft deck. The stove should be a propane camp stove. It might be best if the sink were a plastic dishpan. As drawn, Lisa B. has a head with an outside door, but it could be inside easily enough. There’s room for tanks and pumps inside the hull, but a bucket would be the best head. And a bucket of warm water set topside, with a spray hose attached, that would work better than anything else for a shower.

The engine is simple, an outboard kicker clamped onto the stern bulwark. I struggled with the steering, looked at motor wells, extended tillers. I give up. The best arrangement would be control and steering cables to a helm under the starboard forward window. Maybe have an external steering wheel too, so you can sit outside. The fuel tank should be a portable tank strapped down to the aft deck.

Lisa B should be a great trailer boat. The beam leaves just enough width for the trailer wheels, while staying below the legal 8’-6”. If you build a simple custom trailer, you can keep the height down and use her as a camper.

The mast is of course optional. But a fellow needs a way to fly the right flags; otherwise he’s got no couth. Which brings me to the final point – Lisa B’s got the looks!

Paul Browne, CC&BW
[email protected]
Geezer Boatworks
www.geocities.com/geezerboat

If you would like a set of plans for "Lisa B. Good" send a request by letter (email requests not accepted) to the designer at this address:

Paul Browne
1748 Aspenview Way
Orleans, Ontario K1C 6S3
Canada

The plans consist of five pages printed front and back with all necessary details