On Board readers will know that I am keen on small boats and I think for the modest dollar outlay you can have a lot of fun with them. Yesterday I wrote about a couple of small boats that I saw at the Newport show but even with the show discount and the keenness of the salesman plus the boat show discount we are still looking at over three hundred thousand. This is actually a good price but still outside the pockets of many.
For something a little more modest you could do worse than to look at the little boat shown above. Called the Outer Banks 20 the boat is designed by B and B yacht designs from North Carolina. Although not a boat that I would propose for a rank beginner it is none the less a boat that should not be beyond a competent amateur with a good tool kit and a modest budget. The palns sell for $250. Designed for a 25 to 40 hp engine it is claimed that the boat will plane at 15 knots and cruise at 20 using only 1.5 gallons per hour making this a boat that should be both economical to build and use. The boat has basic accommodations for 2 making her ideal for a cozy weekend away or two. With a weight in the 1500 pounds range she could also be easily towed behind a small truck or car.
Actually I have been aware of this boat for sometime so imagine my delight when an article appeared about the designer and his boats in the latest issue of wooden boat.
If the Outer banks 20 is all about affordable boating then the Boston Whaler Outrage 37 on display the Newport Boat show is at the other end of the spectrum. The largest whaler ever it looks impressive. The show boat had three 300 hp Verado engines bolted to the transom which contributed to the more than half million dollar price tag. That boat is going to use rather a lot of expensive gas but then if you are going to spend half a million on essentially an open boat I guess you can afford it.
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