Ike
A 14' 9" V-Bottom Fishing Boat
By William Atkin
A Big Little Fisherman's Boat
Iky -- it is an easy guess in whose honor this contraction is derived -- is by every mark and line a big little boat. It is little so as to be easily transported by trailer to places where fishes play; and because it is little it is not unduly heavy, despite its rugged construction and staunchness. It is designed to be able to go and keep going in very rough weather despite its modest 14 feet 9 inches of length. One can see by the high flaring topsides that Iky will be dry and safe from swamping by flying spray and breaking waves; and by the same token that, sitting inside, one is well down in the boat; down to the armpits when sitting on the seats.

The length over all is 14 feet 9 inches; length on water line, 14 feet; breadth on deck, 5 feet 8 inches; and draft, 1 foot 6 inches. The freeboard at the bow is 2 feet 7 1/2 inches, and at the stern, 2 feet. To reduce the high-sided appearance a second moulding will be run around below the line of the sheer as shown; helps as a bumper as well.

The simplest and one of the best ways to steer a very small boat is by tiller and tiller lines leading around inside the cockpit; at practically no cost this is an excellent and simple way to handle a boat. The motor box is high and has flat top. This forms a fine place to sit for trolling. With motor controls on side of box and the clutch lever near by we have a very handy arrangement. The forward end of cockpit has floor boards deeper in the hull than the floor boards in after cockpit. This means a step down is beneath the side seats. This arrangement brings the level of the forward floor below the bottom of the motor flywheel, the advantage of which is evident. The after seat runs full width of the cockpit; beneath this there is a fish box. A small live bait well might be added if desired.

A boat for hard use and one that must be gotten ashore without the help of a marine railway should have a straight keel; furthermore the keel should terminate in a shoe protecting the propeller and rudder. Then the boat can be rolled on pipe and planks without trouble and without fear of damaging the bottom. A long keel will help keep the boat steady while at anchor; very necessary for fishing. A boat that walks around its anchor makes a bad fishing craft.

The lines of Ike show a straight sectioned V bottom throughout the sections below the chines; and straight sections from the bow to station 8; here and abaft this point the sections show a slight tumble home. No particular advantage from point of view of performance; but better looking. The esthetic belongs and should be well featured in the design of pleasure and work boats. It is not always present, more's the pity. Unlike fast types the bottom deadrise continues to the stern. More easily driven this way with modest power.

The lines as designed will produce a fast little boat considering the modest power it is proposed installing. Five horsepower is ample for a speed of 8 1/2 miles an hour. I would not advise a big motor; nothing over 10 to 12 h.p. Trouble is with more power the weights go up and the advantage of having a boat easily transported ashore is lost. My feeling is that we get speed in most of our boats by installing more and more power, rather than by refining, then refining some more the form of the hulls we build. The result is that we do get speed but at the cost of economy, comfort, noise, and an awful lot of wave-making and fuss. Try Ike, and see how easily she will walk through the water.

Plans for Ike are $100

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