I wish I could make an intelligent comment or suggestion for ya here mate, but not owning a "real" boat myself, other than a fishing kayak, I'm at a bit of a loss. Got all my resources tied up on a house on an island with a dock out back, making this defensible. Just wish I could be in your boots for an hour or so to walk around in her. She looks like a promising craft.
I have a reading suggestion you might like though... Ever read any books by Wayne Stinnett? Esp. the Jesse McDermitt series? Stinnett is an ex-vet, ex-trucker turned novelist who writes about chartering his boats in the southern Florida area. At any rate, his stuff is pretty good and may inspire.
As for me, if I had the time and means to do what you're doing, I'd go with sails. Damn motor boats don't take the time to enjoy the voyage in my opinion. If I had my way I'd rig it like the cat in "Waterworld" (w/ Keven Costner). And I'd mount a 5-pounder on the bow and a 50cal. on the stern - just to discourage pirates, hijackers, and other water rats. As for ballast? How 'bout silver? Makes for great ballast!
Good luck mate! ~ @longshot
Thanks for the info...I'll have to look up Wayne Stinnett
I was considering sails. Perhaps make a motor sailer out of it? Or a kite?
Something so you can hear the wind & stars on the way.
on the way where?
it's the journey...not the destination.
When I first float my boat...in two or three years (maybe sooner but I doubt it)
it'll be in a lake...most likely lake Travis.
Since I'll be about 70 at the time...
...fill in the blank.
Hell I'm older than that! In 2-3 years you just may have to use it out on the bigger pond! Keep doin' what yer doin' fixing it up. Hard work is exercise you'll be glad kept you in shape when you need it.
speaking of 'silver' ballast.
How about bullets?
You got me to thinking about gun safes and ammo boxes, watertight, locked....in line down the keel...under the floor mats.
All that stuff should be added into your weight calculation for sure. Might want to consider a more secure & not so apparent "safe" than "the first place one would look," like "under the floor mats"... Perhaps a design that looks like something else to someone searching in a hurry? A bilge pump hatch that has a trigger to open someplace else? (Yeah, I know... I'm paranoid ~ but with reason!)