Messages

2656

General Discussion about the Great Alaskan / [For DEPTHCHARGE] Possible mods...

« on: January 12, 2010, 11:52:40 PM »

[Merged in from old Drupal forum]

 Brian, I have a couple of questions:
     1. What's the difference between the Prince Rupert and Newports cabins? Since the interiors are interchangeable I'm assuming it's to have a choice of styles. I'm partial to the Newport. It looks good with the upswept bow.

     2. Is it possible to add a flybridge on the roof? Weather usually isn't much of an issue and the added height helps to find "fishy" spots.

2657

Introductions - Are you new here? Say hello! / Who I am...

« on: January 12, 2010, 11:50:33 PM »

Hi,  I'm Brian Dixon, designer of the Great Alaskan.  I got my boat design training from the Westlawn School of Yacht Design - Professional Program.  The Great Alaskan was first designed as an assignment for Westlawn, then later on I fleshed out the design and put together the builder's manuals, construction drawings, and what not and had a design check accomplished by a professional naval architect (who gave it his blessings) and a structural check by a mechanical engineer with large scale marine design experience.  Then after that, I offered the plans for sale in both printed and digital format.  All in all, it took me about 3 years to accomplish all this, but mostly because I  do have a regular day job (as a senior software architect / electrical engineer), a family, and a too-long list of hobbies...

Thanks for stopping by!

Brian Dixon

2658

Great Alaskan FAQ / Re: Stern drive use

« on: January 10, 2010, 02:43:34 PM »

Built exactly as specified, there is 27-5/8" from the top surface of the deck to the top surface of the sheer deck right in front of the transom.  Unless you choose a particularly tall unit, there should be no reason for the stern drive motor box to end up higher than the sheerline.  Example:

Cummins/Mercruiser 170-200 hp sterndrive is 31" from bottom of oil pan to top of motor.  It is 20" from bottom of motor mount to top of motor.  Given the mounting specifications, the motor mounts will be just below the top of the stringers.  The top of the motor would be at about 19" or so above the deck, so you have an extra 8" or so above the motor for the top of the box (and insulation).  I think you'll find this motor to be fairly typical.

Brian

PS: See attachments

2659

Projects - Glacier Boats of Alaska boat projects / Adrian Pau's Great Alaskan in Gresham, Oregon

« on: January 10, 2010, 12:54:10 PM »

Hi,

Post this for Adrian Pau of Gresham, Oregon:

  Slideshow link

I think the pictures are more or less in reverse order, so start and the end and work back.

Brian

2660

Board Help / How to Post Images

« on: January 09, 2010, 11:52:35 PM »

To post an inline image in your topic:

1. Upload the image to a web site (your own, PhotoBucket, etc)
2. Copy the link to the image from your browser's address bar
3. In your topic message, click the image icon (usually below the 'Italics' icon above the edit window) to insert BBC code for an image
4. Paste the link in between the IMG tags
5. Click Post
6. If it didn't work, then click the Modify icon (top right) and try again

To post an image as an attachment:

1. Click the "Additional Options..." link below your post (while editing)
2. To the right of the "Attach:" edit box, click the Browse button and browse to an image file to upload
3. To add more attachments, click the "(more attachments)" link and continue

Examples:

INLINE IMAGE:


ATTACHED IMAGE:
(see attachments below as thumbnails)

Brian

2661

Great Alaskan FAQ / Can I put a tuna tower or a bridge helm on top of the pilot house?

« on: January 09, 2010, 11:39:41 PM »

Q) Can I put a tuna tower or a bridge helm on top of the pilot house?

A) Well ...outside of following the plans, anyone is free to experiment, but before you do please consider the following:

• The number one factor that affects the economics of operating a boat ("miles per gallon" for you lubbers out there) is the boat's weight.  The Great Alaskan was designed for high efficiency and as such, has a relatively light hull for a boat of it's size.  It doesn't take very much weight up high to impact the boat's stability (increased roll, possible unsafe conditions for people and boat), nor does it require a lot of structure up high to result in increased windage problems.
• The Great Alaskan utilizes a "semi-dory offshore sea skiff" type of hull form.  The boat has generous flare to the sides, a modest (and efficient) deadrise, and a relatively stiff transverse metacentric height (GMt).  What this means to you is that one of the features of this design that makes the boat seaworthy is how it bobs up and over waves rather than slice through them (assuming adrift or not under much way), and that includes how the boat responds to waves and swells approaching from the side.  The 'roll with the flow' response that occurs while the boat bobs up and over seas will increase the sway of any structure mounted up high ...Depending on weight (including yours) and what you've put on top of the boat, you could find yourself in the drink if you experience the right sized or sort of seas or swells.

Be careful and be conservative out there!

Brian